Don’t Concern Yourself With That Book

Chapter 60

Translator: wuttisyun

He was such a beautiful boy that the man had almost mistaken him for a messenger sent from God. Dane must have felt the man’s gaze because he wrinkled his eyes and smiled.

“Even if you ask the man behind you, he won’t tell you. How many were there today? Was it just one?”

“I looked around and there were two today.”

That meant the other one had already been dealt with.

Did his colleague die?

The assassin stared at the moon over the boy’s shoulders. As a gust of wind blew, the boy’s face was more vividly revealed as his fine hair fluttered in the wind.

At that moment, goosebumps rose on the man’s skin. This man was an assassin filled with murderous intent. However, despite that, he felt as if he was meeting death himself and that he was already reaching the end of his life.

It seemed as if his God had felt sorry for him in his final moments and gave him foresight as he felt danger creeping up from behind him.

“Two days ago, there were three. Today’s two…”

“Five days ago, there were five.”

Dane’s voice resonated at the word ‘five’. With his silhouette being easily mistaken for a painting, he stared out the window before slowly tilting his head and smiling though Dane smiled out of habit.

“I had a feeling.”

“Well, I don’t think people would usually call it a feeling.”

“Shush. Your voice is too loud. Aren’t you glad we didn’t bring my older brother?”

After saying so, Dane gently pushed the back of the assassin with his knee.

“We barely managed to stop him in time so don’t act so flustered the next time you see him. Act as you’ve always done.”

“He can’t do anything to help even if he comes anyway. Sir Fleon is seriously not fit for exercise.”

“Well, I can’t refute that but don’t act like that in front of him. Have you taken care ofeverything?”

“I’m only covering for Sir Fleon.”

“You never know, he might just be pretending.”

Dane added with a wide smile.

He was familiar with how assassins work and after a while, another dagger that might have been coated with poison fell on the floor.

“You’re the only one who can speak so frankly about my brother’s personality.”

“It is hard to endure all his nagging.”

Ray muttered before lowering his head and staring at the man.

“Let’s start with the rat.”

HIs gaze gradually turned ferocious and murderous. Even as the assassin was dying, all he could do was to tremble at his frightening and chilling gaze.

‘…H-how?!’

When had there been anyone like them around the Princess? He must have guessed wrong. Staring at the window with his slanted vision, he wanted to tell his boss who was waiting for his results.

It was better to send two superior assassins than to send five mediocre ones. But even the two superior ones were unable to do it.

The assassin had never wished for a long life considering his line of work but this was a ridiculous way to die!

The man offered one last prayer to his God.

—O Concelatio, Your lamb wants to return to Your side. Please make room for Your lamb at the bottom of Your hell.

He was an assassin who was also a Templar of thievery and deception. He had killed countless lives and lived his life by cutting flesh. He knew that there was no place for him in heaven.

“Let’s go.”

In his last moments, he managed to be blessed with the sight of the face of a beautiful and eternal angel. But his vision soon turned black and red.

“Farewell. May your death put you in an eternal path to hell.”

***

The sky was clear and winds kept blowing.

The staircases in Fleon’s Palace were of a higher elevation than that of other Palaces so it was a given that his terraces were higher as well. Hence, the open view of the landscape from these terraces were spectacularly beautiful.

As Ashley removed her gaze from the window, she glanced at the owner of the room.

For three hours now, Fleon had been maintaining his posture with his back straightened. Her face was about to explode at the sight so when she met his gaze, she quickly turned her head around.

‘… How long is he going to stay like that?’

Ashley shifted her gaze to Dane. After tapping his wrist with his finger, Dane gently shook his head.

Fleon failed the test.

He failed the test that was necessary for him to pass to reach adulthood. This was what happened. The test took place in the last month of the year and after taking the test, Fleon had failed miserably.

There were many ways the test could have been carried out but in Fleon’s case, his test was in its most traditional form, a debate. Scholars of politics, economics, theology, the arts and literature gathered in the central square and asked him questions which he had to answer without hesitation.

Unfortunately, such tests were no different from rat poison to Fleon. With his temper, there was no way he could reply calmly.

“Brother, the test will come again next year…”

“Quiet.”

His voice sounded almost like a growl, almost as if he was angry. This was obvious since he was rarely this angry.

Ashley mumbled about how bitter the cold tea was after sipping it. Fleon then clicked his tongue before pointing at the tea. The anxious maid quickly filled Ashley’s teacup.

Even if it was just a point of his finger, the gesture was surprisingly elegant.

‘How much did he stake on this?’

Ashley gave Fleon a glance before turning away when she was met with a glare. She felt sorry for the maids here.

“It’s the test’s fault.”

“Brother, you could be detained for saying that.”

“Quiet.”

With his hair disheveled, Fleon frowned before spitting out sharply.

“I don’t know what kind of trick they were pulling but I remember every single one of the trashy faces that failed me.”

Watching Fleon spit out his words through his gritted teeth, Ashley could not help but to burst out into laughter.

She could not believe who he was blaming.

“Make sure you pass next year, brother.”

“You’ll beat me, brother.”

“What happens if you fail again next year?”’

“Shut up!”

She was not sure if Fleon noticed but she saw the maids standing behind him flinch at his outburst.

‘He should have treated his subordinates better. It’ll save him in the future.’

The girl held her chin and giggled to herself.

Petals fluttered into the room through the window. The fluttering petals were purple in colour, the same shade as her eyes.

She mistook it for the same flower petals as the one she saw with Fleon in the garden with the huge lantern tree a few days ago.

Perhaps wanting to get some air for a while now, Dane brushed his hand against her shoulder. Ashley looked into his pretty eyes before smiling slowly and mesmerisingly.

‘I’m being surrounded by such pretty colours.’

The year had passed without anything noteworthy happening. Nevertheless, in this room, she felt warm and cozy.

It felt as if she was taking a long rest before running again. With enough rest, the same person could achieve far greater things and reach far greater heights. With such thoughts, Ashley thought that this could be considered her rest period.

She looked up at the sky. The sunlight was not that strong but for a girl whose world had always been cloudy, the sunlight was glaring. Ashley stared at the sunny sky. It had always been sunny that day in the dozens of times she had repeated it. The blood, the blade, the screams and the way blood splattered on the ground…

Her tremors soon subsided. Something warm was touching her shoulders. The pale pretty hand that was holding her shoulder belonged to Dane.

Out of instinct, Ashley spoke.

“Dane, what do you think about someone who had regressed?”

“Huh?”

Thinking about how she had been haunted by nightmares for the past three months and the diary’s prophetic writings, Ashley continued speaking naturally.

“What if you had the ability to turn back time?”

She could feel him looking at her.

His eyes that resembled camellias in bloom were fixed at her. Ashley let his red jewel-like eyes stare at her.

‘He won’t be able to understand anyways.’

She had already given up before she asked him. However, Dane showed no signs of hesitation and spoke.

“I’m not a templar nor have I ever thought of having such abilities. However.”

Dane smiled.

“If you say you do, I’ll believe you.”

His voice was as sweet as a sunny spring day and could give anyone who was listening heartache. When Ashley looked up, she was met with a face that was best described to be akin to the dazzling sun. Dane caressed her cheek.

“I’m on your side.”

As she stared into his eyes, something fluttered by. It was a distant memory. Something that felt like a faded old picture.

“Dane? Is that your name?”

The fluttering flowers and a girl with unblemished cheeks smiling brighter than the spring sun.

“I’m… .”

The hand she stuck out as she smiled. His feelings for her had grown from the time the girl could not even remember. And before long, as they grew up together, he had long surpassed her in size. (1)

Dane thought.

Someday, when Ashley grew bigger, he would tell her what she had ‘forgotten’. Till that day comes, he would wait in this desolate world and follow her closely.

“Congratulations on turning 16.”

He sincerely wished her happiness.

Ashley felt a little embarrassed by the sudden hug but quickly calmed down. It was not that bad to hear a heartbeat other than her own.

‘His heart was a little slow and quieter than I expected.’

She blinked in his arms.

In the Empire, the first day of the new year was dedicated to spending time with loved ones. In replacement of the bows she would have to do in Korea, she would hug others for a long time. This was to pray to the Gods for the peace and well-being of the other person and to spread happiness amongst their believers.

‘You’ll be happy. Definitely. I promise you.”

Ashley opened her mouth, wanting to add something but she ended up just shutting her mouth.

‘Who knows.’

In her head, she thought about her diary and Castor amidst other things.

‘Happiness, huh.’

That sounded unfamiliar to her.

The girl held her breath for a moment before taking a few large breaths.

‘But that’ll be nice to have.’

Dane took up her entire vision. His forehead that was as white as snow, his neat eyebrows and his eyes under his blonde eyebrows that disappeared when he blinked.

“Ashley, my happiness. Everything will be fine.”

Ashley pressed her cheek against his hand before tilting her head.

“Yeah.”

After some point, Ashley felt awkward when she was comforted. She did not even realise that she had forgotten how to empathise.

Dane looked down at Ashley.

“I promise. That I’ll protect your happiness.”

In Dane’s eyes, her face, that seemed calm on the outside, looked as if she was going to cry for a moment. She felt like a broken clock.

Ashley closed her eyes and buried her face in the warmth that was surrounding her.

“Yeah. I hope that one day, everything will be alright.”

***

As the new year came, I had come of age.

T/N:

this is not late, ure j too early

(1): was not explicitly stated whether or not his feelings were platonic or romantic.