Chapter 247
Chapter 247
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 247
Chapter Title: Chapter 6-1. Iris
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Judah twirled his pencil as he read the note in the notebook.
“Lover, huh?”
Arhil’s actions clearly showed she had feelings for him. No, it was certain. It had to be. He could check her favorability, so there was no need to doubt whether her heart was genuine. Especially since the <Hypnosis> effect he’d placed on her using the fragment had been purified away by Gabriel. Doubting her now would be ridiculous.
Yet they’d never said the words “I love you” to each other.
Even as they poured out their desires in the dead of night and shared kisses, even as they acted with deeper affection than lovers—they’d never said it. It was confined to the nights. When day came, they’d blush and feel shy around each other, but the word “love” had never once passed their lips.
Love.
Thinking back, the only time he’d ever said “I love you” was to Gentia, his teacher and first love back at Selenia Castle. What a joke. In his original world, he’d have prostrated himself in gratitude just to spend time with beauties he could only dream of, yet here he was wanting not one, but several. The heart was a cunning thing.
If someone asked if he still loved Tia, he could say yes. But he didn’t want to let go of Arhil either. Casanova—that word popped into his head. He’d always thought it had nothing to do with him. Judah let out a hollow chuckle.
This world didn’t insist on monogamy. Naturally, having multiple wives wasn’t impossible. With its medieval setting, no one batted an eye at nobles keeping concubines.
Some kingdoms even allowed polygyny, and in the mercenary kingdom of Lizen, you could have multiple spouses if you had the ability.
“…….”
Flick!
Judah just kept spinning the pencil without writing an answer right away, so Iris snatched the notebook and pencil back. She scribbled something else and held it out.
-Be honest.
She handed him the pencil again. Judah picked it up with a sigh. Meanwhile, the ice cream was melting, the sandglass marking the passage of time.
-It’s awkward to call us friends. We’re not quite lovers yet.
-So you’ve slept together?
She asked bluntly, without a hint of embarrassment. Judah was the one who blushed instead—her boldness caught him off guard. He didn’t have the tolerance yet to discuss it so casually. Instead of writing, he nodded slowly.
-What if she were in danger? What would you do if it meant you might die?
-I’d save her.
-Even if it might kill you?
At her probing words, Judah nodded. Of course he’d save her. If she died pointlessly right in front of him, even if it meant turning back time and starting over from the beginning, he’d bring her back.
“…….”
Iris watched Judah’s eyes as he wrote without hesitation. Unwavering gaze. Not a trace of doubt.
-Yes.
It was the answer she’d expected. They say handwriting reflects the heart. Pretty script doesn’t mean a pure soul, and sloppy writing doesn’t mean a violent or hasty nature. But that single, concise “Yes” he wrote felt utterly sincere.
Envy.
She envied that priestess. She’d found a comrade she could stake her life on. A man who’d believe in her no matter what. Iris could feel it. That’s why she envied her. She couldn’t stop the thought.
‘I want one too.’
‘Someone who…’
Trusts me.
Someone who believes in me no matter what.
Someone who’d face death to save me, no matter the situation.
But it wasn’t about finding a man to die in her place. That belonged in fairy tales or the tragic finale of a play—enough of that. She wanted to overcome crises together and keep moving forward.
That didn’t mean she trusted no one.
She was the Shadow Queen.
Leader of the realm’s finest assassins, called the Shadow Kingdom.
The shadow operatives under her would give everything for her. They moved at her command, carried out missions, and would sacrifice their lives for her in the moment of death. That was how they repaid the grace of joining the Shadow Kingdom, their own sense of honor.
They were loyal to her, trusted her absolutely, and gave all for her. They were trustworthy. Reliable. Unlike other assassin groups, betrayal wasn’t a worry. An ancient oath bound them—they couldn’t betray her.
That made her longing even more desperate.
Because their obedience might stem from that oath. They hadn’t gathered for her personally. They’d joined for the legacy of previous Shadow Kings, the achievements they’d built.
Assassins who entered the Shadow Kingdom felt immense belonging. They took pride in themselves. They feared leaving the group. It wielded unmatched power. No one dared belittle them. With justifiable missions or sufficient pay, they boasted over 90% success rates.
They even protected client information rigorously, never betraying the one who placed the request first.
That was what formed the current Shadow Kingdom. Naturally, Iris hadn’t built this immense power.
“…….”
So she’d become a mute waitress. Searching for a man who saw nothing but her, who’d trust her alone. It didn’t have to be a man, really. A friend would do. But deep down, she wanted a man.
She was a woman, biologically speaking.
Like anyone, she harbored the honest desire for a normal, happy family. To eat together, talk together, gaze deeply into each other’s eyes and kiss, hold hands in sleep. To whisper words of love.
But finding such a man was hard. Some dismissed her just for being mute. Others approached for a one-night stand, lured by her looks. Not all men were like that, of course.
Some were kind and gentle. But they failed her tests.
She’d drop a pouch of dozens of gold coins in front of them on the street. None returned it. When she asked to borrow money from men who clearly had it, claiming sudden need, they lied and said they had none.
One man said he loved her. Said he’d believe her no matter what. He was plain-looking but innocent and quick to smile. Yet when he saw her grabbed and dragged away by someone, he just stood frozen in fear. Even when she pretended her clothes were torn and she was being assaulted, he did nothing. Afterward, he distanced himself.
Iris knew she was doing something pathetic. Maybe she didn’t love them enough to sleep with them at night. Maybe it was just a fling, nothing more, so sudden danger left them panicked and frozen. But their handling afterward disappointed her.
She ended things with them and left. Being human, she endured the first few times, but as it piled up, she grew weary.
Then this man named Judah Arshel appeared before her. They’d met just two days ago. Strangely, being near him put her at ease. An inexplicable fondness grew.
When others would stand by, he helped her.
When no one saw and she was dragged into darkness, he saved her.
He helped without demanding special rewards. What impressed her most was that he matched her with writing.
“…….”
Iris gazed at Judah quietly, then smiled faintly. Sorting her thoughts little by little, she realized she didn’t want to let this man go. Just two days—less than a day, really, in hours. But it felt like fate. She nodded to herself, picked up the pencil, flipped to a fresh page since the old one was full, and wrote.
-Thanks for being honest. The food was delicious because of you. Let’s eat together again sometime.
She stood, waved to Judah, and trotted to the counter. Judah, still seated, noticed the ice cream had fully melted. The thick slush seemed better to drink than spoon.
‘Tasty.’
Of course sugar water tasted good. Judah set down the empty bowl with a sigh. How could he get closer to her? Make her a comrade? The thought arose, then faltered—did he really need to go this far? Toying with her hopes built on lies and deception felt like a sin.
“It’ll work out somehow.”
Muttering to himself, Judah stood. Arhil had barely eaten the temple food yesterday because it tasted bad, so she might be hungry today too. He wasn’t sure about barging into the temple, but a quick visit should be fine.
He left the shop and headed for the temple.
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