CH:21
Ivan and Amelia spent the night entangled like beasts in heat, over and over again. On the first day, they only fell asleep, exhausted, when the sun began to rise.
And when they opened their eyes, they would spend time once more in each other’s arms. Three days were far too short. She didn’t want to be apart from Ivan for even a moment.
“……”
Even now, as Ivan slept soundly, Amelia couldn’t fall asleep. For the same reason. This was the last time. Before dawn arrived, Ivan would have to leave this room. And he would become someone she could never see again. She wanted to take in his appearance and burn it into her memory.
“I won’t ask again. You won’t regret this?”
Amelia gently caressed Ivan’s face with her hand, recalling the last chance he had given her. Back then, he had tried to resist, as if to say she could still back out.
“I don’t regret it. This is the last time.”
And she had boldly kicked away the chance he gave her.
In truth, she had acted thoughtlessly, and the fear that she might regret it later frightened her. She also worried about herself, who had pushed away the opportunity Ivan had offered.
“I’m glad.”
Yet, up until the final day, no regret had come. Even though her body was sore and stiff like it didn’t belong to her after such an unfamiliar experience.
“…What is?”
It was then. A low voice, rough from sleep, brought Amelia back to her senses.
“Did I wake you?”
Amelia quickly pulled her hand away from Ivan’s face, feeling embarrassed and guilty for disturbing his rest.
“No. I had to get up anyway.”
Ivan replied as he ran his fingers roughly through his messy hair. He seemed to understand that today was the last of their three days.
“I can’t be dragged away like some clueless fool who overslept.”
“Why not?”
“There’s something I haven’t said.”
Something he hadn’t said? Amelia tilted her head like a puppy trying to understand its master’s words. Ivan smirked slightly and slid his hand under her waist.
“W-What are you doing!”
With a mischievous grin, Ivan grabbed both sides of her waist and easily lifted her onto his body. Amelia’s palms landed on his firm chest. She had touched this skin many times, yet the contact still made her shy.
“Happy coming of age.”
As she struggled to suppress the shiver running through her body, his quiet voice stole her breath.
Amelia slowly raised her eyes from Ivan’s chest and collarbone. Ivan wasn’t making a particularly tender expression, nor did he look overwhelmed with affection. His face was the same as always, save for a faint smile.
“…Thank you.”
Amelia smiled and replied. Then she relaxed her body, which had remained awkwardly tense. Their bare chests touched warmly. So this is what it meant to share body heat.
Thinking that, Amelia leaned her head against Ivan’s neck. A large hand gently stroked her exposed shoulder.
But their dreamlike time didn’t last long. A sharp knock broke through the canopy surrounding the bed. The deep night was veiled only in pale moonlight. It was the hour when all others were confined—and when Ivan had to be quietly cast out.
“…It’s time to go.”
Amelia sat beside Ivan. He said nothing and began putting on his clothes piece by piece. Amelia also slipped into her nightgown.
“I’ll do it.”
Just as Ivan picked up the cloth to wrap around his head, Amelia reached out and offered to do it for him. Ivan handed it over without protest and bent his head slightly so she could place it over him. In that moment, Amelia did not cry. But the moment his face was fully covered, her tears fell helplessly.
“I hope I’ve already conceived.”
Because this man had risked his life. If Ivan had wanted to survive, he should have left this room long ago. They might not know yet that he had blond hair and green eyes, but the moment the cloth came off or he was returned to the place the black-haired man had been, the truth would be exposed.
Ivan wasn’t a fool. He must have known that much. And still, he had stayed.
Amelia quietly pressed her forehead to his and whispered sincerely. Her voice didn’t tremble, making it hard to tell she was crying. That, at least, was a relief. She didn’t want Ivan’s last memory of her to be of her sobbing uncontrollably.
“So I can remember you.”
Ivan didn’t respond. But by not denying her words, he gave his answer. He, too, seemed to wish that his child was now in her womb. If so, Amelia would never have to spend the night with another against her will and conceive a child she didn’t want.
“Come in.”
Amelia straightened and wiped her wet face roughly. Then she called for the waiting attendants outside. The door opened immediately, and a man entered.
“…Goodbye.”
Ivan, his hands bound, was led away by another. The bedroom door closed behind him.
He disappeared completely.
“Ugh…”
Only then did Amelia bury her face in her palms and sob. The loss of something most precious stabbed deep into her heart.
“Happy coming of age.”
She recalled his gentle smile and the way he had said it while touching her face. That natural expression had completely stolen her heart.
The quiet congratulation, the warmth of shared body heat—it was the first time Amelia had ever experienced something like that.
“……”
Tears falling endlessly, Amelia suddenly raised her head. As if possessed by some revelation, she walked to the window. Under the dim moonlight, she could see Ivan’s figure being dragged away.
“I like you…”
Her heart leapt from her lips helplessly. She had wanted to confess her true feelings to Ivan. But feelings she couldn’t take responsibility for were poison, so she had held back.
I like you. I love you. You saved my life.
The feelings she never got to express hurt terribly.
Ivan blinked. With a sack over his head and his hands tied, it was hard to tell where he was being taken. Judging by the sound of water, he guessed there was a river or lake nearby.
“Who’s there!”
Suddenly, the cart stopped. Ivan sharpened his hearing.
“What are you carrying?”
Someone asked the mercenary who was dragging Ivan. His tone suggested he knew the man wasn’t a real holy knight, even though he wore a knight’s armor.
In truth, the man Ivan had captured to sneak into the temple had been a mercenary from some remote village. The client’s identity had clearly been carefully concealed, likely through multiple hand-offs.
And that suspiciously empty hallway, as if everyone had taken a vacation, only confirmed it. The people at the temple had ensured no one would witness the man coming or going. The mercenaries were likely disposed of after a single use.
“Just straw.”
“I can see feet.”
The mercenary couldn’t respond as his lie was called out.
“So what if it’s a person or straw? What’s it to you?”
He snapped back illogically. Hoping the other would just let them pass.
“Someone’s looking for him. Just checking.”
“Mind your business and get lost!”
The situation turned tense. A scuffle broke out, and someone shouted.
“Uncover the straw now!”
“You bastards—!”
Someone removed the straw covering Ivan. At the same time, the mercenary lunged at him. He grabbed Ivan by the collar and tossed him over the edge of the nearby bridge.
It all happened in an instant.
Ivan fell into the water with a splash. But he didn’t resist or struggle.
“Your Majesty!”
Someone else leapt into the water after him. Ivan knew someone would come to save him.
“…Why are you always like this…”
As they emerged from the water, the rope binding his arms had already been cut. Ivan pulled off the cloth covering his head.
“Why are you always so reckless…”
Under the pale moonlight, his face looked calm enough to drive Rodan mad. Rodan muttered weakly, too tired to scold him anymore. He had received Ivan’s note via messenger just before the scheduled rendezvous with the priestess, and had spent the whole day on edge.
“The one who ran?”
“We lost him, but we’re tracking.”
Ivan spoke first, not caring about Rodan’s distress. He didn’t bother to explain his motives.
If only he weren’t the emperor, Rodan would’ve cursed him to his face.
“Capture him no matter what. He’s one of the seeds growing in the hearts of those who impersonate the gods’ agents.”
“Seeds…?”
Ivan stood up. Rodan handed him a robe, which he used to cover his wet body.
“One is that runaway.”
“……”
“And the other is in someone’s womb.”
Rodan furrowed his brow, clearly not understanding what Ivan meant this time either.
“Or maybe not,”
Ivan added cheerfully, unaffected by Rodan’s confusion. Then he turned and walked away. His wet blonde hair shone blue under the moonlight, like the gleam of a blade that had just taken a life.
“Escort him.”
Rodan sighed and gave the order. The royal guards quickly fell in behind Ivan. As frustrating as he was, he was still their master. Rodan followed quietly.
