Farewell (3)
After the king left, the castle became busy with cleaning up the chaos and tending to the hungry and injured knights. The Count, with a tired expression, gave a few instructions before approaching his children.
"Let's all meet in my office for a moment."
Celestina, her hair slightly unevenly cut at the ends, and Ferdinand, who seemed tense, along with Leonardo… and then me.
Seeing that I was also called, I could guess what he was about to discuss. It was probably the truth he had shared with the original Leonardo in the southern tower the other day.
We entered the office in Rondine Tower, where we had now become quite familiar with the place. The Count groaned as he sat in the chair.
Celestina and Ferdinand naturally sat beside him. The Count, having cooled off some tea that had been brewed for a while, finally began his long tale.
It was the same story I had heard with the original Leonardo in the southern tower, but this time it was more detailed. So much so that he had to clear his throat several times and drink the cold, stale tea just to wet his dry mouth.
Celestina listened carefully to every sentence.
And Ferdinand…
"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you everything beforehand. It wasn't that I didn't trust you, it was just that my stubbornness as a father wanted to protect you."
It seemed like Ferdinand had finally cleared up the long misunderstanding. Watching his shoulders tremble slightly, he turned to look at Leonardo.
There was no trace of the original Leonardo. His stance, always a step back in every situation, was like mine. Like an outsider, someone who had recognized they didn't belong in this picture.
According to the original script, you should have been one of them, too. Isn't that strange?
The person himself doesn't even realize what he has lost, nor does he understand the place that should have been his from the beginning. So, I can only mourn on his behalf.
Feeling a sudden sense of regret, I looked at him. Leonardo quietly reached out and gently massaged the soft part of my palm. Not even knowing which side needed comfort. Smiling weakly, I also gripped his hand with strength.
"That you bore all those long years alone…"
Ferdinand's voice, soaked in sorrow, gently echoed. The Count shook his head.
"I wasn't alone. Didn't I say it was a grand undertaking? Such matters can't be planned alone."
"Eh? Then…"
"Do you remember the guests?"
Sir Orlie and Archbishop Butier.
"One of the reasons Baron Roald goes to Sinistra every season is because he needs to maintain contact with his collaborators."
In the end, it had all been intentional.
"This time as well, they first received news that the king had set out on a royal tour to El Dante and contacted me while I was in the midst of the hunt. They came all the way here to help us."
The main author, now no longer a writer but in the role of 'Archbishop Butier,' had been helping the Ertinez family. So had the assistant writer, Orlie.
At this point, I began to think that the Ertinez family, now relegated to minor roles, must have been a sore spot for the main writers.
Celestina, who seemed to be struggling to sort out the many new revelations in her mind, turned to Leonardo and asked:
"So, did you find that ledger at Father's request?"
"Ah!"
Ferdinand suddenly exhaled in realization. He muttered, stumbling over his words.
"I remember now. Last night, at the tomb… I met those two. It was at Father's request that I went."
It seemed that his concussion-induced fog had cleared at that moment. The Count made a slightly pained expression.
"I'm relieved that you managed to destroy it. All the evidence gathered over the last seven years is condensed in that ledger, but nothing is more important than your lives. Don't worry too much about it."
Stepping back with an observer's attitude, I smiled faintly.
"Is this what you're referring to?"
I lightly extended my hand, which had been casually clasped behind my back, and magically, the sealed document appeared on my palm. The Count stood there, dumbfounded, as if he had lost his words.
"How did you hide it…"
"Haha. Does it really matter? What's important is that everything is preserved. Your beloved family, and all the evidence you've gathered over the last seven years."
I had already subtly hinted at my knowledge of the plot, and even suggested that I knew about the Countess' death, making sure to raise suspicions in front of the Count.
Previously, I had claimed in front of the Count that the death of Leovald was the responsibility of King Godric, and I had also revealed that I travelled with Leonardo "for the same purpose" in order to help Leovald.
It seemed like it was finally time to stop playing the role of the clueless innkeeper. The Count of Ertinez cautiously accepted the sealed document.
"I see. I owe you one."
"Not at all. As I mentioned before, our enemies are the same, so I suppose we're on the same side. Consider this a small favour."
"Isaac?"
Ferdinand looked at me, bewildered. I shrugged casually, offering another quiet smile. The Young Count looked a bit dejected, the first time I had seen such a loose expression from him.
"I knew you weren't just an ordinary person."
Then, murmuring as he looked at Leonardo, he added:
"Found your match, huh?"
"Huh?"
Leonardo, hearing this unexpected comment instead of the original Leonardo, was left confused.
"That stone chest… could it be?"
"Yes. It holds the
The Count then rummaged through his pocket and pulled out a small brooch. Inside it was a portrait of a woman with brown hair and blue eyes, exuding a strong presence.
'…Clue 02.'
It was the same metal brooch with the portrait of Countess Veronica, which I had previously discovered in Leonardo's room at the Rondine Tower.
Based on Ferdinand and Celestina's reactions, it seemed that they, too, were familiar with the brooch. Perhaps it was something the family all shared as a memento.
The Count's earlier words, "You should be able to figure it out," regarding the location of the ledger, might have been referring to this.
As he slid the brooch into the round recess, the lid clicked open, revealing a thickly bound book.
"Over the past seven years, I've investigated all the high-ranking nobles and key figures in the capital, sorting out the suspicious individuals. The evidence is here as well. And how they have built their relationships, functioning like one enormous collective group."
The Count's revenge was meticulous. My gaze paused on one of the pages:
'…'
I realized that King Godric and Sub-Writer 1 were the same person. If that's the case, what kind of place has the capital, where such a powerful being with the authority of
The thought made me both curious and fearful, choking me with anxiety. With a chilling imagination, I pictured a place where not a single soul would have survived.
"We must be cautious of them."
Ferdinand was already carefully studying the ledger, familiarizing himself with the faces of the prominent nobles. The Count hesitated for a moment before patting his eldest son on the shoulder. He softly whispered that he was right and had done well in his absence.
At that moment, Celestina suddenly jumped to her feet.
"Wait! So, Leonardo, you knew everything from the start, didn't you?"
"Hmm?"
"You did! Before you ran away, you even specifically said you had to go to Sinistra. You met Isaac there and then came back. You were all part of the plan, weren't you? Keeping it all to yourself is just too much."
Oh no. A secret shared only between Celestina and the original Leonardo had been exposed. The Count immediately shifted back into his stern father role and began to interrogate his children.
"…You planned to run away beforehand? And you only told your younger sibling? What is this, Leonardo? Speak the truth."
Suddenly, only Leonardo was backed into a corner, carrying the burden of the original Leonardo's sins. He looked at me desperately, seeking help, but honestly, there was nothing I could do in this situation.
While I waved my hand lazily, signalling "good luck," Ferdinand whispered softly from the side.
"Ah, by the way, Isaac, would it be alright to ask when you and Leonardo started becoming close like that? I honestly never imagined it…"
At this, Celestina gasped and quickly turned her head. It seemed she had overheard everything. Is sharp hearing genetic?
"What! Now my older brother knows too? How? Even when they were hugging and holding each other right in front of us, you couldn't tell. What exactly did you see?"
"Ah, well, that's…"
Ferdinand's face turned beet red. Count Ertinez quietly murmured in admiration.
"Remarkable. Ferdinand, have you really grown more perceptive? Yes, it's time for you to start noticing such things. You should start opening your eyes to that side of things too."
"Yes…?"
[
What's with you again? Ah, this is so confusing.
This time, I asked Leonardo for help, but he turned away, pretending not to notice.
How annoying.
***
After the commotion settled, while Celestina and Ferdinand continued talking to the Count, we stepped outside. The stuffy and noisy atmosphere in the office lingered.
"Shall we head back to the fortress now?"
A calm voice descended from behind me as I led the way.
"Thank you for keeping your promise."
"…"
It was the original one. Whenever there was a noisy gathering with the family, he never showed his face, but now, in this cold hallway, he appeared without hesitation. I stared at him quietly.
"Why are you speaking so gently?"
"Well, what's wrong if I speak calmly?"
The original Leonardo smiled playfully, stretching his lips, then stepped closer.
"You, my brother, and the old man… all of you have been my saviours. So, I can act my 1tongue-in-cheek attitude now, right? Are you dissatisfied?"
"That's strange," I replied, slightly puzzled.
"What's strange?"
"I don't remember making such a promise with you."
"That's usually how it goes. Even though I forgot what promise we made, when it really mattered, I managed to remember. That's how it works."
Through the promise, Leonardo had given me something—my name.
"So… are you satisfied with this?"
"It couldn't be better."
The original Leonardo moved toward the window, gazing over the mountainous terrain of El Dante, shimmering in the golden autumn sunlight. His side profile, glowing with the light, was tinted a pale, dazzling white as if it might vanish at any moment.
He appeared gentle and serene.
As I observed his distant gaze, I grabbed his shoulder and forced him to turn to face me. Slightly dazed, I looked into his eyes, which were so similar to the Leonardo I knew, and smirked.
"I still feel like I'm lacking something."
"After all you've done?"
The original Leonardo gestured toward the wound on my neck and said,
"You're too greedy. If you wish for too much, you'll get hurt."
"I promised to ensure the safety of your family, the Ertinez family."
"So?"
"You seem to have forgotten… you're also an Ertinez. So don't act all nostalgic like you're about to die."
[
"I don't know when I'll be able to keep this promise, but anyway, your place is included in it. Just so you know."
At that, the original let out a cheerful laugh.
His eyes sparkled, and shallow wrinkles formed naturally at the corners of his mouth.
It was a joyful expression.