If I Leave… Can I Really Let Him Go?

“Write… for you?”

He had never imagined anyone would ask him to write, so he couldn’t easily accept it.

“Yes, I heard you worked various jobs before coming to the Ducal residence. You could write about your experiences and thoughts from that time. Especially anything related to migrant workers would be even better.”

Eren furrowed his brow, wondering why Arnold, a capitalist, was interested in labor issues.

“Why would you need writing for migrant workers?”

“When I was in Felosia, I worked as a human rights lawyer advocating for migrant workers there. The reason I returned to the Harrison family is also because of the Factory Act currently pending in parliament.”

The Factory Act—Eren vaguely remembered reading about it in the newspaper.

“You’re talking about the law for factory workers?”

“Yes. I will create laws to protect migrant workers, children, and women. To do that, I want to take up the pen instead of the sword.”

A capitalist who fought for workers—the more he learned about Arnold, the more astonishing he was.

“May I ask… why you do such things?”

Like when he’d asked about Arnold’s residence earlier, he was cautious, wondering if it was a rude question. But Arnold answered with an easy smile.

“I’ve never been able to easily pass by people in difficult circumstances. You can think of my wanting to help you in a similar vein.”

“I see….”

Though he couldn’t be completely cured, the mere possibility of alleviating his pain was tempting enough. Moreover, the price was merely writing a few things.

“The house and furnishings are all prepared for you to stay comfortably, so you’d only need to bring yourself.”

While he was deeply grateful for the offer, there was only one reason Eren couldn’t answer readily.
Kazen—he was troubled by the thought of leaving him.

“Could you give me a few days to think about it?”

In the end, he could only hesitate and give an indecisive answer. Arnold smiled gently, as if he’d expected Eren to say that.

“Of course. It’s not urgent, so let me know whenever you’re ready. You know how to reach me.”

* * *

Having received an unexpected proposal, Eren left Arnold’s house with sluggish steps.
His head was even more of a mess than the noisy streets outside.

Even after being told by a doctor he would die soon, he had never considered leaving the Ducal residence.
And now, out of nowhere, he was being asked to leave.
He couldn’t bear to leave Kazen behind, yet refusing such a rare opportunity seemed foolish.

If he could get treatment, that would be wonderful, and even if he wasn’t cured, he could spend his remaining time in peace.
Of course, he couldn’t guarantee what kind of person this magician might be, which was frightening, but staying at the Ducal residence would soon render him unable to function anyway.

‘Should I leave?’

Lost in thought, walking aimlessly, he soon found himself in the Bayrant district.
Walking familiar streets, Eren stopped in front of Bailey’s Coffee House.
He remembered the last time he’d been here, when he’d run into Harold.

Surely he wouldn’t run into him again.
A person of the Crown Prince’s stature couldn’t be idly hanging around a cafe every time.
Besides, there had been a luncheon at the Imperial Palace that morning, so he probably wouldn’t have the leisure to come into the city anyway.

Regardless, he felt like sitting down for a cup of coffee.
His head was too tangled; he needed time to sort things out.

Eren cautiously entered the cafe and took a seat by the window.
The cafe was moderately bustling as usual.
The murmur of voices felt comforting, like pleasant music.

“One cup of coffee, please.”

He ordered with practiced ease, having been here once before.
Soon, a waiter brought him a freshly brewed cup of warm coffee.

Eren looked out the window, fidgeting with his cup.
As the warmth seeped into his palm, his tense body seemed to relax a little.

‘Can I really leave His Grace?’

He wasn’t sure.
No matter how sick he became, he had intended to stay by Kazen’s side until the end.
But now that his body and mind were both weakened, he wondered if that was the right thing to do.

If he truly cared about Kazen, perhaps it would be better to leave before his condition became more apparent.

“Haah, I don’t know….”

His chest felt so tight that he let out a sigh rising from deep within.
Still, the heavy feeling in his heart didn’t lighten at all.

“Keep that up and you’ll sink into the ground.”

Just then, a familiar voice spoke to him from behind.
Flattening his shoulders, he turned his head to see Harold smiling as he sat down beside him.

“Y-Your Highness?”

For a moment, Eren wondered if he was dreaming, calling out cautiously.
He never expected to run into Harold.

“I told you not to call me ‘Your Highness’ outside. Just call me Harold.”

But Harold answered calmly, as if he’d known he’d run into Eren.

How could he dare address the Crown Prince so casually?
At his absurd proposal, Eren could only blink, his lips moving soundlessly.

“Is calling me by name too burdensome? Then call me Elliot instead. It’s my childhood name; Kazen still often calls me that.”

For Eren to be asked to use Kazen’s pet name for him—it was psychologically quite difficult.

“I’ll call you Mr. Harold instead.”

After some thought, Eren offered a suitable alternative. Harold smiled, as if pleased.

“Alright, I like that too.”

Harold looked at Eren with a smiling face, then turned his gaze to the window after Eren’s coffee arrived.

“What brings you here, Your Highness—I mean, Mr. Harold?”

“This is my favorite cafe, remember? So I thought you’d come to see me. Was it just a coincidence?”

He had considered the possibility of running into Harold, but he hadn’t come to see him on purpose.

“Ah, I never dreamed you’d be here today, what with the luncheon at the Imperial Palace.”

“Actually, I just slipped out for a quick cup of coffee. I have to go back soon. But I’m glad we ran into each other like this.”

“I’m glad to see you too, Mr. Harold.”

In truth, Eren was more surprised than glad to see Harold.
Because of Kazen, talking with him wasn’t entirely comfortable.

“I had something to talk about, as it happens.”

What could the Crown Prince possibly have to say to him?
He tried to guess, but nothing came to mind.

“Do you have something to say to me?”

“I wanted to talk to you when Kazen wasn’t around. You’re always glued to his side.”

Whatever Harold wanted to say, Eren had a bad feeling it wasn’t good, and his heart began to race anxiously.

Surely Harold wasn’t going to warn him to stop hovering around Kazen?
Not that someone like Eren Lloyd would pose any threat, but he could understand it being unpleasant.

“Hmm, you remember Kazen’s birthday party at his mansion last year, don’t you?”

But Harold brought up an unexpected, out-of-the-blue topic. Eren’s eyes widened as he sank into past memories.

“…Yes, I remember.”

That day, Eren had had his first real conversation with Harold.

Kazen normally hated having parties at his home. But that day, for some reason, he’d thrown a grand party, inviting a large crowd. He remembered that Aila had been invited too, but upon seeing Kazen drunk, she’d been utterly disgusted and left.

“Kazen got drunk and fell asleep while playing cards. I think you and I were the only sober ones left.”

“Yes, I think so.”

“You struggled to carry the sleeping Kazen to his bedroom, and I offered to help, so I carried him instead. I watched quietly as you tucked Kazen into bed and took care of him.”

Back then, he’d been so focused on tending to Kazen that he hadn’t noticed Harold watching him.

“After you covered him with the blanket, the way you looked down at him was so tender. I remember thinking how envious I was of Kazen, to be the recipient of such affection.”

Harold’s voice sounded somehow bitter and low.

Eren didn’t know how he usually looked at Kazen. But if even Harold had noticed, then he must have been in love with Kazen even back then.

Harold had already noticed Eren’s feelings. Perhaps even before Eren himself did. Imagining what Harold must have thought whenever he saw Eren with Kazen made him flush with embarrassment.

“Th-that, I think there’s a misunderstanding. My devotion to His Grace is loyalty, and I can assure you there are no personal feelings involved.”

Without time to think, Eren rushed out excuses. But instead of scolding him, Harold merely smiled and waved his hand.

“It’s alright. No need to be embarrassed.”