Chapter 29
At the gate of Roetingen Castle, the skinless body of a tiger was hung. No one explained why it was there, but that made it feel even more like something the Lord of Roetingen would do.
News had already spread across Roetingen: Princess Deny had fallen from her horse, Hasollan was badly injured, and except for two knights, everyone else was dead. The proud skin of Rodus McQueen, the third prince of Soruk known as “Strong Jaw,” was now laid out in the castle hall for anyone to step on.
“Looks like there’ll be a big shake-up in Soruk’s royal succession.”
This talk reached even to Impel. Lord Schumacher, the Court Duke, sighed as he spoke. His position has become very uncertain lately. He used to oversee all internal affairs of the palace, but since the Emperor favored Count Kenare, his duties had greatly decreased.
“With the dragon in Roetingen, how can there not be a change?”
Lord Geipel, listening nearby, answered.
“He’s such a massive being. Even a small movement from him causes a huge shock to humans.”
That’s why there shouldn’t be two suns in the sky. People below get confused and burned by the heat.
“You served the late emperor closely, didn’t you?”
“Do you know why the wisest man in the Empire put the black dragon in Roetingen?”
Geipel quietly sipped his tea. Schumacher looked at him curiously.
“Why?”
“Why are you asking now? Everyone already asked me that question a thousand times.”
“If I asked then, you wouldn’t have told me.”
“You didn’t know then either.”
They laughed about the busy days before and after the coronation. Now, Schumacher had fewer responsibilities and a weaker standing.
“Do you think you know the answer now?”
“Even if I asked seriously, you still wouldn’t tell me.”
“You’re so unfair.”
Geipel pointed out the window.
“Are those young ladies going to stay here all winter?”
Young noblewomen had gathered in Impel, dreaming of becoming the empress. The palace was conducting a consort selection like never before. Normally, the Court Duke should’ve handled this, but Schumacher had no role. Instead, he sat chatting with a close friend.
“Once His Majesty picks his consort, it’ll all be over.”
“But what about the Lord of Roetingen? I heard he already chose a partner before.”
“Do you believe that?”
“It was written by the official scribe.”
“They only said he wanted to choose someone with no details beyond that.”
Schumacher pointed out the obvious facts from the royal records.
“Why do I always have to spell everything out before you stop talking?”
“You are so uptight.”
Geipel teased his friend. Yes, Schumacher was very proper, always sticking to the rules and common sense.
“That’s why someone like me has to scratch your itches for you.”
“No need. I’m not itchy.”
“Even after seeing that?”
Geipel pointed to the window.
“They’re playing around in the palace, but in Roetingen, the prince’s body is already hanging from the wall.”
Schumacher didn’t reply. Geipel didn’t stop.
“Which one looks more like an emperor’s action?”
In Impel, no one seemed to care that the Lord of Roetingen had hung the prince’s body on the wall. There were only rumors. The Emperor and Count Kenare were focused on choosing a consort. It looked like they were trying to make a consort out of nothing. They ignored how ridiculous it seemed and just gathered girls from good families.
Meanwhile, Soruk was quickly locked in their new line of succession without any attention from the Empire.
“Tyrell McQueen has drawn his sword.”
But one dragon was watching the Soruk succession. Akelans listened quietly to the report. He was the one who had let the crows and vultures eat Rodus McQueen’s body.
“Last night, the second prince Taman was killed in a fight.”
“He was much older than the fifth prince. What a waste. How’s the Soruk king?”
“Locals say, ‘He’s ready to return to the ancestors.’”
“Understood.”
Akelans stood and walked deeper into the castle. Ever since Rodus’s skin was removed, the place had smelled of herbs. Everything had returned to how it was 14 years ago—the medicine, the clothes, even the way they lived. But that wasn’t why Akelans was treating Hasollan himself.
“Solan.”
In the lord’s bedroom, Princess Deny was playing around.
“You’re here too?”
She looked up at him. He spoke kindly, but his eyes weren’t warm. His true care and affection were saved only for the sick woman in bed. This black dragon was especially cold and heartless, even among dragons.
“I was bored…”
She had a splint on her arm. It would come off tomorrow, but she still couldn’t do much.
“I don’t think Hasollan’s in the mood to play.”
He put a hand on her forehead.
“I still have a fever.”
Hasollan, pretending not to hear, reached out her uninjured arm toward the princess. Deny quickly moved closer.
“Please don’t hate horse riding too much.”
“Thanks for coming today.”
“Please come again tomorrow.”
“You have to get well soon.”
The little princess spoke kindly and gave Hasollan a small kiss on the cheek. Hasollan smiled faintly. The princess quickly stepped away.
“Deny.”
Akelans called her.
“Let me check your arm.”
“You need to be careful. Don’t raise it too fast.”
Ah, he’s kind to anyone he thinks might be his consort. When he checked her arm and patted her head, she smiled brightly.
“We’ll remove the splint tomorrow.”
“Aww…”
She wanted it off now.
“You’re healing fast, so no complaints. Now go.”
“Bye, Hasollan!”
“Goodbye, Princess.”
The princess left with quick footsteps. Her maids, guards, and scholars would take care of her. Akelans turned to Hasollan. She looked away.
“How do you feel?”
He was unusually kind to her. It made her uncomfortable.
“I want to go back to my room.”
This was the lord’s bedroom. There were long curtains, a fancy bed, and a pleasant scent that reminded her of the emperor’s private quarters. It all made her uneasy.
“You can’t.”
He brought new bandages with freshly washed hands.
“Let’s change the bandage and apply some medicine.”
This was the most uncomfortable part. Hasollan had a long cut from her back to her side and an arrow wound in her thigh. Akelans, not a doctor, was treating her himself. She knew how good he was at healing from the battlefield, but she still wished someone else would do it.
“Now you’re being shy with me?”
“You took care of me when I was injured, too. You saw everything.”
“Yeah, and I saw too much.”
She snapped back. His smile faded slightly, but he kept preparing the medicine.
“Let someone else handle these small things.”
“I can’t. I have to check your condition myself. I’m your doctor now.”
His strong hands—capable of crushing enemies—were now gently treating her. She stopped resisting. He’d already saved her when she was unconscious. Being modest now was pointless. He didn’t even see her as a woman.
“Really?”
She narrowed her eyes at him.
“Yes. Now, sit up.”
She followed his lead. He helped her sit, ignoring the pain in his own body. She began taking off her clothes with tired hands. His large hand covered hers.
“I’ll do it.”
His voice was low and soft behind her. She tried not to flinch as he gently removed her robe. It slipped to the floor. He slowly started unwrapping the bandages.
“If something like this happens again, don’t think about anything—just run. Even if Deny is there.”
Hasollan looked back at him. He quickly avoided her gaze and focused on the bandages.
“You paid me. I was just doing my job.”
She spoke flatly. Then she wondered: do dragons even feel sexual desire? Akelans acted like he didn’t. He seemed above all human desires. He didn’t get close to women, not even her. So maybe he didn’t feel embarrassed seeing her body.
“I’m telling you to run because I paid you.”
He looked away from her shoulder wound. The scar was deep and ugly on her pale skin.
“Tyrell McQueen still seems reasonable.”
His hand paused.
“Even back then, he attacked his brother first when he rushed in. Ow!”
She twitched from the pain of the medicine. Akelans steadied her calmly.
“That guy doesn’t matter right now.”
“How can you say that? The fifth prince killed the third.”
She winced again.
“Let them kill each other if they want.”
“You almost died from that tiger, and you still bring it up?”
“That’s why I talk about it.”
“Well, congratulations then. Tyrell McQueen will probably become the next king. The second prince died yesterday.”
Akelans sounded bitter.
“Next time, we can go to Soruk right away. He’ll welcome us barefoot.”
But whenever she flinched, he froze too. When she stayed quiet with a hard face, he grew more nervous. He hadn’t done much for her. Even if he gave her all the treasures in the world now, it wouldn’t make up for the loyalty and care she’d given him.
“Is that so?”
Her quiet words hit him hard.
