IATAOTHKG | CHAPTER 113

[CHAPTER 113]

“No.”

Meyna spoke desperately.

To be told to drop out of training.

How could that possibly be allowed.

When Hugo Motenson first suggested that she join the reconnaissance mission, Meyna had been unable to answer easily and fell into deep thought.

More than the fact that she would be with Caliph, she hesitated because she feared becoming a burden to the experienced guild members.

But after persuasion from Hugo and Biterion, she made up her mind.

Even though it had only been a few days since her awakening, she possessed SS rank healing abilities, so she would be of help to the guild members training alongside her.

Even if she was afraid and anxious, going to train together would add both heart and strength to saving the empire and its citizens in crisis.

She convinced herself like that and steeled her resolve.

“No, Sir Lenox. Please.”

With a face drained completely of color, Meyna begged again.

Once she started something, Meyna was the type to see it through no matter what.

Especially when it was training she had embarked on bearing the wishes of the Motenson couple she deeply respected, and of all the citizens of the empire.

She had firmly resolved to endure and finish it, no matter what hardships came her way.

“Don’t be stubborn.”

But Caliph was firm.

“I told you. When you’re by my side, I can’t stay rational.”

With an expression that left not even the slightest room for compromise, he reiterated his stance.

“You talk to me with an unaffected face, fall asleep, eat, and train earnestly, trying your best no matter what.”

“……”

Caliph’s painfully twisted features formed a strange smile.

It was a desperate confession of love.

Without words like love or regret, he was pouring out his heart as deeply and earnestly as a sinner standing before a god.

But to Meyna, who had been hurt for many long years, they were just words that failed to truly reach her.

Caliph, the leader of the reconnaissance team, had ordered her to drop out of training.

That single sentence was all she could understand.

“If me being by your side is a hindrance, then I won’t do that.”

And so Meyna began to make foolish pleas.

“Please change the team. How about that?”

“What?”

Caliph asked back with a hollow laugh.

“If you don’t even want me with His Highness the Crown Prince, then you can pair me with someone else who isn’t you or the prince.”

Meyna, who kept clasping and releasing her trembling hands, tightly gripped her sleeve and continued.

“If the reason I have to be dropped is because you keep losing your judgment because of me, then I won’t even come near you anymore. I won’t talk to you or ask for help.”

“……”

“Please don’t tell me to leave the training. Please…?”

Seeing Meyna beg with eyes that looked ready to spill tears at any moment, Caliph was left speechless.

It felt empty.

How on earth had she taken his words about not wanting her with Biterion.

What he had confessed was his jealousy, lingering attachment, and regret toward her.

Knowing it was far too late, it was the fullest confession a man who could not bring himself to say the word love could make.

Yet Meyna did not understand those feelings even a little.

“Thank you.”

He felt sorry for her nearly tearful voice, but he had no intention of withdrawing the order.

Once they cleared this dungeon, he would send her back.

“Let’s sleep.”

Adding that they had to wake up early tomorrow, Caliph flopped down onto the bed.

Meyna quietly turned off the light and sat on a chair instead of the bed.

Her heart, startled by his sudden words, was still pounding hard, and it seemed she would not be able to fall asleep easily.

“May I go for a short walk?”

When she asked carefully, Caliph let out a small sigh and replied.

“Don’t leave the courtyard.”

“Thank you.”

Before long, the sound of his steady breathing could be heard.

Night light spilled in through the gap in the curtains.

Meyna carefully walked out of the room so as not to wake Caliph.

The moment the door closed, Caliph’s eyelids slowly opened.

In his blue eyes, shrouded in darkness, long-held anguish and despair flickered.

* * *

Before dawn, in the depths of night.

The front courtyard of the mansion, covered in darkness, was utterly quiet.

The black sky was thick with clouds, dimming even the moonlight, and only that faint glow illuminated the yard.

This feels kind of eerie.

Outside the dungeon it was summer, and even inside it should have been sweltering during the day, but now it felt chilly enough to resemble early autumn.

Meyna rubbed her arms and slowly turned her gaze.

Green vines grew thickly along the low wall, and sparse streetlamps were lit in the alley beyond the courtyard.

He said not to leave the courtyard…

She wandered around the spacious yard, trying to steady her tangled emotions, when before long she heard signs of movement from the alley.

“Walk quietly, big brother. Everyone will hear us!”

“You be quiet too, Nini.”

They were young, childlike voices.

From the way the boy called the other Nini, they seemed to be the Niniell siblings.

Tap tap tap.

Cute footsteps drew closer, like a small puppy bounding along.

A smile rose to Meyna’s face.

She stepped closer to the wall and peeked outside, spotting two children hiding behind a streetlamp.

They probably thought they were well hidden, but only their faces were barely concealed.

“Pfft.”

She laughed at how cute they were, and a head of red hair popped out.

It was a familiar face.

“Hello, Niniell.”

It was Niniell, who had disappeared holding Mother Madder’s hand.

“Hello, Lady!”

Deciding there was no need to hide anymore, Niniell hopped out like a rabbit.

Then a brown-haired boy with curly hair hurried out after her, putting a short finger to his lips.

“Niniell, shh!”

His bright, clever eyes resembled Niniell’s, but his nose and lips gave him a distinctly boyish look.

With a finger at his mouth, the boy looked around tensely.

“Okay. Shh.”

“Hello?”

Meyna opened the door, crouched down, and met their eyes.

“This is Theon. He’s my big brother.”

Meyna remembered hearing the boy’s name from conversations between Madder and the other women.

“Hello, Theon. Nice to meet you. My name is Meyna Winslet.”

“Hello.”

Theon bowed politely.

“Meyna! Then can I call you Meyna instead of Lady?”

“You shouldn’t casually call an adult by their name, Nini. Don’t you know that?”

As Niniell bounced excitedly, Theon scolded his sister quite sternly.

“No, it’s fine.”

When Meyna told her it was okay to call her by name, Niniell clung tightly to Meyna’s arm and shot her brother a look.

“See? You dummy.”

“What, dummy?”

“Kids.”

Meyna soothed them, gently patting their chestnut-like heads one by one, and asked carefully.

“What brings you here? It’s very late, your mother must be worried.”

The children exchanged glances and chewed on their lips.

After hesitating, Niniell spoke.

“Madder isn’t our mom.”

“Huh?”

“No. I mean, Madder is our mom’s name, but she’s not our mom.”

The smile faded from Meyna’s face.

“You know, Meyna.”

Lowering her voice as much as possible, Niniell looked around like a frightened young animal.

“Do you want to go to the secret house with us?”

Suddenly, the two children’s eyes gleamed with a pale white light.