CH 26

11-14 minutes 04.06.2023

Chapter 26: War Past 3

Delayed by the deafening roar, the cannonball swept up a mix of stones and sand.

Until the Exiled Duke’s Daughter,...

Even with unclear visibility, Theodor’s presence next to him was felt. However, this young man also had a reddish-brown coat soaked in blood, and his arm holding the chipped Jambiya (dagger) was hanging limply.

Ivan was the same. His left arm had been aching unpleasantly since earlier, and his side was also somewhat stinging.

Just recently, news had arrived that they had taken the head of the enemy commander. If they were to retreat from here, it would be over. They could barely make it a victory for Shenka and head towards the end of the war.

Knowing this, their opponents were desperately trying to at least take the prince’s head.

He couldn’t die here. If he did, the situation would even out, and the situation would be back to its original state.

Ivan swung his leaden-like arm and slashed the enemy soldier in front of him. He didn’t even know how many enemies he had massacred up to this point.

“Ivan! You can move, right?! Go ahead!”

Through the dust, he could see the red eyes that did not lose their fighting spirit. Feeling a chill run down his spine from that intense will, Ivan shouted back while flashing his longsword.

“Don’t be ridiculous! You’re really an idiot! How long do you think your body will last? Are you trying to show off?!”

“Don’t keep calling me an idiot! You’re the prince, in times like this, order your men to go back to the front and get the hell out of here!”

He was pushed with such force that he wondered where such strength came from. Then, a bombardment rained down on the location they were just in, covering his friend’s form from sight.

“Theo!”

There was no response to the name called out, and due to the bodies of enemy soldiers and rubble that had piled up, he could not find the familiar reddish-bronze color that he was used to seeing.

Ivan felt all the blood in his body rush down to his legs. Even though he was pale, his arms moved as if out of habit, annihilating the enemy, but it felt as if someone else was controlling him.

“Theo, hey! Are you kidding me?! Come out already! You’re a heir too, right?! Answer me, Theodor!”

At that moment, Mikolash appeared, his silver body trembling.

[Ivan! What are you doing?!]

Ivan was amazed to see the brave warrior who came to meet him. Although there have been times when he has rushed into battle, coming to such a dangerous battlefield is too risky.

[Mikola, why did you come here?!]

[I came to deliver this! Look, it’s a new sword!]

Mikolash carried several swords on his back. The living warriors gathered around and thanked him as they took the brand new sword in their hands.

——That’s right. A king must not choose ideal things.

Ivan gritted his teeth, which seemed like they were about to break, and shouted as loudly as possible to his warriors.

“Come here and take up your swords! Retreat along the fourth road! General Bajant will be the rear guard! If you want to be werewolf warriors, crawl if you have to and follow me!”

It was a rare sight to see his familiar smile. Ivans had reached the frontline before he knew it and was greeted by Silvestor and Johan, who had rushed out with a changed look on their faces.

Ivan’s father fell ill and remained bedridden due to injuries sustained from war, making Ivan the de facto leader. Without time to lament, Ivan dealt with the chaos in the aftermath of the war. He also searched for Theodor’s lover during this time, but to no avail.

King Radoslav passed away a year later, and Ivan ascended the throne to become the new king.

At that time, Ivan’s mother, who had a weak body, fell ill and had to undergo treatment at a separate residence. When he was alone, Ivan began to reorganize the royal army by gathering soldiers scattered throughout the land.

Many of the werewolves made a living from mercenary work, and were often hired by lords within and outside the country. Ivan managed their employment in a centralized way to prevent unfair treatment and payment delays.

Shenka was considered a threat to other countries due to their military power, even though they lacked significant resources. By forming alliances with countries that shared the same interests, and promising to dispatch troops in the agreements, the likelihood of being threatened was greatly reduced.

Following the path that his father spoke of and his friend promised to help was something Ivan couldn’t yield on. However, every step he took was accompanied by thorns that pierced his heart to the point of immobility.

——I am sending my brethren to their deaths.

At the medal ceremony following his ascent to the throne, Yamil, who had shown great prowess on the battlefield, was present. He laughed and said that his life had become easier after becoming a soldier in the king’s army, but Ivan’s heart became heavier with admonishment.

The warriors who had once fought together on the battlefield were decreasing in number. A new war had yet to occur, but too much blood had already been spilled.

——Proud werewolf warriors. I am the one who killed you. And the souls that I slaughtered with my sword.

Even so, I will shoulder all the blame for having survived and continue walking to hell.

Without holding onto any ideals, I only wish for this country’s peace. If I could always make the right decisions, I wouldn’t mind becoming a devil, but I still cannot bring myself to kill my heart.

❂❂❂

“Today is the day I lost Theodor on the battlefield.”

Ivan had made an effort to simplify and soften the expression, but it must have been a shocking story for Ermengard. As he looked into her newly green eyes, which were trembling as expected, regret filled Ivan’s heart.

“I’m sorry. This kind of story must have made you feel bad.”

Even though he didn’t speak of the cruel parts, it was not something to be said to a fragile woman. He knew that well enough.

However, he was happy. He was happy that she had asked to hear his story.

“No, I was happy that you shared it with me.”

Ivan was dumbfounded. He couldn’t believe that these strong words, spoken by her delicate lips, were real.

This princess who was supposed to have no power was always brave and proud, and her vitality was so great that it outshone werewolf warriors.

With her supple hands, would she even forgive such heinous sins?

“Ivan, do you think you don’t deserve happiness?”

Pierced by the serene light in her deep green eyes, Ivan held his breath momentarily.

She realized what the man in front of her was thinking, and how he became such a difficult person until now.

She realized what the man in front of her was thinking, and how he became such a difficult person until now. Although she talked about his past, she didn’t mention anything about his emotions, and that was really clever of her.

She should nod along, but she just couldn’t. Can this kind-hearted wife achieve happiness for herself, even if her husband rejects happiness by his side?

“That’s just sad. You just worked hard to overcome the difficulties in front of you. Knowing that, no one wishes for your unhappiness. Rather, everyone wishes for the peace of this country… No, you probably feel the same way too.”

Ermengard bowed her head unconsciously. Her brown eyelashes covered her eyes, and it was impossible to read the emotions reflected there.

However, she was trembling. Her voice, which should have always been cheerful, was now thin and unreliable, as were her slender and vulnerable shoulders.

“But I… I can’t say anything. That’s what makes me so frustrated.”

Tears spilled from the corner of her downcast eyes.

His chest tightened with the fact that she had made her cry with her transparent beauty.

Was her “inability to say anything” a curse on herself for being human, or because of something she couldn’t disclose?

Impulsive thoughts pushed Ivan to reach out to her, but his movement stopped as if he were pulled by a rope.

Would he be allowed to touch her with these blood-stained hands?

“You are too kind. You are a principled and conscientious person who severely admonishes yourself. It’s no wonder you’re in pain…”

Transparent tears traced several lines down her pale cheeks as she hesitated.

——Too kind? Only you would say that. You are the one who is kind.

Noticing the small sob, he finally abandoned self-control.

He reached out and grabbed her shoulders, pulling her into an embrace. Her body, which had no resistance, was surprisingly thin and fragile.

To what extent did she have to prepare herself to bear the weight of the country with such a small body?

“Don’t cry, Ellie. There is no reason for you to cry.”

He pressed his chest against her small strength, and held her tightly even though she tried to push him away.

Her glossy hair and thin back felt as cold as the night air, as if she was despairing.

“You’re still cold. I’m sorry I didn’t notice.”

Afraid that she might hate it, he pulled up the stole covering her thin shoulders to the base of her neck. He couldn’t see the forest-like eyes of summer anymore, but her faint heartbeat and small clinging hand were the only thing that gave him a glimpse of her inner feelings.

Without realizing it, Mikolash had disappeared. The sorrowful sobs mixed with the silence of the night. The night sky was high and clear, and the figure of the two embracing was minuscule.