Home/I confined you, but I have no ill will/ch 65

65.

Looking at Ibelin, Kite spoke.

"What's with that attitude?"

She opened and closed her mouth several times.

"You said you like short hair?"

She doubted her ears—could his haircut be related to what she'd said last night?

"Does it look strange?"

"No—not at all!"

"Good."

He calmly offered her more bread. Even as she ate it, she couldn't understand.

What was happening?

---

In the capital without Kite, things seemed unchanged—just no Mad Duke in the newspapers. But appearances were deceiving.

For Draven, Kite's absence was an opportunity.

With Kite gone, Leonhardt stood alone. Loyal retainers remained, but they lacked Kite's intimidating presence. Normally, disrespect to the Emperor was met with deliberation and reprimand—but Kite was different. He punished offenders regardless of their family, power, or future influence—sometimes cutting off limbs, even heads. He'd mellowed, having once beheaded people.

"Mad dog."

Draven clicked his tongue—he'd once been threatened by Kite when he tried to become regent.

"You, regent?"

Kite had drawn his sword casually.

"What are you doing?"

"I don't like you—let's duel."

Leonhardt had watched with a smile, showing no affection for his mother's brother.

"Draven is skilled with a sword, isn't he?"

But Kite was a Swordmaster who cut down those who irritated him. Draven couldn't refuse a duel—refusing would be shameful for a noble.

For a while, Draven was gossiped about, his reputation ruined. Kite's subsequent madness helped, but the humiliation remained—along with the fear he tried to deny.

But now Kite was gone.

At the council, Leonhardt sat above, watching the nobles. Trivial matters were discussed, including troop deployment north. Leonhardt wanted to send many, but some nobles—Draven's supporters—opposed.

Even an Emperor couldn't do everything. The military minister's opposition was a problem.

"Why do you keep opposing?"

Leonhardt frowned.

"Your Majesty, the barbarians can be handled by the troops already stationed. We should focus on the border skirmishes with Teyrin."

"Isn't it strange?"

"Excuse me?"

"They stayed quiet during my most vulnerable birthday, and now they're provoking the border—just when our finest sword is away."

Some saw his point.

"Right—why now?"

"There might be a conspiracy."

Everyone knew Kite's madness, but they didn't doubt his skill. Sending him north and then border disturbances—some suspected collusion. Leonhardt included.

"I've ordered Intelligence to investigate collusion. Until then, I won't move troops as you wish."

The flustered minister exclaimed.

"Teyrin is dangerous—we can't just do nothing!"

"Who said nothing? It's suspicious timing. If nothing was wrong north, Kite would be at the border. I'm just pausing until doubts are cleared."

"Ridiculous—just bad luck."

Leonhardt wouldn't listen.

That was fine—expected, really. Draven's nephew never listened. The last agenda was key.

"The final agenda—"

Draven spoke triumphantly.

"Your Majesty, take an Empress."

"Yes—take an Empress!"

Others chimed in.

"Take an Empress and secure the throne!"

Leonhardt frowned again—but he couldn't avoid it forever. Choosing a spouse was an imperial duty. He'd postponed it, but eventually, he'd have to face it.

"Candidates have been selected."

Draven believed there was no escape.

---

Kite occasionally spoke to Ibelin—nothing unusual in frequency. But the content was.

"You're very cultured, Lord Kite."

"I was taught."

Why was he suddenly talking about ancient poetry and literature?

"I once thought of becoming a civil official."

His exceptional swordsmanship ruined that. As a child, he'd watched the Emperor and his brother, knowing he must keep his head down—becoming a civil official seemed wise. But an awl in a pocket always reveals itself. He showed his talent and was sent north before his father's death—heavily influenced by the Empress.

"I like reading too—I used to read in Grandfather's study."

"What did you like?"

"Basics of Hunting, Animal Anatomy, Mysteries of the Human Body—those."

"...Don't children read fairy tales?"

"I had them—but they didn't suit me."

Fairy tales end in happiness—but a child who'd lost parents couldn't believe in that. The happiness that might never come felt absurd, so he read other things.

"Same here."

Ibelin was similar. At his words, she smiled—for a moment, forgetting her worries.

Suddenly, Kite leaned close.

His sky-blue eyes sparkled like jewels. Since cutting his hair, he'd done this often—when asked why, he said he couldn't change his eye color.

She truly didn't understand.

No—did she? She could only busy herself with her flushed face.

They traveled for days and found Kahn's tribe.

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