Passion: Diaphonic Symphonia Novel - Chapter 66

As Jeong Taeui looked between them, Ilay looked down at Jeong Taeui and whispered, “I’d like to hear the details later.”

“No, there’s nothing more to tell……!”

However, Ilay pressed down on Jeong Taeui’s shoulder, making him sit back down as he was about to jump up from his chair, and turned his gaze to Christoph.

“It’s a relief to see you’re fine. I was worried I’d have to hit you to wake you up if you were still sleeping.”

“Why did you come?”

Christoph said sullenly. And he didn’t forget to glance at the man loitering by the door and snap, “Don’t come in. I never said you could enter my room.” At that, the man, who had taken half a step inside the doorway, quickly retreated and stammered.

“The elders asked me to call you…….”

He couldn’t finish his sentence and looked from the stammering man to Ilay. Ilay smiled leisurely and nodded once.

“His words are true. Christoph Tarten, who, despite being an outsider, caused a definite incident. The Tarten elders are looking for you. They sent me along, saying to bring you even if you refused.”

Christoph looked at him with an annoyed expression as he generously said, “If you’re too sick to walk on your own, I’ll prepare a wheelchair.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I can walk on my own. Where is it?”

Christoph pulled at the tube connected to his wrist, yanked out the needle, and got out of bed.

The moment he stood on the ground, he frowned slightly, but soon faced Ilay with his usual indifferent expression.

Ilay, as if to guide him, somewhat exaggeratedly extended an arm and pointed towards the door.

However, Christoph glared at him and turned towards the closet. He walked towards it, limping slightly, almost imperceptibly, and began to stare into the closet as he did every morning.

And Jeong Taeui, standing facing Christoph and with his back to Jeong Taeui, slowly crab-walked towards the door behind Ilay.

Jeong Taeui vowed. The moment he left this room, he would pack his bags—no, he would throw away his bags and everything—and return to Berlin. Then, at least, he would be able to survive until Ilay returned home after finishing his business here.

It was a moment when he realized why a person, even though they should live with a long-term perspective, was forced to resort to short-term escape.

He was still standing at the door, hesitating, when he gestured for the man to move aside and was about to grab the doorknob.

Without turning his gaze, Ilay slowly said.

“You have to come too, so could you spare some time?”

“Uh, me, me? Why me…….”

Jeong Taeui flinched, his shoulders hunching, and hesitantly turned back. Only then did Ilay turn his gaze to Jeong Taeui and say casually.

“The elders are curious about the colleague who went with Christoph to that place last night. It’s nothing much, just a light testimony will do. You don’t have to worry about that.”

Does that mean he should worry about other things? Feeling a prick of conscience, Jeong Taeui stopped, guessing the hidden meaning behind his words. He wanted to sprint away, but he wasn’t confident he would succeed safely.

He glanced at Ilay.

He looked as relaxed as ever. His calm and dependable demeanor showed no signs of anger or excitement.

“…….”

Jeong Taeui watched him for a moment, then scratched his head.

Perhaps, it didn’t really matter? Of course, Christoph’s words stemmed from a complete misunderstanding, and as he said, he had absolutely never committed sodomy with him. However, it was true that he had fondled Jeong Taeui’s private parts, and it was also true that it would be best not to mention it.

But……, well, maybe it was all fine?

Jeong Taeui sighed.

Indeed, he had ended up living intimately with another man, but taking it too seriously might be ridiculous. Although he disliked having free relationships with multiple people simultaneously by nature, that guy’s concept of his lower body was a bit different from others, so he might not care about that much.

But somehow, it wasn’t pleasant. Anyway, it was fortunate that he seemed to have saved his life.

Whether he knew Jeong Taeui’s feelings or not, Christoph was glaring into the closet with a displeased expression from afar, and Ilay simply stood there calmly, showing no particular emotion.

Another room within the room.

When he opened the heavy door inside the spacious office of the main building, Jeong Taeui was first surprised by how much larger the room within the room was than he expected, and secondly, he felt that this was not a place he should enter.

Jeong Taeui followed Christoph, who entered the room first, and finally, Ilay entered and quietly closed the door.

And they were completely cut off from the somewhat bustling atmosphere of the office.

With just one door separating them, the world beyond and this place were completely different spaces. If the outside was a space open to outsiders, this was a space permitted only to those close to the Tarten name.

Five or six men were waiting for them in the room.

A cool, cold silence, as if the temperature had dropped by several degrees, hung in the air.

“You called?”

The one who broke the silence was Christoph.

Even though he must have clearly felt the chIlay silence directed at him, Christoph showed no signs of shrinking or being suppressed. Rather, his tone suggested he might click his tongue in annoyance.

The reactions of the men facing Christoph were varied. Some widened their eyes as if choked with anger, others clicked their tongues. Some wore troubled expressions.

Jeong Taeui stood quietly beside them and turned his gaze to a man who showed no reaction.

Among them, the most familiar face was Richard.

Only his arm, bandaged and hanging loosely beneath his suit, looked restricted. It hadn’t even been a full day since Jeong Taeui last saw him in a bloody, miserable state, yet Richard stood calmly beside them. Even amidst this, it was typical of Richard to politely greet Jeong Taeui with his eyes when their gazes met.

Next, Jeong Taeui’s gaze went to the window.

By the window, where the late afternoon sun cast long rays, stood a short old man. He was the only person Jeong Taeui had seen besides Richard. He was the elder, the master of Tarten.

Christoph, almost simultaneously with Jeong Taeui, seemed to have seen the elder, and his eyes twitched slightly, but when the man standing in front spoke, his face returned to its sculpture-like expressionlessness.

“Last night, I want to know what happened.”

The man who asked in a heavy voice seemed to be the oldest among them, excluding the elder.

“It’s exactly as Uncle knows.”

Christoph replied calmly. The man, who was called Uncle, twitched his eyebrows. With a face that was more uncomfortable than displeased, he stared intently at Christoph.

“What do you mean, as I know? What do you think I know?”

“It means as you heard from him.”

Christoph briefly turned his gaze and gestured towards Richard with his eyes, answering without even turning his head. Richard raised an eyebrow as the arrow was aimed at him, but showed no other reaction.

The uncle slowly looked at Richard and then spoke to Christoph again.

“So, there’s no mistake that Moritz and some others did something bad in Masa, causing you to injure them, and then you went to where Richard was and fought with him and the other brothers, and that’s how it happened.”

Christoph responded by nodding slightly.

Behind Christoph, who was looking at his uncle without expression, Jeong Taeui briefly thought, ‘He must trust Richard enough to believe he wouldn’t twist the story to his own advantage, even if he’s a bit underhanded.’ But then he also wondered if it wasn’t a matter of trust, but rather a matter of knowing the other person’s character well or not.

As Jeong Taeui was contemplating that difference, his uncle’s gaze left Christoph and flew to Jeong Taeui, who was standing behind him.

“You must be the young man who was with Christoph.”

Jeong Taeui, belatedly realizing that the words were directed at him, lightly bowed his head, saying, “Ah, yes.”

Even without meeting his gaze, he could feel the cold stare fixed on him.

It was a gaze that judged and evaluated others according to its own standards.

He had no intention of caring about the judgment of someone who was unrelated to him and would remain so, but if he appeared as an extremely polite and courteous young man, it would also be a kind of deception, so Jeong Taeui raised his head. And he faced him.

The elder in the back still showed no sign of speaking. It seemed he had left all the decisions in this meeting to his uncle—he was probably the second-in-command of Tarten at the moment—and was merely watching them. From this perspective, he just looked like a benevolent old man.

He briefly turned his gaze from the elder back to his uncle, who, having finished his careful observation of Jeong Taeui in the interim, asked.

“What do you think?”

Jeong Taeui couldn’t open his mouth immediately.

It was difficult. The meaning of his question was difficult, and the person himself was difficult.

This uncle was an inscrutable person.

He couldn’t tell if he held goodwill or hostility towards the other person, what he was thinking, or what his emotional state was.

Jeong Taeui sighed quietly, looking at his feet. Then he raised his head.

“I think it would be more helpful for them to express their opinions about each other than for me to express my opinion about them.”

‘And I don’t know the situation well enough to make any judgment about this matter,’ Jeong Taeui added inwardly. His uncle nodded coldly and said.

“That’s not a very helpful thought.”

Jeong Taeui gave a weak laugh.

“Because I am an outsider who has no intention of helping or hindering anyone in Tarten.”

He was an outsider who originally didn’t even have the right to enter this place. This place was as uncomfortable for Jeong Taeui as shoes that didn’t fit.

The uncle mumbled, “Hmm,” and stared at Jeong Taeui. This time, he stared for a little longer than before he asked.

“I heard you came as Christoph’s guest, what kind of person are you?”

Again, Jeong Taeui couldn’t answer immediately.

Every word he spoke was difficult.

Such a broad question. Of course, what he wanted was an answer about how he came to know Christoph, what business he had here, and what his identity was, but Jeong Taeui hesitated for a moment about what to answer. He didn’t know what kind of answer was acceptable and what kind of words he shouldn’t say.

The subtle situation of Tarten at the moment, and his own situation.

Weighing those things, Jeong Taeui glanced at Richard. And he thought, somewhat unexpectedly.

He must have already known about Jeong Taeui. But it seemed he hadn’t said anything about him.

Hmm, Jeong Taeui pondered for a moment and decided to give the minimum truthful answer. Since everyone who needed to be there was already there, someone would add more if necessary.

“I came to get back a book I lent, and I ended up staying longer than expected.”

However, as Jeong Taeui himself thought, that answer seemed too short. When the uncle, who had slowly raised an eyebrow, was about to speak again, Richard, who had been standing silently beside him, quietly added.

“He seems to be acquainted through T&R.”

Then the uncle closed his mouth again and looked at Jeong Taeui. And Jeong Taeui looked at Richard for a moment in confusion but soon composed his gaze.

It wasn’t entirely wrong. Jeong Taeui was somewhat involved with T&R, and there was no reason he couldn’t say that’s how he met Christoph.

However, hearing those words, which weren’t the clear truth, Jeong Taeui remained silent and simply looked up at the ceiling.

‘Now that I think about it, it’s not just my name that’s unlucky, but my situation too,’ he thought to himself.

Fortunately, the uncle and the other elders seemed to have no further business with Jeong Taeui.

For a moment, conversation passed between them. There was hardly anything understandable. It wasn’t a language barrier; rather, it seemed that some discussion had already taken place before Christoph and Jeong Taeui arrived, so only brief questions or agreements that didn’t hint at a conclusion were exchanged.

And then, they, specifically the uncle, finally called out, “Elder,” and the elder nodded ambiguously, as if understanding the meaning. Thus, some kind of conclusion seemed to have been reached.

The uncle turned to Christoph.

To Christoph, who faced them with an indifferent expression, as if he didn’t care what decision was made, the uncle spoke heavily.

“Christoph. When you renounced your succession and left this place, we agreed to disregard all other problems you caused here. There would be no reason for you to return here unless something major happened. However, for you to cause such a problem again, returning briefly before an important matter, the outcome is excessively severe, even considering the cause.”

Jeong Taeui swallowed dryly. His mouth tasted bitter, as he could guess what words would follow. He only turned his eyes to look at Christoph.

Christoph remained expressionless. He was merely calm, without any sign of surprise or distress. Perhaps he had expected it from the beginning. Thinking that he had no lingering attachment or affection for this place ever since he left it long ago.

“Therefore, you shall leave Tarten soon. And do not come back here in the future. Once you leave this place this time, do not come to Dresden. That is the last courtesy you can show to Tarten, which gave birth to you.”

“I will do so.”

As the uncle finished his brief sentence, Christoph readily replied.

Jeong Taeui looked at them, then quietly lowered his gaze. He had no desire to see his usual appearance any further.

Thinking about it, Christoph had once said that he originally had no intention of coming to Dresden again. And that this time, he had only come here out of unavoidable circumstances.

So, the decision of his uncle, the family elders, for him not to come here again, could not have given him a great shock.

Nevertheless.

When he opened his eyes in the large bed, frowned, and greeted the morning, when he rode his horse through the forest, spotless and dignified, when he turned pages in the study amidst the golden sunlight of late afternoon fluttering dust from books.

Recalling those moments that seemed as natural as if they were ingrained in him, Jeong Taeui felt a bitter taste in his throat. Even if he didn’t want it, this place suited him best. At least more than rolling around in some dusty, bloody mess.

“As Uncle said, I will leave Dresden as soon as tomorrow dawns. And as long as I live, I will not return here.”

In front of Christoph, who answered without hesitation, no one spoke for a moment. Perhaps they too felt the same regret as Jeong Taeui.

However, just as the uncle nodded and was about to open his mouth, someone spoke first.

“I will accept his help.”

The moment those words, heavy yet light, fell, a brief silence filled with surprise hung in the air.

Richard, who had been listening to their conversation silently from the side, turned his gaze from Christoph to the uncle.

“Soon, guests from the Middle East will arrive. I will meet them with Christoph. His experience in T&R’s mobile unit and dealings with the Middle East will be helpful to me. In that way, I will ensure he pays the price for what he has done this time.”

His relaxed and powerful words seemed to have been unplanned.

The elders present all looked between Richard and Christoph with surprised and unexpected expressions. And Jeong Taeui, bewildered, looked at Christoph, whose usually indifferent face was now tinged with displeasure after surprise, then at the calm and relaxed Richard, and then at Ilay, who had raised an eyebrow in slight surprise but showed no other emotion.

“I won’t do it.”

The one who spoke immediately was Christoph.

However, Richard ignored him as if he hadn’t heard anything and continued speaking.

“The time is not far off when it will be decided who will inherit Tarten. And I, as I am, cannot convince myself that I possess the leadership to inherit Tarten. If I, and for me, cannot achieve mutually beneficial results from opponents, whether they are allies or enemies, then my abilities are insufficient to inherit Tarten. Therefore, for my own sake, I will accept his help and spend the remaining time splendidly.”

Whatever his true intentions, the words themselves were impeccable. Richard, even if he didn’t get along with Christoph, was suggesting a rational solution that would benefit both sides, suppressing his emotions.

However.

“I won’t do it. As Uncle said, I will leave Dresden soon and never return. I will cut ties with Tarten, except for the debt I owe Tarten. I will not be associated with you, nor will I obey your words.”

Christoph, overtly displaying his displeasure, spoke clearly and decisively, then turned and walked away without hesitation.

“Chris,” someone among the elders called from behind, but he seemed not to hear, striding quickly past Jeong Taeui and Ilay, opening the door, and leaving.

Without anyone having a chance to stop him, Christoph left so unhesitatingly, and after the wooden door closed heavily, a quiet voice followed a brief silence from behind Jeong Taeui, who was somewhat confused, wondering if he should follow him out now.

“He will.”

Richard said leisurely, picking up the cup in front of him. A faint scent of coffee wafted from him as he moistened his lips.

“I do not wish for the conclusion to be his expulsion from Tarten. I do not want to lose one of my precious brothers so drastically, even if he is an utterly troublesome individual.”

A soft smile blossomed along with his warm, benevolent voice.

“Therefore, I will resolve the matter smoothly with his help. Even though he will intensely dislike it.”

While the elders exchanged a few words of encouragement and commendation with Richard, who smiled awkwardly as if he couldn’t help it, Jeong Taeui silently watched him.

That gentle and affectionate smile, not a single trace of disarray.