If those green eyes facing him weren’t so dark, lmond would’ve burst into laughter. It was an absurd statent.
What did it matter if he advised the prince not to trust people twelve years ago?
Just that?
But looking into Abel’s calm eyes, burdened with guilt, lmond couldn’t bring himself to laugh. Still, he opened his mouth to refute it.
“Snap out of it. What fault is there in a few words? Telling soone not to trust people is sothing anyone who cares for the prince might say.”
“Yes, you’re right. Unless... they’re the only person the prince ever opened his heart to.”
His voice was calm, but it sohow felt powerless.
“But I blurted out those words and died irresponsibly. I abandoned the prince for twelve years.”
“......”
“So, I don’t want to make the sa mistake again. Especially now... as soone who always needs soone else’s protection.”
Abel’s heart seed overwheld, and he looked down at the floor again. The butler, anxious, held Abel’s shoulders and began checking for dicine. lmond watched their movents blankly and realized sothing anew.
Abel’s guilt was so deep that he couldn’t intervene.
But the bigger issue was the word “protection” that ca out of Abel’s mouth. It sounded ordinary, so lmond hadn’t paid attention. But for Abel, saying it might’ve been like spitting out a burning coal. Even though being protected seed normal to others, perhaps for Abel, it wasn’t.
There was no sha or embarrassnt on Abel’s face as he quietly accepted the butler’s help. Even when his suggestion to act as bait had been rejected, he simply smiled. But that was the problem. He hadn’t voiced it. He hadn’t shown it. Yet guilt tornted him like a thorn under the skin.
It was possible the inner thoughts of this guy—who fainted at the lightest shock and woke up smiling like a fool—had grown even more twisted the more he received help from others.
lmond looked up absently. If things stayed like this... even if Karas recognized him, Abel would hide his true identity until the very end.
And in that case... who would be more pitiful?
****
“It seems there really is a connection to Duke Truyde.”
The 1st Battalion Commander pointed to the fake leaning against the ship’s deck and continued his report to Karas.
“After we gave that guy’s subordinate so liquor and squeezed so information out of him, we learned their household used to serve as knights under Duke Truyde. They’ve been in contact with him all this ti and knew so very specific details about the duke. Also—though it’s a small territory—the fact that a penniless knight got a title and land around the ti the king seized power... it’s not coincidence.”
Because of this, the 1st Battalion Commander felt it was worth investigating the fake further. He hoped Karas would think the sa. But Karas had been staring off into space with a blank expression, as if bored. Then again, he’d been like that for the past six years, so the commander didn’t mind and continued his report.
“Also, we confird they’ve been targeting young master Lil. They plan to offer him to Truyde. It’s not the first ti. Every ti they see a blond young man with green eyes, they brag about kidnappings. This ti, it looks like they’re planning it again, though they’re probably not bold enough to act while we and the Commander-in-Chief are still on board. Too narrow.”
The next part of the report was directly related to Abel.
“Which ans, once we disembark, they’ll likely act. I suspect they’ll even try to negotiate with you, Commander-in-Chief. They treat young master Lil as if he’s your possession. But... if you give the order, I can get rid of all of them except the decoys tonight.”
The commander’s voice lowered. Karas still gave no reaction. But this ti, the 1st Battalion Commander sensed sothing different. Karas wasn’t just ignoring him. He was staring at the ground, deep in thought.
After confirming no one else was nearby, the commander leaned in and called softly:
“Your Majesty.”
At that title, Karas’ eyes finally moved.
“Kin.”
Karas almost never addressed him by na. Kin straightened up instantly.
“Yes. Please give your orders.”
“I want to shove it in.”
“...Pardon?”
Kin, who had never been caught ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) off guard even on the battlefield, found himself asking for clarification. Fortunately, Karas seed too deep in thought to register his subordinate’s shocked reaction.
“I want to pound it in.”
“...Do you an... nails?”
“...”
“A stake?”
[T/N: Kin is genuinely trying to interpret the word “박다” (to pound/shove in) as a non-sexual verb, like hamring in a stake.]
Karas’ head tilted slightly. A dangerous gleam shimred in his eye.
Kin tensed.
If any other man had said it, the aning would be obvious—it was sexual. But this was Karas. Karas, who had never shown even the faintest hint of sexual desire, even during war.
After brutal battles, even seasoned commanders found it hard to co down from the adrenaline. So relieved it with sex. Others, with drink. But in the six years Kin had served, the only ones who’d maintained perfect abstinence were himself and the emperor.
Kin, out of religious conviction—and Karas... out of total disinterest.
Even the commanders occasionally worried about Karas’ fertility. There was even a rumor—backed by Ashler’s testimony—that before joining the war, Karas had executed every Regas who tried to enter his chambers.
They had quietly decided among themselves: Karas must be a virgin.
There was even one ti the commanders drew lots to check if he had normal morning wood. The poor 2nd Battalion Commander, who always drew the short straw, had risked his life to check. He confird through tears that Karas was, in fact, very functional.
Which only made them worry more.
He was capable—but completely uninterested.
So, Kin couldn’t understand what Karas had just said.
Shove it in? Pound it in?! In that sense?!
Despite feeling the creeping threat of death, Kin couldn’t help but be moved.
The emperor was normal. He was a man after all!
Even though Karas was usually taciturn and serious, Kin’s heart swelled with emotion. It was hard to stay composed. The mont they disembarked, he wanted to send soone to the moving battalion to share the joyous news. He felt like a proud parent watching a child grow up—except the child was the emperor. Because of this, despite the murderous aura still faintly lingering around Karas, Kin’s eyes softened with warmth.
“Such feelings are natural for a man. It’s nothing you need to worry about.”
After offering these words of reassurance, Kin, with his usual stern expression, cautiously clarified:
“Of course... you’re talking about sexual desire, right?”
“Yes.”
Karas, having relaxed his killing intent, answered honestly. Kin stiffened his expression to hide the smile tugging at his mouth and nodded.
“It’s a good sign. It proves you’re healthy. If needed... I can find soone to help you right now.”
In fact, if there was no suitable person, he was even willing to throw away his vows of abstinence and offer himself—body and all. But Karas asked flatly:
“Why?”
Kin blinked.
What does ‘why’ an?
Hiding his confusion, he answered carefully.
“Because... doesn’t your desire trouble you?”
“Yes.”
Karas gave his reply instantly—before narrowing his eyes, clearly irritated, and asked again:
“Can I just shove it in without holding back?”
“Yes, as Your Majesty, of course...”
But before the words fully left his mouth, Kin froze. A sharp alarm rang in his mind.
Karas was now like a child who had just discovered sex. He would accept advice without any filters. If Kin encouraged him now, he might really act without restraint.
That must never happen.
If the reckless 2nd Battalion Commander or the lecherous Captain of the Royal Guards had been here, Karas might have turned into a monster. Right now, Kin had the chance—and the duty—to guide him properly. Even if Karas was the emperor and could do whatever he pleased, he still needed to be taught morality and self-restraint.
“No. Even as Your Majesty, it’s not right to act purely on impulse. When you return to the palace, you’ll need wisdom to handle things. Enemies may try to tempt you using Regas as bait. And if you ever et soone you genuinely like... it’s not good to push yourself onto them right away.”
The final words were added without much thought. But Karas’ eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Moderation is very important.”
Kin nodded firmly. But Karas’ reaction was... odd. His face, as usual, was unreadable. Yet the subtle shift of his eyes made Kin feel as though he had disappointed him.
Kin’s heart sank.
Telling Karas, who had just awakened to desire for the first ti, to simply suppress it... it might as well have been torture.
“Ahem. But... suppressing it unconditionally can also be harmful. If the Regas you et at the palace try to seduce you, it’ll be harder to resist. Learning to control your desire through experience is good too—moderated experience, of course.”
Lowering his voice, Kin added an important point:
“If done well, Your Majesty, you might even be able to manipulate them. They may fall into pleasure and beco submissive to you.”
As soon as he said it, Kin regretted it slightly. Maybe he gave too much hope. But considering the 2nd Battalion Commander’s painful confirmation of the emperor’s impressive size, it wasn’t entirely impossible.
Karas seed to consider Kin’s words seriously—then asked, deadpan:
“More effective than gifts?”
Kin’s heart skipped.
He’s thinking about it!
The emperor had been pondering how to deal with the Regas he’d et back at the palace. Apparently, he was planning to win them over with gifts. Kin felt oddly proud.
“Gifts are good. But Regas are especially vulnerable to physical pleasure. Of course, if you combine both—gifts and pleasure—they’ll definitely beco yours.”
Karas turned his gaze away and muttered under his breath:
“Definitely mine...”
****
He knew he shouldn’t complain about the stuffiness of being cooped up in his room. He knew he shouldn’t resent his weak heart that fainted at the smallest provocation, or his body that required constant care. He knew it. But even so, Abel couldn’t stop the wave of frustration that weighed down on him.
He tried to recall the gratitude he always felt for being alive again. But this ti, it didn’t work.
Looking down at his still-bandaged arm, a sense of helplessness swept through him. If only it had healed by now, maybe he wouldn’t be such a burden to lmond and the butler.
The inflammation is gone... Maybe I should try drinking so snake wine?
After brooding in silence, Abel finally looked up—only to realize sothing.
The Commander-in-Chief hadn’t co in yet.
“Eek!”
He jumped back in surprise.
Karas was standing right in front of him.
“C-Commander-in-Chief... Wh-when did you co in...?”
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