It was the first time.
She expressed her emotions so violently. She can't stop crying just looking at Dylan's face.
When she had a bad nightmare, she shed tears, but those were silent tears. It's not a tough cry like now.
"Who dared to make Master cry?"
He was always friendly, but now he has a particularly kinder voice.
Dylan was so very kind that he would probably kill them if she were to mention a specific person's name here.
"…"
Not knowing what to say, Charlize hugged Dylan's neck.
Dylan seemed to be confused, but quietly hugged her.
She exhaled a breath. The tears that ran down her cheeks and wet her lips were squeezed.
'Dylan is safe.'
She knew that. Up until now, Dylan had often met Kahu, but he was unharmed.
So, even if Kahu and Dylan were left alone, there would be no immediate danger.
Kahu is said to be the evil god, but the evil god is still sealed and not awakened. Charlize's mind went blank for a moment.
She stood straight, letting go of Dylan. When she turned her head to look at Kahu, she had a complicated expression on her face.
Charlize doesn't know what it's like to see your first love cry in another man's arms. She was not interested in the strangely trembling eyes.
'Don't kill Kahu.'
Charlize repeated it to herself again. The ancient gods, still in fairy-like bodies, stood beside Kahu and flapped their wings.
The ancient gods were completely unbelievable. Even when Charlize misunderstood herself as the evil god, they did not correct her.
There's a lot to hide.
If she allowed the word 'open', this time around, the evil god might awaken from Kahu.
Charlize ignored them, pretending not to hear.
She just looked at Kahu. She doesn't know if the tears are still flowing or not.
Although her cheeks were hot, there was no need to wipe them. She just asked.
"Kahu, do you have no memories of your disappearance?"
Her tone was as antique as Kiera's. Kahu's green eyes shook for a moment at her cool expression.
Payne, who was the first to enter, looked at Charlize and Kahu alternately. Kahu lowered his gaze. His skin was white enough to be pale.
"I… I don't think so…"
"Have you never heard of the word evil god?"
Kahu's eyes widened. Perhaps it was the royal anger, Kahu's breathing began to speed up again.
'Even if you don't remember, you get a shock.'
Kahu is also a victim.
Although not a victim of the Kiera Project, he was a victim of the secret magic tower.
Charlize took a step closer to Kahu. Panicked, Payne ran to Kahu, asking if he was okay.
But it was late. Payne managed to catch Kahu before he collapsed, but that didn't stop him from passing out.
"He fainted! What do we do?"
Payne asked Charlize, not knowing what to do.
Seeing the fainted Kahu, Charlize slowly opened her lips. At last, she was completely convinced.
'It must have been a trauma.'
It must have been an excruciating pain comparable to the Kiera Project. How absurd it is to be a vessel for evil gods while being alive.
It was obvious without seeing what the secret magic tower had done to make it a reality. That's probably why Kahu sealed his memories.
Charlize looked at Dylan for a moment. She was in tears, so her vision was not clear.
Dylan looked at Charlize with a look of understanding without much explanation.
He just looked like he understood. It seems that he has no interest in Kahu at all. The only emotion that could be read was his concern for Charlize.
If it's okay to explain later, the conversation with Dylan had to be delayed. Charlize stared at Payne again with Kahu supported.
"Payne, what do you think I should do?"
"You must not kill him."
"I suppose so."
Charlize continued slowly.
"But if he is left unattended, it's dangerous for everyone, so we have to isolate him. The Rapine clan, who know how to handle beasts, can handle evils, so it would be best to send him to the village…"
Charlize looked at Chase.
Chase, who had just arrived, looked at Charlize face to face and looked a little confused for a moment. Perhaps because of the traces of tears.
But Charlize didn't care and ordered.
"Chase, you take charge of Kahu yourself. Take him to the village and protect him."
"…I understand."
She didn't explain why, but Charlize's orders were absolute.
"We must secure the identity of the young duke. Don't forget to keep things secret."
Chase nodded.
Since Payne only shared information with Charlize, only Charlize and Payne knew that Kahu was the evil god.
Except for Dylan, who sees through the whole situation with limited information, even her subordinates did not fully understand the situation.
But everyone believed in Charlize. That was all that mattered.
Charlize looked at Shadow and gave orders.
"Tell the Duke of Delmon that the young duke has been away from performing his secret mission of the grandmaster. He won't be able to return to the Duchy for a while."
"Yes."
"I obey the grandmaster's orders."
V and Hugo bowed their heads in turn.
"And be sure to find the base of the secret magic tower. As soon as you find it, share it with each other and let me know."
"I will take the order."
Even though she was immersed in emotions, her judgment was cold. No, rather, she felt like her mind was clearer.
As if they had been waiting for Charlize's order, they were organized and accepted it.
Charlize instantly came up with a better idea to catch the secret magic tower, but she needed more time to review it.
And she wanted to talk to Dylan first.
It seemed that Lucy wanted to talk to Charlize, but Charlize gave a guest order.
"Move, now. And everyone gets out of here. I will speak with His Majesty alone."
"Yes, grandmaster."
The situation was quickly settled. Without even thinking of disobeying, everyone moved in unison.
Beyond the figure of ruler and power, Charlize was their leader. A leader they blindly obey.
Chase, who was pointed out by Charlize, carried Kahu on his back, and the other subordinates lined up and went out of the VIP room.
Soon the door closed. It was not until Dylan and she were left alone in an enclosed space that a breath of relief was exhaled.
"…"
Her legs relaxed. Perhaps noticing that, Dylan grabbed Charlize's arm from behind in a timely manner.
Without saying a word to each other, Dylan sat Charlize down on the sofa, which was the highest seat. She thought Dylan would also sit on the sofa across from her, but he knelt down.
He looks up at Charlize and just lowers his body. The tyrant waited quietly.
"…"
Are the tears still flowing?
Charlize didn't know.
Just. This silence. It's strange. And she's happy. She's so relieved.
"…This is the first time I've seen it. Master is crying."
"Is that so?"
"Your tears are beautiful too, Master. Always more than I ever imagined."
"Have you ever imagined me crying?"
"…Yes. Not in this way."
Dylan laughed briefly. Charlize held her breath for a moment, expecting the meaning in it.
Night. Fireworks. Fire. All the images that flashed by were red.
"I just imagined a crying face, but I didn't draw a crying face in front of everyone."
Dylan's index finger, showing his possessive desire, was slow and swept Charlize's eyes. His fingers were wet with tears.
She was still crying. He realized it too late.
"But it's not a bad thing, either. It's the tears caused by me."
"…Dylan."
Again, emotions are flooded.
In her blurred vision, Dylan smiled as if he was in trouble.
"Are you crying again? Oh my, it was meant to comfort you."
Dylan took her hand gently, as if patting Charlize. However, it is not a soft force.
He holds her hand warmly, as if to give her a sense of stability by holding it tight. He knows how much it breaks her heart.
He knows that, right? He knows how weak she is to him, and he smiles.
He's mean. Taking revenge.
Charlize blamed Dylan, knowing it was a crazy thought.
"Charlize."
"I was afraid you'd die. I'm afraid Your Majesty will die."
"I see."
"I'm afraid I'll kill you. I'm afraid I'll kill you again. I was so afraid."
"I'm sorry."
"What about Your Majesty?"
"I should have known earlier. The fact that there are people who are weak like this."
Unexpectedly, she burst into tears. Her heart ached. She gave up a lot of things. Things she had to put down while running for revenge.
She gave up her emotions, she gave up her usual happiness. She didn't go to the academy, she didn't get married, and she didn't think about making memories like most people.
Just for revenge. Only for that.
Because it was painful. Because she couldn't be a human, she cried. She cried in hell that she would pay for the sin of making herself a sword only with blood.
But now she realizes it. More than all those things. More than revenge. Actually, she thought he was more precious.
"Thank you for not dying."
"How can you say that? I won't die, Charlize."
"Thank you, very, very much."
Tears welled up. Every time she blinked, Dylan became clear and then blurred again.
He doesn't know.
Thank you for existing. I'm so happy to be with you. She didn't want to kill Dylan with her own hands. She wanted to be with Dylan.
The fact is. Even if he really dies because of her. She wanted to be by his side.
Is that love? Can such selfishness be called love?
I'm sorry for being happy. Happy and happy. She doesn't care about revenge. Because he is just like a miracle.
All of a sudden.
A real piece of Ehyrit that had already been painted black with evil. In the eyes of Dylan, who grew up as a tyrant. A single tear fell.
It was neither the acting nor the falsehood to get Charlize. It was just tears.
"Trust me."
"I trust you."
"I will definitely make you happy. I'll erase everything that bothers you, Charlize, whether it's the secret magic tower or anything else. I'll erase it from the world."
It was Dylan, who had already guessed that Kahu was the evil god, looking at Charlize's attitude and orders.
There was also a reason for the Emperor's discomfort.
But Dylan's words didn't go any further. Charlize came down from the sofa and hugged Dylan, who was kneeling down. Charlize's arms are warm.
"…"
Dylan blinked in a calm embrace.
He was absent-minded. Because it feels like he was saved.
Whatever he thought, it was Charlize who saved Dylan from the swamp of nothingness.
It's a life where you find meaning in your existence. Charlize was a miracle for Dylan.
"Trust me."
"…"
"Because I'll definitely protect you. I'll definitely make you happy."
"…I trust you."
Dylan hugged Charlize gently. He tied her tighter and buried his head in Charlize's neck.
She was his woman.
She was his lover, who could never be hurt, just a precious thing.
"I love you, Charlize."
"I love you."
"I love you."
Other than those words, how else would you express this feeling?
Charlize and Dylan confessed their love to each other over and over again.
The sun was shining. The sunlight streaming through the window gave them a warm light.