Even if the Dawn Abandons You - Chapter 23

An empty, dilapidated building stood in ruins.

The man anxiously watched as his black military uniform burned, his gaze trembling with unease. It had been a complicated task to put on and take off the officer’s uniform, adding to the restlessness of the men gathered there.

But it was finally over. Amidst the anxiety, the man felt a faint sense of relief. He would now take the money and leave the country with his family, heading towards the kingdom of Rancière. After all, that’s what he had been promised—enough money to secure their future. Some might question the need to go abroad when the emperor, who had brought the country to this state, was no longer in power. However, for a man who didn’t belong to either the revolutionary army or the angry mob, it didn’t matter which ruler or president governed the country. As long as he could survive, the location was irrelevant.

Not long ago, this man had encountered another man.

Well, perhaps it wouldn’t be accurate to describe it as a simple “meeting.” The man had approached him, lurking in the back alleys, struggling to provide for his family. The mysterious man wore a mask, concealing his identity. Holding the man’s family hostage, he made an offer that was impossible to refuse—a fortune that the man could never earn, no matter how much he begged or pleaded. The task assigned to him was to participate in the battle in the city of Verdois and shoot Anais Belmartier, the bringer of the dawn light.

And the man had succeeded in that task a few days ago.

Unable to read newspapers due to his illiteracy, the man relied on overhearing conversations. Although Anais Belmartier hadn’t been killed, news circulated that she had been seriously injured and was currently unconscious.

The man pondered this turn of events. Was it a problem that she didn’t die? He had never shot or killed anyone before, and his trembling hands made it uncertain whether he had aimed properly. However, the man who had given him the order had only instructed him to “disguise himself as a wounded resistance fighter and shoot Anais Belmartier.” Killing her was not explicitly mentioned. He wondered why he was supposed to pretend to be a resistance fighter instead of a wounded revolutionary, but much to his surprise, Anais Belmartier hadn’t rejected his extended hand, just as his mysterious employer had predicted.

He felt guilty for shooting and gravely injuring a national revolutionary hero—a doctor who wouldn’t even let go of his bloodied hands on the battlefield. However, given the circumstances, he had no other choice. With his family held hostage, he couldn’t have made a different decision.

The late autumn wind blew cold, causing the man to shiver as he waited for the person who had given him the job. Today was the day he would receive the money. The man’s heart grew increasingly impatient, knowing he had to quickly acquire the money, leave the country, and escape from that devilish man.

Just when he could no longer bear the wait, a masked figure entered the building. The tall man had completely concealed his identity, not only with a mask, but also with a hat and a coat pulled up to his neck. Recognizing the man who always appeared in such attire, the man quickly approached him and demanded, “Now, give me the money.”

“Why don’t you wait a little longer? Anais Belmartier isn’t dead yet.”

“You told me to just shoot her, not kill her!”

“So you don’t need to feel sorry.”

At this point, the man didn’t care about his employer’s muttered words. They were inconsequential to him. Regardless of the reasons behind the man’s desire to kill Anais Belmartier, what mattered most to him right now were the money he had earned and the safety of his captive family.

“Is my family safe? Are they all right?”

“What a pitiful thing to ask.”

The man placed the bag of money he was carrying in front of the man and hastily opened it, oblivious to the other man’s movements as he retrieved something from the inside pocket of his coat. In the next moment, a corner of the man’s mouth, exposed under the mask, curved into a sinister smile.

“Do not worry. Your family will be fine.”

Bang, bang, bang!

The sound of three gunshots echoed through the empty building, sealed by soundproof magic.

? ? ?

Why?

“Miss Anais led the opposition to the execution until the end.”

Why?

“I know she came down to Bassbourg from Seine voluntarily because she condemned the actions of the revolutionary army.”

Why didn’t you tell me?

Leonard returned home, his mind in a state of shock. Sitting at the kitchen table, he gripped his head with both hands. It was a shock akin to discovering the news of his family’s death, if not greater. He felt lost, unable to comprehend the extent to which he had subconsciously sensed the truth.

At this moment, Leonard desperately needed Anais. He yearned for their meeting, praying for her safe awakening. Once she woke up, she had to return to Dunang unharmed so they could finally have a chance to talk. There were so many questions to ask, so many things left unsaid. He found himself resenting Anais for an entirely new reason.

Why did you oppose it so vehemently? And why didn’t you tell me after your objections? There were countless words they couldn’t share because they were swept up in the circumstances, carried away by emotions that were far from hateful. Leonard admitted that for the past four days, he had wanted nothing more than for Anais to be alive. But never before had he wished for her safe awakening more than in this moment.

‘You’d rather kill me and leave now.’

‘You might think it’s hypocrisy, but I genuinely hope His Highness is safe.’

“Is your goal just to make me suffer?”

She opposed it until the end. Yes, I understand now. When viewed from that perspective, the story falls perfectly into place. Anais’s guilt, her wish for his safety, and her behavior, appearing as though she were a desperate man ready to die every time they met—it all made sense. That was the Anais Belmartier that Leonard knew.

Since she was twelve years old, Anais had always strived to do what was right. She had no qualms about speaking out, even when she was afraid of him, the prince. If she believed she had hurt someone, she would agonize over it, even if it was unwarranted. Leonard admired that about her. When asked what she wanted to become in the future, she confidently replied, “A doctor.” Leonard vividly remembered what he had thought at that time. And it aligned perfectly.

Living with the words “I’m sorry” on her lips, hoping no one would be hurt, Anais had never caused harm to others. She was particularly burdened by guilt.

That was the kind of person Anais Belmartier was, and Leonard had known that for a long time. He should have guessed, even without her telling him. Perhaps subconsciously, he had already sensed it. But in his eyes clouded by anger and hatred, he couldn’t see it.

Because she wasn’t that type of person.

The person he had wanted to build a future with… 

As he realized this, Leonard felt his breath catch in his throat. One understanding gave way to another. Why didn’t she tell me? She opposed it, but I didn’t think it was impossible. She came down here, leaving behind the comrades she had chosen. If she had said just one word, he would have believed her.

Even if it were a lie, he would have wanted to believe her!

They had known each other for thirteen years. Though they couldn’t claim to have always been together, they had shared so much time and experiences that it felt like they had. Yet Anais had always remained an enigma to Leonard. Why did you keep silent? He pondered this question once again. In the absence of confirmation from Anais herself, his mind became a breeding ground for various delusions. Even after knowing him for thirteen years, did she still not know him or believe in him? Or perhaps something else had blinded her, just as hatred had blinded him. 

Or… 

‘Standing on the podium at the Republican rally today… Who was it?’

‘This is Anais Belmartier, Your Highness.’

Was his faith, like his vows, nothing more than an empty illusion to her?