IYAMD 194

It was another week before they arrived in the outskirts of Ziras.

This was because they had been too busy defeating every monster they encountered along the way to make much progress.

When they informed Fa’ab, who had come out to meet them with his soldiers, of the situation, he expressed his sincere gratitude.

The moment they arrived, things got hectic. Because Ziras had prepared a parade to welcome the emperor of Arhen and his entourage, the group had to tour the city covered in dust.

Jaha, who detested such cumbersome events, and even Marsilia expressed their displeasure, but when the parade actually began, the emperor waved with his usual calm expression.

Since curtains had been drawn over the carriage to hide the children’s faces, the citizens’ gaze was almost entirely fixed on the imposing emperor, who looked like a triumphant general, and Jaha by his side.

As Marsilia had said, Cecilia was very accustomed to such occasions, and as soon as they entered the street, she began walking with her legs high in the air. Jaha hadn’t expected much from Ventus, and as expected, the sensitive black horse snorted roughly. He simply hated the noise.

Jaha walked slowly alongside Fa’ab’s group.

Was it because his memory was blurry? Or had the atmosphere ​Read on​of the city changed since Fa’ab took office? It felt much brighter and livelier than he remembered.

The white buildings with rounded roofs sparkled as they reflected the strong sunlight, and the people, dressed mostly in white, did the same.

The white teeth stood out against the dark skin of the people’s faces. As he watched, he felt that the constant smiling was taking its toll on them; he often saw people’s mouths twitching.

As the procession moved along, something rolled out from among the people lined up along the roadside.

The small, ragged object turned out to be a young child who appeared to be a slave. A child with black hair, barely ten years old.

His gaunt face was covered in bruises, and one eye was so swollen it looked like it couldn’t even open properly. The child’s one good eye welled up with tears as he shouted toward Jaha.

“Please save me! My lord, please save me!”

The child appeared to be a slave brought from the Eastern Continent. Perhaps he had seen Jaha, a fellow Eastern Continent native, and wanted to ask for help.

Just as the child bowed his head and cried out, someone roughly grabbed the child by the hair and pulled him back.

Whether a mercenary or a private soldier, the man – who wore a curved sword, commonly used stolen content in Helga, at his waist – roughly pulled the child back and bowed toward Jaha and his party.

“I am truly sorry. Since our slave has blocked the path of such distinguished guests, I have no excuse for whatever punishment he may receive. Would it be acceptable for my master to come and offer a separate apology for this incident?”

Jaha immediately averted his gaze from the child’s eyes. His heart pounded at the sight of those eyes, filled with despair, yet clinging to whatever sliver of hope might still remain.

He felt a sensation similar to when he had suffered from Qi deviation. Jaha struggled to steady his breath and calm his Qi. But it was harder than he’d expected. Had Jaryeon, who had been dragged here at a similar age to that child, suffered the same fate? That thought filled him with rage.

His hand moved reflexively toward his sword, but he couldn’t bring himself to draw it. The gaze of the man beside him held back the madness boiling within him.

Fa’ab stepped forward to defuse the situation, but Marsilia’s voice cut in first.

“First, let go of that hand.”

Marsilia issued his warning in a low voice and didn’t wait long.

“Sasha, cut off that man’s hand.”

Sasha jumped forward in the blink of an eye. Before he even reached the man, he swung ​Read on​his drawn sword, and in an instant, the wrist of the man holding the child’s hair was severed.

“Aaaargh!”

The man howled as he clutched his arm with his uninjured hand, but Marsilia paid him no mind and spoke to Fa’ab. The sound of people gasping could be heard all around. Amidst the commotion, the man’s low voice rang out even more clearly.

“It’s a pity to have such an unpleasant experience on such a fine day. I think the parade has gone on long enough, so let’s stop here.”

“W-well, then, I’ll guide you to the mansion.”

Marsilia cast a cold glance at the man writhing on the ground and ordered Sasha.

“Go get the kid.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The child, who had fainted while covered in blood, was carried into Sasha’s arms. Jaha looked at Marsilia without hiding his mixed feelings, but Marsilia only kept his eyes on Fa’ab’s back as he led the way.

Fa’ab gauged Marsilia’s mood and [stolen content]announced that he would cancel the banquet scheduled for that evening.

Thanks to this, the group was able to unpack at their assigned lodgings and enjoy some leisure time.

Before heading to his own room, Serez wondered whether to lecture them, but upon seeing Marsilia’s expression, he quietly withdrew.

After sending the children to their rooms to rest, the two were finally alone, and only then could Jaha look at Marsilia in the face.

“Why did you do that?”

“Do what?”

The man, who had reflexively asked back, sighed and pulled Jaha into his arms.

“And why did you hold back?”

“Well… first of all, we’re here as guests.”

The man let out a sigh and buried his face in Jaha’s shoulder.

“The moment I saw your expression, I lost all reason. The thought that your sister might have been treated like that made me see red.”

Had he been thinking the same thing?

Jaha felt his eyes grow hot, and he bit his lip. Marsilia sighed repeatedly and held him even closer.

“Jaha, I’m not some fool who believes I can save the entire world. But if there’s someone in need within my sight, I won’t turn away. No matter the circumstances.”

He grabbed Jaha’s shoulders and pulled him away from himself. The resolve in his green eyes was unwavering. The man looked Jaha in the eye and continued. He talked with the solemnity of someone taking an oath.

“I want you to do the same. Whether you hesitate because of me or for some other reason, don’t turn away. Even if you were to cut that master’s throat right now, I would support you. It would be the same even if it were simply for your own personal feelings or revenge. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t forget my oath, Jaha. Even if you become a hero of the empire, I’ll be on your side. Do whatever you want. I’ll take care of the consequences.”

“Yes.”

Jaha answered obediently, kissed Marsilia, and pressed his forehead against his.

“Thank you, Mar.”

Marsilia finally relaxed his expression and chuckled softly.

“You’re supposed to say ‘I love you’ at a time like this.”

Jaha smiled and wrapped his arms around his shoulders. He tilted his head up so their noses touched and whispered into his ear.

“I love you, Marsilia.”

After kissing his lips, he added what he really wanted to say.

“But if you pull a stunt like that in front of the kids again, I won’t forgive you. Thank goodness the curtains were drawn on the carriage, what would we have done if the kids had seen all that blood?”

Marsilia, who had been wearing a smug expression, frowned.

“You really never let things slide easily.”

“Be careful. I don’t want my kids to be exposed to that kind of thing at such a young age.”

Why did he think he had spent hours taking the lead and exterminating monsters during the journey?

“It’s not good for the kids’ mental health.”

“Yes. It was my fault, so stop being upset.”

“I’m not upset anymore. I’m not angry. I’m really grateful that you took the initiative. I just want us to be more careful from now on. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Hmm, half of it.”

“Why only half again? It’s not like it’s a difficult concept.”

Marsilia grabbed Jaha by the waist, lifted him up, and started walking.

“I guess I’m going through a rebellious phase lately. It hurts to get scolded over something like this.”

Now taller than him, Jaha looked down at his sulky face.

“I’m sorry about that.”

“Then cheer me up.”

It was a shameless demand. It was all Marsilia’s fault that Jaha had unconsciously smacked his shoulder. He made people feel guilty and then demanded what he wanted.

After letting him get away with it several times, there really was no end to it.

***

“Sasha brought someone he doesn’t know. I saw it earlier.”

“I saw him too, but so what?”

“I’m curious, so let’s go check it out.”

“Papa said… we’re not supposed to wander around the palace.”

“That’s just about us not wandering around on our own. It’ll be fine if we go with Sir Ian, right?”

“Is that so?”

Ian decided to pretend he couldn’t hear the children chattering at his feet. So he stood awkwardly, head held high, and refused to look down.

He felt a piercing gaze on his chin, but he tried to ignore it.

“Iaaan.”

Even with Lotis clinging to one thigh and Helios clinging to the other, he resolved to count the patterns carved into the ceiling.

When Ian didn’t respond, the twins’ voices grew dejected.

“Karim would have come with us.”

“Then should we go see Karim?”

“But we don’t even know where he is?”

“It’s Karim’s house, so wouldn’t we be able to find it right away?”

“Maybe?”

“There’s nothing we can do if Ian doesn’t want to.”

“Hmm. I guess we have no choice…”

Startled by the sudden disappearance of the weights clinging to his thigh, Ian finally looked down to find two pairs of bright green eyes staring up at him.

Helios, clutching a rabbit doll as big as himself, smiled as lovably as an angel.

No, Ian Yandel. He may look like an angel, but he could actually be a devil. So you mustn’t give in.

But it became impossible to ignore the little angel any longer when he tilted his head and pursed his lips.

“Ian, will you come with us?”

Sniff. Ian silently choked back tears and crouched down to meet the twins’ gaze.

“This is absolutely a secret from the emperor… understood?”

“Mm-hmm. Promise.”

They crossed pinkies and made a promise. Only after singing the song did Ian finally feel a sense of self-reproach. He realized he had once again failed to resist the devil’s temptation.

Ha. An anguished sigh escaped his lips.

Life really isn’t easy.