IYAMD: Episode 60

Serez had recently been keeping an eye on the Archduke’s movements.

“Did the Archduke go to the salon again today?”

“He’s gathering at Baron Dentest’s salon.”

“Such a busy man, always running around.”

Before the meeting in the council was even passed, the Archduke was already busy gathering votes from the nobles aligned with him. Well, if the Emperor were in the Imperial Palace right now, he would likely be just as busy with martial events and such.

Serez sighed. The matter never seemed to end, and in the meantime, he also had to attend social gatherings on behalf of the Emperor.

But he couldn’t just leave the nobles aligned with the Archduke to mingle freely. He needed to check who among the neutral or the nobles on their side were defecting, and it was also necessary to inform that the Emperor still had his attention on the Imperial Palace.

“If the Deto Mountains issue is somewhat settled, shouldn’t His Majesty be returning soon?” Emileo asked as he helped Serez into his jacket, looking concerned.

“That would be the right thing to do. But… I suppose he’s not yet convinced the situation has been fully resolved.” After adjusting his outfit in front of the mirror, Serez took the cane from Emileo.

“The meeting is still more than a month away. Let’s wait a bit longer. His Majesty will surely come up with a plan.”

For now, there wasn’t much they could do. Serez left his office, escorted by Emileo. As he walked down the dim corridor, he sighed once more.

“His Majesty still hasn’t been able to win over that person? If only he could get Jaha to attend the meeting, it would be easy.”

The Archduke, having heard of Jaha’s impressive martial skills, would likely refrain from provoking him. All they needed to do was announce they had found the emperor’s soulmate. So why was everything dragging on like this?

Serez sighed again.What good is a handsome face? What use is the greatest divine power? What good is being a Sword Master? All of this for failing to seduce a 20-year-old man. Tsk, tsk.

Even if those with experience in love might have an easier time, what is the Emperor lacking with that face and body that he still hasn’t managed to get Jaha?

Serez climbed into the prepared carriage in front of the mansion and tapped the coachman’s wall with his cane. This was the imperial carriage prepared for his attendance at the aristocratic dinner on behalf of the Emperor.

Serez leaned back into the soft cushions, crossed his arms, and closed his eyes, hoping to catch up on some lost sleep. He began thinking about the content of the letter he would send to the Emperor tomorrow, his shoulders rising and falling dramatically.

Should I send him a letter telling him that if he can’t win over Jaha, he should stop thinking about coming back at all?

But what if he really never returns? Serez lay sideways and clicked his tongue.

“Ah, my fate.”

…

In the Emperor’s tent, there was an eerie stillness. That didn’t mean it was empty or that everyone was asleep, though.

After dinner, the Emperor had regained his composure, and they were now enjoying a late supper.

Malek served the Emperor and Jaha, keeping his composure, but the silence was unbearable. He felt like strangling himself. How could there be no sound of utensils? Malek resentfully glanced at the Emperor, who wasn’t even making any noise while eating the stew.

Earlier, when he had briefly lifted the tent’s flaps at the entrance , the Emperor had been resting with his head on Jaha’s thigh, peacefully asleep. But now that the Emperor had woken up, he had a constant irritated expression on his face.

Malek couldn’t understand. Jaha appeared calm, and it didn’t seem like they had fought… Why was the Emperor so irritated after a good rest?

People couldn’t breathe with such tension.

Jaha, as usual, barely touched his food, finishing his meal without eating more than half a piece of bread. The Emperor watched him intently, then suddenly spoke in a stern tone.

“You’re really picky. Is that enough to fill you up?”

“I have no appetite.”

Malek, helpless, looked at the Emperor. It seemed the Emperor had noticed his gaze and turned to Malek, responding without a hint of awareness.

“What? Why?”

‘Good grief. If he keeps acting like this, he might end up bringing misfortune.’ Malek forced a smile, unable to speak his mind.

It was as though the Emperor had had a good rest, his previously tired face now glowing. Malek couldn’t help but smile, trying to hide his frustration.

“It looks like you had a good rest. Your complexion has improved quite a bit.”

“Hmph.”

What could possibly be wrong after such a good rest? The Emperor ignored the polite inquiry and glared at Jaha with an intense stare, as though wanting to say something. He didn’t blink, waiting for an answer.

Ugh, this is so uncomfortable. Malek quietly stepped back. He had been serving the Emperor for so long, but this behavior was new to him. It was puzzling.

Seeing Jaha avoid the Emperor’s gaze, Malek sighed quietly. It seemed there was something more between them. The best course of action now was to leave quietly and avoid unnecessary trouble.

After Malek left to prepare water for washing, the Emperor’s gaze on Jaha grew even more intense. His stare seemed to pierce Jaha’s cheek, causing Jaha to lower his eyes and furrow his brow in response.

The man who had been watching silently finally spoke out, irritation evident in his voice.

“What was that earlier?”

There was no hint of a threat in his tone, but it was clear he was annoyed. “I sealed your acupoint. The human body has pathways through which energy flows… and the branching points of those pathways are called ‘acupoints.”

The terminology of the Western continent was too poor for Jaha to explain. Marsilia slowly pondered over Jaha’s words before nodding his head.

“I roughly understand. So?”

“Acupoints have different functions depending on their location. For example… the acupoint on the shoulder connects to the pathway that enables arm movement.”

Jaha raised his arm and pressed each acupoint one by one with his finger, from Jianjing (located on the shoulder) to Louyu (found along the arm), Quchi( found at the outer elbow) and Shousanli (located on the forearm).

“If you use inner to press the acupoint, you can block muscle movement. You can stop the blood or lightly stimulate it to enhance the body’s natural healing power… it’s an important part of Eastern medicine. It’s a complicated story… hard to explain in detail.”

Marsilia looked at Jaha with a blank expression before asking, “What is inner energy?”

Jaha frowned slightly before rolling his eyes.

“Maybe… on the Western continent, they call it ‘aura’.”

“Ah.”

Marsilia nodded as if understanding.

“You’re talking about the energy you store in the abdomen, right?”

It was the dantian, but Jaha didn’t dwell on Marsilia’s words. It was easier to understand each other with the words that worked in the context, given the language difference.

“So, did that inner energy make me faint?” Jaha rolled his eyes to the other side.

“Yes, something similar.”

“Why didn’t you just say it?” Jaha blinked and looked at Marsilia.

“What?”

“Say ‘don’t do it’.”

“I… probably did?”

Did you? It seemed like he did. Marsilia snorted.

“No, you didn’t.”

He ran his hand through his hair with a sigh.

“I think it was my mistake for suddenly approaching you. But if you had said you didn’t like it, I would have stopped, Jaha.”

Considering how strong he approached, wasn’t that a bit much? Marsilia chuckled lightly at Jaha’s skeptical look.

“You don’t trust me?”

“Aren’t you the same?”

Marsilia lowered his gaze for a moment. Under his dark eyelashes, his pupils trembled lightly. When he looked up again, he smiled at Jaha like usual.

“You’re right.”

For someone who admitted so casually, his eyes seemed to gleam. Jaha bit his lower lip as he looked into Marsilia’s green eyes.

“I’m still wondering if I should believe your promise. What do you think?” Jaha replied bluntly.

“If you want to believe, believe, if not, don’t.”

The thirstiest person will dig the well. Jaha didn’t see any reason to keep the promise if Marsilia didn’t believe it.

Marsilia silently scanned Jaha with his eyes. Not wanting to look away, Jaha stared right back at him.

After a while, Marsilia sighed.

“A council will be held soon.”

Council? Jaha asked him with his eyes. Marsilia twisted the corner of his mouth as he replied, matching the look in Jaha’s eyes.

“It will be a place where they’ll discuss the deposition of an incompetent emperor who couldn’t find their soulmate.”

Marsilia muttered casually, as if it were nothing, and his gaze drifted downwards. Jaha, inadvertently, clenched his teeth at the bitter tone in Marsilia’s voice.

Marsilia slowly raised his gaze to meet Jaha’s eyes.

“If your promise is sincere, help me, Jaha.”

“Help… you?”

“I’ll announce that you are my soulmate at the council, of course, if you agree.”

Jaha frowned as he asked, “What happens if you announce it?”

A small smile spread across Marsilia’s face.

“We’ll have a national marriage.”

He smiled with satisfaction, as if the thought alone delighted him, his eyes narrowing.

“We’ll perform the ceremony together, and have a child.”

“If I don’t want to?”

Marsilia stretched his lips and closed his eyes.

“I’ll wash my neck clean and walk to the guillotine.” He said flatly, and Jaha’s face twisted a little more. Marsilia, looking at him, calmly crossed his arms as if asking, “What are you going to do?” His eyebrows raised slightly, then lowered again.