The countryside stretched endlessly beneath the afternoon sun. Golden fields rolled past as the carriage wheels hummed against the dirt road. Cecilus watched quietly from his window, the breeze teasing strands of his white hair.
Winter is approaching.
Across from him sat his father, posture straight, presence commanding even in stillness.
"Cecilus," Reymund began, his voice even. "You did well. It's been some time since you've had proper rest, hasn't it? The Duke of the Borderlands is hosting a gathering in a month to celebrate the new year. We'll be staying for the occasion. So—relax."
The tone wasn't really a suggestion.
Cecilus nodded anyway.
Relax, huh? I suppose I'll just create havoc in the nearby villages. It might be more amusing with the friends I made before. I wonder what they've been doing these past few days…
By the time the carriage rolled to a halt before the Crow estate, the sun hung high and bright. Servants rushed forward, bowing and unloading luggage with practiced precision. Cecilus stepped down, stretching his arms as the stiffness of travel clung to his limbs. He thought briefly of heading to the training grounds—until a familiar voice called out from across the courtyard.
"Cecilus!"
A red-haired boy was sprinting toward him, waving with both arms. Efrain.
Cecilus exhaled softly.
When Efrain finally reached him, panting, he spoke between breaths. "How was your trip?"
"It was great," Cecilus replied simply.
"Nice! Guess what?"
You can't just spring a broad question like that on me... and why are you acting so friendly?
"Uhh… I don't know. Tell me."
"Marina started speaking more! I think she got used to my friends."
Why do you think I care?
"That's good," Cecilus said flatly.
Still, he let Efrain ramble. The boy's voice flowed on—animated, full of life—as he recounted trivial things about his week. Cecilus only half-listened at first, but then he realized something strange.
I don't hear it…
He looked at Efrain carefully.
I only hear him talking. There's no background noise—no stray thought, no hidden resentment. When I was at the wedding, I could sense everyone's unease, their fear of me. But him… nothing.
It feels… refreshing.
"Efrain," Cecilus interrupted gently, "want to go swimming?"
"Huh?" Efrain blinked in surprise before breaking into a grin. "Sure!"
***
The creek near Efrain's village cut through the fields like a glass ribbon, its surface glinting beneath the light. During the day, children often gathered there, laughing as they splashed and chased each other through the shallows.
Cecilus and Efrain walked along the narrow path to the water, the wind tugging at their sleeves.
"I hope it's not too cold," Efrain muttered. "There's already a light breeze."
I've climbed mountains. Cold water wouldn't scare me.
Without hesitation, Cecilus stripped down to his undergarments and stepped toward the edge. Efrain watched, uncertain, before reluctantly following his lead.
"May I ask why we're doing this?"
"No reason," Cecilus replied with a small smile. "Just for fun. We're friends, aren't we?"
Then he jumped. The splash echoed across the creek.
"Shit—it's freezing!" Cecilus shouted, his voice half-laugh, half-shiver.
Efrain hesitated at the edge. Unfortunately for him, a stone golem materialized behind him and gave a solid shove.
"Wait—!"
A second splash followed.
"Damn it!" Efrain yelled, sputtering as he surfaced.
Cecilus laughed and splashed him again. The two of them fell easily into childish chaos—chasing, splashing, shouting. They tried to grab a low branch that hung over the water, competing to see who could resist the current longer.
For a brief time, Cecilus forgot himself.
I don't need to read his thoughts to know he's having fun. That's how it should be… but am I having fun?
Why am I having fun? Because of some water?
Yes. Yes, I am.
Why? Because of some water? No. Because he's happy. Because his thoughts are gone—he trusts me.
This boy. He seems to trust me. I can tell that much without thoughts blaring at me.
No… he was just a child. But children trust easily, don't they? He saw someone like himself—a boy who wanted his father's pride. But you were too late, Timothy. I may have looked like that boy once, but I've long since stopped caring about something as pitiful as another man's approval.
I don't hesitate anymore. Hesitation is for the blind. I see everything.
He climbed out of the water and sat cross-legged on the bank, droplets sliding from his hair. The air was sharp against his skin.
Efrain eventually joined him, shivering and grinning. "Cecilus… can I ask you something?"
Just ask it. Why the preamble?
Cecilus gave a nod.
"The whole time today," Efrain said, eyes narrowing slightly, "you were thinking about something else. Your smile—it was fake."
Cecilus froze. His smile faltered.
H-how did he know? Can he read minds? Am I that easy to read?
"Yeah," Cecilus said finally, his tone calm, measured. "Something's been bothering me."
Why didn't I just say no and end it there?
"Can you tell me what it is?" Efrain asked, earnest as ever.
It's like you're the one peering into my soul.
"I plan on running away soon," Cecilus said, almost without thinking. "Abandoning my family. To go on a grand adventure."
Efrain blinked. "Oh…" He looked genuinely disappointed.
I guess I did just tell him I'm giving up on being king.
"Why are you running?"
"Because my family isn't safe with me here."
Why am I telling him?
Efrain's face lit up again. "I knew it! There's no way you'd do something like that without some heroic reason!"
"Huh? Heroic reason? Do you think I'm a savior?" Cecilus asked, half-laughing.
"Of course! You helped Marina, you gave us aid! One of the boys in the village even said you gave him a coin for working hard! You also helped me apologize to Marina!"
Cecilus covered his face with one hand.
I would kill all those villagers if it furthered my goals. Is that worthy of praise?
"So then," Cecilus said, lowering his hand, "your turn. Why do you care so much about Marina?"
"Because I love her!"
Cecilus tilted his head. Love is a strong word to throw at someone you've barely known a month.
But instead of voicing that, he decided to humor him. "How's that going to work? She's a slave. Your feelings won't matter to someone who's owned."
"I… didn't think about that," Efrain murmured, frowning.
An idea sparked in Cecilus's mind. "What if you ran away with me? We could take Marina and go."
Efrain's eyes widened. "Wait—no, I couldn't. I'd miss my mother."
"You could visit," Cecilus said lightly. "I'll teach you magic and swordsmanship. Then, when you come back, you can show her it was worth it."
Efrain smiled again. "You've changed, Cecilus. You sound… nicer now. More relaxed."
"Well, we're friends, aren't we?" Cecilus replied with a grin. "Besides, I already gave up on being king. I'll be Cecilus the adventurer from now on."
"Then it's settled!" Efrain declared, suddenly standing straight. "Sir! Please take me in as your humble student—I'll run away with you and Marina!"
That fast. I wasn't even serious. Still… I don't mind.
"That's not what you should focus on," Cecilus said, standing. "You should start figuring out how to get her to agree."
"What? Why wouldn't she?"
"People fear change," Cecilus said simply. "It doesn't always mean a better life. It means uncertainty—and that's what people fear most."
Efrain gave him a thumbs-up, grinning as if he understood.
He has no idea what I meant, does he?
Cecilus chuckled quietly, dressed, and started home. The sun had already begun to sink.
That night, lying in his bed, Cecilus stared up at the ceiling.
I'm not leaving alone. Is that the relief I needed? I couldn't read a single thought from that boy. I couldn't understand his words, but… it was still comforting.
***
Morning came.
Efrain rose early, eager. Marina had been assigned shopping duties, and he planned to meet her on her route. He waited by the manor gates, humming to himself.
When Marina finally appeared, basket in hand, her expression dimmed instantly.
Every morning, I hope he's not here. Why did my brother even give him my schedule?
Efrain fell into step beside her, cheerful as ever, while she walked with practiced detachment.
With my luck, that lunatic half-elf will show up today too.
"Do you want to escape from your family?" Efrain asked suddenly.
Marina stiffened.
Why is he asking that? Do I want to? Does it even matter?
"It doesn't matter if I want to or not," she said flatly.
"That's not an answer!" Efrain shot back.
"Then yes," she said coldly. "I want to leave. Who wouldn't?"
If he told her family, it'd mean punishment—but she didn't care.
"Then you should ask Cecilus," he said brightly. "He'll free you! You're friends, right?"
Friends? Hardly. I've met him three times. But fine—if it shuts you up…
"How about you ask for me?" she said. "You know him better."
Efrain smirked. "I already did. He said yes."
"Huh?!" Marina nearly tripped.
What is this brat thinking? What does he gain from this? And why would that lunatic agree?
"In exchange for freeing you," Efrain said proudly, "we'll both join him on his grand adventure!"
Grand adventure? What the hell is he talking about?
"I don't know what it means," Efrain added with a grin. "But that's what he said."
Marina frowned, thoughts twisting. Running away could make things worse. At least now I have food… a roof.
She remembered her mother's voice. When the time comes, you have to take it.
But mother, you took your chance—and failed. What if I end up the same?
Then Efrain grabbed her hand. "Doing what I want is what matters most. I can dream of becoming strong like Cecilus—or rich like a merchant—because I'm free to choose. Is it really worth it to live without that choice?"
Marina looked at him closely. His eyes burned with certainty. He wasn't just dreaming for himself—he was pulling her along too.
Can't spite the world if I give up my only chance at a good life.
She nodded. "I'll do it."
"I'll escape from the borderlands."