Few months later.
That morning, the atmosphere in the mansion felt different. Servants were busy going back and forth preparing supplies. War horses were prepared in the front yard.
Arvin walked down the main stairs wearing full jet-black war armor with a blue cloak bearing the Vedegra family crest, three ice crystals in a triangular pattern. A long sword hung at his waist, radiating a strong aura of intimidation. He approached Alrain, who was standing waiting in the living room.
Alrain looked at his master with unconcealed admiration, but also deep anxiety.
"Alrain!" Arvin called. His face was flat, emotionless, as usual.
"Yes, My Lord."
"I'm leaving!" Arvin said briefly. "I will lead the troops to the eastern border. I don't know how long I will be gone, it could be a week, it could be a month, maybe longer."
Arvin looked straight into Alrain's eyes. For a moment, his cold mask cracked slightly, revealing a glimmer of sincere trust.
"Guard this territory with your strength. Make sure no enemy dares to infiltrate while I'm gone. Because you... you are the person I trust most in this place."
Alrain's heart pounded hearing that last sentence. 'The person I trust most' was more valuable than any praise. Without arguing, Alrain bowed deeply, hiding a moved smile on his face.
"As you command, My Lord. I will guard this territory with my life. You can leave with peace of mind."
Arvin nodded once, then turned and walked out without looking back. The sound of hoofbeats soon faded away, leaving a suffocating silence in the large mansion.
Alrain stood alone in the middle of the spacious living room. Worry began to creep into his mind. War was not a game. What if Lord Arvin got hurt? What if he didn't come back?
But, Alrain knew he couldn't do anything other than obey his master's order to guard the rear.
He walked to the large window, staring at the yard left by Arvin's entourage in the distance. His mind wandered, not to the war, but to his feelings that were never conveyed to his master.
"If only time could be turned back..." Alrain muttered suddenly, his voice bouncing off the window glass. His eyes gazed far away, imagining a different scenario. "I wish I had met Lord Arvin sooner. Long before he met Allen, or maybe when he was still studying at the academy. I want to be the first person by his side, protecting him, and confessing these feelings to him before his heart was closed by regret."
Alrain touched the cold window glass. "If I had come earlier... would there have been a chance for me to have him? Would he have seen me, not Allen?"
The atmosphere in the room fell silent again after Alrain uttered that impossible supposition. Only silence answered him.
And then...
"Hahaha."
Alrain laughed crisply, a laugh that sounded slightly discordant and pathetic to his own ears. He laughed at his stupidity, laughed at his own nonsensical words.
"What am I thinking? Turning back time?" Alrain shook his head with a wistful smile. "That's just a fairy tale. If that could really happen, of course I would want to do it very much. I would trade anything for it. But... it seems that won't be possible in this real world..."
Alrain turned around, leaving the window with firm steps to carry out his duties, unaware that fate sometimes has a strange sense of humor in granting wishes spoken with a whole heart.
....
....
Seasons changed, leaves fell and grew back, marking the merciless passage of time. Ten months had passed since Arvin left the mansion to "give a warning" at the border.
During those ten months, Alrain did not just sit idly by and wait. He had changed. The handsome youth who was once awkward and full of trauma had now transformed into a figure respected throughout the Vedegra territory, especially in Vanzhas City.
As Duke Arvin's right hand, Alrain held control over the territory's security in his master's absence. He also trained day and night, patrolled, frequently visited other towns, and exterminated wild monsters that tried to approach.
The residents of Vanzhas City respected him not only because of his terrifying strength but also because of his humility.
However, the relative calm in Vanzhas City was disturbed by rumors brought by traveling merchants and spies.
The news spread like wildfire in a dry grassland. Not just one territory had been destroyed. But three kingdoms had collapsed completely. The Vedegra flag now fluttered atop the ruins of their destroyed palaces.
Alrain sat in Arvin's empty study, reading the intelligence report with trembling hands.
"Three kingdoms..." he murmured softly, his eyes widening in disbelief. "My Lord said back then he only wanted to attack a territory claiming our land, didn't he? But... he flattened three kingdoms at once?"
The paper in his hand crumbled. Alrain felt a shiver run down his spine. Not fear, but awe mixed with horror. His master's power turned out to be far beyond his imagination. Arvin was no longer just a strong noble, but a walking natural disaster.
"He is truly magnificent..." Alrain whispered, an admiring smile etched on his lips. "I admire and worship him even more. But, why go that far?"
Curiosity tickled his mind. Alrain put down the report, then walked to the mansion's courtyard to resume training. He swung his sword ferociously, imagining himself fighting by Arvin's side.
It seems I have to ask him directly after he arrives here. Alrain thought, slashing a straw dummy until it split in two.
The following days felt quieter than usual. The large mansion felt empty without the presence of Arvin's dominant aura.
Until one cloudy afternoon, the city gate trumpet sounded long. The mansion's main gate opened. A line of black-armored cavalry entered the courtyard with heavy footsteps. In the very front row, riding a gallant black warhorse, was the figure Alrain missed the most.
Arvin had returned.
Alrain ran to welcome his master's arrival with full enthusiasm. His heart pounded seeing the figure he missed had returned unharmed. And he gave his best smile.
"Welcome back, My Lord!" Alrain exclaimed, rushing to hold the reins of Arvin's horse. "I will immediately prepare warm water for your bath, and the chef will cooking your favorite—"
Alrain's words hung in the air.