What Became of the Tyrant After the Pregnant Empress Left - Chapter 85
“At home, I have medicinal herbs.”
“Then let’s go immediately…!”
“Your Majesty’s visit is not permitted. I can go on my own and… hngh, treat myself.”
“Do you really think you can walk in your condition?”
Even as Ysaris grimaced at Kazhan’s reprimanding tone, she refused to back down. Sweat trickled down her face, and her voice was weak and faltering, but her eyes remained sharp, glaring at him with all the life still left in her.
“Even if my body gives out, I don’t want Your Majesty’s help. And I don’t want to invite you into my home either.”
“This is not the time for stubbornness! I’ll take you there myself, so let’s—”
“You’re always so reckless!”
Ysaris’s shout forced her to tense her abdomen, and she swallowed back a painful groan. As her body swayed, Kazhan tried to approach to steady her, but she raised her right arm, pointing the dagger at him once more.
The blade was still in Ysaris’s hand.
“You always act on your own, make decisions on your own, and move on your own. That’s why I despise you, Your Majesty.”
“….”
“Don’t touch my body without permission. And don’t come to my home. We have no more business, so return to Uzephia.”
Her voice was as cold as ice as she turned away, clutching her abdomen with one arm, and began walking with great difficulty.
But her staggering steps couldn’t carry her far. She was bleeding more than she realized, and her breathing grew labored, her head growing dizzy.
As Ysaris struggled to walk away, Kazhan, who had been silent, finally spoke.
“Ysaris Tennilath.”
His hard voice made her freeze in place, but she didn’t look back. She could already imagine him ridiculing her, mocking her for her pathetic state, and the thought alone drained her of what little patience remained.
That’s why Ysaris didn’t expect what came next.
“I swear I will do nothing to harm you. Didn’t I vow to protect you? I won’t touch you beyond what’s allowed, nor will I act recklessly. I… I just want to—”
Kazhan’s voice cracked at the end. Sensing the tremor in his words, Ysaris turned her head slightly, only to see him standing with his head lowered in utter defeat.
The shadows of the night deepened his silhouette, obscuring his face, but one thing was clear: he was gripping his injured left arm so tightly that blood was pouring from his wound, the same one he had opened for their blood oath.
‘I just want to…’
That sentence hung in the air, unfinished. Several seconds passed before he finally reassembled it, his voice softer and more fragile than she’d ever heard it.
“…let me help you recover. Please.”
“…!”
Ysaris’s eyes widened in surprise. As an emperor, he had always commanded others, never once asking for something. But now, here he was, asking for her permission.
And it was all because she was hurt. All for the simple act of letting him help her.
Ysaris was overcome by a mix of emotions she couldn’t quite define. At first, it was amusing, almost ironic. Then, it became unsettling.
Because there could only be one reason why this arrogant man was humbling himself in such a way.
“So, Your Majesty does care about me, it seems. To the point of making such a request.”
“….”
Kazhan didn’t respond to her words, which wavered between sarcasm and disbelief. He kept his head bowed, staring blankly at the blood pooling at his feet.
Ysaris wondered what was going through his mind, but she didn’t ask. She didn’t care to know why he seemed so broken and exhausted.
For now, all she needed was help.
“Then take me to my house. I’ll tell you where it is, and if you could also bring me the herbs, that would suffice.”
“…Very well.”
Kazhan’s voice was barely audible, heavy with emotion. Slowly, he approached her, his face contorted as if her wound pained him more than it did her. He hesitated for a moment, lifting his hand as if to touch her, but then paused, taking a deep breath before proceeding.
His slow movements were almost maddening, making Ysaris want to snap at him in frustration. Just as she was about to say something, his hand finally made contact, and after a brief pause, he lifted her into his arms in a bridal carry.
“Ugh…”
“Is it painful?”
“It’s… bearable.”
Ysaris steadied her breathing, feeling somewhat relieved now that the pain had lessened compared to when she had been standing on her own.
Kazhan watched her expression carefully before he began to move, taking care with each step to avoid jostling her. Without making a sound, he silently crossed the clearing, holding her as if she were the most fragile thing in the world.
Click.
