It’s Not Night - Chapter 170.1

As the blacksmith had promised, the sword Dustin had left was now as sharp as new. He quickly sheathed the razor-sharp blade and quickly organized his things. He was eager to head back.

He needed to wake Andra, who was probably still asleep, and make sure she ate. Despite her frail frame, she wouldn’t eat unless he made sure she did.

‘Is my cooking that bad? Come to think of it, I don’t even know what her favorite food is.’

Determined to ask her about her preferences as soon as he arrived, he walked briskly. In the distance, he saw a familiar head of hair—golden blonde, shining brightly in the sun, and those long, beautifully stretched limbs. There was no mistaking it.

It was Andra.

When did she get outside? She wasn’t in good health. Dustin hurried towards her but then noticed someone beside her. It was Helic, the librarian who had always irked him.

Dustin stopped in his tracks seeing Andra and Helic. Andra, who hardly ever smiled at him, was now beaming brightly at Helic.

His heart sank as if he’d seen something he shouldn’t have. It felt like he had plummeted into an abyss. What made it worse was that Andra’s radiant smile was so beautiful that it made him unable to look away.

Even more so that it was not directed at him.

Andra had never smiled at Dustin like that. Before coming to Hezel, she had occasionally given him small smiles, but those had disappeared long ago. Now, when she looked at him, her expression was mostly filled with distrust and resentment, sometimes mingled with pity, sympathy, and resignation. The rare smiles she gave him were often just hidden malice.

Knowing that Andra kept looking for him because of her nightmares, Dustin couldn’t refuse her or let her go. When he pushed into her, and she looked at him, calling his name, he couldn’t help but be drawn to her. He would press his body against hers, biting and teasing, just to make her focus entirely on him. Only then did she look at him fully.

Even so, he thought it would be alright. He believed that Andra would stay by his side and that their strange relationship might change someday. As long as she didn’t leave him, he felt he could bear anything. But that resolve hadn’t even lasted long…

“……”

Even though he was the one who spent every night and day with Andra, touching and kissing her, why did his chest feel so empty? Stepping outside their shared space and facing reality felt like a harsh reminder. He was less than even a fleeting acquaintance like the librarian. The undeniable truth tore at Dustin’s heart.

He stood there for a long time, watching Andra and Helic. The silent agony twisted his insides. After a while, Andra finished her conversation with Helic, turned around, and met Dustin’s gaze. Her bright blue eyes, despite her surprise, shone brilliantly.

Dustin unclenched his fists and walked towards Andra. He forced himself to speak in a gentle tone as if nothing was wrong.

“Why are you out here when you’re not feeling well?”

“I had some things to take care of… but it’s all settled now.”

“Really? How are you feeling? Are you alright?”

“Ah, oh… more or less.”

“Then let’s head back.”

Andra narrowed her eyes slightly, sensing something unusual in Dustin’s calm demeanor. He must have seen her with Helic. Given his past behavior, he should have shown discomfort by now. He always disliked seeing her with other men. But now, Dustin seemed unfazed.

‘Well, it’s not like being jealous of Sir Helic would accomplish anything…’

Perhaps Dustin had finally learned to distinguish between public and private matters. After all, Helic wasn’t someone worthy of his jealousy. He was just the librarian, someone Andra had to rely on while in Hezel. She had never thought of Helic as anything more than that. Although, on the first day, she had reached out her hand to him out of spite.

By now, Dustin must have realized that she often teased him on purpose.

“You went to the blacksmith, right? How’s the sword?”

Andra asked, noticing the long scabbard at his waist as they walked back to their quarters.

“It’s good. The blacksmith did a great job.”

“That’s a relief. Apparently, he’s well-known even before he joined Hezel.”

“…How did you know that?”

“Ah, Sir Helic told me. He’s lived here for a long time and knows everything.”

Dustin fell silent at her response, and Andra, puzzled that he didn’t reply, glanced at him. His voice, when he finally spoke, was low and serious.

“…What did you talk about?”

“Talk?”

“With the librarian.”

Andra slowed her pace at Dustin’s reaction. A wary expression crossed her face. Could it be…?

“…Why do you want to know?”

“Because you seemed happy.”

Dustin stopped walking. Before he knew it, his face was rigid as he stared at her. Seeing his expression, Andra sighed. She had thought he was finally getting it, but it seemed she had been mistaken. And how long had he been watching, anyway?

Crossing her arms, she looked up at him sternly.

“Don’t get any weird ideas. It’s not what you think.”

“I don’t want you seeing that librarian. There’s something off about him. The way he looks at you….”

“Stop it. I told you, it’s not like that. We just had a simple conversation. I’ve never thought of Sir Helic that way.”

“But you smiled at him.”

“What?”

Andra’s eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Dustin, she couldn’t believe her ears for a moment. Did he really just say that….

“You’ve never smiled at me like that. But you smiled at that man like that. Andra… how am I supposed to take that?”