Chapter 25
The Things That Comfort the Night (3)
Iago knew full well that all of this was nothing more than a futile act of defiance.
He’d been completely found out.
There was no longer anything to hide, and he had ended up bawling right in front of her.
The cruel Black King of the desert!
I… I couldn’t help it…
He could almost see Otter’s eyes widening in shock.
Even though no one was listening, Iago mumbled excuses to himself.
When he saw those faded, lifeless eyes—like a soul that had already died—swallowing back sobs, the pitiful sight had made it impossible to hold back his tears.
Somehow… I didn’t even want to hold back.
Iago tilted his head.
If it had been in front of anyone else, there was no way he could have cried so openly.
Why was it? In front of her… it somehow felt like it would be okay.
At last, Iago began speaking slowly.
“My island is a peaceful and beautiful place. But ten years ago, war broke out, and strange weather came without warning. People are anxious, wondering if this might be the ‘eve of destruction’ from the old legends.”
“I heard about that last time,” Ilena said, recalling their earlier conversation.
He nodded vigorously as he continued.
“And the North has been eyeing Rihue’s orichalcum mines. In chaotic times like this, what’s needed is a strong king who can stabilize the nation. So I…”
Iago drooped his head gloomily.
“You pretended to be a strong king to protect your country from the northern invasion.”
“Yeah.”
His voice was small.
“That must have been hard. And you pulled it off so well,” Ilena said calmly, offering quiet comfort.
“No… not at all.”
At her words, Iago rested his chin on his knees, muttering.
“The pathetic one… is me.”
Maybe it was because it was dark.
Somehow… it’s like I can see invisible rabbit ears.
That huge man, like a black panther, seemed soft and fluffy like a rabbit.
She had to be losing her mind.
Ilena shook her head hard to snap herself out of it.
“My father and brother were both born leaders. But me… not at all. I’m always forcing myself to act, making mistakes. Because of me, Otter suffers…”
His eyes reddened again, as if struggling not to cry.
“I’m so disgusted with myself.”
“Don’t hold it in.”
“…Huh?”
He looked at her with tearful eyes.
Ilena met his gaze with a calm but gentle look.
“I heard somewhere that emotions are like water—if you block them, they’ll burst out eventually.”
“They say that in the North?”
“Yes. And it’s the same for you, Your Majesty.”
She smiled warmly at him.
“Huh? The same how?”
“In all the time I’ve known you, not once have you ever been pathetic.”
At her words, the tears brimming in his violet eyes spilled over.
The Black King buried his face in his knees and began to sob aloud.
Pat, pat.
So, the Black King’s a crybaby.
Ilena awkwardly patted his broad shoulders.
“…There, there. That’s it.”
The sensation of patting firm, solid muscle with not an ounce of fat felt strangely unfamiliar.
Dawn began to break over the desert horizon.
Light seeped into the pitch-black sands.
Iago seemed calmer now.
“Feeling better?” she asked.
He nodded.
“Yeah. Thanks…”
“It’s nothing. Now, go splash some water on your face at that oasis.”
“…Okay.”
With rabbit-like red eyes, he nodded awkwardly.
It was the first time since ascending the throne that someone had ordered him around.
Strangely, he didn’t dislike it.
Ilena watched his back as he obediently followed her instructions, as if he’d never been a scheming black king at all.
Soon, the sound of water splashing reached her ears.
He returned, his face tidied up.
“Phew…”
He ran a hand through his wet hair, letting out a long, languid sigh.
Water dripped from his black hair, and the thin, soaked fabric clung to his muscular frame.
It was hard to believe this was the same man who had been crying like an abandoned baby rabbit earlier.
As she watched him, Ilena suddenly spoke.
“By the way.”
“…Mm?”
It had been ages since he’d cried out loud.
Even in his own chambers, he hadn’t been able to weep freely for fear of being overheard.
Feeling lighter now, Iago looked at her with relaxed eyes.
Through the slight narrowing of his lids, his beautiful violet irises shone damply.
It was a dangerously decadent sight.
But unfortunately, Ilena’s romance instincts—dulled by her depression—were still completely dormant.
What irked her had nothing to do with love.
“Why am I the only one speaking formally to you?”
The unexpected question made Iago look like a man suddenly stabbed in the back.
“Is… is that important right now?”
“If it’s not, I’ll just speak casually too.”
Honorifics should be mutual, she thought, naturally dropping her formal speech.
You already started speaking informally, so why pretend to ask?
Grumbling internally, Iago just nodded meekly.
Even if she was the shrine maiden, speaking casually to the King of Rihue was unthinkable to others.
But he decided to let it go, chalking it up to her amnesia.
Ilena glanced at the sky.
“Alright, let’s get moving. Once the sun’s fully up, it’ll be hot again.”
“Uh… right.”
“Do you know the way back?”
“Yeah. At night, you follow the stars; in the day, you follow the sun.”
“Very good. That’s impressive.”
Her grandfather had drilled into her that when managing people, rewards and punishments must be clear.
Flustered by the praise, Iago’s face turned red.
“It’s… it’s nothing. Thanks.”
“Alright, let’s go.”
Watching her stride confidently ahead after issuing orders, Iago admired her again.
She’s so cool…
Then he quickly spoke up.
“Ilena. Not that way—this way.”
The capital was closer than expected.
Yesterday, between the confusion and the sandstorm, they must have missed it.
Once out of the desert, Iago somehow procured a large horse and galloped toward the palace.
“Lady Ilena!!”
As soon as they crossed the palace gates and dismounted, Andre came running.
“Ugh. Andre.”
He wrapped her in a crushing hug, making her chuckle.
“You’re squeezing me.”
“Ugh… Do you know how worried I was? My god. In the desert—how scared you must have been…”
“Are you crying?”
The people of Rihue really are a bunch of crybabies.
Ilena smiled faintly and wiped the tears from his face.
“But how did you know I was in the desert?”
“I told him,” Otter said, approaching.
His face looked half its size from just one night.
Tsk, tsk… You should live true to your nature. Being a villain is a job for people who can at least pull it off.
Seeing him like that, whatever resentment she’d had left melted away.
She had no intention of grilling someone who clearly suffered more than she had overnight.
Still, Otter bit his lip hard enough to draw blood.
“I… I’m truly sorry. There’s no excuse.”
He bowed so deeply it looked like his forehead might hit the ground.
“Alright,” Ilena accepted simply.
Her clean, concise reply actually left him more flustered.
“T-That’s it? I… I kidnapped you and left you in the desert…”
“Well.”
Maybe it wasn’t such a bad experience.
She’d seen a night sky full of stars she couldn’t have glimpsed in the city, stared into a crackling campfire, and tasted surprisingly good oasis water.
And I got to learn the Black King’s true nature, too.
“You apologized, and I accepted. That’s it for now.”
“B-But still, I’d feel better if I were punished! Please, give me a fitting sentence!”
“Wait. She needs to rest first,” Iago cut in, gently wrapping an arm around Ilena’s waist.
“She hasn’t eaten since yesterday. Shrine Maiden, eat something light and go to sleep right away.”
“Alright. Yaaawn…”
At the word “sleep,” drowsiness hit her instantly.
Come to think of it, I didn’t sleep at all last night…
Seeing her yawn, Iago frowned slightly in concern and led her into the palace.
“No. You have to eat something first. This way.”
Together, they entered the palace, Ilena swaying on her feet.
She hasn’t eaten anything?
She must be starving. How terrible.
This is all my fault…
Otter gazed at her retreating figure, face full of guilt.
Then—poke, poke.
“…What are you doing, Andre?”
Still watching them, Andre elbowed Otter in the ribs.
“Don’t you feel it?” Andre whispered slyly, lowering his head.
“What?” Otter asked blankly.
Honestly… this is why people who’ve never been in love…
Andre sighed inwardly, then burst out impatiently:
“The atmosphere between them has changed!”
“…Atmosphere? Well, she did look a little hungry.”
After all, she hadn’t eaten all day.
Andre gave him a look that was equal parts pity and exasperation.
That faintly tingling atmosphere.
The easy physical contact!
Really, spending the night together in the desert—it was enough to make even sworn enemies fall in love.
“I’m saying, their relationship seems different now!”
“…What? Relationship?” Otter blinked dumbly.
“Oh, honestly.”
This was why love idiots were hopeless.
Andre shook his head, clicking his tongue, then muttered to himself,
“Oh dear, I need to go prepare Lady Ilena’s meal,”
before bustling away.
Did Andre just say ‘love’? Wait, hold on, hold on…
A spark of excitement flashed in Otter’s eyes.
Yes. There was a way.
A way to make the shrine maiden cry without resorting to cruelty.
A way to make it rain in this desert!
