<Chapter 25>

“Well, I appreciate the thought, but…”

I’m not someone who usually turns down a gift.

But how can I possibly accept something when I’ve seen with my own eyes how it was stolen?

This isn’t something I asked for. 

With that meaning conveyed through the most innocent smile I could muster, I handed the whistle back to Temenos. However, less than three seconds after the whistle landed in his palm, Ferry placed it right back into mine.

I gave it back to Temenos, and Ferry returned it to me again.

This absurd, childlike back-and-forth continued three more times until Temenos finally waved his hand in surrender.

“That’s enough. Just keep it.”

“Are you sure?”

“I originally gave it to Ferry. He must have thought he wouldn’t survive and tried to return it to me. But now that’s no longer the case…”

Temenos swallowed a swell of emotion and glanced between Ferry and me.

“That whistle can summon Ferry. He doesn’t really understand money and occasionally brings back things like random rocks as gifts, so don’t take it too personally.”

“Noted.”

I nodded, barely managing to stifle a yawn as I covered my mouth.

“So, all the urgent matters are settled now, right? If it’s okay, can we continue this conversation tomorrow?”

Temenos nodded in agreement.

“Apologies for visiting so late. Ferry, let’s go.”

Temenos turned to leave, but Ferry, instead of following, sat down right next to me.

“Huh…?”

Both Temenos and I exchanged puzzled looks as Ferry blinked at us with a pure, uncomprehending expression. That guileless face made it clear why Temenos had said Ferry’s mental age seemed so young.

“Ferry, she needs to rest. Don’t bother her, let’s go.”

“……”

“Ferry.”

“……”

“Ferry, what’s gotten into you?”

Even as Temenos tried to pull Ferry away, the boy remained firmly planted beside me, resisting any effort to budge.

Temenos let out an exasperated laugh, attempting to switch his grip, but Ferry swiftly slipped to my other side, looking up at me with wide, pleading eyes.

As if silently begging me to stop the tyranny of this man.

“No, even if you look at me like that…”

Pleading. Pleading.

“Um, do you understand what marriage is? In two weeks, I’m marrying this guy. You’re a boy, right? Staying here will put me in an awkward position.”

I doubted a boy who didn’t even grasp the concept of currency would understand marriage, but fortunately, he seemed to catch on to the part about making things difficult for me. Ferry rose to his feet without further resistance.

His face remained expressionless, but the slight droop in his shoulders and the downward tilt of his gaze revealed his dejection.

I couldn’t help but feel like I’d just scolded a child, and it didn’t sit well with me.

It seemed Temenos wasn’t immune to these feelings either. He massaged his temples with his fingers and sighed.

“It seems Ferry wants to repay the favor he owes you.”

“And that means staying by my side?”

Ferry nodded vigorously, his eyes now sparkling with hope rather than tears.

Temenos watched him in silence before finally making a decision.

“Purely in terms of combat skills, Ferry is stronger than me. If you keep him as your guard, you won’t have to worry about any assassination attempts, even from imperial spies.”

“Really? He looks so young.”

“I already told you he saved my life. With Ferry alone, you wouldn’t need any other guards.”

“Are you saying you’re taking back the guards you assigned to me?”

“Taking back what’s mine is exactly what I mean.”

Temenos’ gaze shifted to the whistle in my hand, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“You’re not sulking, are you?”

“Sulking? Who do you think you’re talking to?”

Temenos snorted loudly, making it clear that the idea was absurd. Then, with an exaggerated turn, his cape billowing dramatically, he began to march out of the room—only to pause and return, dragging Ferry with him this time.

“If we’re to assign him as a proper guard, we’ll need some formalities. Ferry will officially be appointed after the wedding.”

“Okay.”

Ferry tried resisting again, but Temenos simply hoisted him onto his shoulder like a sack of flour.

Ferry, clearly unwilling to be “kidnapped,” flailed and glanced at me with despairing eyes.

But what could I do? I smiled and waved.

“See you after the wedding, Ferry.”

Ferry’s limbs went limp, dangling like a wilted plant.

Whether he would prove to be the extraordinary guard Temenos claimed or not, one thing was for sure—he was certainly endearing.

*  *  *

Temenos had long kept Ferry out of the manor to avoid suspicions about his unchanging appearance. However, he had secretly prepared for a day like this, where Ferry would stay at the estate.

“This will be your new home. I’ve specifically chosen a discreet and perceptive caretaker for this annex, so you shouldn’t face any issues.”

He had never been so particular about caretakers, not even for the annex housing potential brides-to-be.

The thought made him briefly feel guilty toward Inosensia, but since she’d be moving into the main residence after the wedding, it seemed fine.

“Well… all right, then. Let’s get married.”

‘She probably doesn’t mean a normal married life, though…’

Temenos absentmindedly rubbed his left elbow before shaking off his thoughts and looking at Ferry, who was bouncing on the bed.

“Are you really feeling okay?”

Ferry nodded energetically.

“If anything feels off, let Inosensia know right away. She’ll heal you.”

Another vigorous nod.

The sight of Ferry, clearly in high spirits, was oddly reminiscent of a puppy reunited with its owner. Temenos quickly shook his head, dismissing the thought.

‘No point in thinking about that.’

At least Ferry seems happy with his new room. That’s what matters.

‘In a few years, people might start questioning why Ferry doesn’t age, but…’

As Inosensia’s personal guard, who would dare accuse her protector of heresy?

She’s too kind, too compassionate, to abandon someone like Ferry. If anything, her bond with him will only deepen, and she’ll shield him from such accusations.

And if she ever leaves the north, Ferry will undoubtedly follow her.

Wherever she goes, Ferry will remain safe.

Temenos left, shoulders sagging for reasons he couldn’t quite explain. Ferry, now alone in the room, stood before a large mirror.

He lifted his shirt, inspecting his torso, then, unsatisfied, stripped off his clothes entirely.

If anyone else had been there, they would have doubted their eyes.

The scars crisscrossing the body of a boy who appeared no older than sixteen or seventeen were shocking enough. But more surprising was the large diamond-shaped gem embedded just below his chest.

Golden and gleaming, it pulsed faintly under Ferry’s touch, rippling like sunlight through water.

An hour ago, the gem had been dark and empty. Ferry returned the whistle to Temenos, believing his time was running out—the empty gem, a sign of his end

But his luck had changed.

Meeting Inosensia, receiving her divine power—it had filled the gem to the brim.

Now, unless he squandered this energy, he could last another century.

With a satisfied smile, Ferry dressed and leapt out the window.

From the windowsill to the tree branches, from rooftops to shadows, he moved like the wind, leaving no trace behind.

Where he was heading, no one yet knew.
 

<To be continued>

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