EWH Chapter 148

Nathan laughed incredulously and asked back:

“Is not going even an option?”

“Well, no. But if you told me not to go…”

“Then you should go.”

“…”

At that blunt, indifferent response, Azar sulkily pouted.

“Ah, so that’s how you’re going to be?”

Azar felt quite hurt by the reaction. Apparently, he was the only one who felt regretful about potentially not seeing each other for a while. His voice came out grumpy in response.

“…We won’t be able to see each other for a long time if I go like this.”

“How long?”

Nathan finally asked, showing curiosity. Azar slowly responded after mentally counting the days:

“A month, at least a month? Maybe even longer…”

Elphinesse, worried he might run away again, had sent for him early—there was still about a month until the birthday celebration. Based on previous First Prince birthday celebrations, it would likely last a week, so if he returned right after showing his face on the first day, he could be back at the academy in slightly over a month.

“I see. Have a good trip.”

Though Nathan thought it was longer than expected, he simply nodded without showing it. But since this wasn’t the reaction Azar had hoped for, he showed his displeasure.

“…Are you really letting me go?”

Nathan sat down on the windowsill beside Azar’s sulking face and asked:

“What kind of response are you hoping for?”

“You’re not really asking because you don’t know, right?”

As he spoke, he slowly placed his hand over Nathan’s hand on the windowsill, and said with slightly crinkled eyes, as if complaining:

“You’re supposed to ask me not to go. Then I’d pretend to give in, you know?”

Nathan glanced at the hand placed demonstratively over his but pretended not to notice and looked away. And Azar didn’t miss this silent permission. The hand covering his entire hand moved slowly again. Callused fingertips tickled the back of his hand before intertwining their fingers together. Nathan’s fingertips twitched reflexively. His slightly lowered gaze wandered. Nathan obviously changed the subject.

“…What about the others? Aren’t they going with you?”

“Mm, no. Just me for now. Actually, I haven’t even told them yet. …Ah, right. Would you tell them for me instead?”

“M-me?”

Nathan stammered in surprise. But Azar continued calmly while slowly rubbing Nathan’s fingernails with his thumb.

“Raya and Ali went out playing again, and Remy went to catch those two. Seems they missed way more classes than expected. So even though I wanted to tell them, I couldn’t. All three aren’t at the academy right now, so what can I do? But if I leave without saying anything, they’ll definitely try to eat me alive…”

“…”

But Nathan couldn’t easily answer.

“If it’s too hard for you, just telling Raya would be fine.”

Seeing Nathan’s hesitation, Azar added this, seemingly understanding his concern. Nathan smiled awkwardly.

“…Okay, I’ll tell the others…!?”

Before he could finish speaking, Azar pulled on their joined hands and drew him into a full embrace. With his free arm lightly wrapped around Nathan’s neck, he said:

“Make sure to eat properly while I’m gone.”

“…What, I can manage that much myself.”

Nathan said incredulously, his chin resting on Azar’s shoulder.

“How can you say that when I’ve seen you forget to eat when I’m not around?”

“…T-that was just once…”

“Anyway, don’t overdo it.”

“I’m not overdoing anything…”

“And while I’m gone, think about me a lot too.”

“Alright, —what?”

Nathan, who had been responding automatically to the conversation, furrowed his brow and pulled back at the last comment. When he turned to look at Azar incredulously, the other had already stepped back from the window.

“You really…”

Though he knew better, Nathan couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief at falling for such tricks every time.

“Well, I’m going! See you in a month!”

Azar backed away while waving both hands high above his head, the sunset at his back. Realizing the distance had quickly grown, Nathan quietly waved his hand in farewell instead of responding.

***

After parting with Nathan, Azar’s mood immediately hit rock bottom. His dragging footsteps betrayed his current state of mind, as if he’d rather die than go. Even walking as slowly as possible, the main gate was already in sight.

As the sun set, the magic lamps set up in front of the academy lit up one by one, brightly illuminating the surroundings. Azar paused briefly after scanning the people waiting at the main gate with a listless expression. The urge to run away even now surged within him. Of course, it wasn’t impossible if he wanted to…

‘But there are just too many complications.’

Azar ruffled his hair irritably before resuming his halted steps.

As he approached the main gate, he could make out the faces of those standing ahead one by one. There were several familiar knights’ faces, mixed with some unfamiliar ones.

They all wore uniforms symbolizing the royal knights, and passing students could be seen stopping to watch or whispering among themselves.

Seeing this, Azar took a slight step back.

‘Maybe I should go like this after all. If I go around the side and climb over the wall, I might be able to escape somehow…’

But even he couldn’t easily deceive the keen senses of the royal court’s elite knights. Before he could properly step back, they spotted him first.

“Have you arrived?”

Azar headed toward them with a sulky expression, as if resigned. His slouching walk was the epitome of irreverence. As soon as he passed through the main gate, he heaved a deep sigh and said:

“Sir… you must be having a hard time doing this errand when you should be by my sister’s side.”

‘Dylan Aganet’ simply shrugged and replied casually:

“Since Her Highness Elphinesse specifically requested me, I had no choice but to comply.”

“There must have been many others who could handle this task besides you.”

“Consider it a sign of how precious she considers you, Your Highness.”

“Or is it that she’s worried I might slip away somewhere again?”

“That’s certainly part of the reason.”

The two looked at each other and chuckled.

“I really don’t want to go.”

But soon Azar grumbled as if already tired.

“Still, you must go. All the more so for her sake. Now, shall we board the carriage?”

“No thanks. I hate anything stuffy.”

Azar waved his hand and passed by the carriage Dylan had prepared. The carriage interior was an enclosed space, completely sealed off from the outside. Considering possibilities, taking the carriage wasn’t a good choice.

“Fortunately, I anticipated this and prepared horses as well.”

Dylan smiled brightly and ordered another knight to bring the horse they had prepared in advance.

“…My, aren’t you thoroughly prepared.”

Dumbfounded by such preparedness, Azar grumbled as he swung himself onto the horse the knight brought. Gripping the reins and looking around, he could see about fifteen knights moving in perfect coordination, hurrying to prepare for departure. The carriage he had almost ridden was quickly being loaded with luggage, apparently to be used as a cargo wagon.

‘Did they think this would happen from the start?’

The carriage was already fully loaded with luggage, making such thoughts inevitable. Just then, Dylan rode up beside Azar and said:

“Your Highness. I sincerely apologize, but since we haven’t received warp travel permission to the capital, we’ll need to take a somewhat roundabout route.”

“Isn’t time tight, given how far it is from here to the royal palace?”

“…Yes, since we’ll need to ride without much rest, we’ll have to pass through several villages without stopping, if that’s acceptable?”

“You worry too much, Sir. I’m used to sleeping on the road. It wouldn’t be bad to lie in the fields and count stars in the night sky after so long.”

Dylan let out a small laugh at that.

“Ahem, thank you for your consideration.”

“Let’s go before it gets later.”

“Yes.”

Dylan bowed his head in respect. He turned to look at the other knights and called out:

“All knights mount your horses! We return to the capital now!”

They quickly left the academy, surrounding Azar in a protective formation.