RHH | Chapter 2.3

Bernard took off his glove and slapped Lucien’s cheek with it. It was a challenge to a duel, and refusing would brand him a coward. But Lucien couldn’t react. Not because he didn’t know how to handle a weapon.

This had happened several times before. But he couldn’t tell Leehwan. He was afraid of the criticism and repercussions that would fall on him if it was known that Iella’s knight was acting privately.

Having his only confidant, Wibaeng, act as a proxy was also problematic—whether he won or lost, it would cause issues. Having no power meant exactly that.

Slap!

A sharp sound echoed through the path. Bernard had swung his glove hard. With that final gesture, he dropped the glove.

“It’s dirty now. I’ll have to throw it away.”

Bernard muttered as if disappointed, then feigned surprise.

“Oh dear, brother. Did you bump into something? Your face is all red. You should take good care of that face that even the Messenger of God fell for.”

Bernard chuckled as if he had said something amusing and walked past Lucien. Wibaeng, who had been standing behind, finally stepped forward.

“Lucien, sir.”

“…Don’t say anything.”

Lucien returned to his quarters with quick steps and shut himself in his bedroom.

There was no lie in Bernard’s words. That’s why it angered him even more and, at the same time, frightened him. Now, he had nothing left.

Tears mixed with fear, emptiness, and something indescribable streamed down his face.

‘I really thought I was going to die when I fell off the cliff.’

He said, his body wrapped in bandages. Despite his severe injuries, a faint smile lingered on his face.

At some point, his expressions had become less frequent, but he still smiled often in front of Lucien. Sometimes, Lucien felt a sense of pride. It was enjoyable to wield such a revered person at his whim.

‘But back then.’

A rough hand covered Lucien’s. Lucien disliked his hands. The coarse texture felt uncomfortable every time they touched. But he endured it, staying still as the man exhaled deeply. His breath was sweet and soothing.

‘I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving you alone. That’s why I moved, even if my body could barely manage.’

Lucien opened his eyes. His vision swam. Blinking, hot tears streamed down his temples.

He sat up. A cold darkness greeted him. Just moments ago, he had been in the villa’s bedroom, but now he was in his own room. The chill, so different from the warmth of the villa, seeped into his skin. Shivering, Lucien got out of bed.

In the dead of night, he ran down the path. The dignity of a royal, the palace etiquette he had learned through harsh scoldings—none of it crossed his mind. The pitch-black darkness didn’t frighten him. If that warmth lay at the end of this path, if he could just reach it…

But the villa he finally arrived at was enveloped in cold darkness. Its owner was gone. Only then did Lucien realize that the warmth he longed for wasn’t the villa, but its owner.

Plop.

Tears fell onto the yellowing grass. A childlike sob followed.

After that, Lucien fell ill for a long time. Dreams, whether nightmares or hopes, tormented him relentlessly.

In them, Lucien was sometimes younger, sometimes older. Leehwan’s face also changed. Sometimes he had scars, other times only half an ear remained. But one thing remained constant—they were always together.

Days later, Lucien left his sickbed and went to see Charles. After waiting for what felt like an eternity, he was finally granted an audience.

“Sir Alexander is not dead.”

Charles, who had kept his eyes fixed on documents regardless of Lucien’s presence, finally looked up. His icy gaze turned to Lucien. Under normal circumstances, that look alone would have cowed him. But Lucien didn’t back down.

“I will go find him myself.”

Leehwan had said he wouldn’t leave him alone, that he had come back alive for Lucien’s sake. After that, Leehwan had stayed by his side. So, Leehwan must still be alive.

If they met again, then—

𓂃 ོ☼𓂃

In small villages, finding a horse market is difficult. Trade itself is rare. So, Leehwan and Absalom set their sights on a fairly large city.

Leehwan, who had discreetly obtained an identification card from a palace servant, entered the city without issue. He chose the busiest inn. The more people coming and going, the harder it is for any specific individual to be remembered.

With that in mind, he told Absalom to cover his face as soon as they entered the city. He thought that among the many people passing by, someone might notice Absalom and, by extension, take an interest in Leehwan. Thus, they quietly settled into the inn, blending in seamlessly.

“Wait here for a moment.”

Absalom entered Leehwan’s room, left those words, and immediately left. Leehwan sat down and waited quietly as instructed. Shortly after, Absalom returned, his arms full of various items.

First, Absalom placed a bucket of warm water and a well-dried towel on the shelf. Then, he handed Leehwan some dried fruit.

“It’s a bit early for dinner, so I brought this. Eat this for now.”

Leehwan took it without a word and put it in his mouth. The sweetness, which he hadn’t tasted in a while, lifted his mood. As he chewed on the dried fruit, Absalom continued.

“I’m going to the horse market. Don’t go anywhere until I get back. Got it? Even if the innkeeper knocks, pretend you’re not here.”

After finishing his sentence, Absalom quickly left Leehwan’s room. Even after his presence faded, Leehwan continued to chew on the snack for a while before swallowing it. A cough nearly escaped, but he managed to suppress it.

The frequency of his coughing had noticeably decreased. The discomfort in his chest had also improved significantly. His improved condition was largely thanks to Absalom. Leehwan didn’t deny his efforts.

On the other hand, it was also a bit irritating. Despite his determination to make Absalom work hard, he hadn’t achieved much. The reason was that Absalom took care of everything before Leehwan could even act difficult.

Leehwan got up and approached the shelf. Steam was rising from the bucket of warm water. He washed his body with it and then dried off with the towel Absalom had brought.

Absalom returned late in the evening. He seemed to have found a horse he liked, as his expression was bright.

“There was a horse available at a good price, so I bought it. Both are strong and gentle, so either one would be fine. Take a look tomorrow and choose the one you like.”

Absalom looked at Leehwan with sparkling eyes. His face was full of expectation. It was clear what he was hoping for.

“Alright.”

Leehwan answered briefly. As soon as he closed his mouth, Absalom’s face fell. It was a natural reaction, but Leehwan ignored it.

They ate dinner and went to bed early. They planned to leave the city early the next morning.

They were nearing the border. Once they crossed it, they would enter the kingdom of Plzensia. In the northern city of Sancoña, there was a famous cathedral. It was the location of the first holy relic Leehwan was targeting.

𓂃 ོ☼𓂃

The Ermentas Cathedral in Sancoña was a place where pilgrims never ceased to visit. Where people gather, commerce and lodging facilities inevitably develop.

There was a guesthouse for pilgrims within the cathedral grounds. However, it was cramped, offered only dry bread and water for meals, and provided minimal amenities, so those with a bit more money often used external facilities.

Naturally, the guesthouse became the domain of the poor and was always crowded. Sharing a room with strangers was the least of the problems. There were frequent cases where someone would enter a room with a sick person and run out in horror.

“Two rooms are absolutely impossible.”

So, when Absalom jingled a single key, Leehwan wasn’t particularly impressed. When he gestured for Absalom to lead the way, Absalom hesitated and asked,

“Are you sure you’re okay with this?”

“What’s not to be okay with?”

At that answer, Absalom gave a bitter smile.

The guesthouse room was smaller and shabbier than any inn room they had stayed in so far. Two beds were placed side by side against the wall, with barely enough space for an arm between them. Moreover, basic cleanliness seemed to have been neglected, as the smell of filth stung their noses. Absalom pulled Leehwan, who had entered first, back.

“Leehwan, go out for a bit. You can take a walk or go to the stable to check on the horses… Just for a little while.”

Leehwan turned around without a word.

Those who have sinned must cover themselves to avoid the eyes of God. This was one of the teachings Iella’s clergy imparted to their followers.

For this reason, it was common to see people in the cathedral grounds with cloaks draped over their heads. This allowed Leehwan to move around freely without worry.

After some time, he turned back. As he walked down the long corridor of the guesthouse and entered the room, a pleasant scent greeted him. Looking around the now clean room, Absalom approached with a basin.

“You’re back early. I was thinking of going to look for you.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

Leehwan muttered with a blank expression. No matter how he looked at it, this went beyond mere cleaning. But Absalom just smiled gently, looking pleased.

“Here, sit down.”

Absalom sat Leehwan down on the hard wooden bed. Then, he placed the basin on the floor and knelt beside it. Leehwan wondered what he was planning to do.

Delicate fingers with prominent knuckles grasped Leehwan’s shoe and gently pulled it off. The worn shoe came off easily, revealing a sweat-dampened sock. As Absalom reached for the sock, Leehwan instinctively spoke.

“What are you doing?”

His short words carried a faint sense of bewilderment. Sensing the implicit refusal, Absalom looked up. His silver hair, which had fallen forward, cascaded like a veil over his smooth forehead and cheeks.

“Leehwan?”

Leehwan, who had been staring blankly at the surreal scene, snapped out of it at the low voice. His focused eyes met Absalom’s. To lose himself while looking at that guy—Leehwan was appalled at his own foolishness.

“What are you doing?”

Leehwan spoke stiffly. His voice sounded almost angry. But Absalom paid no heed. He tilted his head and answered as if it were the most natural thing.

“The room is small. It’s much more convenient for me to wash your feet here. Less water will splash around.”

With that, he casually removed Leehwan’s sock. Leehwan, who had been about to stop him, changed his mind. Hadn’t he decided to make Absalom work hard? This was nothing.

Absalom carefully held Leehwan’s ankle and guided it into the basin. Warm water enveloped his foot up to the ankle.

Leehwan forced his increasingly relaxed body to tense as he looked down at Absalom. Beneath the silver hair, his forehead and nose were slightly visible. His red lips occasionally peeked through. No matter what Absalom’s intentions were, his exterior was so pristine that it felt almost sacrilegious.

No one had ever served him so intimately before. Leehwan himself had always felt awkward and avoided it. If he hadn’t refused such service back then, maybe he could now use Absalom without a second thought. A strange sense of regret washed over him.