The Tyrant’s Beloved Doll - Chapter 30

“Stop wasting time and follow me unless you want to catch a cold,” Raytan said, striding ahead without waiting for her.

Setz hurried to keep up with Raytan, her shorter legs struggling to match his pace.

Well, he’s right, Setz thought. Whether or not the golden rain falls has nothing to do with us. Still, she couldn’t shake her curiosity. As she pondered this, a memory suddenly came rushing back to her.

“So don’t be disappointed… Do you remember that hidden path you always take to get into the palace? If you walk a little farther, there’s a hill. Go there.”

Setz stopped in her tracks without realizing it.

“Bring a loaf of bread and a cup of clean water, and offer them there. God might grant you a gift.”

Her gaze drifted to her bag almost unconsciously. Inside were a few pieces of strawberry cake that Mari had packed for her. She also had some water, even if it was just a half-full bottle. Maybe… just maybe, it might be enough to make an offering.

“What are you doing, you silly—… Setz,” Raytan said, catching himself as he retraced his steps back to her. He frowned slightly when he noticed the determined look on Setz’s face, a look that seemed almost out of place on her.

“Brother Raytan, I have a favor to ask,” Setz said.

“What is it?” Raytan replied, his tone guarded.

“Will you do it for me?” she asked, a hopeful look in her eyes.

“I asked you what it was,” he repeated impatiently.

“Can’t you just promise to do it first?” Setz pleaded.

“Why would I do that?” Raytan shot back, crossing his arms.

Faced with Raytan’s stubbornness, Setz knew she was at a loss for words. She bit her lip and stared up at him, searching for the right approach to convince him. What could she say that might sway him? No matter what she tried, he’d probably just tell her to go back to her own quarters and stop wasting his time.

In desperation, Setz tried putting on her best pitiful face. She wasn’t sure if it would work, but it was worth a shot.

To her surprise, Raytan’s reaction was different from what she expected. He frowned as he stared at her, almost as if he was annoyed. Then, he hesitated, reaching out to grab her wrist before stopping himself, awkwardly scratching the back of his head instead. He looked exactly like he had when he’d been struggling to find the right words during their last conversation.

“What is it?” he finally asked, sounding more resigned than annoyed.

“……”

“Just so you know, I’m never going to that stupid ritual,” Raytan said firmly. “I’d rather die than mingle with those fools—”

“No!” Setz interrupted him.

“What?” Raytan blinked, caught off guard by her sudden outburst.

“Hey, I’m not asking to go over there,” Setz said quickly.

“Then what are you—”

Before Raytan could finish his sentence, Setz flashed a cheeky smile and grabbed his hand, tugging him forward. Raytan’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, not quite like himself, but he didn’t pull his hand away.

Setz led Raytan to a small hill behind the hidden path, just as Eaton had suggested.

The hill was utterly deserted. In fact, it looked like no one had set foot there for a very long time. The lack of even a single blade of grass growing on the hill made it feel desolate and eerie.

It was springtime, and flowers were blooming all over the palace grounds, so the barren state of this place seemed even more out of place. All that stood on the hill was a single, withered tree, its branches dry and lifeless. With each gust of wind, the dusty soil scattered into the air.

It was like a patch of desert in the middle of a forest.

“What exactly are we supposed to do here?” Raytan asked, his voice dripping with skepticism as he allowed himself to be dragged up the hill. He clearly wasn’t thrilled about being there, but Setz didn’t want to risk him leaving, so she made him sit down first.

“Just sit here for a moment. It won’t take long,” Setz insisted.

Though Raytan was frowning, he surprisingly didn’t argue. He sat down with his back against the dead tree, watching Setz intently.

Setz pulled out the pieces of strawberry cake and the half-full water bottle from her bag. But then she hit a snag—where exactly was she supposed to put these offerings? She wasn’t sure what a proper ritual looked like, but she was sure it involved something grander than this—a decorated altar, a solemn ceremony, not just a makeshift setup on a random hill. Setz glanced around the barren ground, her eyes searching desperately.

“What are you doing?” Raytan asked again, his patience wearing thin.

“Just a minute,” Setz replied quickly.

There was no way she was going to leave without at least trying something. Finally, she noticed a flat stone partially buried in the ground. She began digging around it with her bare hands, grunting with effort. She figured that putting the offerings directly on the ground wasn’t right, so this was the best solution she could come up with on the spot.

As she busied herself with the task, she was completely unaware that Raytan was watching her like she had lost her mind.

After a struggle, Setz managed to pry the stone free. It wasn’t much, but it was better than nothing. She wiped it clean with her dress, then placed the pieces of cake and the half-empty water bottle on top.

…And then nothing happened.

Not a single thing. Only the cold, dry wind continued to blow.

Eaton, you damn trickster! Setz cursed silently. She had known it would turn out like this. Trusting his words had been a mistake from the start. She was almost mad at herself for missing him. Who knows, he might even be lurking somewhere nearby, laughing at how foolish she looked.

“Whatever you’re trying to do, it’s not working. Come over here and sit down,” Raytan called out, his voice unexpectedly gentle.

Setz pouted but realized he had actually indulged her in this silly endeavor, so she couldn’t really complain. She quietly sat down next to Raytan.

Silence settled between them. Surprisingly, Raytan didn’t tease her or scold her for dragging him out there. He didn’t call her a fool or tell her she should have known better. Instead, he leaned against the tree and stared off into the distance, his gaze fixed on the glittering lights of the palace below. Setz followed his gaze.

From the hill, the palace looked like another world entirely. The glowing lights and the small figures moving below seemed enchanting. It was beautiful on the outside, but Setz knew the truth—that within those splendid walls, countless hardships played out daily, suffocating the lives of the innocent.

She thought about her own life within that palace, a life that had never once brought her true happiness. She remembered how, every night before she slept, she would wish for tomorrow never to come. And each morning, she would hope that she could get through the day without being hurt. Those were days filled with nothing but pain and suffering, a never-ending nightmare, until the day her life had been reset, and she found herself back to being twelve years old.

Setz glanced at Raytan, sitting beside her. His face looked the same as always, calm and composed, but now she thought she could see it—a flicker of loneliness hidden deep within his crimson eyes. She could recognize it because she had felt the same way.

It was ironic, really. The one who had eased her loneliness and made her look forward to tomorrow was none other than Raytan himself. Even today, even though she had dragged him to this strange place, he hadn’t pulled away. He’d stayed by her side.

“Brother Raytan,” Setz said softly.

Raytan turned to look at her, not saying anything, just waiting for her to speak.

She hesitated for a moment, taking a deep breath, then said the words she’d been meaning to say, “Thank you.”

Setz continued, her voice filled with sincerity. “Thank you for teaching me Kazakh, for having meals with me sometimes, and for coming all the way here with me today…”

When she thought about it, there were so many things she was grateful for. But above all else…

“Thank you for being on my side.”

For looking out for me when even my own mother didn’t. For standing by me when all I was used to was being criticized and hit, and when being alone felt like the most natural thing in the world. Just the fact that someone was finally on her side made Setz feel overwhelmingly grateful.

Raytan stared at her, then let out a sigh, almost as if he was annoyed by her words. “You’re talking nonsense.”

Then, as if he couldn’t help himself, he added, “And don’t get any ideas. When did I ever say I was on your side?”

In the past, Setz might have just nodded meekly and agreed with him. But now, after all the time they’d spent together, she understood Raytan a little better. She knew he was just being stubborn, saying things he didn’t really mean. It wasn’t that he didn’t care; he just wasn’t used to hearing kind words or expressing them himself.

So, she simply smiled.

“What’s so funny?” Raytan grumbled.

“Nothing,” Setz said, still smiling.

“Stop smiling. It’s annoying,” he said, scowling.

“It’s okay if you don’t want to admit it, Brother. But you should know this! No matter what, I’ll always be on your side,” Setz said firmly.

She meant it. Even though, in the beginning, she only thought about winning his favor to survive, that wasn’t the case anymore. Now, she was genuinely grateful to Raytan, and she was fully prepared to be his ally, to stand by his side whenever he needed someone. Because Raytan had already done the same for her—he’d protected her, taken hits on her behalf, and worried about her.

That was enough for her.

“…I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Raytan mumbled, looking away. He seemed uncomfortable, like he might get up and leave at any moment, so Setz wisely decided not to push it any further. Instead, she kept her smile small and soft.

But Raytan still seemed bothered by her smile. He frowned at her, but for once, he didn’t snap at her or insult her. Well, he did mutter under his breath things like, “This idiot… no, forget it,” and “So foolish,” but Setz could tell he didn’t really mean it.

Raytan, looking as if the night air was suddenly too warm, undid a few buttons of his shirt and fanned himself with the collar. As Setz watched him, her eyes suddenly widened in surprise. She had spotted something completely unexpected.

“Brother, that necklace…” she began.

Raytan’s eyes flicked toward her, and in an instant, he hastily covered his neck with his hand. But it was too late. She had already seen it clearly—the ruby necklace she had given him.

Setz never imagined he would actually wear it. She’d been grateful enough just that he accepted the gift without any complaints, but seeing him actually wearing it? It was beyond belief.

“It is, isn’t it? The necklace I gave you,” Setz said, a mix of amazement and delight in her voice.

Raytan’s face turned into a scowl again. In the past, she would have been scared into silence by that look, but not anymore.

“See? I knew it would suit you!” Setz said triumphantly.

“…”

“I was really worried since it was my first time making something like that. How is it? It doesn’t bother you or get in the way, does it?” she asked eagerly, leaning in.

“Go away,” Raytan said, his voice gruff, but without the usual bite.

Setz could tell he was embarrassed, which only made her smile grow wider. She knew now that underneath his grumpy exterior, there was someone who actually cared a lot more than he let on. And that was enough to make all her efforts worthwhile.

“Is the necklace too tight around your neck? I can make it longer if you want!” Setz offered eagerly.

“Just go away!” Raytan snapped.

“Aw, come on, can’t you at least show it to me?” Setz pouted.

“I’m not wearing it because I like it, so back off,” he grumbled.

“Then why are you wearing it?” Setz asked, genuinely curious.

Raytan seemed caught off guard by her question. He paused, then mumbled an excuse that even he didn’t seem to believe. “I just felt like my neck was too bare. Nothing more, nothing less.”

He tugged at his collar in a futile attempt to hide the necklace, but in the process, Setz noticed something else entirely—a bracelet on his wrist.

“Huh?” Setz said, blinking in surprise.

Raytan muttered a curse under his breath, quickly yanking his hand down to hide the bracelet.

“I’m pretty sure I asked you to give that to Lady Rize…” Setz said, still processing what she was seeing.

“Mind your own business,” Raytan retorted.

“Huh?” Setz looked even more confused.

“It’s my choice,” Raytan said defensively. “Since it’s in my possession now, I can either give it to my mother or keep it for myself. It’s up to me.”

“If you liked the bracelet, you could’ve just said so…” Setz teased.

“Shut up, you idiot!” Raytan burst out, clearly embarrassed.

Setz couldn’t help but smile. Maybe Raytan just preferred emeralds over rubies. But then she noticed the gemstone on the bracelet had a crack.

“How did it get cracked?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” Raytan replied curtly, clearly not interested in discussing it. His answer was so unenthusiastic that Setz almost laughed. If he liked it so much, he should take better care of it! But rather than scold him, Setz decided to focus on the fact that he actually wore her gifts. That realization was far more surprising. Even if the bracelet was clearly made for women, Raytan wore it stubbornly, and it looked a bit pitiful on his strong wrist.

Well, I’ll just make another one for Lady Rize, Setz thought.

“I’ll make you a new bracelet next time,” she said. “I’m not sure I have another gemstone that’ll suit you, but I’ll do my best.”

Setz trailed off, realizing that she had already used up most of her hidden stash of gemstones making the necklace and the bracelet. She would have to search for more among her mother’s discarded jewels, though that might be a challenge.

“No need,” Raytan said, trying to sound dismissive.

“You say that, but you’re already wearing the necklace and the bracelet I gave you,” Setz said with a knowing grin.

“Quiet!” Raytan barked, his ears turning noticeably red. Setz got the sense that she was successfully flustering him, which only made her want to laugh even more. She decided to keep her mouth shut, watching him with an amused smile instead.

Raytan looked uncomfortable, his black hair clinging to his forehead with sweat. Setz realized that there was no breeze at all today, and it must have been even hotter for Raytan since he’d trudged up this hill despite not wanting to come.

What was it that Eaton had said? Setz wondered.

She stretched out her hand cautiously, trying to recall Eaton’s words. “The wind comes from your fingertips. Imagine it touching his hair lightly, carrying the warmth of the sun’s scent…”

Setz remembered the breeze that had ruffled Raytan’s hair when he sat by the window. She pictured how his black hair danced in the wind, how he’d wrinkled his brow slightly as if the tickle annoyed him. And how he’d said her name in that deep voice when their eyes met…

And then, just as she pictured it, a soft breeze began to blow.

It wasn’t as strong as when Eaton had helped her, but it was definitely there. Setz’s eyes widened in astonishment, and she immediately turned to see Raytan’s reaction.

Raytan was sitting there, looking slightly dazed, his expression softer than usual.

“Brother Raytan, did you feel that? The wind…,” Setz said, her voice filled with wonder.

“That’s impossible,” Raytan muttered under his breath.

“What?” Setz asked, confused.

“Nothing… or maybe it isn’t,” Raytan said, his voice trailing off. He seemed almost in disbelief as he stared at something reflected in his crimson eyes.

Setz followed his gaze, and her own eyes went wide. Before them, hundreds—no, thousands—of butterflies with shimmering golden wings filled the air. It was as if the legends had come to life and real golden rain was falling all around them. Setz couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

“Look at that! It was worth coming all the way out here after all!” Setz exclaimed in amazement.

Raytan’s eyes remained fixed on Setz, his expression unreadable. But Setz, lost in her excitement over the magical sight, didn’t notice his gaze.