Duke, Please Fail! - Side Story 1 (Part 5)

Side Story 1: Part 5

Leonel approached without flinching as the blade dug into his neck. 

In contrast, Tatiasun took a step back.

“You betray me, knowing everything! How could you!” 

Leonel grabbed Tatiasun by the throat and pushed him back. A similar-built body fell backward.

The sound of a blade hitting rocks echoed. The blade that had been digging into the neck disappeared, but the sensation of tormenting the soul persisted. He curled up in pain as if he could die at any moment.

“Make excuses. Say something, you bastard.” 

The voice, torn and sobbing, was more of a plea than a reprimand.

Without pushing Leonel away, Tatiasun stared at him. 

“The greedy queen of Attenu killed our family members and kidnapped our family. How can I not seek revenge?”

Kidnapping and murder. Calling such absurd excuses seemed unthinkable.

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

“Nonsense? Haha. Leo, you’re also an inevitable person of Attenu.”

Tatiasun grabbed Leonel’s collar and pulled him down.

The faint blue light of dawn rose between the two, blocking their view perfectly.

It was a blue light created by a mixture of long-standing hatred, fear, and madness.

“You don’t understand what the queen, your country, has done.”

Tatiasun’s first memory was the horrific murder of his playmate, a servant. 

The pottery was shattered. Tatiasun, screaming and trembling, was comforted by his parents.

‘Tatia, this is the queen’s doing. That hateful woman. She’s the one who confined us to this vulgar and barbaric kingdom.’

‘We were kidnapped.’

‘It’s because we’re powerless.’

‘Attenu people, like maggots.’

When thirsty, he drank hatred like water, and at night, he closed his eyes with curses as lullabies.

As time passed, Tatiasun grew.

His family loved each other, and the atmosphere was harmonious, but periodically, Desatellian members died.

Then, his parents, as if performing a ritual, would stand him in front of the corpse, repeating the same words for hours.

‘We have to wait for the right moment.’

‘Keep your enemies close. Lie low.’

‘Then, someday, an opportunity will arise to return to our proud homeland.’

‘Child, you are our hope.’

‘Don’t forget that we are Desatell’s people.’

Thoughts that once roamed his mind with his parents’ voices had now become Tatiasun’s voice.

Learning to feign emotions and smiling effortlessly even in front of corpses, he met Adelhardt and Leonel.

Playing together was enjoyable, but when he returned home, he felt nothing had changed.

Those who used to live like a family had become chilling corpses.

‘Don’t be sad, Tatia. Hate.’

‘All of this is Attenu’s doing.’

‘Nobles are the same. They pretend not to know while knowing everything.’

Tatiasun never once doubted that his thoughts were false. 

“Yes. This is all Attenu’s fault. I can’t fight for Attenu, considering what they did to me and my family.” 

His gaze was clear, and his tone was firm. 

Leonel, for a moment, almost believed his words to be true.

However, there was inconsistency in Tatiasun’s words. The peace of the continent was maintained through alliances. While there were constant wars, the overall balance of power remained intact. The reason was simple—lack of justification. 

If Attenu’s queen had kidnapped royalty from another country, they wouldn’t have escaped international condemnation, especially given Queen Alexandra’s aggressive actions, which attracted many adversaries.

If Tatiasun’s words were true, Attenu would have already been devastated by the invasion of the Allied forces. 

‘A misunderstanding.’ 

The strength drained from Leonel’s hands. He still felt emptiness and anger.

“You. I think you’re mistaken about something.”

Teeth clenched, creating a small, irritating sound. 

“If what you’re saying is true, why didn’t the Desatell Kingdom demand the safety of your family?”

“Well, that…”

Confusion crept into Tatiasun’s eyes. 

Leonel looked down at his bewildered friend. Among those left in his family were Adelhardt and Tatiasun. Tatiasun was the one Leonel could rely on the most. So, if the misunderstanding was cleared up and Tatiasun realized his mistake, things would be okay. 

While Tatiasun had committed an unforgivable sin, their relationship had not yet broken.

“Your family came to Attenu voluntarily. I don’t know what happened with the servants’ deaths, but there was a misunderstanding.”

“…”

“Do you know why this war started? Desatell asked Attenu to hand over the conscripts who were traitors to their homeland. Your family there is considered traitors.”

“Don’t lie.”

“Why would I lie?”

Leonel released his grip, letting go of Tatiasun’s clothes. Then he stood up and reached out to his friend, who sat dazed as if hit on the head.

“It’s not too late.”

The queen is a person of clear rewards and punishments. 

Even if Tatiasun’s mistake led to the loss of many troops, proving that it stemmed from a misunderstanding should be enough. Furthermore, if he accomplishes a greater feat, he might avoid death. 

After that, he needs to admit his mistake, compensate, and constantly apologize to the families of the deceased. He would have to live forever in blame, resentment, and guilt, but that would be better than losing his family.

Selfish as it may be, Leonel was desperate. It took him a long time to trust others again after being betrayed by his servant and uncle. 

If even Tatiasun, who was like a brother to him, betrayed him, it seemed like there would be nothing left to believe in.

“Forgiveness isn’t my place. But responsibility, we can share.”

Their eyes met. Leonel twisted his face into a smile.

“Please, Tatia. You are a friend and a brother to me, a citizen of Attenu.”

Tatiasun stared at Leonel for a while before grabbing his hand. Leonel, not expecting him to take his hand, widened his eyes. Tatiasun gave strength to the hand they held together, swallowing the overwhelming urge to cry.

As Tatiasun held Leonel’s hand and stood up, he asked.

“What should I do?”

“Win the war.”

Leonel picked up Tatiasun’s fallen sword and placed it back in his hand.

“Do you know the enemy’s weaknesses?”

“I can find out.”

“Then go and gather information. Let’s end this war as quickly as possible with minimal casualties.”

Tatiasun tightly grasped the sword hilt. Looking at the blood-stained blade with an unfamiliar gaze, he nodded.

“I understand. I’ll be back.”

He lightly embraced his friend, then released him.

“I’ll return to the camp and report the situation. Come back as soon as possible.”

Tatiasun nodded once again, and Leonel turned away completely reassured. 

As that trust slammed on his back, it pierced through his skin and cut through his muscles. When the sword that had pierced his body was pulled out, blood poured, and agony swept over him.

However, more intense than the pain was the anger.

Turning his body in a stagger, disgustingly, Tatiasun was shedding tears.

“Sorry, Leo. I was never a citizen of Attenu.”

He moved his sagging arm to lift the sword again.

“I can’t let witnesses live, so die.”

“Tatiasun!”

Leonel rushed towards Tatiasun, screaming as if in agony. Anger had overwhelmed reason. Before him stood not a brother or a friend, but merely an enemy who had deceived him. 

Leonel snatched the sword from Tatiasun’s hand and drew a dagger, thrusting it without giving him a chance to resist.

Again and again, until life seemed absent.

Suddenly, the movement ceased. With the raised body stiffened, Leonel came to his senses. Attempting to rise, he ended up sitting down again.

The warm spring breeze enveloped Leonel. The cruel touch of spring left a painful sensation on his skin.

Leonel clutched his stomach and bent over.

Around him, the white ribbons that had adorned Tatiasun’s waist were now scattered, and stained red.

* * *

After Tatiasun’s death, the dynamics of the war with Desatell shifted dramatically.

The tide completely turned in favor of the Attenu Kingdom. However, the atmosphere among the allies was not positive.

Since bringing back Tatiasun’s lifeless body, Leonel had completely fallen apart. His demeanor was precarious, like standing barefoot on a well-forged blade. He slaughtered enemies as if surrendering his life, showing no mercy.

Just as his comrades began to fear him, an order came for him to return temporarily to the capital to report the situation.

“And Tatiasun deliberately leaked information about our base to the enemy, which was discovered and led to his immediate execution.”

“Excellent.”

The queen approved, but the surroundings were in turmoil. Due to the loss of will to live, Leonel seemed surprisingly calm.

“Well, how can someone kill their close friend and still have such an unaffected expression?”

“He cut his throat, I heard. I’m too scared to even go near.”

“Dreadful.”

“Be careful with your words. Do you know how many people died because of that traitor?”

“It’s rather remarkable. Leonel couldn’t have made such a decision unless he was extraordinary.”

“I admire him. He used to be our comrade before betraying us, and he took action himself to prevent subordinates from feeling guilt.”

Countless words were exchanged right next to him, but Leonel felt no enthusiasm for blame, fear, or admiration.

“We will hold a reception to honor those who returned. Make sure they eat, drink, and enjoy themselves to their heart’s content.”

A grand reception was held, and the knights relaxed with their faces revived.

However, Leonel found himself locked in a room filled with strong spirits. He couldn’t stand with both feet on reality in his right mind.

As he was about to raise a bottle of alcohol, the door swung open with a loud creak.

In no time, the door closed heavily, and angry footsteps followed. Leonel continued to drink without bothering to check who had entered.

“Leonel.”

A burning sensation flowed down his throat and accumulated in his stomach.

“Tell me. Did you really kill Tatiasun?”

A heavily suppressed voice was heard. 

Tatiasun. Leonel turned his head at the mention of that name.

Mixed with numerous emotions, his blue eyes looked clouded.

“Adelhardt.”

What should he say to him? Would speaking make Adelhardt believe him? Would it make him forgive? 

Tatiasun was already dead. Could they treat each other with kindness and friendship as they did when the three of them were together?

“Yeah.”

The twisted neck snapped up, and soon, a dull pain spread across the jaw and cheek. A strong impact left his head shaking and his mind disoriented. But he preferred the physical pain. He accepted the pain as he lay on the ground.

He didn’t want to get up forever, but Adelhardt pulled him up once more.

“I told you to wait because you could handle it! Is this the price for trusting you? You could have stopped Tatiasun, you, but…”

A desperate scream and a contorted face were visible. It seemed visible, but it only appeared that way. Other senses passed through Leonel as if he didn’t exist.

“Make an excuse, Leonel. Or at least explain. I… I…”

He couldn’t understand what Adelhardt was saying. He didn’t want to ask. He just left him to swing his fist or scream as he wished.

He was too exhausted to do anything.

Restrained, Leonel closed his eyes. Slowly disappearing pupils were deeply imprinted in Adelhardt’s mind. It was a thorough rejection.

Adelhardt pulled Leonel’s wet cheeks and forced a gaping smile, an empty smile.

And then, he let go of Leonel, whom he had been holding desperately. The helpless body fell to the ground with a thud.

“Never… appear in front of me again.”

With those words, Adelhardt left the room. The door closed quietly, leaving Leonel alone again.

The cheerful music and laughter flowing in through the window felt distant and hollow.