No Regression for the Victor - Chapter 56

“I…”

For a brief, dazzling moment, Mikhail wanted to say yes on the spot. He felt as though he were walking on clouds, overjoyed that the Duke thought of him as someone so close. But it was a proposal he could never accept, not if he wanted to save the man from the cruel curse that was dragging him toward death. Mikhail feared that his refusal might wound the Duke’s heart, but there was no other choice.

“I’m sorry. I don’t think my master would allow it.”

It was, in truth, an excuse. It was transparent and roundabout, but unmistakably a refusal.

Even if the Duke’s lands, wealth, and power had been stripped away, a Duke was still a Duke. If he demanded insistently enough, citing his right to be treated according to his rank, what low-born investigator—one of those younger sons of minor houses who wouldn’t even inherit their family name—could possibly say no?

But to claim he couldn’t accept because of his ‘master’ was as good as saying outright, I don’t want to.

“…Yes, of course. You’re still too young to be tied down in such a harsh place. I asked too much of you. Forget I said anything.”

Hyun gave up at once. After all, even he could see it was an offer with no benefit, only loss. What joy was there in standing watch over an exile’s estate beside a man who would be a walking corpse within a few years?

Dropping by for a few days each month to check in was one thing, but to wake up every day on this barren, empty island, where no one ever came or went… It would be unbearable for someone with Misha’s bright, lively nature.

Besides, serving under an imperial investigator in the capital offered a chance to be noticed by high officials or nobles and perhaps be hired into the service of a powerful house. That could mean an easier life, better pay. Here, none of that could even be dreamed of.

More likely, anyone known to have grown close to a branded traitor would be cast out. No one would risk that just to guard a dying man’s final years. Even Misha, with him being too softhearted and gentle for his own good, generous enough to spare time for a traitor like him, he would naturally draw the line there.

Misha had only just felt relief that the Duke was unhurt when Hyun suddenly clutched his chest, a racking cough tearing up from deep within, sharp pain slicing through his lungs.

“Kh–ugh, kuh—!”

There was no blood, thankfully, but the pain was too severe to pretend nothing was wrong. His face twisted involuntarily, and Mikhail leapt up in alarm.

“I’ll go get the caretakers!”

But Hyun shook his head, wordlessly refusing, and instead leaned his forehead briefly against Misha’s shoulder, closing his eyes. As he calmed his breathing, Misha’s shoulders trembled slightly under him.

How foolish it seemed now, thinking he had nothing left to lose. For him to give his heart to someone, was that not proof that he still clung to life after all? He’d scorned unneeded kindness as dangerous and unnecessary, but now it felt almost absurd.

“No, it’s fine. Just let me borrow your shoulder… only for a little while…”

When Hyun silently gripped Misha’s wrist, Misha stopped flinching and straightened himself carefully. His head spun with one panicked thought. What if the wildly fast beating of my heart reaches him? But perhaps fortunately—or perhaps tragically—the rapidly weakening Duke was losing both sight and hearing. He could no longer pierce the dark as he once had, nor catch the faintest scurrying sounds.

Misha hesitated, debating whether he dared to hold the Duke’s shoulder, and then finally spoke in a small, wavering voice.

“I won’t be able to visit as often as before… but I’ll write you letters every week. I’ll tell you everything. What flowers are blooming where I am, what trees are bearing fruit, whether it’s raining or windy… every little thing.”