Chased by the hounds, he scurried through the castle garden, then ran into a small building as if cornered. After barely closing the door in time, he slumped to the ground.

Just then, the door was pushed open with such force that Novadine was sent tumbling to the floor.

Excuse me.

A voice, so amiable as to be out of place, called out.

A tall young man with a rainbow-stone lamp entered through the door that had been pushed open. The glow of the rainbow stone dazzled his eyes, which were accustomed to the darkness. The young man was a servant of Alexei, the man who had driven Novadine out of the castle some time ago.

And there was one more.

A tall figure stepped into the doorway.

I didnt expect you to flee to Zephyros stables.

Ah, my lord

Novadine started to tremble at the sound of Alexeis low voice.

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Did you think he was in the castle?

Ha

I know youve been snooping around to see where the former treasurer was. Ive already fired Anna, the maid manager, who was working for you.

Novadine shuddered.

Did you think the former treasurer didnt tell us anything?

The words took his breath away. So he knew about it beforehand? The existence of that letter.

The man you are looking for is not in the castle. However, you could spend the rest of your days in this castle.

Alexei turned his attention to the walls of the stables. There, a painting of a man and a horse loom dimly in the light of the lamps.

Remember Zephyros? The one you killed.

Alexeis voice was unusually full of sentiment.

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I should have left you alone back then. Zephyros would have bit you to death even if he was dying. He died defending me as I intervened to stop the fight.

Novadines mind replayed the scene. It was a ragged image, clouded by intoxication.

Alexei, who had run out of the mansion to shield the damned beast-horse behind his back, was always a wily child with a hateful calmness about him. But he was screaming frantically at that moment.

Sojust to tease him a little, he raised his sword. It was just a joke. He was drunk.

But that beast let out a tremendous roar and intervened between Alexei and the sword.

It was a great kill. Thats why he thrust his sword as hard as he could. Again and again, and again he did so. Because if he didnt, the beast would have attacked.

This was the truth of Zephyros death, which Alexei did not tell Ekaterina so as to not cause her grief.

Ha, haha.

Novadine cracked a drawn-out laugh.

You wereunusually childlike at the time. That was the first time I ever saw you cry.

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Gasp! And with a jolt, Novadine rolled on the floor again. The squire threw a kick at him.

Im sorry, my lord. I shouldnt have taken the liberty.

Its fine. In the past, I might have done that myself.

Alexei shook his head at the attendant who bowed his head. Whatever he was thinking of, the latters tone was rather calm.

But the look he gave Novadine was simply cold.

The man you were looking for escaped from the Territorial Guard and has disappeared. No one knows anything about what happened to him.

Novadine stiffened. Did they let him get away on purpose?

No, he was trapped in Alexeis hands. No one knows. So he was at the mercy of Alexei.

You know, in the basement of this castle there are several huge furnaces. They are used for heating in the winter. From the end of autumn to the beginning of spring, the furnaces are never without fire. Thats where youll be spending your time.

Novadine paled.

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Alexei smiled wistfully.

Day and night you will no longer know but wait with bated breath for the first snow.

Alexei left the stables with Ivan while the knights dragged away Novadine, who continued to scream.