IDWOTA – Chapter 24

 

As soon as Sejan appeared, Jarett took his leave from me and Sejan in a polite manner and left very quickly. He said he was his benefactor but the way he ran away was amusing.

Of course, I was the one who wanted to run away.

Per his usual self, Sejan; red hair and wearing the red knights’ suits, seemed oblivious to the fact his sword and hands were covered with red blood.

‘Why are you covered in red? I’m scared to death here.’ Was the first thing that came to my mind after seeing him.

“Why would I want to see you? Have you lost your mind?”

While I said it with a dull tone, Sejan burst into laughter, then glanced to the side to look at me.

“There’s no need to stop now. Go on.”

I look around, I could see the 2nd unit scattered. What are they doing here? Do they naturally turn their heads side to side while practicing in silence? But there was something out of the ordinary going on here. The 2nd Battalion Cavalry was carrying unusual weapon.

‘A chain to draw, a spear and a mace. What’s that weapon that looks like a chainsaw? A single blow would crush you into a fine powder.’

Soon after I was looking at their weapons, I finally notice. Is this…

“Do you like it? I have built a new unit based on what you said.”

Oh, my God, Sejan remembered what I said and went ahead to create a new unit. A gesture straight to my heart. I was quite surprised. He grinned as if he was satisfied with my reaction.

“I guess you love it. So, what brings you here? Did you want to use me as your escort?”

“Yes, I came here because I wanted you to be my escort.”

This time it was Sejan’s turn to be caught by surprise when I replied in a nonchalant manner. No, rather than being surprised, it was as the words disappeared from his mouth, but his face was still smiling. At the same time, I felt both awe and confusion coming from him.

‘It’s not very far away, so it’s probably a bother to bring all the knights with me. I also can’t bring many people, there’s too many eyes and ears here.’

Everyone seemed to want to ask me if I was out of my mind. Don’t worry, I also think I’m out of my mind. But now it was hard to bring up the deal of him being my escort at this rate.

“I’d like to talk about the details of escort duties separately, could I have some of your time?”

“Of course.”

Sejan accepted at once without showing any annoyance about it. Immediately, Sejan turned to the counterpoint room, and we came to the garden after a short walk.

“What’s your business with me, Your Highness? It would be annoying if it was nothing.”

I paused at the sudden sound of a voice.

‘You knew that, too. Good.’

He may have expected it, if the only request I had was to have an escort, I could have talk about it with the vice-captain back at the training grounds. But calling him out separately meant there was something more.

I thought Sejan would be quick to notice. Even though I knew it, I suddenly broke out in a cold sweat from Sejan’s voice. I looked around just in case. Can’t help but feeling like enemy number one?

‘I feel Sejan is asking all the right question, but it’s not bad to be modest about it.’

I didn’t intend to delay either the matter anymore.

“I want to make a deal with you.”

“A deal? Then what good is there for me?”

Sejan asked without a blink of an eye, as if the deal was nothing important. Not curiosity at all. It was not the time to lose my momentum. I looked at Sejan and talk with unshakable eyes.

“What if I could tell you about what you’re looking for?”

“Looking for? Is there something I’m looking for?” Sejan shrugged his shoulders, saying, “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

But what I’m about to say next? The information will probably shatter his smile. I couldn’t predict what was going to happen, but it was not the moment to be hesitant. With confidence, I whisper just loud enough to be heard by Sejan.

“Are you not looking for the someone who destroyed the Purun’s Clan.”

“…”

“What if I could give you some information about that person?”

Sejan’s face was distorted for a moment. Just a quick flash, but I didn’t get it wrong.

‘My first smile was the first one to fall.’

When I saw the mask returning as nothing happen, I felt a sense of guilt. It was because I knew. The idea of dealing with other people’s pain, the past they might want to forget is wrong. The problem is the first place is, I was the one who created his pain.

‘I didn’t want to use it if possible.’

I thought I was a hypocrite, but I couldn’t help it. This was also a matter of survival.

“…”

“…”

A long, unyielding silence fell.

‘I thought I’d run out of patience waiting for him to talk, but I’m surprisingly calm.’

Is it so important to be cautious in this situation? Maybe I should…

“…Who told you that story? His Highness? Oh, what is that crazy dragon talking about?”

Only a very few people know that Sejan is looking for the bastard that destroyed his clan. I knew his intention for asking me. I knew it would be suspicious for me to know about that. I immediately brought out the answers I prepared.

“I didn’t hear it from him. I knew it by my own ability.”

A smile struck the corner of his mouth. I felt Sejan study me from top to bottom. Head to toe. Something like a kid smiling at a new toy. But I could tell from his eyes, it’s only temporary. Until the toy breaks.

“…Your Highness, do you know?”

I replied calmly even when I noticed that his eyes had changed. A beast looking at a prey.

“What?”

“If those words are lies, your Highness will die by my hands.”

It was an eerie warning.

‘Somehow I didn’t feel threatened by him. Maybe because I already have been under Kyle’s threat before.’

How could I be immune from such a threat coming from him?

“…!”

“…!”

A buzzing, mumbling noise started all around us. Workers on break seemed to be whispering to each other. Maybe Sejan would realize I could hold up my end of the deal if I had something else for him. It’s a relief that I could do this.

‘What relief…?! This place is humming with people everywhere.’

In order to persuade him quickly, I finally spoke out the words I was holding until the end.

“I entrust this sword to you with my life and honor.”

At the moment, Sejan’s eyes shook. He was clearly surprised.

[I entrust this sword to you with my life and honor.]

Those words were the last one of Sejan’s remembered father. The story of Sejan that no one knows. In the meantime, the workers were getting closer. Judging that any further conversation was impossible, I hastened to finish.

“…Is this enough to convince you? I’ll postpone the details for next time. I’ll give you about 15 days to think about it, and if you like, come and see me.”

I wanted to give him more time to think about it. I could tell he was surprised by the whole conversation the way he was squirming around.

Slowly, courteously, I grab my dress and brushed past Sejan where he was standing like time had stopped. I deliberately gave my back to another predator, one who is different from Kyle. Even if show your fangs and attack, I won’t blink.

‘I’ve shown you everything I can.’

All that’s left is Sejan’s choice.

***

My eyes were wide open on this morning. As soon as I woke up, there were so many scary things scattered around the room.

I asked Marina in front of me.

“Marina, what’s all this?”

“Lady, it’s a gift from his Highness. He said, he sent it to prepare for the wedding.”

Oh right. Getting ready for the wedding.

‘Is it not too much just for me…?’

“Shall we open them.”

“Yes, let’s do it.”

When I gave Marina permission, all the other maids gathered quickly as if they had waited and began to unpack the gifts one by one.

“Your Highness! It’s a jade brooch! The color, it’s so pretty!”

“Really! I think it’ll will suit you.”

“Oh, this is a pearl necklace.”

“I heard that rare gems from the East are gaining attention these days. I can guess why.”

“Your Highness look over here. It’s a diamond bracelet that’s trending among the ladies these days.”

“It’s so bright and beautiful that I will be blinded by such treasures!”

Everyone looks so ecstatic, compared to me who was probably sporting a glum look. They are clearly more excited than I was.

‘But is everything here gems and jewelry?’

At first glance, it looks easily weighty. Is he going to be a jeweler or something to me? Some jewelry is needed for the archduchess, but it was excessive.

Then, it didn’t take long to find out that it was a mistake…

– Your Highness, the master sent this.

– Your Highness, your gift has been sent today as well.

– Your Highness, It’s a gift from his grace

I was somehow confused by all this.

The next day, the day after that and the following day, the gifts continued to come in. Ribbons, shoes, laces, hats, fans, reticules, and dresses. Not all at once, but several times over the days.

You damn dragon bastard.

I could not see past my nose for the next 3 days. Why do you terrorize me with gifts?

…But there was something else to be frightened of.