What Became of the Tyrant After the Pregnant Empress Left - Chapter 88
That’s why he could even consider taking Mikael hostage. The fact that Mikael was Ysaris’s new weakness struck him more strongly than the notion that he was his own son.
…Though, with the pact in place, there was no turning back now.
“Even if Your Majesty wishes to meet Mikael, it won’t be possible. I’ve left him in a safe place.”
“Confident, aren’t you?”
“Let’s just say it’s the result of thorough preparation.”
Thorough preparation. It was indeed the most accurate way to put it. Kazhan could almost guess what Ysaris had done in the span of a single day.
Feigning a casual outing to avoid suspicion. Entrusting Mikael to someone both trustworthy and secure. Secretly arming herself with a dagger to ensure she wouldn’t be caught off guard.
Looking back, even the black dress seemed calculated—likely chosen with the thought of her own funeral, should things go wrong. She must have spent countless hours during the day preparing herself to face death.
Truly, she was a resolute woman. The Ysaris he loved was just as brilliant and bold as ever.
“So, you showed up at the meeting place just before dawn?”
“If you’re expecting an apology for being late, I regret to say you won’t get one. We never set an exact time, after all.”
“I wasn’t really looking for an apology. It’s just…”
Kazhan carefully chose his words. He offered his emotions to her—earnest, painstakingly refined, and undiluted.
“I just wanted to say, while I was waiting for you… I missed you.”
“….”
Ysaris looked utterly exasperated by Kazhan’s attitude, which she still couldn’t get used to. She’d known for a while now that he wasn’t in his right mind, but this behavior was so absurd that she began to wonder if his madness had taken a strange turn.
Frankly, it would have made more sense for him to demand compensation for her tardiness by trying to seize her.
Ysaris couldn’t help but wonder how long he planned to keep up this facade. Watching him act as though he were a normal person was unsettling. If anything, it was easier to deal with him when he acted as the vile and loathsome man she hated.
That’s why she decided to provoke him with pointed words, hoping to strip away his pretense.
“How unfortunate. Since we’ll never meet again, you’ll just have to spend the rest of your life longing for me.”
“Why wouldn’t we meet again? I only said I wouldn’t take you by force.”
“So, as long as it isn’t by force, that’s acceptable?”
Ysaris barely had time to think as expected when his next words defied her expectations.
“If you refuse to come to Uzephia, then I’ll stay here. I want to see you, after all.”
“…!”
Ysaris felt her eyes widen involuntarily.
‘What was this man saying? That he would stay here?’
“On whose authority… No, wait. Are you saying you’ll abandon the Empire and live as a commoner? You, the Emperor?”
“If you, who were once Empress, could do it, why wouldn’t I?”
“It would cause chaos. You’re the last Tennilathleft in Uzephia.”
“Without you, none of it matters. Not the throne, not the Empire, not this world. So, it’s none of my concern.”
“You’re saying you’d give up everything for me?”
“Yes. If that’s the only way to stay by your side.”
Ysaris felt dizzy. She didn’t trust Kazhan, but hearing such words from him made the entire situation feel unreal.
It wasn’t as if she could dismiss it as a lie meant to win her back—after all, this wasn’t just anyone; this was the Emperor of Uzephia. Why would he do such a thing for a runaway Empress who had been missing for years?
“Why on earth…”
“Ysaris.”
Even hearing her name from Kazhan was now terrifying. What more could he possibly say with that solemn, wistful expression?
Whether he noticed her tension or not, Kazhan spoke slowly, deliberately.
“You can think of it as an obsession if you like. You don’t have to believe a word I say. I’m not asking you to understand my feelings. Just…”
His voice, heavy and deliberate, paused for a beat before continuing.
“Let me stay by your side.”
“….”
Silence fell. The two gazed into each other’s eyes—his, burning with intensity, and hers, cold and unwavering.
At some point, the faint light of dawn began seeping through the narrow gap in the curtains. The long night was over, and morning had arrived.
At the end of time’s slow, drifting current, Ysaris finally opened her mouth to speak.
