Rising Shadows: The Fight for Freedom I

Chapter 59: Love Rival

The fervent atmosphere within the tent dissipated in an instant. Just moments ago, filled with passion, Darn fell into a profound silence, his youthful face reflecting doubt, sorrow, and despair. The steadfastness and strength he had cultivated through battles and suffering were shattered by the words of the female priest.

She has a lover! She has a lover! Why is this happening? I love her so deeply, yet Jesseta speaks such words! Staring blankly at the delicate, fair face of the priestess, fixating on her gentle and kind eyes, Darn's mood plummeted to an abyss of despair.

As Darn's turmoil intensified, Jesseta felt no relief; on the contrary, witnessing the sorrow and hopelessness etched on the face of the boy she had cared for over the past few weeks-who had become like family to her-filled her with an inexplicable guilt and a sense of sympathy.

She wished to comfort Darn, but Jesseta found herself at a loss for words. She hesitated, reaching out to stroke Darn's forehead as she had done before, to instill confidence in him. However, the memory of Darn's recent proposal and his significant intentions toward her made her withdraw her hand awkwardly. Just as she was unsure of what to do, Darn's somber voice broke the silence.

"Who is he?" Darn asked, an unidentifiable light flickering in his eyes.

"He is... Why do you ask that?" Jesseta replied, a hint of displeasure creeping into her tone, sensing danger in Darn's gaze.

"Is it Hyman Esethath?" Darn continued, not waiting for Jesseta's response.

Jesseta fell silent, a mix of shyness and unease washing over her.

"Is it really that guy? That pretty boy looks quite good, but... I won't give up, Jesseta. I will prove that I am more suited for you, and that guy is unworthy of you!" The light in Darn's eyes grew more radiant, filled with challenge and determination.

Staring at Darn in astonishment, Jesseta suddenly felt a throbbing headache. She opened her mouth to speak but closed it again.

He must be acting on impulse! Darn is only feeling this way because I saved him and cared for him! Young men often confuse gratitude with love; after all, what does a sixteen-year-old boy truly understand? Perhaps, in time, he will forget all of this!

Silently withdrawing her hand, Jesseta stood up and walked out of Darn's tent, her heart heavy. Helpless and without words or means to dispel Darn's stubborn notions, she could only place her hopes on the passage of time to erase all things, wishing that Darn would eventually find a new love and gradually forget his feelings for her.

In truth, Darn's resolve remained unshaken by Jesseta's departure. Even in the days that followed, when she did not return to see him, he showed no signs of giving up. On the contrary, his desire to possess Jesseta only intensified with her absence.

Days passed, and when Darn was finally able to walk again, he embarked on his romantic quest, beginning with an investigation into the backgrounds of his beloved and his rival.

With the war between humans and beastmen concluded, the White Falcon Legion had withdrawn from the borders to a small town within the Kingdom of Bailins. Aside from soldiers engaged in routine patrols and reconnaissance, most of the legion's warriors had little to occupy their time, creating a significant opportunity for Darn to gather information.

Miss Jesseta Anvor, a candidate saint of the Church of Light, hailed from a fallen baronial family. The girl Darn was determined to win over had entered the Church of Light's monastery in the Kingdom of Bailins at a young age due to her family's decline and poverty, where she worked diligently to earn her status as a candidate saint.

Due to the war, Jesseta had been dispatched by the Church of Light to serve as a chaplain for the Bailins army, and once the conflict ended, she would return to the monastery to continue her life as a nun and candidate saint.