The West Wind's Destination - Chapter 58
After Vilkanos emerged victorious from the war, a peculiar relationship was formed. Both the alchemists, who had thrown the world into chaos, and the mages, seen as traitors, found themselves neutralized here. Neither could act rashly in the Vilkanos dominion anymore.
Thanks to this, the Vilkanos Archduchy was the first place where mages and alchemists could be employed together. However, Aseph had never encountered among his alchemists those so-called ‘First Generation Alchemists’ who had worked with Myron Devesis.
Where did they all go?
“The ones who were most relieved by Myron Devesis’s death were the First Generation Alchemists under his command. Afterward, they chose to disappear from the world. Their whereabouts are now unknown.”
Aseph’s eyes darkened, deep in thought.
When such a charismatic leader died, it was his own followers who rejoiced the most. Likely, he ruled not by principles and faith but by fear and oppression.
What kind of relationship would it have been for someone to call Myron Devesis their master and to have loved him exclusively?
“What do you think, Butler? You said she’s changed a lot since then.”
Aseph couldn’t have imagined such a past before he heard Bea’s nickname. He had only vaguely guessed that for some reason, Bea had chosen to live in seclusion.
It was a past far removed from the ordinary, and partly because the butler, who spoke of it so calmly, was there.
“Yes. At first, I didn’t recognize them. To me, it seemed like she’s a completely different person.”
“Could it have been a case of mistaken identity? No, probably not.”
The butler pondered for a moment before speaking.
“There are many types of trauma responses to war. It’s not uncommon for people to lead completely different lives after a war.”
The alchemists under Myron Devesis had chosen to vanish from the world without looking back after his death, fleeing from fear and oppression.
“Those who disappeared, could they be found if we looked? Should we try?”
“No, there’s no need for that…”
What about Bea Westwind? Which side was she on?
“But ultimately, Myron Devesis is dead, so what does it matter now?”
Ruslan, who had only been making snide remarks, finally said something sensible.
“And questions about the past are best asked directly to the person concerned.”
“How could I do that?”
“Hmm, it does seem pathetic, doesn’t it? Like you’re digging into an ex-lover?”
“It’s not like that!”
Aseph snapped in frustration, quickly feeling very tired.
“I just think it’s not the kind of memory to stir up. Especially if she’s suffering from trauma from the war, it’s even more reason not to.”
Aseph was already weary of Myron Devesis, an individual inevitably linked to any conversation about Bea.
He was aware of the ugliness of the situation. Though he didn’t want to admit it, Ruslan’s point was valid. He felt consumed by jealousy and envy.
If Myron Devesis were alive, Aseph would want to kill him himself, such was his hatred. Perhaps if he opened his heart, the animosity he’d find being harbored there would be more intense than for any enemy he had encountered on the battlefield.
But, in matters of love, Aseph Vilkanos was not the kind of man who’d hold his head high and keep his pride neatly preserved.
If it meant winning over her heart, he could humble himself, discard his ego, and adapt to the preferences of his beloved.
Even if it meant matching the likes of a man such as Myron Devesis.
❖
If he were to be completely honest, Aseph Vilkanos harbored suspicions about the behavior Bea occasionally exhibited.
When Aseph lowered himself, choosing beautiful words to court her, Bea seemed not to understand, sometimes rejecting and appearing wary.
However, when spoken to a bit more firmly and authoritatively, she acquiesced. This was the case when he had forcefully settled her in the mansion, and when he persuaded her to work there.
Contrary to his anxious expectations, Bea easily accepted such approaches, to the extent that Aseph worried he might have oppressed her with his status.
But, if she felt more secure with such an approach…
Even if not, if she had indeed favored such a man as Myron Devesis…
‘It might just be because she prefers to be dealt with a bit more authoritatively, perhaps?’
Though not to the extent of the imperial family, Aseph, as the Guardian of Vilkanos and in a position to command his retainers, was actually accustomed to such behavior.
Whether calling in for a meeting or commanding soldiers, dragging his beloved around for a date, rewarding her with gifts, or proposing as if bestowing a favor, shouldn’t it all come naturally to him?
But, then again.
‘…This doesn’t seem quite right.’
Raised in a family where the previous archducal couple had a very loving relationship, and having been showered with unconditional love himself, Aseph found such methods incomprehensible.
Yet, so far, what had worked was only that. Even his son, Homun, recommended it. If he decided to, it wasn’t impossible.
Standing at the door of Bea’s now-bedroom-turned-research lab, Aseph paused to think. Starting by barging in, demanding her time forcefully seemed aggressive. That would indeed be authoritative, fitting the environment Bea was familiar with…
But standing at the door, Aseph hesitated to act.
No, that was a bit too much.
Bea was in the midst of recovering her hearing. He couldn’t startle her with sudden loud noises.
Even if he were to proceed with such comportment, it should be saved for later.
Knock, knock, knock.
Aseph gently knocked on the door.
“Bea, it’s Aseph. Do you have a moment?”
He had instructed the servants to ensure she was comfortable and to spend time with Homun.
After knocking a few more times with no response, Aseph quietly opened the door and entered.
The bedroom was empty. Not only Bea but also Homun was absent. It wasn’t hard to guess where they might have gone. His steps towards the guessed location were unusually light.
‘Sure enough, you were here.’
After a short walk, the newly constructed research lab in one corner of the garden came into view.
