[BL] Guardians of Fate
Chapter 107 - 23: Breaking Off These Chains [3]

Chapter 107: Chapter 23: Breaking Off These Chains [3]

Ethan leaned against the wall of the carriage house, stifling a yawn. It was another night spent guarding empty carriages while chaos was swirling outside.

At least the moon was bright tonight. Ethan had always liked evenings like this: peaceful surroundings, a beautiful landscape, and a sense of security within the palace grounds.

However, he could not bring himself to relax too much.

After all, as mentioned, they were still in the middle of an evacuation. No matter how much he wanted to relax, there was no doubt that a threat was near. Otherwise, the Duke would not do something like this.

"Why do you think that His Grace issued an evacuation order?" Hart asked from beside him, just an arm’s distance away. It was as though he read his mind just now. "Isn’t it too sudden? He just got back early from the banquet over at Angelbay City and now he’s suddenly acting like this."

"I don’t know," Ethan said honestly. "I don’t question His Grace’s orders. I think the captains know something, but they’re not telling what it is."

"Maybe a territorial war?"

Ethan frowned. "With whom?"

"I’m thinking maybe the one that—" Hart suddenly stopped short and turned his head in the opposite direction, as though he noticed something.

"What is it?" Ethan asked, puzzled, following Hart’s gaze.

Coming out of the shadows of the trees were two figures.

One was the servant woman from just now — what did she come back for? — and the other was a young man in a black cloak with the hood pulled down to reveal his face.

Ethan and Hart froze in place.

"Y—Your Grace!" they exclaimed in surprise, instantly standing to attention. "What brings you here?"

More like, what in the name of Celisthea is he doing in this kind of place at such a time? Ethan wondered, his mind racing.

The servant woman bowed and did not say a word, letting Leon do the talking.

"Don’t mind me. I’m just here to get something that my father left in the carriage," he said. "She’s going to help me unlock the door."

Ethan and Hart exchanged glances, uncertain of what to say.

If the Duke left something in the carriage, he would’ve ordered a servant to do it. Why did the Duke’s son have to come here himself?

"He left something very precious inside," Leon said, as though reading both their minds. "So he asked me to come personally to retrieve it. He will not trust anyone else with the task, and he is quite busy at the moment."

A little odd, but Ethan supposed that it was plausible. After all, the Duke was indeed known for his protectiveness over the things that he considered valuable. He would not let anyone else touch them, not even the servants who would follow his every order.

Ethan sighed internally. And even so, this was the Duke’s son. Even if they were hesitant to do so because it was peculiar, they could not refuse him. It wasn’t that simple. They weren’t guards inside of the palace. They were stationed on the outside, so their ranks and importance were comparably lower.

Hart nodded. "Of course, Your Grace. We understand. Please feel free to do what you must."

Ethan nodded as well.

Leon lowered his head slightly, an odd expression coming over his face. It seemed a little like relief, but Ethan couldn’t be so sure. Maybe it was just a trick of the moonlight. It was way past midnight, and shadows were dancing across Leon’s face, highlighting his handsome features.

He walked past them with the servant woman following from behind. The sound of murmurs followed next, and then a noise that sounded like the jingling of keys.

Ethan continued to keep his gaze forward, trying to distract his mind with something. With the evacuation going on, it was probably going to take a few more hours to complete. After that, they needed to follow the next orders from their head captain.

At least I’m not out there in town walking to and fro, Ethan thought. I would rather just stand here and watch the sky. It’s much more peaceful this way.

His mind then went back to the reason for all this. Was there going to be a war? The Duke never evacuated his people out of the blue before. Only during the times when—

Wait a minute.

Ethan’s eyes widened fractionally, but then he shook his head vehemently. No, no. That’s impossible. The monster was sealed away three years ago. I’m getting too ahead of myself.

I should just concentrate on my duty—

Suddenly, a distinct noise drifted into his ears. It was not too loud, but audible enough for him to distinguish that it was different from a mere opening of the door and shuffling inside of the carriage.

He whipped his head around only to see the Duke’s royal carriage burst out from the carriage house, wheels turning rapidly as it swooshed past them and right towards the iron gates headed for the town.

Ethan’s jaw dropped open in shock, and beside him, Hart was sputtering, "W—What the...?! Where the hell are they going?!"

By the gods, was all Ethan could think. The Duke is going to kill us for this!

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* * *

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Leon’s heart was beating so fast that he felt like it was about to burst out of his chest.

He had tried to look calm earlier when explaining the reason to the guards, but in truth, he was sweating profusely from his back with nervousness. He had never been good at hiding his emotions for too long.

It was good that Mirona was here with him. She made him feel like he had an ally in this world, someone he could trust and count on.

"We’re almost there!" she exclaimed, accelerating the carriage as the tall iron gates came into view. They were so close to tasting true freedom.

Leon swallowed hard and felt his palms grow cold and clammy.

This was it. This would be the first hurdle, but once they passed it, the rest would be easier. After all, the guards stationed outside the duchy would never expect something to come from the inside instead of the outside.

Leon took a deep breath.

Earlier, when Mirona had gone inside and sat down in front of the navigation panel, he also went inside and placed his sword next to the driver’s seat.

"On the count of three, start it up," he told her in a low whisper as he opened the window so they could see through the courtyard. They weren’t going to make the vehicle invisible just yet. If they did, they might accidentally run over the people and soldiers in town, and he didn’t want that to happen.

Mirona nodded. Unlike him, she looked determined.

"Let me just say, dear..." she said softly. "That I think this is a reckless plan."

Leon winced. "Sorry..."

She smiled. "But I don’t disapprove of it. I know you must have a good reason for doing this."

He hesitated. "It’s..."

"If I may take a guess, it probably has something to do with your Summoner."

His eyes widened. "How did you—"

"Considering the fact that the Duke suddenly called for an evacuation five years earlier than when the Calamity is supposed to appear, I had some wild guesses in my head." She turned on the panel, making the crystals glow beautifully. "But we can talk about that later, when we have plenty of time."

She smiled at him, wider this time.

"But I’m proud of you. You’re starting to find your resolve, just as I had hoped."

Leon’s eyes welled up with tears at the memory, along with the emotional roller coaster he was feeling right now.

This was his home, and now he was fleeing it to chase the unknown.

Once we escape, I’ll figure out what to do next, he thought as he opened the door and observed what lay ahead. I’ll get Mirona to safety and—

Wait.

What the hell?

As they approached, the gates suddenly groaned shut with an ominous clash of metal. Leon stared in disbelief, his heart sinking as he watched rows of armored figures marching quickly with their pikes, blocking the gates with determination.

"What is going on?" he said incredulously, exiting the carriage. "How did—"

"Ah, my foolish son... truly a disappointment."

Leon’s heart stopped.

When he turned around, his father was there, arms crossed over his chest, looking as displeased as ever.

Leon swallowed in fear, feeling his blood turn to ice. I—I got caught...?

The expression on the man’s face reminded Leon of painful memories of trying to spend time with his father, asking to play with him, but being rebuffed every time.

Then again, when had the Duke ever been pleased with him? When had his father ever told him he loved him? When was the last time his father gave him a hug? Leon couldn’t remember.

Even as a child, he couldn’t get a simple embrace from his own father.

"I knew that you would betray me sooner or later." Duke Alfred Hartengrove’s expression twisted into that of outrage. "I’m always one step ahead of you. Remember that, Leon."

Leon’s lips stretched into a thin line. "Father..."

"You will stop right there and come back this instant!" the Duke demanded, eyes blazing with fury. "How dare you try to act out now? And in front of all these people, no less! How dare you, after everything that I have done for you?!"

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