Turning

“...Oh.”

Kishiar let out a brief sound of surprise and blinked. A man who was better at controlling his expression than anyone else—and second to none when it came to eloquence—had reacted like that. What did that say about the others? Yuder glanced at Nathan Zuckerman and immediately sensed that he was thinking the same thing:

Kiole la Diarca... is he insane?

Unless he had lost his mind or had a death wish, no one would blurt out something like that in front of a royal.

Oblivious to what the others were thinking, Kiole continued sobbing and shouted out the truth he’d uncovered.

“All the military maps were in there! It doesn’t look like something planned overnight! It might have started even before my father became Duke! And he collected people’s weaknesses, prepared means to communicate with dangerous individuals...! The reason he kept increasing the number of Awakened private soldiers—it was all part of the rebellion plot! To hide the fact that Diarca has no real power...! My father...! Our family...!”

Kishiar, who had quietly listened to Kiole’s words spilling like a waterfall, finally raised his hand.

“All right. I understand. Let’s stop there and try to calm down.”

“B-But I still have more to say—!”

“Information shared in that state does more harm than good. Stop crying and get up.”

Kiole flinched at the firm but gentle tone. At last, his crying stopped. He sat on the ground, not even thinking to wipe his tears and snot. His face looked like that of a grieving child—or a stray beast that had lost its home.

“Here. Sit down.”

Kishiar sat him on a bench by the walking path, then leaned back against a nearby tree with his arms crossed.

“To be honest, I’m surprised. I didn’t think you’d keep everything you saw in there a secret—but I also didn’t expect you to tell us everything from the start.”

It wasn’t just honest—it was explosive. How many people in the world could shock Kishiar la Orr, Yuder Aile, and Nathan Zuckerman with a single sentence?

As Yuder was thinking this, Kishiar continued speaking.

“I’m really curious. Did it not occur to you that I might kill or arrest you the moment I heard what you said? Or did you perhaps think I’d be touched and pity you for your honesty?”

Kiole jerked his head up. His eyes wavered in pure terror and confusion.

“N-No! I would never presume such a thing!”

“Then?”

“I-I just...”

It seemed Kiole himself didn’t fully understand why he had done it. Only after hearing the question did he start thinking about it—and then he said,

“I just... felt like it was the right thing to do.”

“You felt like it?”

“Snf...”

Kiole looked like he might cry again—but he clenched his jaw and held it back. Yet even that effort was undone as a streak of mucus slid down from his nose. So much for maintaining dignity.

...What’s truly amazing is that he’s not doing this to be funny.

Out of sheer courtesy, the three men politely pretended not to see Kiole clumsily wiping his nose on his sleeve. He quickly hid the damp cloth behind his back and spoke in a stuffy, nasally voice.

“I-I always thought... our family was truly just. That we were loyal subjects who could speak hard truths to the royal family. Noble people who led others and took responsibility...”

“......”

“In the Diarca family motto I learned... it said the most noble person is the one who steps forward first, seeks forgiveness, and bears the responsibility for all. Of course, I’ve never really lived up to that...! But when I saw your face just now, those words suddenly came to mind. So... I just...”

“You acted the way you were taught. Is that it?”

“I didn’t mean anything grand by it... I just thought, if the Diarca I believed in was real... that’s how I should act...”

Kiole muttered, wiping his nose again.

Kishiar’s lips twitched subtly as he watched.

“I know the Diarca motto. It’s a good one. It emphasizes compassion and the responsibilities of those in power—rare qualities in any noble code. It really reflects the character of the first Duke of Diarca, who was born a princess but lived her life in service at the very bottom.”

Kiole’s eyes widened. He looked like he °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° wanted to ask how Kishiar could possibly know that. Kishiar’s faint smile turned a little bitter.

“But of all the Diarca I’ve known, you’re the first to actually try to live by that motto. Truly remarkable.”

“Ah...”

“Since you’ve been honest, I suppose I should be a bit honest too. His Majesty and I have both known for some time that House Diarca has been acting suspiciously. Yes—most of the shocking things you just told us, we’ve already suspected.” freewebnovёl.ƈom

Kiole stopped breathing for a moment.

“Of course, we couldn’t know every detail. But even without proof, would a hunter fail to sense a predator watching him? Would any prey not feel the chill of a noose tightening around their neck?”

“......”

“House Diarca has been at odds with the throne for quite some time. Perhaps it started with good intentions—but they lost their way long ago. I trust you now agree with that.”

Yuder quietly observed as Kiole bit his lip. He was clearly in pain, but he didn’t turn away—he was trying to fully understand, to accept it. Remarkable, truly.

“Many horrific incidents in recent years trace back to Diarca. Until now, we lacked the strength to uncover the truth or enforce justice. But that’s no longer the case.”

“......”

“His Majesty and I are now working to set everything right. We’ve prepared a long time for this. My aide and adjutant standing here are walking that path with me.”

Thankfully so. Kishiar murmured, glancing at Yuder. When Yuder met those crimson eyes filled with restrained sorrow and sincere gratitude, something deep inside him stirred for a brief moment.

Kishiar turned back to Kiole and solemnly declared,

“So, Kiole la Diarca. If you truly understand what it means to be a knight, if you know shame, and if you wish to live by your family motto... then I ask that you now act for the sake of everyone, just as you did moments ago when you shared the truth simply because you believed it was right.”

“......”

“Of course, I won’t force you. I’ve no intention of dragging you by the collar.”

And yet, his voice held a quiet confidence—confidence that he no longer needed to force anyone.

Kiole said nothing. He simply wiped his face with his sleeve, silently swallowing back tears.

How long passed?

Eventually, he rose again—and kneeled before Kishiar.

“...I will. I’ll do as you said.”

It wasn’t the kind of elegant, one-knee posture knights typically assumed. Exhausted, he collapsed onto both knees and bowed his head, looking utterly pitiful. Yet to Yuder, this was the most knightly he had ever seen Kiole look.

“Do you understand what it means to follow my orders? You’ll be turning against your family—against your father. Even Madam Bishu, whom you’ll likely see again soon, might feel betrayed. Are you prepared for that?”

Kiole spoke with his head bowed, his voice hoarse.

“Until just now, I was afraid of everything. But... now that I know there’s something I can take responsibility for—it’s strange, but I’m not scared anymore.”

From the moment he learned what his father and family had done, he’d known he couldn’t walk the same path as them. As for Madam Bishu—whether she liked or hated him, Kiole had no feelings either way. She’d been his mother’s nursemaid whom he hadn’t seen since infancy—what did that matter now?

“So I’ll be fine. I won’t beg for mercy.”