Crown of Thorns

“Commander.”

After waking up the slumbering Neriano, Evan immediately entered Yohan’s chamber. His appearance was met with displeasure. As Yohan was readying himself to bed, he did not appreciate the disturbance so late at night. No matter how close the both of them seem to be, it did not justify such rudeness, and this has made the atmosphere grow colder in the room.

“What is it, Evan?”

“Oh, I’m sorry for the late intrusion, but this is the only chance I have. I came here to tell you something about this item. It was the witch who gave it to me.”

“What the ..?”

“Evan, are you sick?”

“No, I’m perfectly fine right now.”

As Evan’s behavior was out of the usual, Yohan worriedly got out of his bed, and Neriano approached him with an anxious look. Evan held out the object he was holding, still emitting a subtle glow, such a magical item must indeed have been given by a witch.

“Evan, the witch gave it to you, that’s a very incomplete explanation.”

“It’s a story that’s too long to be told by detail, so to put it simply; I went to the tower of the witch when I was a child. And I met a witch there. She was the one who gave me this item, and it wasn’t the only magical thing there, the Witch’s Tower was full of sacred magic just like the one in this object. I think the witch is related by blood to the Imperial sorcerer and I’d like to find out more about it .”

“Eh, Evan, is that true?”

“It’s true. She was also the one who taught me magic.”

“But I remember you’ve said you’ve never met a witch…”

“That was a lie. I lied saying that there were no witches in case somebody decided to seek the tower. I was afraid she would get hurt. And I’m sure she’s not the witch in the circulating rumor. I believe so, rather, she quite loves the world and wants to restore it to its original beauty.”

“You want me to believe that now?”

“I’m betting everything on you right now. Maybe she’ll be killed as the evil witch, and maybe she’ll be in danger, but I’m trying to reveal the truth to you because I trust you. I think you’ll see through a lie if what I’m saying really was one.”

The two looked down at the token in Evan’s hand without uttering a word, trying to process what they had just heard. Evan mumbled, stroking the object fondly, just as he used to do when left alone contemplating.

“The witch is a friendly and warm person. I don’t understand why she’s painted out to be evil.”

Yohan finally spoke after being lost in deep thoughts.

“And why are you telling us this story now?”

“Didn’t you say this was a token of the Imperial sorcerer? And the man who handed it to me must have something to do with him?”

“Why is that?”

“…What?”

“Well, let’s say what you’re saying is true. It is the witch who gave you the item, and so she is related to the Imperial sorcerer. What’s next?”

Evan bit hard on his lips. What wrong had she committed? Was accusing her of witchcraft and locking her up in the tower not enough, so now they’re turning her into the center of the rumors? What relation does she even have to those rumors?

But these were Evan’s personal feelings. It was nothing more than a belief that shouldn’t be forced on anyone. Evan spoke, barely making himself audible.

“…The witch wants to make me a warrior.”

“A warrior?”

“She plans to change the world to a better state through my help. That’s why she gave me this item and why she taught me. She believes that my Light can change the world. And wasn’t that what you wanted, too?”

Evan was the only hope to restore the age of glory. Yohan also wanted to restore it. But if he were to achieve that, then he needed Evan’s help. If the truth of his association with the witch were to come to light or if he had refused to cooperate, then both Neriano’s and Yohan’s dream would dissipate in the blink of an eye.

Yohan asked in a stern tone, only now noticing Evan’s feelings.

“What are you saying now?”

“I’m not actually interested in creating a better world. But I’m determined to become a warrior as the witch wishes me to be. She took care of me and protected me for that. It’s just that…”

“Just… what?”

“I don’t know what the witch’s goal is. I don’t know why she wants to make me a warrior, and what she can get out of it. That’s why I came to see you. There’s not much I can do to avoid her watching eyes. So I need your’s and Neriano’s help. Then, I’ll try my best to cooperate with what you’re doing.”

“Even if it doesn’t align with the witch’s intentions?”

“…What?”

Evan wondered out loud at Yohan’s compelling question. Then, he kept quiet. Neriano’s expression was also unusual. This made Evan realize that there was something more to the story than he already knew. And it could be the real reason why Yohan kept him around.

“But, Evan, what do you mean when you say you can’t avoid the witch’s eyes?”

“Oh, actually, the witch’s Shadow follows me.”

“Well, does it now?”

Neriano looked around in surprise and Yoan did the same, his scrutiny changing places restlessly. Evan shook his head and said.

“Not now. She let me be. The witch is quite respective of my privacy, that’s why I am here now.”

“Oh, thank God.”

Neriano sighed as if he were exhausted. Yohan, However, was occupied by his own speculations. Evan repeated.

“What I wish to know is whether the witch is related to the Imperial sorcerer or not. And if possible, any other information about her. I want to know if she just wants to revive the age of glory, or if her intentions are fueled with personal revenge, or maybe some other goal that I can’t predict. Besides, since the witch wants to make me a warrior, isn’t it better for you too to find out her purpose? I can not presume that this information will be disturbing nor helpful.”

After listening to Evan’s words, Neriano asked.

“Then, Evan, why don’t we meet the witch in person? If we share the same goal, we can move toward it together…”

“No!”

Evan’s clear refusal astonished both Neriano and Yohan.

“That will not work.”

Evan was very much forward with his objection, drawing curious eyes from the two people facing him. Thankfully, they both bit down on their feelings.

He didn’t let his true intention be revealed, for he wanted to keep the witch’s existence to himself only. He hurriedly gave another explanation.

“The witch can actually leave the tower at any time, and she’s claiming to be stuck in it as a cover. If we go meet with her, there is a good chance that she might run away to a place where no one can find her, and thus, we’ll lose access to her forever. Wouldn’t that be more of an interruption to our plan rather than a step forward?

“I can’t believe she’s been able to live by herself all this time… But if what you say is true then your concern is a valid one…”

“I think it’s wise to do what she wishes until we know her true purpose while pretending you don’t know anything.”

“…For now.”

When Yohan said so, Neriano nodded agreeing. Evan let out an inadvertent sigh of relief.

Yohan, who was staring at the sight of him, murmured.

“You seem quite close to her. It seems like there’s another reason for finding out the purpose of the witch without trying to harm her…”

Evan shot his eyes while keeping his mouth shut to Yohan’s sharp gaze. Yohan asked in a more subdued voice.

“Did you happen to fall in love with her?”

Love? Can this be called love?

Evan stiffened. He has not once before tried to gouge out his feelings for her and only wished that she’d stay with him, always. That she’d never leave him, ever. He wanted to spend his forever with her, constantly gazing upon her face and never separating from her. He was so happy just being with her that he had no care for how the rest of the world was doing, only settling for the aching desire in his heart to have her by his side. That desire was so big that he had consistently been terrified of the idea of being separated from her, which is why he had left her nest to become a warrior as per her wishes, pretending to be ignorant of her Shadow that was his eternal companion.

And, secretly, he was more than satisfied with the arrangement. He has indeed avoided reaching out to her in any way, in an attempt to keep her whereabouts secret and thus keeping her safe, far from danger’s way, even if the price was for him to be in it. And in doing so he found a way to hold on to her once more.

Could this be called love?

When Evan couldn’t give an answer, Neriano was shocked.

“What kind of nonsense is this? Are you serious, Evan? You can’t. Absolutely not. No matter how strong your belief in her innocence, she is still someone who is perceived as an evil witch. The only thing she’ll do is shackle you, no good thing will ever come out of this.”

But Evan didn’t say anything. It didn’t matter whether he was shackled or not. All he wished for was to relieve her of injustice, but if he could just stay by her side, that would be enough. If he knew her purpose, he could at least find out why he was there, to begin with.

As if they knew of his deep-rooted need for her, both Neriano and Yohan demanded that he sever these feelings of his.

Alas, little did they know, for if only he could be with Nyx, then that would be enough for him.

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