Turning Chapter 1071

Chapter 1071

Yuder opened his eyes again at the sensation of something falling on his shoulder with a thud. The man who had placed a large and thick coat that could wrap him up to his toes grinned as soon as their eyes met.

"It's still too cold to be in that attire. Aren't your feet numb?"

"I'm fine."

"I see. But I'm not fine, so."

The man, who embraced Yuder from behind, spread out his hands and held them out. When Yuder reflexively placed his hands on them, he very naturally grabbed his hands and pulled him close in an instant. When Yuder came to his senses, his feet were on top of Kishiar's insteps, and his back was completely enveloped, touching the man's chest.

"What is this?"

"Much warmer, isn't it?"

Since his entire body was practically buried in the man behind him, not a single breeze touched him, so it was warm. However... the posture was still too silly.

"Aren't I heavy?"

"Not at all. I could even dance like this."

Yuder sighed at the man who swayed left and right as if to show off, as if he didn't feel any weight at all even with an adult man on his insteps. Even though there was the quickest solution of bringing shoes, he was doing this simply because Kishiar wanted to. Then, as long as there was no one to see them like this anyway, Yuder just had to pretend not to know.

"Do as you please."

"Okay."

Only then did Kishiar stop moving, answering like a child who had heard a satisfactory answer. They looked at the sea together like that for a while. The ship Yuder had first spotted seemed to have already arrived at Peletta, as it was no longer visible, but other ships were approaching from afar, pulling flocks of white and black birds.

As he was blankly watching that sight, a low, sunken voice was heard from behind his back.

"I brought the meal, but I thought there was an angel beyond the window. It was so dazzling that I couldn't even muster the courage to approach."

"That's strange. There was only me here, so who did you see?"

When Yuder retorted in disbelief, Kishiar burst into laughter.

"Oh my. I just said what I saw, but I've been doubted."

The nape of his neck, brushed by his breath, tickled. Yuder deeply leaned his head against the man's shoulder. Kishiar tightened his arms around him as if he had been waiting.

A deep sense of stability welled up in Yuder's chest. As if nothing could shake him, everything was comfortable and quiet. Yuder slowly opened his mouth.

"Before... do you remember when you first invited me to Peletta?"

"Did I mention it in the Great Sarain Forest?"

"Yes. At that time, I newly recalled a memory I didn't even know I had forgotten."

"What kind of memory was it?"

"I had received a similar invitation 'before' as well. Of course, the situation and atmosphere were different, but..."

Unlike this time, that invitation was just a passing remark and never came to fruition. Yudrain Aile did go to Peletta later, but it was to assassinate the owner of Peletta.

While the man who knew that fact remained silent, Yuder continued to speak slowly.

"Even then, I really didn't know I would come here. But... the moment I drew the curtains and saw that sea, it really hit me that I had been invited to Peletta. Your words that I had heard in the Great Sarain Forest, I could finally understand them all when I stood here."

"..."

"When I came to Peletta in my previous life, I couldn't properly see that sea, but it was actually so beautiful. Of course, the sea hasn't changed, and the only thing that has changed is me, but..."

Just as Kishiar had said back then.

"Still... I'm glad I got to know it now, even if it's late."

Thanks to that, he was able to recall the memory he didn't even know he had forgotten in more detail. The clumsy and immature memories of his very old youth.

Yuder told him about that memory as well. While talking, strange feelings came to him, but it didn't feel too difficult. Although it was ridiculous to reveal his childish and clumsy past, he still wanted to share that memory with Kishiar.

After finishing the story about the recalled memory, Yuder closed his eyes again.

"If I had recalled it before, I might have thought it was a meaningless memory, but... I wish I had recalled it a bit sooner."

Instead of answering those words, Kishiar raised one of the hands that were holding Yuder and gently caressed his face. Only then did Yuder realize that he was smiling.

"The most emotions I've ever felt since meeting you are pouring out of you."

The man murmured.

"Joyful, painful, and somehow relieving."

Is that so? Only after hearing Kishiar's words did Yuder manage to distinguish and name the different feelings mixed into his smile.

"And I feel the same. Can you feel it?"

At the same time as those words, emotions poured out from the man as if a dam had burst. Yuder swallowed, seeing the countless golden threads that now enveloped them.

He could be certain without a doubt that Kishiar's words were true.

"Thank you for telling me. I think it was really good to come here."

Unable to hold back any longer, Yuder turned his head. The man, who knew what he wanted, lowered his lips.

The black and beautiful sea, the sound of the waves, everything seemed to melt and dissolve into that hot warmth.

***

The days spent in Peletta were the very embodiment of a 'vacation' that anyone could imagine.

There was nothing to do, and only leisurely meals and rest were repeated every day. It might sound very boring to say that, but Kishiar had an unparalleled power to never let the person with him feel bored for a single moment.

Yuder perfectly familiarized himself with the geography of every alley in Peletta and exchanged greetings with more people than in his hometown, Airic. The people of Peletta Castle didn't negatively care whether Yuder stayed in the bedroom or went out and about.

In the case of Attendant Enk, she was even pleased, saying it was good that it became easier to find the whereabouts of the Duke, who had been wandering around unpredictably, thanks to the precious guest.

However, among all the things Yuder had done in Peletta, what he felt most pleased with was none other than watching the sea.

"Sir Yuder. Are you going to see the sea?"

On the fifth day since arriving in Peletta, Yuder encountered Shusainer on his way out of the inner castle, taking advantage of the moment when Kishiar was briefly talking with other retainers. He was collecting dried grass that he had trimmed in the garden between the inner and outer castles. It seemed to be grass that would be used for cooking, but the amount was so large that it looked difficult for him to collect it alone.

"I was going to, but... shall I help you?"

"Oh. It's alright. Even though one of my legs is fake, I can sufficiently handle this much."

"I'm not asking because you look like you're having a hard time, but I thought it might help you move on to the next task if we finish quickly."

"Hmm? Is there a separate way to do it faster?"

Instead of answering, Yuder exerted his power. The fierce winter wind unique to Peletta instantly responded to his power, changed direction, and swept through the tangled clumps of grass in the blink of an eye. When he closed his eyes once and opened them again, all of Shusainer's grass was neatly organized and piled up in the basket.

"Oh! It's like a miracle!"

Shusainer applauded.

"Since I've saved my time thanks to you, shall I introduce you to my own place that's good for watching the sea?"