EMATEC Chapter 158

158

"Cherrya, you really…"

Noticing my flustered expression, Enoch let out a helpless sigh.

"You’re the one who made me believe that my mother was still alive. You said the head of the Emblem family had gone to Kratyn Forest to look for her."

"...Ah!"

Only now did I fully remember what I had said that day.

When Grandpa said he was going back to Kratyn Forest to look for Aunt Diana, I had a strong feeling that she wasn’t dead.

Trying to comfort Enoch, I had blurted that out without much thought, and only now was I realizing it.

"I’m sorry. I just remembered now."

"I figured as much."

Enoch's voice sounded resigned, as if he had finally given up. With a small sigh, he turned to Aunt Diana and said.

"So, Mother, I suggest you worry more about Father than me. You’ll probably find him scarier than me. His resentment is likely far greater."

"Enoch, what about you…"

"You seem to be hoping I’m not okay, but I really am. I’ve adapted well to your absence. If you want to fill that void now, come back to me only after making a proper effort."

Enoch drew a clear line with Aunt Diana. During her absence, his life had become whole again. His words implied that if she wanted to return to that life, she had to earn her place through effort.

At first glance, he sounded cold and calculating, as if he had no blood or tears. But in truth, he was being incredibly generous, he was giving her a chance to make things right.

When had Enoch learned what it means to be merciful?

'……’

I couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of emotions. I had expected that if Aunt Diana and Enoch met, it would explode into a huge fight, an irreparable clash of resentment and twisted affection.

If it had been me in Enoch’s position… would I have been able to behave like that?

I tried imagining it for a moment.

And my answer was, "No."

If I were in his shoes, I would’ve screamed and cried, made a huge scene, and eventually worn myself out and collapsed.

"Yes… I understand. Thank you. Really… truly… thank you…"

Even just that was enough to move Aunt Diana deeply. Her clenched fists trembled as tears welled up in her eyes and quietly rolled down her cheeks.

Enoch reached out toward her for a moment, then pulled his hand back and said.

"Go see Father. I promise you, he’ll be far more troublesome than I am."

At that, a faint smile, her first, formed on Aunt Diana’s lips. She nodded gently and gave me a silent look of gratitude before vanishing from sight.

"…She’s amazing. I couldn’t even sense her presence."

Even though I was now aware of my swordmaster abilities, I realized that if I let my guard down for even a second, I’d lose track of Aunt Diana entirely.

I could now truly sense how powerful and skilled she really was.

"But… not to the point where I couldn’t notice at all."

Enoch spoke without taking his eyes off the direction she disappeared to.

His gaze was low and somber. He seemed conflicted, but also… somewhat relieved.

Even though we’d grown up together, it felt like Enoch had matured in ways I hadn’t yet caught up to.

I found myself growing uneasy, envious even, of the time Enoch had spent at the academy, time I had no part in.

"You’ve really grown up, you know."

"……"

I had said it out of pure admiration, but Enoch frowned as if something about my words bothered him.

"I’ve told myself, again and again, not to read into everything you say or do. I should’ve stopped doing that a long time ago."

"What are you suddenly talking about?"

"How did you know to come here?"

"Well… Mom said Aunt Diana was probably meeting up with you, so…"

"Haaa…"

Enoch let out a deep sigh, clearly displeased with my answer for some reason.

He stared at me for a moment, thinking hard, then raised his hand and gently rested it on top of my head.

"Think about it, Cherrya. Think about how your words might come across to others. Set boundaries. Don’t cause misunderstandings for no reason."

"What even is a 'proper boundary’?"

"In situations like this, stop openly worrying about me. Don’t look at me with that face. Just… stop all of it."

"Hey! I can worry about you! After everything we’ve been through together-"

"That’s exactly why it hurts more."

So I’m not supposed to worry at all? Am I supposed to stop caring completely?

That comment made me feel both disappointed and irrationally tempted to punch that annoying mouth of his.

And as if he noticed what I was thinking, Enoch stepped back and added.

"I don’t want to be swayed by you anymore."

"…When did I ever sway you?"

I seriously considered punching him. I clenched and unclenched my fist as he continued talking.

"If His Majesty really was harmed by demons, this incident can’t be made public. So, to distract from it, they’ll probably use Mother’s return and our engagement."

"You mean… our engagement might get moved up?"

"You’re scarily quick at picking up on that, huh…"

Enoch gave me a long look, clearly baffled.

That look was the last straw. I finally raised my fist.

"There’s a limit to how much I can hold back, so just get to the point."

"Before that, I need to ask the Crown Prince for something, and I want your help."

"What is it?"

"There’s something I need to check in Kratyn Forest. I need permission to go there."

"Enoch, that place-!"

Kratyn Forest was far more dangerous than the infamous Carmedan Jungle of Pavan. Aunt Diana hadn’t been declared missing there without reason.

Now that we knew demons were active in that area, I couldn’t just let Enoch go.

"I know. But I have to go."

"Then I’ll come with you."

"No."

Enoch shook his head firmly.

"I have to go alone."

"Why do you have to go alone, anyway?"

"I’ll explain after I come back."

"…."

I couldn’t figure out what Enoch was really thinking. Unlike him, who seemed to see right through me, I was starting to feel like I didn’t really know anything about him at all.

The only thing I did know was that when he made that face, there was no point in trying to stop him.

"I’ll be back before the engagement ceremony. I promise."

"Do you seriously think that’s what’s bothering me right now?"

"It’s not?"

"No, you idiot."

I clutched my throbbing head in frustration.

If nothing else, I’d have asked him to at least finish the training he was getting from Grandpa. But since His Majesty had been attacked by demons, Grandpa would surely stay by his side.

And Enoch wasn’t the type to just sit around and wait.

"…Fine. I’ll go with you when you ask the Crown Prince for permission."

"Thank you, Cherrya."

"Whenever you thank me so sincerely like that, it never ends well for me."

"That’s just your imagination."

I stared at Enoch’s indifferent expression.

Once Aunt Diana’s return is made public, the natural next step will be to announce our engagement.

Maybe that’s why Enoch, who had always stood by my side under the title of "rival", now suddenly felt like a stranger.

"A ceremonial engagement. Something that could end at any time."

That was the phrase I always told myself.

But somehow, I had a feeling… that it wouldn’t be so easy this time.

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