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LOS 57
“Is that true?”
Harrington asked gravely, staring at Giles. Now he understood why Harrington had come all the way to his quarters. It was because he had to meet him in secret.
Giles was no longer a man whose safety was guaranteed.
“I’m asking if it’s true that Miss Kitting is the daughter of Count Bismar.”
“......Who submitted the report?”
“Answer my question first! Did you know? Did you know what Miss Kitting’s true identity was?”
However, Harrington already knew the answer. Giles didn't even bother to lie or defend himself.
“You knew, and you still met with that woman? Have you lost your mind?”
“.......”
“This is a very serious matter, Giles. There are plenty of people itching to bring up your background; how could you make a mistake like this! You’ll be arrested soon. Perhaps the order to execute you has already been issued.”
Giles didn't answer, merely looking down at the documents.
As if he had expected this day to come.
“Do you have nothing to say even in a situation this dire?”
“I am sorry.”
“For what exactly? For betraying my trust? That’s not what’s important right now. Listen carefully to what I say from this moment on. If the Revolutionary Army comes for you, do not resist. Do exactly as they tell you. And when they ask about the Bismar daughter, tell them you were deceived by her. Tell them you knew nothing.”
“So you're telling me to kill Anna with my own hands. Just as it happened once before.”
“What on earth are you talking about—”
“I cannot do that.”
Giles set the documents down and looked Harrington straight in the eye. No emotion flickered across his face. There was only a firm conviction. It was a decision he had solidified in his heart a long time ago.
Harrington, trying to gauge if Giles was making this declaration in his right mind, was left utterly speechless.
“Hessen!”
“I am sorry for disappointing you. But I cannot do it.”
“Then what do you intend to do? Are you just going to die like this?”
“If necessary, I am prepared to do so.”
“You’ve gone completely mad,” Harrington muttered.
He wanted to believe that Giles was only saying such things because he was flustered. But Giles's expression was far too composed and stable for that.
He looked at Harrington with a calm gaze, like a defendant serenely accepting a death sentence.
“Didn't you want to live? I know you well. The reason you volunteered to join the Revolutionary Army as a Beldamite, and the reason you committed yourself to the cause more passionately than anyone else, was because you didn't want to share the same fate as them. Wasn't that why you personally caused your own sister's death! And now you're going to give it all up?”
“I have come to know a value more important than my own life. That is all.”
“Surely you aren't about to say that value is Miss Anna... the Bismar daughter?”
“I am sorry.”
Harrington rubbed his forehead and sighed, looking like a man who had run out of words. But Giles had no intention of taking back his declaration.
“I once made a cowardly choice. Since that day, there hasn't been a single moment I haven't regretted. I simply do not wish to make the same mistake again.”
“......She is just one woman. An ordinary woman, Giles.”
“To me, she is not.”
“You love that lady.”
It was a statement that didn't even require an answer. Giles loved Anna. If there was anyone he had ever loved enough to risk death for the first time in his life, it was Anna.
This was not an emotion that could be dismissed with a simple word like 'love.' Anna was his life and his salvation, a star shining alone in the pitch-black darkness. She was the guiding star that showed him the direction to move forward when he was lost.
And until now, Giles had not harbored a single shred of doubt about the path he was walking.
He wanted to save Anna.
“Will you arrest me?”
Harrington let out a hollow laugh at the question. He was clearly deeply disappointed in Giles's decision. Perhaps it was because he had kept Giles as a subordinate for so long, or perhaps because Giles was slightly different from the other subordinates. Harrington had come to care for Giles more than was necessary.
That was precisely why he couldn't bring himself to shoot Giles on the spot.
“Of course you will be arrested. There is no longer any place for you within Ipswin. No matter where you flee, you will surely be caught. Everything you've done to earn the trust of the Revolutionary Army will vanish like a bubble.”
“It doesn't matter.”
“There are many people who hate you. They won't let you go gently.”
“I am well aware.”
There was not a hint of hesitation in the gaze Giles cast upon him. Harrington could do nothing for Giles. He was part of the Revolutionary Army's leadership. He had no intention of betraying the Revolutionary Army for the sake of a single officer from an enemy nation.
The only thing he could offer was a final mercy.
“Where is the Bismar daughter now?”
“She is in a safe place.”
“I cherished you as a subordinate. You always fulfilled your role as my loyal confidant. I will give you time so that you may meet the end you desire. However, I cannot save your life.”
Giles nodded. He could instinctively feel that this was the last time he would see Harrington. That he would never face him again.
“Go,” Harrington said, pushing him away. “Do what you must do one last time before you die.”
-
I was holding my breath in the silence. I hadn't touched the food Giles had brought. Strangely, I wasn't hungry at all. Only a hollow sense of loss filled my empty stomach.
I thought about many things while I was alone. And finally, I reached a conclusion. That I would never love anyone ever again. If I ever got out of here, if Giles allowed me my freedom... I intended to leave him without any lingering regret.
I wondered if Giles would accept that. But he probably knew vaguely. That since he had done something very cruel to me, he would naturally meet a fitting end.
I would leave him and live alone. I wouldn't imagine a future with anyone else. Such things were merely options stained with pain. I didn't want to be hurt or suffer anymore.
It was then. I heard the sound of someone hurriedly climbing the stairs, and the door burst open. I reflexively turned my head. Naturally, the man standing before me was Giles. Before I could react, he grabbed my arm and pulled me up.
“Let go, what are you doing?”
“We have to leave.”
“What?”
“We have to get out of here. That's the only way you'll survive.”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
Of course, I was glad at the declaration that he would let me out, but I couldn't understand why he had suddenly changed his mind.
A sense of foreboding washed over me.
Giles held my hand and led me down the stairs. The moment I faced the sunlight again, I covered my eyes with my hand and frowned.
Even then, Giles did not stop walking.
Something was wrong.
“Giles, what on earth is happening?”
“Your identity has been exposed. This place is no longer safe.”
I fell silent. I felt that what was bound to happen had finally happened. I knew this day would come eventually. I never thought I could live my life in peace forever.
“Where are you taking me?”
“There are still people left who can keep you safe. We have to go to them. And as quickly as possible. We don't have much time, so follow me.”
“So who are those people?”
The moment we entered the woods near the outskirts, Giles looked back. I turned toward where his gaze was directed.
I saw several black cars stopping near the safe house.
“They followed me. There really is no more time,” Giles whispered. He gripped my hand and looked at me desperately. “Don't ask anything right now; just focus on escaping.”
We pushed through the forest. The wild, untrodden woods were good for hiding, but it made it difficult to maintain speed. Giles seemed to have a definite destination, as he led me forward without a moment's hesitation.
“Those people you mentioned—are they really trustworthy?”
“You don't have to worry. They will definitely protect you.”
“But would there be people within Ipswin who want to oppose the Revolutionary Army?”
Giles didn't answer. Perhaps it was because his nerves were too frayed to answer every one of my questions. He was likely too busy checking if the pursuers were closing in.
However, I simply didn't have the confidence to keep up with his pace. Having fasted all day and with the anesthesia wearing off, pain was surging through my abdomen. As my pace slowed, Giles stopped.
“Can you walk?”
“I think I need to walk a bit slower.”
I knew well that I couldn't just collapse here. I walked only as much as I could without the injured area hurting too badly. But even then, it felt as if the wounded part throbbed with every step I took.
“Just hold on a little longer. We'll arrive soon.”
I managed a nod. It would be good if we could arrive before it became too difficult for me to endure. It bothered me that Giles wouldn't tell me who the 'trustworthy people' were. Where on earth was I going?
It was then. A man's shout echoed from a distance. Clearly a member of the Revolutionary Army, he was shouting a warning for me to hear.
“Hessen! Stop acting like a rat and come out quietly! You're only stalling for time!”
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