TEIB Chapter 04

Chapter 4: The Gap of 10 Years 

“Did something happen outside?”

This was the first question Kyle heard as soon as he stepped into the room to meet the prince.

In a small and cozy room, a ten-year-old boy was lying sideways on a long sofa, hugging a large doll. He looked more curious about the outside world than he was happy to see Kyle.

“You don’t have to worry about it.”

Kyle approached the child and whispered gently.

“But I heard someone calling for me.”

Was it curiosity or fear? The way the child hugged the doll tightly and closed his eyes made him look so small and fragile, like he might break.

“You don’t even ask about my return.”

Kyle knelt in front of the prince and gently moved the child’s small hand to place it on top of his own blue hair. The prince flinched, startled by the unexpected gesture.

“You should say, ‘Welcome back.’”

At Kyle’s playful tone, the boy relaxed and laughed, running his fingers through Kyle’s hair.

“Thank you for coming back safely.”

“Of course. I must, because Your Highness is here.”

At Kyle’s affectionate words, the prince sat up and snuggled into his arms. Kyle picked him up and walked toward the window. The child stretched his face out, enjoying the warm sunlight.

“It’s warm.”

Was it the sunlight that felt warm, or Kyle’s arms? Kyle didn’t ask. He simply patted the prince’s back.

“I’m bored.”

The boy grumbled.

“What would you like to do?”

“I don’t know.”

“Did you practice piano?”

“I quit.”

“How about painting?”

“That too.”

Confined to a small space, the prince couldn’t stay interested in any new hobby for long. When Kyle brought up subjects that didn’t interest him, the prince messed up Kyle’s neat hair like a bird’s nest and finally laughed with satisfaction. Kyle smiled gently, smoothing his hair.

The boy’s bright smile looked exactly like the former empress—just like the woman Kyle had seen earlier.

“Your Highness.”

Kyle called softly.

“Yes?”

“Do you still dream about your mother?”

“No.”

At the mention of “mother,” the prince buried his face into Kyle’s shoulder. It was as if he didn’t want to talk about her. Kyle continued to pat his back gently.

“I guess you don’t miss her anymore.”

“I don’t know. I don’t even remember what she looked like.”

“If…”

Kyle started to speak but stopped. The prince had fallen asleep, likely drowsy from the moment he laid his head on Kyle. Kyle held the sleeping prince and carried him to bed.

“If you were able to meet her again… how would you feel?”

He murmured while stroking the boy’s dark hair.

Would he believe it if Kyle said someone looked exactly like her? Would he call him crazy? But the resemblance was so uncanny that he wanted to believe it was the same person.

“I’ll borrow a room for a while.”

Leaving those words behind, Kyle quietly stepped out of the room.

***

Lobelia paced nervously in a small, dim room. The sunlight barely reached the inside, but at least she was inside the same palace as her son. Should she be grateful for that?

“Kyle…”

He had seen her. His face showed clear shock. Of course—she looked exactly the same as the day she died. What should she say? Should she tell the truth? Or hide it? Who would believe her if she said she woke up in the world ten years later?

“What should I do…”

Was he really Kyle Lardiah—the boy she had known?

“He’s changed so much… Ah!”

Lobelia’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps. Someone was approaching. She quickly hid herself in the corner of the room.

“Open the door.”

At the command, the heavy door creaked open. A tall man stepped inside. Blue hair and violet eyes that reflected the sunlight—it was Kyle.

When their eyes met, both of their faces twisted with emotion—like hurt puppies or frightened cats. Unable to bear Kyle’s piercing stare, Lobelia turned her head away.

“Look at me,” Kyle said, walking closer. His footsteps rang in her ears.

“I said, look at me.”

Now just an arm’s length away, Kyle repeated himself. Lobelia barely moved her head but couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes.

Something about his voice felt unfamiliar—deeper, calmer, more mature than the boy she once knew.

“Look at me,” Kyle said again, reaching out his hand.

Startled, Lobelia gasped and covered her mouth. That hand… That hand once slit my throat. Even though she didn’t want to remember, the fear returned instantly. Her body trembled.

“Calm down!”

Kyle grabbed her shoulders firmly. His hands were hot, and the warmth slowly calmed her shivering.

“Are you okay now?”

When she finally stopped shaking, Kyle let go. Lobelia nodded and looked up at him.

He’s grown so much…

Taller, broader, with thick fingers and clothes she didn’t recognize. Only his hair and eye color remained the same. A wave of sadness hit her unexpectedly.

“Finally, you look at me,” Kyle said stiffly.

Is he angry? she wondered.

She noticed faint scars on his face, ones she hadn’t seen before.

How did he get those?

Her eyes traveled to his hands. They were even worse—cut and scarred, fingers not fully healed. What had he been through?

He must’ve gone to war… They called him the Bloody Wolf.

“Who are you?”

Lobelia wanted to know what kind of man Kyle had become. His question startled her.

“Kyle Lardiah. Supreme Commander of the Imperial Army. And you?”

Now it was Lobelia’s turn to flinch.

Commander? Him? The boy who cried over rabbits?

She couldn’t believe it. The gentle boy who loved flowers had become a war general.

“I’ll ask again. Who are you?”

“Just a wanderer.”

“Your name?”

She didn’t want to tell him. Even she couldn’t fully believe she was alive. Who would?

The boy who once blushed at her every word was now stern and emotionless.

“…Bella.”

She forced out a name.

Kyle tilted his head and then smirked.

“Bella, huh…”

It was clearly mocking. Lobelia flushed with embarrassment. The name meant “beautiful” in a foreign language—totally unfitting for her current appearance.

“Well then, Bella. You’ve been brought here for threatening the prince.”

“Threatening?”

She looked at him, stunned.

“Then why were you causing a scene near the palace?”

“Causing a scene? I just…”

She couldn’t continue. She just wanted to meet her son. Her head hung low.

“You just…?”

Kyle asked, crossing his arms smugly. Lobelia suddenly raised her head.

“I came to repay a favor.”

She couldn’t tell the truth. So she decided to act. All those years performing in noble banquets had taught her how to lie.

“A favor?”

Kyle sounded doubtful. Lobelia smiled innocently.

“Yes. The Empress once helped me long ago.”

“The Empress?”

Kyle interrupted. His laugh was cold and bitter. Lobelia’s heart skipped a beat. She had said something wrong.

Before she could react, she was suddenly thrown to the ground.

“Ah!”

Kyle pinned her down and held a sword to her throat.

The cold blade made her freeze in terror. She remembered how it had once taken her life.

I’m scared. Please don’t kill me again…

Tears welled up.

She didn’t want to cry, but she couldn’t stop.

“Who are you…?!”

Kyle demanded. But as he looked at her tear-filled eyes—so bright and blue like the sky—he froze.

He had seen eyes like these before. On countless battlefields. But he had never hesitated before. Not once.

But now, with this woman…

She’s so thin…

Her body was frail from hunger. Her hair was short, her skin pale. She looked like someone who had already died once.

Why does she have that face…

Kyle couldn’t hold his anger anymore.

“Damn it…”

He cursed and pulled away, sheathing his sword. He covered her with a nearby blanket.

“I’ll come back later.”

Leaving just those words, Kyle walked out.

***

Thud!

Far from the room, a loud sound echoed through the marble hallway. Kyle had punched the wall.

How can someone look so exactly the same?

It was like seeing a ghost. Like the dead had returned.

“Damn it…”

He had asked for her name just in case… hoping. But she wasn’t the same person. Just a commoner who picked a name that sounded nice.

“What would you do if you found her?” Mejang had asked.

Kyle didn’t know. He had searched so hard, and now that he found someone else, he couldn’t accept it.

Why is she someone else…

Everything annoyed him. Her name. Her short hair. The fact that she wasn’t the woman he loved.

Kyle knew he wasn’t normal. Mejang had said he was crazy.

And maybe he was. He had killed his first love with his own hands.

And he still couldn’t forget.

No matter how much time passed, it still hurt. He still wanted to go back. To undo it all.

But the gods had ignored the prayers of a 15-year-old boy.

“Hrk…”

Kyle covered his mouth. He didn’t want anyone to hear his crying.

He refused to admit he was crying. He couldn’t even sleep peacefully.

So he threw himself into war for ten years—with nowhere to show his sorrow.

That was the only thing the once gentle boy could do…

…for having killed the woman he loved.