Distant past (2)

“After I lost the match against Duke Lukrov ..”

Chizuru, who had begun to doze off, flinched at the sound of Baru’s voice.

Baru stared at the rough floor, leaning his body against the opposite wall while keeping his distance from Chizuru. It was dark so she couldn’t read his facial expressions.

“Duke Roan told me some of the past between you and Duke Lukrov. He was probably trying to comfort me.”

Not knowing how to respond, Chizuru just stretched her back awkwardly.

But Baru did not seem to be seeking Chizuru’s opinion in particular, and after a few moments of silence, he proceeded to speak.

“He said Duke Lukrov had been looking for you for quite a long time..”

Chizuru blinked in the darkness.

“...He was so desperate for you that he lost his reasonable judgment.”

Chizuru’s heart broke every time someone told her about the past fourteen years of Lukrov’s life. Still, it had never been as painful as it was now. For Chizuru was now breaking the promise she had made to him in this lonely tower.

However, Baru continued.

“The morning after the match, Duke Lukrov came to me and handed down a punishment. He told me that I was never to approach you again, and that I was not to carry any weapons during my stay. .... I agreed to all of it, of course. I have no intention of breaking it even now.”

Baru’s voice, which had been calm, now rasped strangely.

This might be a sign of his sincerity. Chizuru nodded her head in agreement.

“I was just curious, so I asked him. ‘She only longs for you .... and you clearly love her that much, why don’t you confess?”

Chizuru could no longer keep silent and opened her mouth.

“So what did .... Lukrov say....?”

“Do you want to know?”

“Y–yes.’

Perhaps ..... she hesitated because she was afraid to find out what he said.

Even in the darkness, she could feel Baru exhaling briefly and smiling sadly.

“Duke Lukrov.. he said, “I don’t know what you heard from her, but if I still have a reason to live.. it would only be her.”

“........”

“He never used any words like, “I love her” or “I like her”, but I felt like there was no other heartfelt declaration of love like it.”

The tears she had put up with went straight down her cheeks.

Lukrov, Lukrov, Lukrov.

Fate had not been kind to them, but he worked tirelessly to make a future for them so that they could be together someday. Uncertain of whether they would be able to meet each other again, Lukrov never gave up for ten years .. fourteen years, and now they could finally be together.

His vision had finally become their reality.

“So..”

Baru whispered softly and looked down again.

“..He will never give up on you. I have no doubt that he is desperate to find you. He will not even consider thinking of me. He will definitely come to find you. So, please have patience, for a little while longer.”

Chizuru bit her lower lip tightly and nodded silently.

Now, Chizuru could only trust him in this prison cell, so she decided to do her best.

The next time she met him, she wanted to be able to hold herself proudly.