Kewy Narick: Wounds That Don't Heal - Part 2

Kewy's specialty, in general, was leading expeditions — when necessary — outside the barrier. However, such expeditions occurred less than five times a year. Thus, his daily routine consisted of waking up, eating, going to the training field, and patrolling inside the royal castle. He was considered a prodigy in direct combat, so it wouldn't be worth leaving him just as a border guard — like most soldiers. It was of greater value for him to stay inside or around the palace.

As he walked through the white and golden corridors, with plush carpets under his feet, he looked out a glass window. He was on the second floor of the castle. From there, he could see much of the city, including his house. He wondered what Qynn, his fiancée, would be doing. He couldn't deny that he spent hours of his day thinking about her. Even though their wedding was scheduled for next week, Kewy decided to work harder than ever, always doing extra hours on the night shift. After all, even though he earned relatively well due to his position as a soldier, he would like to have a wedding worthy of a lifetime together.

Sighing, he walked back through the corridors. In general, he found his job boring. Most of the time, he just wandered from one place to another, trying not to succumb to the afternoon sleepiness. Even on days when he did something other than patrol the castle, it was only to help one or another employee with something.

"Maybe I need a break ..."

It wasn't necessarily an exhausting job, but somehow it was so boring that he always came home tired. "Maybe I'll take a good paid vacation after the wedding." Since his dream became to marry Qynn, he always thought about taking a long paid vacation. Yes, indeed, it was an attractive idea.

"Ah ..."

He sighed heavily once again. Could the week pass any faster? He was excited for the wedding, but above all, every time he thought about it, a sharp chill ran down his spine. Was he really ready?

"Hm?"

It was in the midst of his thoughts that he heard something moving in the room next door. That was where the castle library was, and no one had the habit of going in there. It was always empty. Suspecting something, he went to the double doors and pushed them open.

When he did, an orange glow covered his face. On the other side of the library, there was an open balcony from which the curtains fluttered due to the strong winds from the horizon.

"Maybe that was it..." he murmured.

Approaching the balcony, he closed the glass doors and tied the curtains. But it was when she turned to the side...

"Hmm..."

"What?" he raised the eyes.

In front of her stood a boy with black hair and thick glasses. Their gazes met and the boy's body language showed that he had been up to something suspicious. But, above all, Kewy had never seen such a boy before.

"Uh... hi?" the boy greeted.

"Who are you, young man? Are you lost?"

"...I'm Tauri Écrinos," he replied, adjusting his glasses. "Well... I think I've found what I was looking for, so..."

He carried three thick books in his hands. Kewy was sure that he posed no threat. Perhaps because he seemed too defenseless for a thief. But above all, his hair was black. This was an unparalleled rarity. The only people with black hair that Kewy knew were members of the Forthen and Thorkel families, whom she had met that morning. Both cases were related to important people and, therefore, she didn't feel comfortable treating him rudely.

"Well, if you don't mind..." Tauri tried to leave, not before accidentally bumping into a bookshelf.

"Careful...!"

But a book, almost as thick as a brick, fell from the shelf and...

"What luck..." Kewy was impressed.

"What bad luck!" Tauri shouted.

Almost, but very close, the book didn't hit him in the head, falling to his side, straight to the ground. This was definitely an unprecedented stroke of luck. But the boy didn't seem to take it that way.

"Uh... well, sorry about that. I... I have to go!"

"Wait!"

But the boy ran out of the library, carrying the books with him. It was so fast that even Kewy took a while to react. She still didn't know if she should hold him forcibly, he could very well be someone from the royal family. Besides, he didn't seem like the type of person who could pass through the castle's external guards unnoticed. But precisely because he didn't know who he was, Kewy tried to run after him when the doors had already been closed.

"Hey!"

But when he opened the doors and ran through, he bumped into something.

— ...!

Books fell to the ground next to a slim person with long black hair. Kewy, with wide eyes, instinctively recognized that person.

— Majesty!

Several books were scattered around her. Kewy got distracted and bumped into someone at the top of the hierarchy. Elise Fothen was the one who, a few years ago, inherited the kingdom when her father died of natural causes. Despite that, she and Kewy were almost the same age.

Her long black hair was almost long enough to reach her waist. She sat on the ground and saw Kewy, who didn't quite know what to do.

— Ah... my apologies! I found an intruder and ended up bumping into your highness!

— Intruder...?

— Please, let me help you up.

Kewy offered his hand and she stood up.

— I was doing rounds and — Kewy continued — I found a young man in the library. He took some books and ran away without giving any information about who they were.

— I-I see. You're talking about a boy with dark hair and glasses, right?

— That's the one! Did your majesty see him?

— Ah... — she showed an awkward smile and looked around — He, um... He's my guest. Don't worry. And... — she looked at the books on the ground.

— Ah! One moment.

Kewy picked up all the books that were on the ground. He soon noticed, from the covers, that they were in a completely different language. He handed them all back to her.

— I apologize for what happened — he bowed.

— A-ah, don't worry about it. I came running and didn't expect anyone in the library. I'll just put these books away.

— They seem heavy... Your Majesty, if you don't mind, why didn't you give this task to one of the servants?

— Ah... it's because... these were a gift from Thorkel before he left. She ended up giving them to... to me, of course. So I decided to keep them. Do you understand?

— I understand... If you need any help...

— N-no need. I'm fine, really fine. Super fine, even. So...

— Alright. I apologize for the interruption.

— Don't worry about it — she replied, trying to smile.

When Elise entered the library and the doors closed, Kewy allowed himself to think and suspect. Queen Elise was a lovely and kind person to everyone she knew. Before even having her first meal of the day, she greets every employee in the castle.

So, because of that...

— Why would someone like her reject Thorkel's help to eliminate the Magical Beasts?

This doubt ate away at him. There was something he didn't know there. He didn't want to suspect the person at the top of the hierarchy, but...

— Well, my shift is over — he said as he watched the sky darken.

Anyway, if something really bad was happening, it wasn't the time to take risks. After all, he was just a simple soldier who was about to get married.