Chapter 19
A sticky silence wrapped around the two of us.
I still couldn't say a word as I gazed at the queen, and she looked up at me with a smile. I'm a healthy young man. There's no way I didn't feel desire, and it would be a lie to say I wasn't tempted by the situation. But even so, I couldn't move.
Cannot read the target's future.
Mirien's future was invisible. I couldn't peer into what actions I could or couldn't take, as I had before. Though I couldn't see her future, her past was still visible, allowing me to muster my reason and suppress the surging desire, calming myself down.
"Why do you do nothing?"
Mirien giggled as she watched me take deep breaths, struggling for self-control.
"Is it because my body lacks appeal?"
"No, that's not it. Your Majesty is exceedingly beautiful."
"Then why do you hesitate? Is it because I'm a promiscuous dark elf, infamous for rolling in filth?"
Dark elves were licentious. Words like chastity and purity probably suited them second least after succubi. But such stereotypes didn't apply to Mirien. She had lived a life more alien than any other dark elf.
"Worry not. I have yet to experience a man. No male has ever entered my bedchamber. Nor have I embraced one in my heart or body. I've never even been interested in such things."
It was true. Mirien's obsessive paranoia had prevented her from even letting a man into her bedroom. Sharing her most vulnerable moment could mean that man wielding a dagger against her.
Yet her actions were far too wanton for a virgin. She caressed her body sensually and laughed.
"I know human men place great importance on a woman's virginity. What say you? Will you still refuse? You may take my maidenhood."
The temptation was intense. But I had already quelled my desire. And once it subsided, I realized all too easily what Mirien was up to.
"Your Highness."
"When we're alone, call me by name."
"Lady Mirien."
"Drop the 'Lady' too. Just my name."
She sure made a lot of demands. I let out a small sigh and sat beside her.
"Mirien."
The slave seal branded on my body. Her sudden visits to my room. And now this blatant seduction. I'd been flustered at first, but a little reflection revealed the hidden intent wasn't sex at all.
"Why are you still testing me?"
Mirien's eyes widened at my words. She switched off her seductive mode. Her glistening body and subtle writhing stopped instantly.
"Why do you think this is a test?"
"You're not after my life. Nor power or money. So why did I save you without killing you? That's what you can't understand, isn't it? Ruling out everything else leaves one possibility: you thought I acted out of lust for your body, so you tested me."
Mirien had lived in a world where selfless good deeds didn't exist. Every action had a motive. But my saving her had no clear price.
Resuming Soul Flame exports? That would have happened naturally once her illness was cured, even without my request. Soul Flame was one of Kaien's major exports, coveted by races across the surface world.
Mirien couldn't comprehend it. So she tested me one last time to see if I lusted for her body.
Her eyes softened. She withdrew the shadows she'd cast around the room.
"Correct. Well done, great sage."
"I know your past. I've seen how hard and painful your life has been. You grew up unable to trust anyone, betrayed the moment you let your guard down. It's natural you'd act this way. But let me be clear: you won't last long like this."
I couldn't see Mirien's future anymore. But some things didn't require the skill to predict.
"Tear down the walls of suspicion. Excess in anything ruins a person. That attitude will drive away even those who want to stay. You can't be a wise ruler like that. Sometimes be lenient. Yield occasionally. Live that way. I know it's hard. You must still do it."
"......Is that so."
"Push too hard, and they'll push back. But if you give space, they have no reason to. That mutual yielding eases relations. A ruler must have that attitude."
Mirien sighed deeply at my words.
"I can't judge who to trust or yield to. And even if I wanted to, I wouldn't know how. I've never done it."
That expression. I knew it well. The face of the high and mighty baring hidden pains before a shaman. Lord Albio Yurtel had worn it before me, as had the politicians and celebrities who visited Mom.
And Mom gave them the simplest advice. The kind friends or family might offer. Flashy words, but fundamentally basic principles. Yet her clients always left deeply moved.
"The higher you climb, the fewer people you can trust. So many in power miss out on ordinary human connections and pay folks like me to fill the void. You'll face it too once you become a beacon."
She was right. Now that I was one, her casual words were becoming flesh and blood.
"The key is to advise without making them dependent. That's a cult. Help them walk on their own—don't devour them. Devouring people makes you vomit or inhuman."
If I offered to vet everyone for her, she'd lean on me. Mom said that was never right.
"Mirien. You're wise. Smart, resolute, intuitive. It'll feel awkward at first, but practice makes perfect. You don't improve without trying."
"What if I trust and get betrayed?"
"Just take the betrayal. People don't always act as you intend. Mistakes happen, misunderstandings too. Some will exploit your trust and hurt you. Swallow the pain and move on."
"Just take it?"
"Leaders live with wounds. They're far-sighted, not shrieking at every scratch."
Mirien's eyes widened. I knew why. I couldn't read her future, but her past was clear.
"Words from the previous king of Kaien, your father, right? See? You already know the answer, Mirien. You just forgot. You'll do fine once you start."
Mirien clenched her fists at my words.
"Can't you just stay by my side forever? Watch people, judge them, tell me. Who'll betray, who's vile."
"Then I'd be ruling Kaien, not you."
"But I......"
"Mirien. Stand and walk on your own. Sweet things rot you fast. My ability is impressive, but overrelying on it will erode your qualities and dignity as a leader. The moment Kaien sees you as a puppet dancing on a human's tongue, no one will accept you as queen."
Mirien met my gaze. The eyes of a dark elf receiving prophecy. I smiled at her.
"You can do it. You already have the makings of a great ruler. Amid countless plots and betrayals, you never resorted to tyranny. You could have turned Kaien into a sea of blood with the Spirit King's power, but you didn't."
Mirien's eyes trembled, rippling with emotion—moved or shocked, I couldn't tell.
"You're a splendid queen. Move forward with confidence."
Following Mom's advice, I ensured she wouldn't depend on me. Instead, I helped her stand on her own.
The conversation lapsed. Mirien stared at me with an inscrutable expression. About ten minutes passed like that.
Switching off great sage mode and reverting to a tired, pathetic guy, I cleared my throat.
"Please go now. I need sleep. And this......seal. Remove it soon. Sex slave? What the hell."
Mirien quietly took my hand, fiddling with my fingers before flashing a mischievous smile.
"You truly have no desire for my body? I said do as you please."
"Mirien is beautiful. As a healthy man, I feel desire. But I don't want sex like this."
"Then how?"
"It should be between mutual lovers, not forced by some seal. So erase it. The test's over, right?"
"Why insist on removing it? With it, you're always above me."
"I don't want to leash a pitiful woman like you and lord over her forcefully. That's not how I treat women."
Mirien began to laugh. Pure and innocent, like someone hearing a simple joke. After laughing for a while, she lay down on my bed.
"You're such a fool."
I scratched the back of my head.
"Why say it like that? Anyway, really go. I've been through hell in Kaien; I need real sleep now."
"I've had it worse than you. Never rested my whole life, and now I finally can."
Mirien looked up at me and spread her arms.
"Put me to sleep."
"Pardon?"
"I couldn't sleep in the palace bedchamber. The creepy, terrifying memories there......I couldn't get deep rest. It's your fault. After sleeping soundly with you once, shallow naps don't satisfy anymore."
I stared at her in disbelief.
"Like when you gave me the antidote. Hold me tight. I want to fall asleep in your arms. I think I can only sleep with you."
"Are you throwing a tantrum right now?"
Mirien nodded.
"The first tantrum of my life. Refuse, and I'll refuse to leave. Hurry and hold me to sleep."
The Spirit King's contractor. Ruler of Kaien. The one gripping the lifelines of countless imperial alchemy guilds and pharma companies. She lay on my bed, whining like a child.