Chapter 200
Chapter 200
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 200
Chapter Title: A Wound for Me Too
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Patter, patter.
Nersarn poured black tea into Phlia's teacup. It had already been several days since they arrived at the imperial palace, yet his beloved seemed utterly unable to adjust to the place.
And who could blame her? She had spent her entire life in the slums of the borderlands. Even when she first stepped into the Hielo mansion, the luxury had left her at a loss for what to do—and this was the imperial palace, a whole other level.
“Phlia, we're alone, so relax and sit comfortably.”
“Do I look uncomfortable?”
“Very much so.”
Phlia gave an awkward smile and stroked her hair. The sleeve of her dress swayed softly with the motion. It was something Ian had prepared for her to wear comfortably, yet it felt utterly ill-fitting, like she was dressed in someone else's clothes.
“I guess I'm just not cut out for staying indoors. Even after just one day like this, my body won't stay still.”
“The gates will open soon, didn't they say? Our business here is wrapped up for now, so it's fine to indulge a little. Besides, you deserve it more than anyone.”
Nersarn said this as he handed her a cup of warm black tea.
In the initial cleanup, the Cheonryeo Tribe had been indispensable for the physical labor—clearing rubble and shoving aside building debris. But once administrative recovery took over, Romandro had assigned the warriors' quarters to Gail's palace.
“Even so, staying in a prince's residence... that's beyond indulgence.”
She had heard that the palace etiquette surpassed even that of the nobility. Phlia, born a commoner, straightened her posture as best she could, desperate not to make a mistake that might burden Ian. Meanwhile, Nersarn leaned back comfortably against the chairback and pressed a kiss to the back of her hand.
“Phlia, we're not guests here—we came at Ian's request for help. And even if Romandro is being hospitable to us, he wouldn't let us use this place without reason.”
There were several reasons. First and foremost, protecting Gail. With the power struggles, Gail's safety seemed key to the situation, so guarding him was priority one.
‘The second is hiding. If border tribesmen were wandering the palace openly, it would only stir up more chaos among the imperial citizens. Plus, there's no access restriction on Gail's quarters—perfect for laying low.’
Of course, whatever the excuses, it was undeniably Romandro's kindness. The warriors' quarters in a prince's residence, no less. The warriors were reveling in the novelty, resting like they had dropped into a new world.
“...Nersarn. How should we get back?”
Phlia fiddled with the rim of her teacup and asked indirectly. No matter how she thought about it, this didn't feel like a place for her. She missed the Hielo mansion, that warm house full of life. And it had only been a few days.
“It would be easiest if the Magic Department launched the black moon again, but that's unlikely. It draws too much attention, and it seems like a last-resort measure for the mages—meaning it's unstable.”
“That makes sense. Then we'd have to take a carriage, but I hear it takes about a fortnight from here to Hielo. I'm fine, but I'm worried about the warriors being uncomfortable.”
“Phlia, those guys endure the dawn and noon of the desert. I'm more concerned about you. And there's no rush, is there? We haven't seen Lord Ian in ages—let's catch up properly before we go.”
“I might be in the way. Ian's got so much on his plate right now. Seeing him safe and well is enough to satisfy me.”
Phlia stammered, hiding her regret behind a smile. They hadn't even gotten a proper look at his face. She knew her son was running around nonstop, without even time to sleep. That he had still thought to prepare clothes for her was gratitude enough.
“Or...”
Nersarn propped his chin on his hand and gazed at Phlia slowly. His affectionate, heated gaze missed not a single spot.
“How about we have a simple wedding here?”
“Pardon?”
“We don't get many chances to be with Lord Ian. We could swear our love in front of your son, then head back to Hielo and swear eternity. That journey home could be our first honeymoon memory together.”
They couldn't take time off once back at Hielo. So this was a proposal to take it slow as a honeymoon. Phlia was so startled she covered her mouth.
“Hm? What do you think?”
“I—”
Bam!
Just before her touched acceptance could fall. A commotion erupted from outside. In a place where Prince Gail's rest came first, what was this racket? Both their heads snapped toward the door.
“What's going on?”
“Don't worry. The warriors are just a rough bunch.”
It had to be some hot-blooded warriors causing trouble. Nersarn kept his smile, inwardly cursing up a storm. Whoever it was, the timing was awful. Daring to interrupt his lover's answer? And about their engagement, no less?
“Phlia.”
“Ah, yes. I—”
Boom! Bam!
Nersarn pressed for her answer, but the noise burst out again. Phlia glanced worriedly at the door.
“I think I should go check.”
“I'll go. You stay and rest.”
Swish.
Nersarn flashed a grin and sat Phlia back down. He was clearly smiling, yet it felt utterly menacing.
Left alone, Phlia perked her ears, listening intently to the sounds outside. Faint but constant explosions.
‘Even Prince Gail will wake up.’
Thinking this, Phlia opened the door opposite the one Nersarn had exited. They were in a small reception room between the bedroom and main parlor—handy for mages or doctors to rest and wait, with easy access to multiple areas.
Click.
Gail's bedroom came into view. Phlia peeked in to check if everything was all right. The prince was still deep in sleep, as if unconscious. And at his bedside, a child looking down at Gail.
“Prince Jin?”
Silver hair, familiar attire. Phlia had never seen Arsen, so she naturally assumed it was Jin. The child turned his head slightly.
“Your Highness, what brings you here? Forgive me, but...”
Was it proper to speak to the prince first? Ian was a minister, but wasn't the prince more exalted? Did the no-access order Ian issued include the prince? She had heard Jin and Ian were close—did that make it okay?
Phlia was utterly at a loss.
“Your Highness, please wait just a moment.”
She decided to fetch Nersarn. As she turned, a firm command rang out.
“Stop.”
“Pardon?”
Swish.
Arsen turned his head. Phlia's surprise was brief—Arsen smiled brightly and beckoned her closer. She lowered her posture as much as possible in respect and approached.
“Ah...”
“You're Ian's mother?”
“Yes, that's right. Phlia is my name.”
No wound on the child's face. And despite the time they had clung together against Marib's attack, he treated her like a stranger. Phlia realized this was Jin's twin.
“You must be Prince Arsen. A pleasure to meet you.”
“...Annoying.”
“Pardon?”
“No, it's just... lots of people used to mix me up with Jin back then. But now everyone can tell us apart just by looking? No fun at all.”
Arsen muttered as he perched on Gail's bed.
Something felt dangerous. She glanced sideways at Gail. His chest rose and fell gently—no issues there.
“Even mothers who endured labor pains to birth me sometimes couldn't tell us apart. But now even strangers distinguish us without hesitation. What a pity. Right?”
“I... I wouldn't know.”
“Hm? Why not?”
Phlia barely managed a tense reply.
“Isn't Prince Jin just Prince Jin, and Prince Arsen just Prince Arsen? No matter how alike they are, they can't be one person. Of course they're distinguishable—and that's a good thing.”
Arsen's beaming smile froze solid. She had clearly touched a nerve. Arsen slapped Phlia's cheek with his delicate hand.
Slap!
“Insolent.”
“...I-I'm sorry.”
“Is it because you're Ian's mother? You act just like him. That infuriating way of getting under people's skin—anyone can see you're mother and son.”
Arsen grabbed Phlia's chin and shook it. It was a light touch, yet her mind grew foggy. She couldn't even think of resisting. Dizziness hit, the world spinning.
“Hmm.”
Arsen looked down at Phlia, collapsed and barely propping herself on the floor. It had been noisy outside for a while now. If the Cheonryeo Tribe was stationed here, it was probably their racket. His lurking subordinates must have been spotted.
‘Not a good opportunity at all.’
Arsen clicked his tongue. He had already exhausted himself breaking through the guards once. If the warriors swarmed now, even he had no escape.
He tapped near Gail's heart with his dagger, then turned to Phlia.
“Phlia?”
“Y-Yes. Your Highness.”
“Jin and I were always one. Yet now a mere wound sets us apart. How lamentable, truly.”
Phlia clutched her throbbing forehead and nodded unconsciously. Arsen's words weren't registering, but she felt she had to agree.
“Y-Yes, that's right.”
“So, won't you help me out?”
“Help... with what?”
“You know Jin's wound, right?”
The line from left temple to right jaw. He traced it with his finger, identical to Jin's without a millimeter's error. Arsen pressed the dagger into Phlia's hand and smiled.
“Watch closely. From here to here.”
“Ah, Your Highness...”
“You make it for me. Ever since the wound, my little brother has kept his distance. It hurts my heart. If I had the same scar, maybe Jin would like that? I'd be so grateful if you helped.”
Footsteps grew louder outside. The warriors were approaching with the guards. Not ideal for killing Gail, but perfect in another way.
“Come on, hurry. Cut me.”
It was strange. Phlia felt her mind flood with warm milk—white and sticky, going slack. Unconsciously, she gripped the dagger and leaned toward Arsen.
“Your Highness...”
“I am the emperor of the empire. Helping me will aid your son Ian too. Don't hesitate—it's a mother's duty.”
‘Ian's mother tried to kill the Fourth Prince. She drew a blade and drew blood.’
Just what Arsen wanted. Even without killing Gail now, it would create a hugely advantageous situation.
The dagger's tip touched Arsen's forehead.
“Ian.”
Phlia murmured Ian's name. Her pupils dilated wide. Reflexively, she grabbed the blade with her other hand.
“Ah!”
No, she thought—hurting Arsen couldn't help Ian. Someone seemed to scream it beside her. As Phlia sliced her own palm and recoiled, Arsen scowled.
“That's an order.”
“Your Highness, no!”
“Shut up. I'm exhausted enough as it is, you bastard.”
Arsen seized Phlia's hand to force the dagger to his forehead. For a child, his grip was brutally strong. Phlia let out a sob-choked scream.
“Your Highness!”
Crunch!
That was when it happened.
Arsen's head snapped back suddenly.
The child glared at his opponent with a feverish expression. They faced each other upside down, but their locked gazes held steady.
“...What is it?”
“Brother. You're more intact than I thought.”
It was Gail, fully conscious. Arsen's pupils widened as he burst into laughter.
“Can't even die properly, so the palace was full of wails. What, did the one who went ahead tell you not to follow?”
Boom!
At Arsen's mockery, Gail yanked the boy's hair and slammed his head into the table. As he tumbled limply, the door flew open.
Bang!
Ian and Romandro, along with the warriors and guards.
Everyone frowned at the bizarre scene in the room.