After Klo left while wiping his eyes, I was about to walk toward him when Lynette stopped me.
Her features were filled with anger.
"Are you still planning to stand by him after everything he's done?"
"Klo didn't mean what he said. Didn't you see the expression on his face?"
Lynette began laughing as she looked at me.
"Didn't mean it? Isn't he the next villain who will threaten humanity? Then he'll make a promising actor at manipulating hearts."
I refused to believe her words. It's wrong to judge someone without truly knowing them. Klo protected us and cared for us.
Nevin and Elithia approached, reforming our group.
"What happened to Yuthnir?" Nevin asked.
"He's hiding something."
"What could it be?" Elithia asked as well.
"Who knows."
"You're all idiots. You still want to walk the same path as him?" Lynette said angrily.
I couldn't hold back my anger, so what happened, happened.
"You're the idiot here! You ignored all the good he's done for us. His concern during that fight with the girl, and how he protected Elithia. Say it!"
Lynette didn't respond, but lowered her head and walked back toward the castle.
We didn't follow her — it would've just made things worse.
While we were staring at Lynette, Nevin broke the silence.
"Why don't you go check on Klo? A wife should stay by her husband's side."
I lowered my head and scratched it awkwardly.
"Ahh... actually… Klo hasn't acknowledged me as his wife yet."
Nevin's eyes widened.
"Even with your breathtaking beauty?"
I glared at Nevin, squinting.
"He's an idiot."
…
[Klo's POV]
After leaving that place, I felt an itch in my eye, but I ignored it and continued toward the castle to head to my room.
I climbed the stairs of the castle with difficulty, just to reach my room. When I got there, I pushed the door slowly, entering while dragging myself.
As I walked toward my bed, I passed by the mirror. I stopped in front of it to see what I had become.
I stared into the mirror, at every detail of my body.
"There's something wrong… with me.
I don't know who I am anymore. Did I abandon my humanity to protect myself, or was it the other way around? I didn't mean to hurt Lynette's feelings, but I don't want her to stay by my side and end up hurt. And I'll keep doing the same… even with Luna."
I raised my arms and stared at my hands. Then looked again at the mirror.
I lifted them to force a smile and looked at myself with that expression.
Klo Yuthnir.
Knock ~ knock.
"..."
"Sir Klo, are you in there?"
That's Lynette's voice. Why is she here?
"Come in, Lynette."
I leaned back on the chair in front of the mirror, crossing one leg over the other, changing my expression.
Lynette slowly opened the door and entered.
"What do you want? If it's nothing important, then leave."
She stepped toward me and lowered her head.
"I'm sorry, Sir Klo. I was foolish to ignore your feelings about Andrew and your anger toward his killer."
"What?"
Weren't you just angry with me a moment ago?
"Thank Lady Luna. She's the one who brought me back to the right path. So I apologize to you… and if there's anything, no matter how dangerous, that I can do to make it up to you…"
Luna… why did you do that? I was thinking about your happiness and peace.
I tightened and released my fist at once.
"There's nothing. You may leave."
Lynette bowed and exited the room, closing the door behind her.
After she left, the door opened again and a girl entered.
That girl was Elithia.
"Klo."
"What do you want? And why did you barge in here?"
"Shut up and listen to me."
She was holding a letter in her hand, waving it in the air before stopping it in front of my face.
"What's this?"
"A letter from the academy."
I took the letter and slowly opened it. It read:
> "The Elite Academy welcomes Lady Elithia, the Sword Maiden, to take her swordsmanship test two days after receiving this letter."
Elithia's test… why now of all times?
"Do you want to take the test?"
"Yes."
"Did you bring the powder?"
"Andrew brought it after we returned to the castle from that incident."
"I see. Then I'll go with you, to make sure you pass this test."
Elithia's face lit up with joy. She even started jumping in place.
"What's with you?"
"Nothing, Klo. I'm just happy… because it feels like you're starting to return to your old self."
My old self? If you knew what I truly am, you'd all run from me.
I'm like a magnet that attracts sorrow and repels happiness.
Elithia left the room, waving at me.
I sighed slowly as I removed the ruby pendant from around my neck,
staring at it in the palm of my hand.