The Scent He Recognized

By the time Harold returned to the Imperial City station, Arnold’s carriage was already waiting. Through the open window, Arnold could be seen waving with a bright face.

“Why were you waiting?”

Harold hadn’t expected Arnold to come all the way here to meet him, so he asked as he climbed into the carriage.

“I was curious how things went, so I stopped by to hear any news. Did you see him off well?”

“Yes, I suppose. It was just something I did to ease my own conscience.”

Harold stared blankly at the receding station, muttering. Meeting Eren here just yesterday already felt like a distant memory.

“I think it’s very like you. Paying attention to every little person, one by one.”

Arnold shrugged and picked up a newspaper from the seat, handing it over.

“The job advertisement Mr. Lloyd requested. As promised, it started running today.”

“Is that so? Good.”

Not knowing why Arnold was showing him this, Harold looked at the newspaper with a puzzled expression. Remembering his farewell with Eren left him feeling empty.

“It seems the Duke of Clifford is looking for Mr. Lloyd after seeing this advertisement.”

“I thought he might. Still, he’ll probably search for a few days and then give up.”

As if talking about someone else, Harold answered nonchalantly. But Arnold’s serious expression didn’t ease.

“What if he doesn’t? Will you hide Mr. Lloyd’s whereabouts until the end?”

“That’s what he wants. We should respect that. Eren has the right to choose how to live his own life.”

Harold’s face, looking out the window, was somehow bitter, like the overcast autumn sky.

Arnold was curious why Harold cared so much about Eren, but he didn’t ask. It was Harold’s personal matter, and there was no reason to pry. Besides, Eren didn’t have much time left, and though it was regrettable, it too would pass.

“More importantly, things in Felosia are proceeding as planned. Felosia preemptively attacked northeast Orlando, but there was no major damage. However, the internal atmosphere in Felosia seems to have become serious.”

Three years ago, the King of Felosia had lost a long war with Espel. Enraged, the people dragged the king down and beheaded him, leading to the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic. But that didn’t last long either, collapsing into chaos.

The people of Felosia demanded a restoration of the monarchy, and the former crown prince, who had been exiled to another country, returned and restored the royal power. But now, they wanted another war with Espel, and the people resisted.

It might seem like the same thing repeating, but the atmosphere was completely different from last time. The first rebellion had been a riot perpetrated by a few, but this time was different.

“The anti-war faction and the revolutionary army have also joined our side. There will be a civil war early next month.”

Harold and Arnold had been supporting the republican faction of Felosia, who had become fugitives. To help them drive out the monarchy again and establish a republic in Felosia.

If their revolution succeeded, they planned to negotiate in a direction favorable to the Espel Empire, and if that happened, Espel could regain peace without shedding a drop of blood.

“Once that side succeeds, we’re ready to finalize the negotiation terms. Don’t worry, I’ll convince His Majesty.”

The Emperor was considering conquering Felosia in its current state of turmoil, but Harold, in contrast, did not want war.

War never brought victory. It only resulted in everyone becoming losers. The outcome was merely determined by who lost more.

“In the end, others will come to recognize your way of thinking.”

Harold spoke quietly, looking at Arnold.

‘I want to create a world where everyone is equal.’

It was something Arnold had said when they met at Trisett University. At the time, Harold had thought it a ridiculous claim, but meeting Eren had changed his mind.

No one was inherently destined to be a s*ave. Social status was just one of many shells surrounding a person. What mattered was the person inside.

And within the Espel Empire, voices demanding equality were growing louder. Harold also knew that the power he had held since birth would not last forever. The Imperial family would grow weaker, and their authority to rule the people would diminish.

“The monarch reigns but does not rule.” That was what Harold wanted. For the Imperial family to remain merely as a symbol of the Empire, and for all people to choose their own lives.

“I’m truly relieved that Your Highness is on our side.”

Arnold smiled faintly. As if to say he was full of nonsense, Harold let out a dry laugh.

“I thought you were someone who didn’t know how to flatter, but it turns out you can spout empty flattery without even wetting your lips.”

“Didn’t Your Highness say that one shouldn’t be serious all the time?”

Hearing Arnold’s silly joke, Harold’s tense expression finally returned to normal.

For the sake of many people, including Eren, he resolved to create a world where everyone was equal. Even if Eren was no longer in this world, he wanted to keep that resolve until the end. Because that was the first and last thing he could do for him.

* * * *

Before unpacking his luggage, Eren first cleaned up the cluttered room. He put the messily piled books onto the bookshelf, and neatly stored the scattered luggage and clothes elsewhere.

Seeing the formerly dirty room become clean made him feel proud. And more than anything, he was relieved that the room, which had looked small, was now spacious enough to live in.

“What? You cleaned the room already?”

Luke, who had entered with a small wooden bucket and a rag, was surprised to see the now tidy room, his eyes widening.

Only then did Eren feel sorry for having cleaned without permission. Though it had looked like a mess to Eren, perhaps it had been organized in a way that only Luke understood.

“I’m sorry for touching your things without permission.”

“No need to apologize. I just thought you’d be sitting around resting, but you’re more diligent than I expected, so I was a little surprised. Here, I’ll give you a rag, so wipe up the dust.”

“Thank you. I needed this, actually.”

He had been thinking a mop would be useful, so Eren gladly accepted the bucket and rag he handed over.

“You’re the first person I’ve seen who says thank you for being given work.”

“Is that so?”

At Luke’s gruff voice, Eren smiled sheepishly. It was true he was excited to have new work, so he had nothing to say.

“I’m used to always being busy; I’m not comfortable doing nothing.”

“Really? Good. Then, since we’ll be living together for a few months anyway, help me with my work too.”

Eren, who had been wondering what to do, answered brightly at Luke’s offer to give him work.

“Really? Can I?”

Seeing Eren’s genuinely happy expression, Luke let out a dry laugh of disbelief.

“I’m trying to give you chores, and you’re not upset?”

Eren’s eyes widened, as if he had never heard such a question. He had worked for others his entire life, but never once thought it was upsetting.

“Why would I be upset?”

“Don’t most people dislike being given work?”

Luke asked, as if not entirely sure himself, his tone slightly uncertain.

Through this short conversation, Eren felt he understood roughly what kind of person Luke was. Living alone in a hut without interacting with people, he seemed unfamiliar with what ‘ordinary people’ were like.

Not that Eren was particularly sociable either, so it wasn’t much of a problem. Luke’s blunt, terse, unfriendly manner, or his unfunny jokes—none of it bothered Eren.

“Since I’m essentially living here rent-free, of course I should help with the housework. And I’ve done a lot of various kinds of labor, so there are quite a few things I’m good at. I’ll do my best at whatever you ask.”

“I haven’t met many people, but you’re the strangest one I’ve ever met.”

Eren found Luke’s reaction amusing and smiled faintly. Eren had been raised to believe that obedience was the highest virtue. It was interesting that this attitude could appear strange to someone.

Eren, who had been smiling faintly, flinched as he noticed a drop of blood fall onto the back of his hand. His nose was bleeding again. He hurriedly searched his pockets to try to stop the bleeding with the rag.

“What? You get nosebleeds too?”

“Yes, often.”

Eren hesitated as he pulled out whatever he could find from his pocket to wipe his nose. It happened to be the handkerchief Harold had given him.

“Use this.”

Luke, who had nonchalantly pulled out his own handkerchief and offered it, narrowed his eyes.

“What’s that? It looks like expensive silk.”

Silk was delicate and not suitable for use as a handkerchief. It probably didn’t matter to Harold, as it would be disposable, but it was certainly a somewhat luxurious item for Eren to be carrying around.

“Ah, this is from Mr. Harold. He came to see me off.”

“Who is Mr. Harold?”

For some reason, Luke showed great interest in Harold’s handkerchief. Thinking he liked its material or color, Eren handed it to Luke for a closer look. Luke brought the handkerchief to his nose and sniffed it carefully.

“The scent is very distinctive and nice, isn’t it?”

Eren thought Luke had also become interested in Harold’s unique fragrance.

“This scent… it seems familiar to me.”