IYAMD: Episode 23

He barely managed to fall asleep at dawn, but the noisy commotion early in the morning woke hip up.

As soon as he opened my eyes, he met the gaze of the man standing near the bed. He glanced between the sword placed on the bed and Jaha, who had fallen asleep curled up in the corner, and let out a quiet chuckle.

“Why were you sleeping like that? I told you to sleep well.”

Yet, the man himself didn’t look like he had slept well. Come to think of it, had there ever been a morning when this man looked well-rested?

Freshly washed, Marsilia carried deep shadows beneath his green eyes. His complexion was pale, almost sickly.

When Jaha looked up at him, he reached out his hand.

“Eat breakfast, then go back to sleep.”

Jaha took the man’s hand because he looked unusually tired. He didn’t want to get into an unnecessary confrontation.

But instead, Marsilia’s expression became strange. His eyes widened in surprise, and he suddenly pulled Jaha toward him.

Jaha, dragged by his strength, was pulled up from the bed. While he washed his face in the basin brought by the attendants and wiped away the moisture, breakfast was set, and Gerald arrived.

During the time Marsilia was absent, Gerald had been by Jaha’s side the entire time. He translated the attendants’ words for him, ate meals with him, and drank tea together.

When Jaha was silent, Gerald would read a book or write letters to send home.

One would think that spending so much time together would make things more comfortable, yet Jaha found Gerald just as uncomfortable as the emperor.

Whenever there was an opportunity, Gerald would bring up the Goddess’s blessing. He also frequently spoke about the soul mark.

It was as if he believed that if Jaha heard it enough times, he would come to understand it.

Moreover, perhaps because he thought he was the only person Jaha could communicate with, his eyes sometimes shone with an indescribable fervor, as if he were filled with conviction.

At times, Jaha even sensed a strange madness in him, to the point where he thought Marsilia was the better option.

Jaha sighed at the thought of having to sit across from the two most uncomfortable people and eat.

Hearing that sigh, Marsilia raised an eyebrow.

“What’s bothering you?”

Jaha stared at the man asking the question, then stuffed his mouth with bread.

You and that man are the problem.

He almost mouthed those words without realizing it. But he didn’t want to say it outright.

He didn’t want to see the reaction that man would show. If his gaze darkened in quiet disappointment, it would only make things more uncomfortable.

Marsilia continued his meal without taking his eyes off Jaha. Once he had eaten enough, he sipped the strong-brewed tea and finally spoke.

“It looks like I’ll have to leave for a monster subjugation soon… Regarding that, there’s something I want to ask you.”

After Gerald finished translating, Jaha looked at him. It was a silent signal—go ahead and say what you want.

Marsilia slowly nodded and lowered his gaze.

He seemed to struggle with finding the right words, his lips parting a few times before he finally let out a deep sigh.

“I don’t think I can leave you behind. So, I’d like you to come with me.”

He didn’t explain why he thought that way. But Jaha already knew the reason.

The biggest reason was likely that, without him around, Jaha had a high chance of escaping—or dying.

Marsilia maintained a calm expression as if he didn’t want to reveal his unease. But judging by how he kept sipping his tea, his throat must have been dry with anxiety.

Jaha observed him for a moment before writing on the table with his finger.

「Do I have a choice?」

Gerald hesitated at the blunt sentence that lacked any formality before translating it.

“Lord Jaha is asking if he has a choice.”

Only then did Marsilia put down his teacup. After rubbing his haggard face with his palm, the man, seemingly unaware of how his thin cheek was being pulled taut, answered.

“No, you don’t.”

Jaha lowered his gaze and nodded. As expected.

Marsilia let his hand drop and continued.

“If you accept the soul mark, I will guarantee your freedom. Not only that, but if you promise to stay by my side, I will grant you power and wealth—enough that no one in this empire could compare to you.

But until that conversation is over, I can promise you nothing.”

After giving Gerald enough time to translate, Marsilia asked Jaha,

“My explanation wasn’t lacking, was it? I heard that Gerald has explained things to you several times.

So I assume you understand well enough. That means you also know how important it is to me.”

“Your Majesty, I only explained about the meaning of the mark…” Gerald said hesitantly, looking troubled.

Marsilia furrowed his brows in confusion.

“What more is there to explain?”

Gerald struggled to find a way to clarify.

“Since he is from the Eastern Continent, it might be difficult for him to understand with just that explanation. If a Soulmate is not found… it’s a rather delicate matter, so I wasn’t able to explain further, Your Majesty.”

Marsilia paused for a moment, as if lost in thought, then ordered Gerald.

“Then explain it now. Interpret for me, Gerald Sonnet.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Jaha, if you reject the Soulmate bond, I will not be able to maintain my claim to the throne.”

Marsilia made an effort to explain the situation as plainly as possible. He had an uncle who coveted the throne, and if he failed to produce an heir, the chances were overwhelmingly high that the throne would be passed to that uncle.

Jaha roughly understood Marsilia’s predicament. He also grasped just how crucial a Soulmate was to him.

But that was all. He understood it logically, but that didn’t mean he could sympathize with it. If anything, it only made him more resistant.

The more he listened, the more it sounded like Marsilia cared nothing for others’ emotions or circumstances—only his own survival.

If Jaha had been a woman, maybe he wouldn’t have felt such strong resistance to the idea of becoming Marsilia’s partner. After all, the man was objectively handsome, tall, and even had a gentle side.

On top of that, he was the emperor of a great nation. From an outsider’s perspective, he was an ideal groom. Though who knew what darkness lurked beneath his outward charm.

Even if Jaha had been the type of man who desired other men, he might have considered this an opportunity. But that was the problem—he wasn’t.

Jaha had never felt lust for anyone.

From the age of seventeen, he had lived solely for revenge against his parents’ murderers and the search for his younger sibling.

After killing a local magistrate, he had become a fugitive. While he was in the Eastern Continent, he had never once slept peacefully.

Even after crossing to the Western Continent, he had never been able to relax—not when his younger sibling was likely suffering as a slave. No matter how comfortable an inn bed was, it always felt like a bed of stones to him.

In such circumstances, how could things like romance or desire ever cross his mind?

And yet Marsilia expected him to feel that way for another man?

In the Eastern Continent, relationships between men were scorned. Jaha had grown up in that society.

He had lived his entire short life with that mindset—how could he suddenly change it?

And for what? A complete stranger?

Even the most selfless person would struggle with such a demand.

Setting aside the fact that Jaha no longer had a will to live, his fundamental beliefs were the real issue.

Marsilia and Gerald’s attitudes were also part of the problem. They claimed to understand Jaha’s views, but their actions said otherwise.

So Jaha saw no reason to change his decision for their sake.

If they only pretended to understand, then Jaha could do the same.

There was no need to give more than he received.

Marsilia finished speaking with an expression so calm it almost seemed indifferent. But his eyes betrayed him.

Seeing the desperate look in Marsilia’s eyes, Jaha furrowed his brows. Marsilia let out a quiet sigh at Jaha’s frown.

The sound was heavy.

And with that, the atmosphere in the room sank into an oppressive silence, as if even their breathing had become inaudible.

Feeling suffocated, Jaha scowled and hurried to finish his meal.

Marsilia exhaled another sigh before murmuring in a subdued voice,

“In any case, we will speak again before I depart. But you will be coming with me. I am not asking for your cooperation. I simply want you within my sight.”

Don’t run away.

Jaha understood the message behind those green eyes.

Without answering, he stood up.

While they had been eating, someone had tidied the bed. It was now perfectly smooth, with Jaha’s sword placed neatly on top.

Before he could reach for it, Marsilia gave an order to the attendants.

“Place the sword on the mantel.”

He rose from his seat and approached Jaha.

“You won’t be taking it with you. But since the attendants’ safety is at stake, I can’t allow you to keep it either. I’ll place it somewhere you can see it, so be satisfied with that, Jaha.”

Jaha watched as his sword was taken away, then noticed Marsilia’s hand reaching toward him.

He quickly stepped back.

He could understand why Marsilia would take his sword.

After all, Jaha himself didn’t believe he had the right to wield it anymore. That much didn’t bother him.

But why did Marsilia keep trying to touch him?

Jaha frowned and glared up at him.

“Don’t touch me.”

Marsilia must have read the words on his lips.

A strange smile crossed his face.