Chapter 63:

“Knights consume twice the amount of food,” they say.

Upon considering this, Danal’s head shot up.

His eyes welled up.

“Ma’am…”

For some reason, his voice carried a warm energy.

It was slightly creepy to her, and because of that, she moved a little closer to Elric.

He, undeterred, declared,

“I will serve with my life!”

Tyria hiccuped involuntarily.

Elric chuckled softly.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Tyria suggested,

“…Let’s go somewhere else. To avoid being a nuisance.”

“We shall do as the lady says. Head in when you’re done.”

“Yes!”

“Engrave the grace of the lady upon your bodies…”

“Do not. It’s a bit creepy. Quite a bit, actually.”

Elric, who was strict with the knights, thus dismissed them and left.

Tyria was unaware her small act of kindness greatly touched Danal, and it enlightened him.

‘Ah, Kasha becomes docile in front of his wife!’

Danal thought.

If Kasha received the lady’s favor, he wouldn’t dare to recklessly threaten him with a knife held to his neck.

He now had a goal to become Tyria Portman’s loyal hound.

Several days later, Elric was in the study.

There was no particular reason.

It was simply because of several past experiences that he felt the need to read.

Though he wished to flip through and memorize challenging educational books, he was currently looking at a shelf filled with miscellaneous books.

“Why not become familiar with simpler books first?”

Following Tyria’s advice, he was looking for an easy book to read.

That’s when a certain book caught his eye.

“Hmm, this is…”

The book had a brown cover with the title “The Blind Love” written in yellow letters.

A snicker escaped him.

It was a familiar book, and he remembered a past event upon seeing it.

* * *

It was a time when battles were rife across the lands.

At that time, Elvus had recently become partially paralyzed, marking a period when their friendship was deepening.

On that day, Elvus was sitting in the garden where the sunlight was generous, reading a book with a soft smile.

“What are you reading so intently?”

“Ah, you’ve come.”

As he closed the book, the title revealed was “The Blind Love.”

At first glance, the title seemed like a romance novel, closer to popular fiction than the sophisticated and cultured reads he usually preferred.

“Do you read such novels too?”

“Why can’t I?”

“I always thought you only read challenging books. Haven’t you always said that books exist to be learned from?”

“A wise person can find enlightenment even in a roadside pebble.”

“I’ll be sure to talk to the next pebble I meet”

Even this sarcastic remark was met with nothing but a smile from Elvus.

Hence, Elric asked.

“So, what have you learned from that book, which at first glance, seems like a romance novel?”

“Humanity.”

“Humanity?”

“The pitiful nature of humans.”

He briefly explained the plot of the novel.

It was about a blind boy who was sold as a toy to a beautiful noble lady. The noble lady with no one understanding her inner self, falls in love with the boy who saw her for who she truly was. They share a forbidden love, which ends in their suicide when discovered.

At the time, Elric commented.

“Such a foolish story.”

“Is that so? It’s a very popular novel, though.”

“It’s clear as day. It’s about love transcending social status. Something that seems plausible in reality but is utterly impossible, providing vicarious satisfaction.”

…It was a time when he was particularly cynical.

Could it be said that his adolescence was not fully resolved, or that everything he saw was twisted, feeling a bizarre satisfaction only when belittling others?

Anyway, Elvus dismissed such a response smeared with such emotions.

“You’re wrong.”

An unusually firm response, leaving no room for further argument.

“You’ve misunderstood the story and the psychology of those reading it.”

“?”

“It’s a story about vision.”

Elvus said, stroking the book cover.

“It’s about the senses we rely on, and about the misunderstandings they lead to.”

“And what about it?”

“It’s simple. Haven’t you heard that first impressions are important? They determine how we perceive a person.”

“I’ve heard, but…”

“This book deals with people trapped by the pitfalls of first impressions.”

As usual, his words were profound.

“Suppose everyone makes the same gesture of raising their hand to their chin. Depending on who does it, we perceive it differently. If a person of dignity does it, we might see the gesture as dignified, even if it’s done thoughtlessly. If it’s someone seductive, we interpret it as a gesture of allure; if intellectual, then as a sign of cultured character; if base, then as crudeness.”

“Hmm…”

“It’s about that trap. As long as we have sight, we inevitably overlay our prejudices onto people. It’s the same reason nobles live obsessed with appearances. They instinctively understand the need to look appealing.”

That was the conclusion he ultimately reached after a lengthy discussion.

“The information we see with our eyes is an illusion. Throughout our lives, we live among these illusions, never truly seeing anyone for who they are. That’s why we hope.”

“…For what?”

“For someone to truly see us, and to see the true self of someone else.”

Elric distinctly remembered the expression Elvus wore that day.

Contrary to his usual cynical demeanor, he wore a dreamy smile.

His gaze was directed towards his lower half, which no longer functioned.

“That’s why this book sells well. It taps into a human’s longing.”

Such a foolish story.

That was why he never broached the subject again.

He didn’t want to shatter the rare sentimentality of his friend.

So…

“I didn’t know you liked romance.”

Elvus replied with a blush, somewhat sheepishly.

“Everyone dreams of romance. Even knowing it’s a fabricated dream, we can’t escape it. Humans need interaction to live, and romance represents the most perfect form of interaction. Don’t you have someone like that?”

Who had he thought of that day?

He couldn’t quite remember.

“I hope you find such a person too.”

He realized the meaning of ‘too’ a year later.

Elvus Graham got married.

To Eiri Pelgarium.

The straightforward and spirited woman.

It was said that she was the one who recommended “The Blind Love” to Elvus.

And there was something Elvus had told him, it was the first thing she said to him when they met.

“With your condition, you’re quite light on your feet. Like watching a squealing piglet trying to move.”

Truly, she was a woman who saw through to the essence of Elvus Graham.

It was then that Elric finally understood why the ever-restless Elvus had decided to marry.

* * *

Reflecting on the past seemed premature for someone still in the prime of youth.

Elric chuckled softly as he replaced “The Blind Love” back on the shelf.

However, the contemplation had not faded.

There was a question that resurfaced as he revisited the day’s conversation.

‘Living a life deceived by sight….’

His gaze drifted out the window.

Tyria was crouched in front of a flowerbed that held nothing but dirt, a scene that had become increasingly common of late.

Elric stepped out of the study and made his way toward her.

“Lord?”

Tyria lifted her head slightly.

Elric looked at her with a gentle smile.

“You’re here again.”

Droopy eyelids, wheat-colored blond hair, and bud-green eyes.

Elegance was encapsulated in her features and delicate figure.

Mystique emanated from her.

To the eyes, she seemed an untouchable person from a distant realm.

That was why Elric found her difficult to approach.aw

Thus, he revisited his conversation with Elvus, observing her anew with growing curiosity.

“I was planning on beautifying the garden.”

Who you are, someone who loves flowers.

“It seems like it wouldn’t catch anyone’s eye if it were just a monotone color scheme.”

Who you are, someone who finds monotony unappealing.

“Yet, I worry that any changes might not harmonize with the mansion’s surroundings.”

Who you are, someone who values harmony despite it all.

‘Madam…’

Stripped of her appearance, who was Tyria Portman?

Always formal yet an ungraceful sleeper.

Delighted by small gifts.

Afraid of trains.

Stern in her teachings.

And foolishly, waiting for a husband who had left her for 10 years.

“Lord?”

“I was listening.”

Thinking about it, all these traits did not align with her outward appearance.

Yet, they didn’t feel imbalanced.

Is this what one would call an illusion?

“The color of the flowers, an important concern indeed.”

Elric looked over the garden.

“What do you think would be good, Lord?”

“I would like flowers that blend yellow and green.”

“Why is that?”

Because they seem to resemble you. To signify that you are the master of this garden. Too shy to say such things…

“It feels refreshing. Like spring. Sometimes, it even reminds me of autumn.”

Hearing this, Tyria’s gaze returned to the barren soil. After pondering for a while, she nodded.

“Then, yellow flowers with prominent green leaves would be nice. Adding some red flowers might enhance the beauty.”

“Why red flowers?”

“Because the strong color could draw attention to the garden, yet it would still harmonize.”

She valued harmony but also appreciated boldness. Elric realized this anew.

“That sounds good.”

Frost seemed to settle on Tyria’s eyelashes, casting her in a mysterious glow.

“It might be a good idea to head inside. It’s getting cold.”

“Yes, let’s call it a day for now.”

Tyria stood up, naturally interlocking her fingers with his. Their hands clasped together.

“I apologize. It’s because of me that you’re out in the cold.”

“It’s alright.”

Getting to know you more isn’t bad at all. Elric glanced at Tyria.

He wanted to know who she was, what she was thinking at this moment.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

If, like in that novel, he became blind, would he then know? Would the illusions fall away at that point?

The sound of their feet crunching on the snow filled the air. Her hand felt unusually warm in his.