Chapter 98
The two of them were polar opposites in personality.
Serley was arrogant and sensitive, with a severe social anxiety that made him poor at socializing. This was in stark contrast to Kyden’s indifferent and easygoing nature.
The only commonality between them was their intense obsession with their respective passions. From a young age, Serley was fixated on painting, while Kyden was similarly obsessed with swordsmanship.
The former Count had been unable to tolerate seeing Serley, who he thought was unmanly and impractical, spending his time painting. He would tear up Serley’s artwork or mock him in front of others, unable to tolerate the waste of his talents.
This oppression only intensified Serley’s already sensitive and skewed disposition, making his personality more twisted.
‘Is he still as infuriating?’
Kyden arrived in front of the hotel where Serley was staying. As he entered the hotel, he let out a small sigh.
For a moment, he thought that spending a simple life with Roel, without great ambitions, might be pleasant. While a knight’s position or a fief might be desirable…
But he soon took a long stride forward.
What had once seemed like burdensome positions, power, and wealth now appeared important. Having wealth would allow him to provide more for Roel. With power, trivial matters would not covet Roel. With lands and people to govern, Roel could live comfortably without lifting a finger.
His values had shifted from seeking a leisurely life and contentment to the pursuit of power and wealth.
Why had things changed so drastically?
Was it because the poor cabin couldn’t protect Roel from the winter cold? Or was it from the moment Roel’s fingertips bled while she was sewing?
Perhaps it was the overwhelming sense of helplessness he felt when he couldn’t find her, driving him to the brink of madness. Or maybe it was seeing the insignificant things eyeing her with desire.
Or was it simply because her small, delicate hand had clung to him?
He didn’t know the reason. All he knew was that after losing her, his inner self had been thrown into a tempest, crashing to the depths, and was only now being slowly rebuilt.
Kyden entered the hotel.
When he mentioned that he was there to see Count Serley, the manager came out to ask for his name. After giving his name, Kyden was told that the message would be passed on to the count’s knights.
Soon after, the manager returned and guided Kyden to the restaurant.
“Count Serley has asked to see you.”
As Kyden entered the restaurant, he saw a man sitting alone at a large table, surrounded by an array of food and sipping wine.
When Kyden approached, Serley looked up with a scowl.
“Why are you so late? If you knew I was in the capital, you should have come right away.”
Serley’s sharp question meant that Dyson must have mentioned Kyden’s arrival.
“I had some matters to attend to. Have you been well?”
“What have you… been up to?”
“I visited the capital and took a trip to some rural villages, among other things.”
“And what’s with your attire? From a distance, I thought you were a mercenary.”
“It’s comfortable. I’ve actually worked as a mercenary before.”
“You? You’ve worked as a mercenary?”
“Yes. It wasn’t particularly enjoyable.”
“…A shame about your skills.”
Serley muttered under his breath, finishing his wine with a resigned air.
“And what about the knight you knocked out? I specifically arranged for the number of people for the ceremony, and now there’s an empty seat.”
Kyden remained unfazed by the blaming tone. He recognized Serley’s tendency to make a point by blaming others.
Serley had a habit of opening a conversation by pointing out faults, and Kyden had expected this.
“Looking like a red-faced mess, I can’t just bring him around like that. Since you caused this mess, you clean it up.”
“Yes.”
“You’re not planning to go to the palace looking like that, are you? Ask Dyson for some armor.”
Serley’s words clearly meant that he is reinstating Kyden as a knight. Kyden, anticipating this, nodded in agreement.
“Oh, right. By the way, when did Count Rontria pass away?”
“It’s been a while. He died last winter.”
Serley gave a thin smile. It was hard to imagine he was grieving for his deceased grandfather.
There was a reason for this. The former Count had exiled his son, Serley’s father, to a remote area. His father had subsequently died from an epidemic that was prevalent in the outskirts.
Afterward, rumors emerged questioning the legitimacy of Serley’s connection to his grandfather, suggesting he might actually be the Count’s son rather than his grandson. This scandal troubled him, and he harbored resentment towards his grandfather for many years.
Serley gestured for Kyden to come closer. As Kyden bent forward, Serley lowered his voice and revealed a secret about the former count.
“People think it was a heart attack, but the truth is he died while having s-x.”
“…I see.”
“The old man was crazy.”
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