Chapter 9: Dancing with the Monster (2)

　　When Brillin still didn’t relent, a frightened Astina threw her arms around her sister’s waist and clung to her, her voice trembling.

　　“I understand, Brillin. I won’t do it again. Please don’t be mad.”

　　Brillin’s heart ached at her sister’s dejection. She herself had raised Astina to be this way, so reliant and sheltered. Their circumstances had hardly been conducive to teaching her not to be hostile toward strangers; she understood her sister’s attitude completely. Brillin gently hugged Astina’s back, soothing her.

　　“Grrr… grrr.”

　　“Yes, Brillin. I know. I love you the most, too.”

　　Astina hugged Brillin’s large body tightly, secretly wiping her tears on the heavy robe. Then she answered with forced bravery. She couldn’t bear it if her sister hated her. As long as Brillin held her, everything would be fine. How hard could it be to be polite and respectful?

　　She didn’t like Theo or Hafen, but it was a thousand times better than her sister being angry.

　　Astina approached Hafen, who was untying two of the four horses hitched to the wagon.

　　“Your Highness, should my sister and I ride in the wagon?”

　　“Huh? Oh, yes. Please do. We’ll be leaving shortly.”

　　“Yes, Your Highness.”

　　The sudden formality was jarring. Just moments ago, she’d been speaking to him with casual impertinence, even threatening him. Hafen felt a flicker of unease as Astina gave a polite bow.

　　Regardless, Brillin and Astina settled themselves amongst the supplies. The group soon set off for Berhi Castle, with Mikhail and Dorius riding alongside the wagon. Hafen and Theo sat as far apart as possible in the narrow driver’s seat. Squinting against the biting wind, Hafen broke the silence.

　　“Hey, mage.”

　　“Your Highness, my name is Theovlin. You may call me Theo.”

　　“Whatever, mage.” Making it clear he had no desire to be friendly with a mage from the Tower, Hafen stubbornly repeated the title.

　　Theo let out a shallow sigh.

　　“Yes, yes. What is it?” he replied, his tone one of weary resignation.

　　“I don’t trust anyone from the Magic Tower.”

　　“My, my. I never would have known if you hadn’t told me,” Theo retorted sarcastically.

　　Hafen paid him no mind.

　　“Do you think I don’t know why Varius’s seal was entrusted to the House of Berhi and not the Magic Tower?”

　　Theo’s expression hardened. Hafen’s icy blue eyes bore into him, but the mage remained silent. Varius was a monster born from an insatiable obsession with mana. When it came to pure obsession, no mage in the Tower could rival him.

　　“You plan to break the seal and reclaim that power?” Hafen pressed. “What guarantee is there that you won’t become the second Varius after you consume it?”

　　“…I can control it. Lady Astina is managing to do so; therefore, I can, too.”

　　“Huh. Why? Because you’re so special?” Hafen scoffed.

　　Theo wasn’t without his own theories, but he lacked the certainty to counter Hafen’s suspicion. He had no choice but to remain silent again. Seeing this, Hafen clicked his tongue in displeasure.

　　‘Monster’ and ‘parents.’ The two words that enraged Astina. ‘Monster’ was understandable. But ‘parents’… A disturbing hypothesis clouded Hafen’s mind. He turned back to the silent mage.

　　“Do you really think the countess’s appearance is the only reason this castle is empty? The official report only said the former Count and Countess died. It never said how. Think about it, mage. How did their parents, and all the people in that castle, really die?”

　　Even upon hearing this, Theo kept his gaze fixed forward, his shimmering silver hair whipping about in the wind. From the moment he first saw the sisters, he had suspected the truth. Two girls, called monsters, in a desolate castle. He knew better than anyone how destructive Varius’s magic was.

　　The Tower’s records stated that Varius could not bear the sight of any living thing.

　　Hafen read the answer in the tight line of Theo’s jaw. His voice grew sharper.

　　“I knew it. You had your suspicions all along. And yet you still covet that power. Are mages so consumed with gaining power that nothing else matters?”

　　“That is precisely why the magic must be retrieved!” Theo finally broke his silence, his voice ringing with conviction. “Isn’t it a pity to leave them in such an unstable state? It’s too cruel for the Countess to live like this forever.”

　　What he wanted from the sisters was clear: to reclaim the power they held and fulfill his master’s legacy by becoming the Tower Master. But his sympathy was also genuine. Eyes the color of the sky met eyes the color of the sea. This time, Hafen looked away first.

　　“I hope you mean that, mage.” It was impossible to tell if it was a warning, a request, or a reprimand.

　　Theo was about to silently acquiesce when a surge of indignation rose within him. Did this prince have any right to judge him?

　　“And you, Your Highness, should refrain from being so reckless.”

　　“Reckless?”

　　“I’m telling you not to give the countess false hope when you are fully aware of her condition! To inherit the title, she needs the Emperor’s approval. To manage the territory, she needs the help of many vassals. Do you have any idea what will happen if she appears before people in her current state?” Theo’s expression was grave.

　　He couldn’t fathom what Brillin was thinking, accepting Hafen’s proposal. Astina, ever wary of strangers, might just rampage.

　　A bitter smile touched Hafen’s lips.

　　“The world is teeming with madmen who nurture far greater monsters within themselves. What’s the harm in one who’s a little big and hairy?”

　　Theo let out a hollow laugh.

　　“Says the man who can barely breathe in front of her…”

　　Hafen shot him a sidelong glance before turning back to the road with a dismissive air.

　　“I can act as her representative when she must appear before people. Communication is a slight issue, but I can enlist the young lady’s help for that.”

　　“This is not a matter to be taken so lightly.”

　　“Are you taking my life lightly?” Hafen’s expression turned glacial. His low voice was a mixture of anger and raw anxiety.

　　He had been sincere when he said he’d come here seeking death but found a reason to live. He, too, was staking his life on this. Seeing the complex emotions on Theo’s face, Hafen shook his head and adopted a lighter tone.

　　“Don’t think for a second I haven’t considered your concerns, mage. I am going to survive. And to do that, I will restore every last bit of glory those sisters have lost.”

　　A noble title, jewels and gowns, bountiful feasts, and a legion of servants. The sisters had lost more than just material things. He would restore the wealth and power they should have rightfully enjoyed as daughters of the House of Berhi, the famed rulers of the south. He would even restore their happiness.

　　Hafen had made his decision rashly, impulsively. He had been driven to the cliff’s edge and had thrown himself into the dark lake below. Until he broke the surface, gasping for air, everything he did would be a desperate gamble. In his twenty-four years as a prince with no ground to call his own, not a single day had been anything but rash.

　　Facing the knife-like winter wind, Hafen smiled with newfound confidence.

　　Theo sighed, finally accepting that he was in the same boat as this unpredictable prince.

* * *

　　By the time they reached Berhi Castle, the early winter sun was sinking behind the mountains. There was much to do before nightfall. While Mikhail and Dorius unhitched the horses, Brillin stepped down from the wagon, carrying a sleeping Astina in her arms. The girl’s face was buried deep in Brillin’s soft fur.

　　Theo approached them quietly.

　　“She’s fallen asleep. She must have been exhausted.”

　　“Hahh, hahh.” Brillin mouthed a reply, careful not to make a sound, but Theo couldn’t understand her.

　　“Please take the young lady to her room. We’ll take care of the rest.”

　　“Hmph.” Brillin, who had intended to do just that, gave a tiny nod of thanks and disappeared into the castle.

　　Hafen called out to Theo.

　　“Mage, come lend a hand. There’s a lot to do.”

　　Theo nodded and walked over. As Hafen started to walk away after moving a few items, Theo called after him, “Are you leaving all this to me?”

　　“I’m going to look for the stables. I can’t let the horses we bought freeze to death.”

　　“While you’re at it, find a storehouse for all this.”

　　Hafen gave a casual nod and headed toward the back of the castle, Dorius following with the four horses.

　　“There should be a stable around here somewhere…”

　　He eventually found one, but after nearly a decade of neglect, its windows and doors were gone. With a sigh, Hafen led the horses into what had once been the servants’ quarters. It was just as dilapidated, but it offered more protection from the wind than the skeletal stables. He spread out fresh hay, then went in search of a pantry.

　　He checked the shed where Brillin had found the cart, but it was no place to store food.

　　Giving up on the outbuildings, Hafen entered the main castle. Only two areas showed any sign of recent habitation: the reception room with its fireplace, and the kitchen and laundry area. He placed his hands on his hips and let out a long sigh. Standing beside him, Theo stared down a dark hallway that looked as though a ghost might emerge at any moment.

　　The castle was in far worse shape than he’d imagined.