The next morning, Lucianus looked in the mirror and was devastated to see Dominatus staring back at him. He’d cried so much that his eyes were swollen, and he was an awful sight to behold. He already had an excuse prepared should Dominatus ask about his appearance: he had slept facedown which caused his face to swell. But the question never came. He was relieved, but pitied himself for getting used to the loneliness that came with Dominatus’s lack of interest in him.
The morning sky was cloudy, but when they finished breakfast, snow was already starting to fall. It wasn’t too bad at the foot of the mountain, but it could’ve been a blizzard at the peak. The owner of the inn recommended that the pair stay another day, and the two had no choice but to stay put.
Dominatus hardly said a word since he awoke. Lucianus had wondered if he was still angry, but the irritation and look of displeasure that he’d shown until now were gone. It was replaced with a gaze that stared into the distance as he looked at Lucianus. Dominatus stared at Lucianus several times, but he wasn’t all there—it was more like he was watching the scenery.
Lucianus had never seen this look before. It was calm and kind, but at the same time, the fiery twinkle of light had vanished. Lucianus could hardly recognize his beloved.
A man with a shaven head approached them as they ate their breakfast. “Your punch yesterday was magnificent,” he said. “You’re used to fighting, aren’t you? Are you a mercenary?”
“Nah. But you’re a mercenary, aren’t you?” Dominatus replied.
The man grinned. “The name’s Nerrus.”
“I’m Reseus, and this is my wife, Luciana. She was born unable to speak.”
“Sorry to hear that. But it’s not often you’ll find a beauty like her. You’re a lucky man. I heard you’re trying to cross through Mount Toquila. I passed by there yesterday. I’m headed for Dyna.”
Interested in Nerrus’s journey across the mountain, Dominatus encouraged the man to take a seat.
“What’re you going to Dyna for?” Dominatus asked.
Nerrus sat down and explained that he was headed there for work. “My older brother and his wife are living in Dyna. I’ve only been there a few times, but it’s an amazing city. It’s filled with life—like they’re hosting a festival every day. Feels like I’m at the center of the world when I’m there.”
“We actually came from Dyna. Luciana’s a citizen from there.”
“Really? Huh, no wonder! She looks like a real beauty that you’d see in the city! She’s no countryside bumpkin.”
Nerrus was a cheerful guy. He’d lived through more than a few battles and his body was covered in old scars, telling the tale of his suffering. He wasn’t the most muscular of men, but he was surely a competent warrior.
“Speaking of, a local told me about a stone cabin that contains a natural hot spring,” Nerrus said. “It’s over the mountain pass. I stopped by the place, and it was so refreshing! You two should stop there too. It’s a bit off the trail, so people won’t normally visit it. You two can enjoy a soak without anyone bothering you.”
“That sounds great,” Dominatus replied. “And when are you leaving for Dyna?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
Why is he not asking for details about the mountain trail? Dominatus refused to touch the subject and laughed at Nerrus’s silly stories while providing stories of Dyna, much to Nerrus’s delight. Lucianus couldn’t talk and he only felt his stress and aggravation growing, exhausting his tired body. He left, communicating that he wanted to sleep for a short while.
When Lucianus entered their room, he was reminded of the incident from last night. All alone with his thoughts, he felt his chest grow tight. He hadn’t been able to sleep a wink since he heard Dominatus talking in his sleep—morning had arrived without allowing him rest. It was a long and sorrowful night for Lucianus. As he dozed off in bed, he heard Dominatus return and sit on the bed beside him, gazing down at the noble.
“Do you like staring at other people sleeping?” Lucianus asked, irritation in his tone hiding his embarrassment.
Dominatus smiled faintly. “Why don’t we head out for a little while? I’d like to walk with you. Will you come along?”
His eyes softened and were filled with kindness. Lucianus was happy to receive such an amiable gaze and nodded, immediately making the preparations.
“The snow’s let up, but the breeze is still cold,” Dominatus said. “You should wear this.”
He wrapped Anela’s fur coat around Lucianus’s shoulders, and the two left the inn, walking along the town’s streets. It was a desolate place, but simply walking with Dominatus while clinging to his arm made any town seem like a splendid one. As they reached the eastern end of the town, Lucianus realized it’d been a while since he had felt such happiness. The road that pierced through the center continued for miles, deep into the dense forest in the distance.
“If you walk along this road and head east for a few days, you’ll find my hometown,” Dominatus said. “It’s where I was born and raised, and where my father once ruled.”
Lucianus gazed into the direction that Dominatus was pointing at and nodded. “I see.”
“The nation fell to ruin long ago, but I’d like to return to my hometown. In fact, I have decided to do so.”
Lucianus looked up at his beloved, bewildered. “Dominatus?”
“I won’t be going to D’Aleppo.”
Lucianus was stunned. He hadn’t expected to hear those words and thought this must’ve been some sort of cruel joke. But Dominatus’s gaze was solemn.
“What are you on about?” Lucianus asked. “We promised to head for D’Aleppo together.”
“We did, but I changed my mind. Even if I go to D’Aleppo, I’ll be a wanted man for the rest of my life. Even if your uncle shelters me for a short while, he surely can’t do so until the day I die. If I’m going to be pursued by the emperor, I might as well live the rest of my life and perish in my homeland.”
Lucianus could empathize with Dominatus’s thoughts, but he couldn’t agree with this choice.
“You should go back to Dyna,” Dominatus said. “I’ve already talked it over with Nerrus. He agreed to guard you on your trip back to Dyna. I spoke with him at length, and I believe he’s a kind, good-natured man. Once you return to Dyna, I’d appreciate it if you found him a job.”
Lucianus froze in astonishment. He felt like his head had been pummeled. Dominatus wasn’t saying any of this on a whim—he’d already decided to head back to his hometown and had even arranged for Lucianus’s journey back home. Dominatus hadn’t asked about the mountain during their meal with Nerrus because he had already changed his path away from D’Aleppo. The sudden appearance of the mercenary headed for Dyna must’ve been a happy coincidence for him. And if Nerrus could be entrusted with Lucianus, then Dominatus could head for his hometown without any regrets.
“If you run into the Imperial Guards on your way back, just tell them that you were traveling with me without knowledge that I was a wanted man, but you fled immediately after learning the truth,” Dominatus said. “I doubt anyone is willing to treat a noble of your status too brashly.”
Dominatus doesn’t love me anymore. If he did, he would’ve asked me to come along with him. Lucianus was frustrated to learn that his future and the path that he should take had already been decided for him without his consent. This overbearing attitude was intolerable. Frustration quickly morphed into rage, culminating in hatred toward Dominatus. These extreme emotions consumed Lucianus’s heart like a raging fire, making him momentarily forget the sadness of losing his beloved.
“Very well. If that’s what you wish, I shall do just that,” Lucianus spat. “I’ve been regretting my actions as well. I allowed myself to be swept up in a moment of passion and offered my love to a foolish man like you. It was a moment of weakness. I was blinded by my first experience of love, and I lost myself, it seems. But our love is over.”
These were all lies, every bit of it. Lucianus still loved Dominatus dearly, but the gladiator’s selfish change of heart was an unforgivable act of betrayal. No amount of love could shift Lucianus’s mind. He turned on his heels and headed for the inn, leaving Dominatus behind. The noble had lost the gladiator’s affection, but Lucianus was so angry that he hardly felt any grief or despair. Unable to sit still, he made his own decision. He wouldn’t follow the path that Dominatus had set for him—no, the noble would carve his own trail instead.
Spurred by these dark emotions, he quickly packed up his things and visited the stable. He piled his belongings onto his horse to leave when he was spotted by Nerrus, who was walking out of the inn.
“Luciana, I heard your situation from Reseus,” the mercenary called. “It might be lonely for you to make the trip back to Dyna by yourself, but you have nothing to fear. I’ll be sure to accompany you safely back home. Uh, Luciana? What are you doing? We depart tomorrow morning, don’t we?”
Lucianus shook his head and pointed at Mount Toquila.
“Huh? Are you planning on heading to the mountain? At this hour?”
Lucianus nodded and climbed atop his steed. Nerrus looked visibly shocked as he tried to comprehend the situation.
“Why? I don’t understand! I thought you were returning to Dyna! Where’s Reseus? Where has your husband gone?”
Lucianus kicked the side of his horse, and his steed dashed ahead.
“Luciana! Don’t go! It’s too late for you to head to the mountain! You won’t be able to cross it!”
In no time at all, Nerrus’s voice faded into the distance, and the horse headed north with Lucianus on its back. He soon made it to the outskirts of the village, and the mountain towered right in front of him. A trail covered with a thin layer of snow emerged between the dying trees, and the noble spurred his horse to gallop ahead.