RHH | Chapter 1.4

Pulling out clothes suitable for sneaking from underneath his uniform, Leehwan quickly changed. However, as he was about to leave, the sword hanging loosely at his left hip bothered him.

Deiustellum, a sword flashing gloriously under the sun with gold and rubies. The Imperial had promoted it as a weapon of the gods. It was the perfect combination to stir up the crowd along with the Knight of Salvation. Even those who did not know Leehwan’s face knew who the owner of Deiustellum was. After wrapping the sword in old clothes, Leehwan finally stepped outside.

Outside the tent, the early evening darkness had settled in. A large bonfire set in the center of the camp glowed red. Leehwan began walking in the direction where shadows flickered.

“Sir Alexander? Where are you going dressed like that?”

Duku, who had been chatting with a fellow near the bonfire, spotted Leehwan and approached. Duku, Leehwan’s subordinate, was also the person who had presented decisive evidence of Leehwan’s collusion with foreign powers.

‘I can no longer bear it on my conscience. I confess I have assisted Sir Alexander under duress.’

Leehwan recalled the letter he had glimpsed during the public trial. It was written in a handwriting so similar to his own that even he could be confused. Duku had often taken up the task of filling in for the busy Leehwan.

Though he claimed it was under duress, the act of treason was the same, and thus Duku was also imprisoned in the dungeon after the trial. He had confessed while crying.

‘I’m sorry, Sir Alexander. But if I don’t do this, my family in Rucille will die. I’m really sorry. I will repay this guilt after my death.’

His tear-soaked voice had eerily echoed off the dungeon’s stone walls.

“Duku, where is your hometown again?”

“Rucille.”

“Do you have family there?”

“Yes. My parents, a younger brother, and three younger sisters.”

There was nothing in his cheerful smile that suggested he would betray anyone. Leehwan stared at him silently. Then Duku made a puzzled face.

“Sir Alexander?”

“I’ll just go out for a bit to clear my head.”

“You’ll be back before dawn, right?”

Suppressing the surge of murderous intent, Leehwan casually nodded and walked away.

The place Leehwan was headed to was a nearby village. It seemed his memory wasn’t too bad; as he walked, faint recollections of this time surfaced. Back then, he had also left the camp to find a small tavern.

He walked the same path into the village. It was small enough that thirty-two knights had to camp outside because it couldn’t accommodate them all. Leehwan entered the smallest and dirtiest tavern, a place he would never have considered before.

The tavern was bustling. The owner, clearing a table where guests had just left, noticed Leehwan, put down his rag, and approached.

“What can I get you?”

“Beer and the usual snacks… no, make it a plate of spicy roasted pork.”

It had been a long time since he had indulged in spicy food due to his illness. The thought of enjoying a gastronomic treat somewhat lifted his spirits.

It took a while for the food to arrive. Leehwan pounced on the generously filled plate. The meat was a bit gamey, and the seasoning salty, but it was a feast for Leehwan. He quickly cleared the plate.

When the plate was half-empty, the beer glass was already showing its bottom. Leehwan licked his lips. He wanted another drink, but he was supposed to meet someone. Or perhaps it would be better to be slightly intoxicated and in a good mood. He leaned toward this almost rationalized choice.

“Landlord, another beer here.”

Just as Leehwan was about to refocus on his plate of meat, the tavern door opened and a man entered. His strong presence drew the few patrons’ eyes towards him. Leehwan was used to this reaction.

He slowly chewed and swallowed the meat in his mouth before turning his gaze. Absalom was still by the door. His face lost in a daze, as if he were seeing a vision, he looked at Leehwan.

Leehwan involuntarily turned his head away, as anger and a murderous intent surged within him in an instant. If he stayed, he felt he might slash Absalom’s throat.

He shouldn’t do that. He had business with Absalom.

Realizing this belatedly, Leehwan pretended to turn back casually and looked at Absalom again. Absalom wore a lost expression. Leehwan finally spoke, calling him by his full name instead of the nickname he had used in the past.

“Absalom.”

“Ah… Leehwan?”

Excitement flashed across Absalom’s face. In that moment, feeling a surge of revulsion, Leehwan barely managed to restrain his hand from reaching for the sword at his waist. He relaxed his stiff jaw and moved his clenched teeth. Despite trying, making a smiling face was too difficult, so he just brought the beer mug he’d just received to his lips, barely managing to squint his eyes.

Even he thought the expression was forced. However, Absalom seemed satisfied enough and rushed over in a stride. His beauty blossomed like a flower in full bloom.

“My goodness, Leehwan! To meet in a place like this!”

His voice, clearly filled with delight, resonated throughout the bar.

The bar they had previously met in wasn’t this one. The time was also a bit later. He had expected this to be a different bar from that time, but still, the surprise was quite significant.

This meeting today was certainly not a coincidence. Maybe even the first day they met wasn’t a coincidence either.

Leehwan had first met Absalom four years ago in a bar he had visited incognito. By today’s timeline, that would have been last year. He sipped his beer as he reminisced.

At that time, Leehwan was fed up with the people of the Imperial Palace who saw him only as a Messenger of God. To be precise, it would be more accurate to say he felt cornered.

Wherever he went, people’s gazes followed him. They kept a certain distance and observed Leehwan. If he made a mistake or acted even slightly out of their expectations, they poured criticism and blame on him.

He needed some breathing room. But he couldn’t ask that of Lucien. He wanted to only show a cool and reliable side to his lover. So, he would often wander away from the Imperial Palace to places where there were no people.

One day, he stumbled upon a pile of old clothes discarded by the servants in a corner of the Imperial Palace. Leehwan, as if enchanted, picked them up and brought them back to his quarters. That night, he tried incognito for the first time.

Initially, he felt as if he was committing a sin. He went out to the bustling main streets and entered the busiest bar there. Ordering cheap beer felt thrilling, like he was a minor stepping back in time.

The people of the Imperial Capital, who were so enthusiastic about ‘Sir Alexander’, surprisingly did not recognize Leehwan. Because he always wore a helmet that covered his hair and features when he had to appear in public, the people knew him as Alexander, a handsome man with blond hair and blue eyes that fit his name perfectly.

Was it fortunate? No one showed interest in him with his black hair and brown eyes. To put it nicely, he had exotic features; to be honest, they were somewhat plain. The attention would linger briefly, but as soon as he answered that he had come from another continent to make money, it faded quickly.

Leehwan became a regular at that bar. The frequency of his visits gradually increased. From once every two months to once a month, and then to every fortnight.

The first time he met Absalom was ten days after he began his incognito visits. He nodded to the bar owner and ordered a beer from the bartender. That day, the bar was busier than usual, so he ended up sitting at the counter.

At some point, the bustling bar quieted down. Unable to resist the strange allure, Leehwan turned his head without thinking. That was the first time he saw Absalom.

The man had a face more beautiful than any artwork and silver hair that looked almost noble, his mere presence altering the colors around him. Even the air around him seemed elegant.

It was perhaps inevitable that Leehwan and Absalom’s eyes met as they looked around the bar. As Leehwan maintained eye contact, Absalom approached with a sparkle in his eye.

“Is this seat taken?”

It was a clichéd start for their first meeting in the bar.

Leehwan introduced himself as a soldier, and Absalom introduced himself as a merchant. Having traveled far and wide, he had a lot of knowledge and became a good conversational partner for Leehwan.

Their meetings continued afterward. Although they didn’t meet often, they developed a friendship through their own ups and downs.

For Leehwan, it was a miraculous meeting. Although it was under the assumption that Absalom didn’t know Leehwan’s true identity, it was his first friendship in this world.

“I mentioned I was a soldier, remember?”

“That’s right.”

“I have some connections with the higher-ups.”

As a lover of the Fifth Prince and a member of the Crown Prince’s direct knights, it wasn’t a lie. Absalom chimed in lightly.

“That’s impressive.”

“So, you know… if you ever have trouble, you can talk to me.”

For Leehwan, who found wielding power difficult, this was a great favor. Absalom responded to this.

“And you, Leehwan. If you have any questions or need information, feel free to ask. I’m a merchant, so I come across various information.”

Clearing his thoughts, Leehwan set down his empty beer mug.

“Are you up for another round?”

While ordering food, Absalom asked. Leehwan nodded. Absalom’s red lips curled softly.

“It’s been a while since we met and you’re not talking much… Surely you’re not drunk already? It’s still early evening.”

Leehwan thought the remark sounded familiar. He pretended to fiddle with his glass as he recalled.

“You look tired.”

A low voice, a gentle tone.

“We barely talk even though we just met. Did you know you’ve been speaking less and less?”

A face that seemed concerned came closer. Silver hair framing the pale face swayed smoothly.

“Are you really okay, Leehwan?”

Leehwan snapped out of his reverie and faced forward. Deep blue eyes were staring at him.

“Leehwan?”

Absalom didn’t know. He didn’t know about the day Leehwan had clutched his fist under the table, soaked with sweat from the relief that his real name had not been disclosed and yet, conflicted emotions swirled within him that day.

He realized only today that it had all been unnecessary. Leehwan forced a smile through his stiff expression.

“No way. I’ve only had a couple of drinks.”

Two beer mugs were placed on the table. Leehwan grabbed one. His movement was a bit rough, and beer spilled over. Leehwan clicked his tongue.

“Darn…”

As he set the glass down and wiped his wet hand, Absalom stood up. The handkerchief in his hand hinted at his intention.

Leehwan hesitated for a moment. He didn’t want Absalom to touch him, not even a single hair. But the old Leehwan would have let him do as he pleased. While he hesitated, Absalom’s white fingers touched Leehwan’s rough hand.

Slap!