Episode 56: This Isnāt Right
Ferda stared at Goz with clear eyes. Silver hair and silver eyes, just like Ruri. The same face he had when they first met at the Grand Council.
“Welcome, Regent of Valdrova.”
“Leader Goz.”
They greeted each other formally, saying each other’s names. But there was no respect in their eyes.
“I didn’t even know an important person like you had entered. Normally, my subordinates would open the door for you.”
Goz was asking why Ferda entered without permission.
“I didnāt think it was necessary.” Ferda answered as if it was his own house.
Goz glanced toward the entrance. But all he could do was lower his head in frustration.
“This is a matter of our bloodline. A family issue. An outsider should not interfere.”
“I also donāt want to get involved in a family fight.” Ferda said this, but he still stepped forward. Then, he placed his hand lightly on Ruriās shoulder.
“But this child is someone cherished by the one I love. Should I just stand by and watch as she gets hurt over a mere family fight?ā
Ferda did not back down even a little. This was also a challenge to Gozās authority. Goz hated such challenges.
“You had guts when I first saw you, and you still do.”
Goz stood up. At that moment, his presence became even stronger. Ruri immediately fell to her knees, lowering her head. All the other Silver Dragon Spawns followed her, submitting to Gozās power.
Goz looked at Ruri and asked Ferda,
“So, Regent of Valdrova. How well do you know Ruri Silverwind, the servant of the one you love?”
“She is the servant of my only fiancĆ©e.”
“And?”
“That is enough.”
“Is that all you see? It seems this girl hasnāt told you everything.”
Goz pointed at Ruri with his rough hand, hardened by battle.
“This girl is a spy sent by Silverwind.” He revealed Ruriās true identity.
“Silverwind placed her to watch over Valdrova and find out when she became weak. Until Silverwind passed away, Ruri was ordered to send regular reports.”
“Is that so?”
“You donāt seem convinced. Do you think Iām lying?”
“Do I look like a fool who believes the words of an enemy?”
“Good point. Then why donāt you ask her directly? Ruri Silverwind.”
Ruri felt as if her head was getting heavier.
“Tell the truth. Did I say anything wrong?”
“I… I didnāt…”
“Answer properly. Was I wrong?”
Goz did not allow any excuses. In the end, Ruri confessed.
“I… I was ordered by Silverwind… to watch over Lady Valdrova.”
“And what was the purpose?”
“ā¦Just as you said. To watch and find weaknesses.”
Silence filled the room. Ruri could barely breathe. But what hurt more wasā
She could not lift her head to see what expression Ferda was making.
Finally, Ferda broke the silence.
“Iām not surprised.” His voice was cold.
Ruriās feet felt frozen. It was like the ground had disappeared, and she was falling into an endless abyss.
“I always thought there must be a reason why a Silverwind Spawn was loyal to Valdrova.”
Disgust. Betrayal. Dark emotions surrounded Ruri like a deep swamp. But only for a moment.
“So?”
The pressure around Ruri suddenly disappeared, like an illusion.
Goz frowned.
“What do you mean āsoā?”
“Iām asking what the problem is.”
Ruri lifted her head and looked at Ferda. As always, his face was the sameāstubborn and unshaken.
Goz looked irritated.
“She is a spy from Silverwind. You understand that, donāt you?”
“Yes, she is a spy. But even so, she is my fiancĆ©eās most beloved servant.”
Ferda crossed his arms and stood tall.
“Even when everyone turned their backs on her, this girl stayed by my fiancĆ©eās side. She has been more loyal to Valdrova than anyone. That is her true worth. Do you think her value will suddenly change just because of what you said today?”
Ruriās hands clenched into fists. She almost let her emotions burst out.
“Believe it or not, thatās up to you. You are not even of Silverwindās blood, so I wonāt force you to understand. Butā¦”
Gozās eyes gleamed sharply.
“Youāve been quite arrogant for a while now.”
The air trembled violently. It was like a bomb had already been lit, ready to explode. Gozās patience was at its limit. Dragon Spawns were not humans, but they did not consider themselves dragons either. Yet, they all believed they were superior to humans.
A mere human daring to argue with themāthere was no way they would accept it. A normal human would have bowed. A wise human would have stepped back to calm the situation. But Ferda neither bowed nor stepped back.
“Shouldnāt you be the one showing respect, not me?” Ferdaās blue eyes shone brightly. As Regent of Valdrova, he stood as an equal and faced Goz directly.
“You tried to threaten and turn my servant against me, and now you dare lecture me?” He spoke firmly, as if to say that Goz was not the only one displeased by this conversation.
Veins bulged in Gozās neck. Ruri knew it. Goz was not a cold leaderāhe was a fierce warrior.
“I am not breaking your neck right now only because of Blancarosās mercy and my patience.”
“Silverwind calls fear āpatience,ā do they? Youāre too afraid to face my fiancĆ©e directly, so instead, you try to intimidate her servant?” Ferdaās narrowed eyes were filled with deep contempt.
“Are you not ashamed?”
That was the final blow. A strong wind shook the windows. Goz, who had been sitting calmly, finally stood up.
“Yes, it is truly shameful. That I have to watch a mere human acting so boldly in front of meā¦”
Goz took a step forward. His muscular hands cracked as his veins bulged.
“I will wash away this shame with your blood.”
Just as Gozās hand was about to reach himā
“Do not move any further.”
Someone stepped in front of Goz. It was Ruri. She should have still been kneeling, but now she stood between them, blocking Gozās path.
“Ruri, youā”
“He is the husband of Lady Valdrova.”
Even now, her body was trembling from fear. But still, she stood her ground.
“If this is a challenge against Lady Valdrova, I will respond to it as well.”
Determination. Even if it meant her death, she would protect them.
Goz looked at her in disbelief.
“The warrior of the North has become a loyal dog. And now, you even serve a human as your master?”
His anger cooled. The wind that had been shaking the windows suddenly stopped. Goz sat back down and withdrew his oppressive presence.
“As the representative of Silverwind, I have nothing more to say to a dog. Take her and leave, Regent of Valdrova. I hope we do not meet again.”
Ferda replied without hesitation.
“Then, excuse us.”
He did not continue the power struggle.
“Ruri.”
“Yes.”
“Letās go.”
“ā¦Yes.”
Taking the still-shaken Ruri with him, Ferda left the place. A weak voice squeezed out some words.
“ā¦Go.”
After leaving the Silverwindās private quarters, Ruri silently followed Ferda. She didnāt know what to say. Her emotions swirled inside her.
She looked up at his back. It was big. It felt strong, like something she could lean on. Like her father, Silverwind. But at the same time, it felt different from Silverwind. It made her angry.
She had lived longer. She had survived many near-death moments. So why did she feel weaker than him?
“Did the conversation go well?” Ferda asked.
Ruri didnāt answer. He glanced back at her. His blue eyes shone through his silver hair.
“Say something.”
Ruri forced herself to speak.
“ā¦I donāt want to talk.”
A childish answer.
“Is that how you talk to someone who helped you?”
Helped? If Ruri hadnāt stepped in, Ferda would have died, and chaos would have swept the land. And yet, he called that helping?
She wanted to argue. She wanted to say he was wrong. But deep down, she knew. She knew she should be grateful. She knew she only had to say one simple thing: Thank you. But she couldnāt.
If she spoke now, her shaken voice would reveal her weakness. As Valdrovaās servant, she couldnāt afford to show incompetence. She couldnāt let him see her fragile side again.
She clenched her fists. And then, she looked up and spoke.
“Whoā¦” She held back her emotions and forced out the words. “Who asked you to help me?”
The moment she said it, she regretted it. This wasnāt what she meant to say. She sounded pathetic. Like a foolish child clinging to nothing but pride. She hated herself, but it was too late to take it back.
Ferda looked at her. His eyes were deep, like the bottom of a still lake. Those eyes pulled her down, making her sink even further. Then, he nodded.
“ā¦I see.”
No. This isnāt right.
“I made a mistake.”
Thatās not what I meant.
“Iām sorry for interfering.”
Ferda started walking again. Ruri watched as he disappeared down the hall. Without thinking, she reached out her hand. But he was already too far away.
