What Became of the Tyrant After the Pregnant Empress Left - Chapter 38
Kazhan consciously let out a sharp breath. His throat kept clogging, as if he had forgotten how to breathe.
It was a lie. The relationship between Ysaris and Bariteon was fake.
She hadn’t betrayed him.
“This is driving me crazy.”
Kazhan repeatedly ran his hand over his face, his thoughts a tangled mess. It felt like unraveling one thread only to find other parts more entangled.
Remembering Cain, remaining pure… It seemed their oath hadn’t been broken.
Then why didn’t she recognize Kazhan?
And what should he do now?
“…..”
Kazhan looked down at his hand, which he had just removed from his face. His scarred and calloused hand seemed to bleed in his vision.
Pffft.
<Guah!>
<Bariteon!! What is this, what is this…!>
Ysaris’s voice, horrified as she clutched the man Kazhan had stabbed, echoed in his ears.
<It’s a shame, princess. Your engagement dress is stained red.>
<You…! Bariteon, get a grip. Teon. Bariteon!>
<Ignoring me right now wouldn’t be a good idea.>
<There’s too much blood… Someone get a doctor!>
Slash.
<This way, you won’t need a doctor.>
Kazhan remembered the widened eyes of Ysaris. She seemed to be in shock, her thoughts halted as she stared at her fiancé’s severed head.
What had Kazhan felt watching that? he went mad, facing her feelings for another man in real-time.
While you played happily with him, I nearly died countless times. You abandoned me.
I gave everything to stand by your side.
I trusted you…
<With this, Uzephia declares war on Pyrein. If you surrender without resistance, I promise to treat you generously as a vassal state.>
The wyvern knights of Uzephia, renowned as the strongest, descended from the sky in droves. In their midst, Kazhan’s voice cruelly proclaimed.
<As spoils of war, I will take Ysaris Cernian.>
“Spoils of war…”
Kazhan murmured as if groaning. He had brought Ysaris under that pretext and treated her accordingly.
Since she couldn’t remember him anyway, he never brought up their past, no matter how petty it seemed. He pushed her into a corner with his sense of betrayal, holding an entire country hostage so she wouldn’t even consider suicide or escape.
He kept telling himself it was for revenge, but deep down, he knew the truth.
He couldn’t live without Ysaris. Even after being abandoned, he still needed her.
Ysaris was the reason for his existence.
“…Yssa.”
Kazhan clenched his fist tightly. Even amidst the feeling of wandering in a maze with no exit, one thing was clear.
No matter the circumstances, it was too late to mend their relationship. Kazhan Tennilath could never become Cain Jenut again.
Revealing his true identity now would only erase the feelings Ysaris had for Cain.
The only option left for him was to win back Ysaris’s heart as Kazhan.
Even though he knew she loathed him.
* * *
Morning dawned. The palace was bustling from early in the morning in preparation for departure to the Kingdom of Hertie.
Having finished her preparations early, Ysaris waited for Kazhan in the carriage. It was a great regret that they had to travel together as a couple in the same carriage.
“Your Majesty, please return safely. I’ll be waiting.”
“…I will.”
Hearing the familiar voice, Ysaris turned her head towards the window. She saw Runellia and Kazhan approaching the carriage, accompanied by several servants and knights.
Was it just her imagination, or was Kazhan’s attitude towards Runellia oddly awkward? He seemed unable to focus on her properly.
He must be feeling uneasy about the impending departure.
Ysaris thought dryly and turned her gaze away. Kazhan noticed her only after opening the carriage door.
“You arrived early.”
“Yes.”
“Have you been waiting long?”
“No.”
Their conversation was short and stiff. In the endlessly awkward atmosphere, Kazhan climbed into the carriage and closed the door.
“We will depart now, Your Majesty.”
“Proceed.”
Responding to the coachman, Kazhan instinctively drew the curtains over the window. He glanced at Ysaris, who sat upright with her eyes quietly closed.
It wasn’t unusual. They always maintained this silence whenever they traveled by carriage in Uzephia.
However, things were different now. Kazhan, wanting to improve his relationship with Ysaris, subtly called out to her.
“Empress.”
“Yes.”
“Are you tired?”
“Yes.”
The conversation ended there.
Kazhan, momentarily at a loss for words, attempted to communicate again.
“Did you not sleep well last night?”
“Yes.”
“Were you perhaps looking forward to the journey?”
“Yes.”
Kazhan closed his mouth in response to her utterly indifferent answers. He knew all too well how Ysaris viewed him. Even if she were in the best of spirits, her replies would undoubtedly be the same curt responses.
Yet, he couldn’t give up. After a moment of contemplation, Kazhan decided on a proper topic and spoke again.
“Empress.”
“Your Majesty.”
This time, instead of answering “yes,” Ysaris called out to him. Her emotionless blue eyes opened and gazed coldly at Kazhan.
“Do not concern yourself with me. As you always have.”
