Chapter 119
Emperor Silis felt he had been tricked by that white snake from the north.
In that brief moment, he became certain — Winter wasn’t a messenger of the gods, but a messenger of evil.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so ruthless.
The moment the Northern Emperor brought up the national debt, the matter of Izana and Winter’s marriage was no longer something Silis alone could decide.
For over ten years, everyone in the Western Empire had worked together to pay off the national debt. People praised Silis’s wisdom, but he knew it wasn’t only his doing — it was the combined effort of all the nobles.
Even now, one glance around the banquet hall told the story.
Nobles from the Northern Empire didn’t wear much jewelry, but their clothing was made from the finest fabrics.
Southern Empire nobles were covered in jewels, while Eastern Empire nobles followed the latest fashion trends.
Western Empire nobles, however, were noticeably more modest. Over a decade of debt repayment had made frugality their national style.
Although the situation was better now, the debt wasn’t fully paid yet, and Silis himself made a point of showing he disliked luxury.
This sometimes made Western nobles feel embarrassed when compared with nobles from other nations.
There is no god. At least, not one who cares for me.
If what the envoy Palemon said was true, then selling this bright, dear child could instantly restore the empire to its golden age.
Silis knew exactly what the other Western nobles in the hall were now wishing for.
At that moment, he wanted to throw away his crown.
It was his right and duty — a crown that could wash away the blood on his hands — but right now, it only felt like a burden.
Then a bold voice called to him.
“Your Majesty, look at me.”
He turned his head slowly and met a pair of bright pink eyes.
“Honestly, thinking about what I’ve been through and what I’ll have to do in the future… I don’t think I can be satisfied with ordinary happiness. So, I thought maybe I should get engaged to the most handsome man in the world.”
Her tone was half serious, half teasing — playful, but also oddly comforting.
“And, I didn’t expect this, but I’ve grown to like you more than I thought. You’ve made me realize that blood isn’t always thicker than water. We may not be real father and daughter, but I think we could be something even closer.”
Silis gave a short laugh and frowned.
“That sounds a little greedy. In the Western Empire, frugality and patience are virtues.”
She lowered her head for a moment, then lifted her shoulders proudly again.
“This is a deal. Your Majesty is too great a man to be swayed by a little flattery, right? So I’m proposing a new trade.”
She fiddled with her fingers.
“I’ll pay off your debt. In return… be my fa—”
“…Fa?”
“Fa… Father. Be my father.”
Her sincere eyes trembled slightly with nerves.
Silis looked at the girl, her green hair like a piece of summer grass, twisting a strand around her finger — and found himself smiling again.
What a strange child.
She could make him despair in one moment and fill him with joy the next.
The Emperor suppressed his smile under the weight of his crown and authority. He turned to face the “thief” — whether lizard or winged snake, it didn’t matter — and spoke quietly:
“First, show me three things: something precious, something hot, and something old.”
The sadness on his face faded, replaced with a childish mischief.
***
“First, I will present something precious.”
Winter slowly stood up.
Dressed in white so pure it seemed to glow with a cold blue light, he looked like an angel descended to earth.
If only Shuran wasn’t hanging from his chest…
Though, in a way, it helped — Shuran made Winter seem more human, softening both his inhuman beauty and his bloodstained reputation.
I stepped down from the head table again — I had to personally receive the three items Winter offered.
Winter held out his right palm, and a floating key appeared above it.
“This is the relic of [Igrio]. From today, it belongs to the lady.”
At the word “relic,” someone dropped their glass. But no one paid attention to the broken glass or fallen forks — everyone was staring, mouths wide open, at the key being placed around my neck.
Even the Northern envoys were shocked.
So this wasn’t part of the plan… If the Northern Emperor finds out…
I closed my eyes tightly.
Next, Winter spoke.
“Second, I will present something old.”
Another object floated above his palm — a large, round, very clean and clear mirror. It was so big I had to hold it with both hands.
I didn’t know anything about this mirror. I remembered Winter saying he had brought it back when he went to find the Seraphim flower.
“This was found in a hidden dragon’s lair at the lower part of the Rastina Valley. Since it had never been discovered before, it must be very old. I will give everything inside it to the lady.”
A hidden dragon’s lair in the Rastina Valley? It sounded oddly familiar…
[Huh?]
Raglia — who usually stayed silent in crowds because I’d told them to — suddenly blinked from my bracelet.
[That thief…!]
“Shh, Raglia, quiet.”
Before Raglia could start squawking, I whispered to my bracelet. It stopped blinking and went limp.
It would take a while to calm them down later. I couldn’t help but wonder why Winter had gone to the trouble of bringing me this mirror.
Before I could think more, it was time for the third and final gift.
Winter held out his hand to me.
“Izana, will you take my hand?”
I looked down at his hand — and realized it was on fire. Not figuratively — literally burning with bright flames.
It was an absurd request, but I didn’t hesitate long.
I took his hand. If Winter offered it, I trusted it wouldn’t hurt me.
Gasps erupted all around us, even the Emperor jumped to his feet. Only Winter and I stayed calm.
A bond only he and I could feel bloomed at our fingertips.
“This is the flame that has burned you many times before, Izana,” Winter murmured.
I looked at our joined hands, the fire dancing over my skin.
I remembered how many times this fire had killed me, how terrifying and hot it had been…
But now, it was warm and gentle — almost like a dream.
“It’s actually a very pretty color.”
Winter’s eyes glimmered, and a deep smile formed.
“This is my dragon’s flame. From now on, it will never harm you. This vow can only be broken by a flame hotter than mine.”
Moments later, cheers so loud they seemed to shake the ceiling exploded through the hall.
In the middle of all that noise, I felt strangely quiet — as if the fire had pulled me into its own world.
I liked his fire.
The same fire that once killed me now sank into my heart.
