Chapter 93
Could the words "let’s go back" ever sound so sweet?
Joo Yi-Gyeol, who had been possessing the emperor, felt an indescribable surge of emotion as he gazed at Sethian, who recognized him without hesitation.
* * *
[Two Hours Earlier]
"Will you help me?" The emperor spoke to Yi-Gyeol, adding, "You’re the only one who can do this."
—What should I do?
The emperor, who had been watching Yi-Gyeol warmly, lowered his gaze bitterly.
"Soon, a soul will attempt to possess me. I do not have the power to push him away."
Reaching out to Yi-Gyeol, the emperor gently brushed his wings,
"A human who is already possessed cannot be taken over by another soul. That’s why I need you to remain inside me."
It was right before the first prince's poisoning incident.
Believing the emperor to be an ordinary human incapable of even seeing souls, the white butterfly had nestled into him without hesitation, even when his eyes were open. However, the emperor, like Roa and Eda, possessed strong spiritual power, allowing him not only to see souls but also to retain memories of when he was possessed. Watching someone practice pretending to be him was nothing short of unsettling. He had feigned ignorance and remained silent as multiple possessions continued.
Roa had only learned about the situation after receiving a message from Sethian. He had discreetly sought an audience and informed the emperor of Zair’s crimes, simultaneously presenting his suspicion that the emperor had been possessed. The emperor, realizing Zair’s scheme by piecing together the information Sethian had provided, fell into despair.
He had bound his son to him out of selfishness, unwilling to watch him live in misery. And yet, his misguided dreams had led to the suffering of countless people and souls alike. Zair’s sins felt like his own, leaving his heart heavy with guilt.
"I will keep the contract and the secret. Leave the rest to me and rest easy."
These were Sethian’s words, delivered through Roa. Keeping the contract—one that forbade killing his brothers—was a given, but he had also vowed to uphold the secret.Sethian already knew that the emperor had used a forbidden spell. Perhaps Kaen had remained silent with him while revealing something to Sethian.
Sethian was confident that even if he were put in a difficult position due to the emperor’s possession, he would overcome it. Yet to the emperor, this felt like an unusual kindness coming from him.
‘Has he changed? That Sethian?’
Bit by bit, ever so slightly.
Was something small also shifting in Sethian’s emotions?
If so, it was likely because of the soul standing before him.
"Will you protect Sethian and me?"
* * *
As per the emperor’s request, Yi-Gyeol had possessed his body but nearly flew straight into Seth’s arms without realizing it.
The strength of a soul was tied to the strength of its desire.
The emperor had said that Yi-Gyeol’s desire was stronger than that of any other soul.
Just as he had when possessing the emperor, Yi-Gyeol could return to his soul form through sheer will. However, doing so would leave the emperor’s body defenseless, making it vulnerable to another spirit’s possession. Though the spirit that had been invading the emperor was captured by Roa, there was no guarantee that another wouldn't appear, so he couldn’t leave recklessly.
Resting within the emperor’s body, Yi-Gyeol leaned into Seth and locked eyes with him, asking softly, "How did you know it was me?"
Seth caressed his aged face as if he were touching Yi-Gyeol’s real body. "No matter what form you take, how could I not recognize you?"
Yi-Gyeol’s gaze wavered as it dropped. It was undoubtedly a pleasant feeling, yet he couldn't fully rejoice.
He was failing to conceal it—what was he supposed to do now?
Seth, sensing something amiss in Yi-Gyeol’s reaction, immediately noticed that his thoughts were not heading in a positive direction. But given the current situation, he decided to put off questioning him for later.
Telling him to wait a moment, Seth carefully propped the emperor’s body upright and used a stimulant to wake Roa. With a furrowed brow, Roa opened his eyes and quickly scanned his surroundings. As he took in the sight of numerous people collapsed in the throne room, he seemed to grasp the situation and took out a handkerchief.
"I will help as well." Roa rose, soaking the handkerchief in the stimulant and stepping toward the nearest unconscious person.
Just then, a raven that had been lying motionless on the floor suddenly sprang into the air and lunged at Roa. With a startled cry, Roa dropped the handkerchief, and the raven snatched it, dropping it onto Zair’s face.
As Zair jolted awake, he shot to his feet and lunged toward the emperor, "Get out of that body, Joo Yi-Gyeol!"
Yi-Gyeol froze at the sheer malice in his piercing gaze. As Sethian dashed forward to restrain Zair, Yi-Gyeol immediately left the emperor’s body, avoiding Zair’s grasp. The moment Zair reached out for him again—
"Enough." The emperor pulled Zair into an embrace. The brilliant crown on his head pressed against Zair’s chest, "Stop this. It’s over." His voice held no strength.
Everyone in the throne room already knew of Zair’s crimes and Sethian’s innocence. The emperor had deliberately questioned Sethian, revealing everything for all to hear. There was no escape for Zair.
"If you acknowledge your sins and bow your head—"
"Acknowledge my sins?" Zair, his face cold and rigid, looked down at the emperor who held him.
"You once told me that an emperor must never admit to wrongdoing. That he must ensure that his actions are never seen as crimes. That an emperor must never bow his head." Zair gritted his teeth, recalling the words the emperor had spoken when he was a child, sitting on his father’s knee, "None of what I’ve done is a crime. I will make sure of that." With a violent shove, Zair pushed the emperor away and grasped his cravat ornament.
The long, sharp adornment, meant to accentuate the folds of his attire, was driven ruthlessly into the emperor’s neck.
"…!" The emperor’s eyes widened, his lips parting as he gasped for breath.
—No!
"Your Majesty!" Sethian, who had been rushing toward Yi-Gyeol rather than the emperor, tightened his embrace around him. Even as Roa let out a despairing cry, Sethian did not release Yi-Gyeol. He only held him tighter.
Zair felt the emperor’s hot blood splatter onto his face, watching as it trickled down in a slow, viscous stream. His expression twisted, caught between a smile and a grimace—a grotesque sight.
"This, too, will not be seen as a crime." He spat out the words as if vowing to himself, before plunging the ornament even deeper.
A painful groan escaped the emperor, yet his eyes only held sorrow. Meeting the emperor’s gaze, Zair felt a sickening churn in his stomach. "…Why do you look at me like that?"
Seeing the glisten of tears in the emperor’s eyes, Zair erupted in rage. "Why do you pity me?!"
From some point onward, his father’s pitying gaze had become unbearable. It was as if his every effort was dismissed as a futile dream.
So he had fought harder, struggled desperately to claim the throne. He had believed that if he could place the emperor’s crown upon his own head, he would finally see a different expression from his father.
But now, it no longer mattered.
He no longer needed the emperor’s gaze.
As Zair pulled the bloodied ornament from the emperor’s neck, a fresh surge of crimson spilled forth. Even as thick blood streamed down, the emperor made no move to staunch it, merely gasping for air.
Yi-Gyeol, cradled in Seth’s arms, watched the unfolding tragedy with tearful eyes and shouted sorrowfully,
—Why? Why are you doing this? How could you do this to your own father…?
Tears already laced his voice.
Seth, still holding Yi-Gyeol, remained silent, watching.
Zair could have been stopped.
But Seth chose not to move.
For the sake of another contract he had made.
Turning his gaze, Sethian met eyes with a figure stepping into the throne room—one who, where he once might have seemed sorrowful and despairing, now seemed to hold a different emotion, yet whose empty hands looked more desolate than ever.
Joo Yi-Gyeol, who had been possessing the emperor, felt an indescribable surge of emotion as he gazed at Sethian, who recognized him without hesitation.
* * *
[Two Hours Earlier]
"Will you help me?" The emperor spoke to Yi-Gyeol, adding, "You’re the only one who can do this."
—What should I do?
The emperor, who had been watching Yi-Gyeol warmly, lowered his gaze bitterly.
"Soon, a soul will attempt to possess me. I do not have the power to push him away."
Reaching out to Yi-Gyeol, the emperor gently brushed his wings,
"A human who is already possessed cannot be taken over by another soul. That’s why I need you to remain inside me."
It was right before the first prince's poisoning incident.
Believing the emperor to be an ordinary human incapable of even seeing souls, the white butterfly had nestled into him without hesitation, even when his eyes were open. However, the emperor, like Roa and Eda, possessed strong spiritual power, allowing him not only to see souls but also to retain memories of when he was possessed. Watching someone practice pretending to be him was nothing short of unsettling. He had feigned ignorance and remained silent as multiple possessions continued.
Roa had only learned about the situation after receiving a message from Sethian. He had discreetly sought an audience and informed the emperor of Zair’s crimes, simultaneously presenting his suspicion that the emperor had been possessed. The emperor, realizing Zair’s scheme by piecing together the information Sethian had provided, fell into despair.
He had bound his son to him out of selfishness, unwilling to watch him live in misery. And yet, his misguided dreams had led to the suffering of countless people and souls alike. Zair’s sins felt like his own, leaving his heart heavy with guilt.
"I will keep the contract and the secret. Leave the rest to me and rest easy."
These were Sethian’s words, delivered through Roa. Keeping the contract—one that forbade killing his brothers—was a given, but he had also vowed to uphold the secret.Sethian already knew that the emperor had used a forbidden spell. Perhaps Kaen had remained silent with him while revealing something to Sethian.
Sethian was confident that even if he were put in a difficult position due to the emperor’s possession, he would overcome it. Yet to the emperor, this felt like an unusual kindness coming from him.
‘Has he changed? That Sethian?’
Bit by bit, ever so slightly.
Was something small also shifting in Sethian’s emotions?
If so, it was likely because of the soul standing before him.
"Will you protect Sethian and me?"
* * *
As per the emperor’s request, Yi-Gyeol had possessed his body but nearly flew straight into Seth’s arms without realizing it.
The strength of a soul was tied to the strength of its desire.
The emperor had said that Yi-Gyeol’s desire was stronger than that of any other soul.
Just as he had when possessing the emperor, Yi-Gyeol could return to his soul form through sheer will. However, doing so would leave the emperor’s body defenseless, making it vulnerable to another spirit’s possession. Though the spirit that had been invading the emperor was captured by Roa, there was no guarantee that another wouldn't appear, so he couldn’t leave recklessly.
Resting within the emperor’s body, Yi-Gyeol leaned into Seth and locked eyes with him, asking softly, "How did you know it was me?"
Seth caressed his aged face as if he were touching Yi-Gyeol’s real body. "No matter what form you take, how could I not recognize you?"
Yi-Gyeol’s gaze wavered as it dropped. It was undoubtedly a pleasant feeling, yet he couldn't fully rejoice.
He was failing to conceal it—what was he supposed to do now?
Seth, sensing something amiss in Yi-Gyeol’s reaction, immediately noticed that his thoughts were not heading in a positive direction. But given the current situation, he decided to put off questioning him for later.
Telling him to wait a moment, Seth carefully propped the emperor’s body upright and used a stimulant to wake Roa. With a furrowed brow, Roa opened his eyes and quickly scanned his surroundings. As he took in the sight of numerous people collapsed in the throne room, he seemed to grasp the situation and took out a handkerchief.
"I will help as well." Roa rose, soaking the handkerchief in the stimulant and stepping toward the nearest unconscious person.
Just then, a raven that had been lying motionless on the floor suddenly sprang into the air and lunged at Roa. With a startled cry, Roa dropped the handkerchief, and the raven snatched it, dropping it onto Zair’s face.
As Zair jolted awake, he shot to his feet and lunged toward the emperor, "Get out of that body, Joo Yi-Gyeol!"
Yi-Gyeol froze at the sheer malice in his piercing gaze. As Sethian dashed forward to restrain Zair, Yi-Gyeol immediately left the emperor’s body, avoiding Zair’s grasp. The moment Zair reached out for him again—
"Enough." The emperor pulled Zair into an embrace. The brilliant crown on his head pressed against Zair’s chest, "Stop this. It’s over." His voice held no strength.
Everyone in the throne room already knew of Zair’s crimes and Sethian’s innocence. The emperor had deliberately questioned Sethian, revealing everything for all to hear. There was no escape for Zair.
"If you acknowledge your sins and bow your head—"
"Acknowledge my sins?" Zair, his face cold and rigid, looked down at the emperor who held him.
"You once told me that an emperor must never admit to wrongdoing. That he must ensure that his actions are never seen as crimes. That an emperor must never bow his head." Zair gritted his teeth, recalling the words the emperor had spoken when he was a child, sitting on his father’s knee, "None of what I’ve done is a crime. I will make sure of that." With a violent shove, Zair pushed the emperor away and grasped his cravat ornament.
The long, sharp adornment, meant to accentuate the folds of his attire, was driven ruthlessly into the emperor’s neck.
"…!" The emperor’s eyes widened, his lips parting as he gasped for breath.
—No!
"Your Majesty!" Sethian, who had been rushing toward Yi-Gyeol rather than the emperor, tightened his embrace around him. Even as Roa let out a despairing cry, Sethian did not release Yi-Gyeol. He only held him tighter.
Zair felt the emperor’s hot blood splatter onto his face, watching as it trickled down in a slow, viscous stream. His expression twisted, caught between a smile and a grimace—a grotesque sight.
"This, too, will not be seen as a crime." He spat out the words as if vowing to himself, before plunging the ornament even deeper.
A painful groan escaped the emperor, yet his eyes only held sorrow. Meeting the emperor’s gaze, Zair felt a sickening churn in his stomach. "…Why do you look at me like that?"
Seeing the glisten of tears in the emperor’s eyes, Zair erupted in rage. "Why do you pity me?!"
From some point onward, his father’s pitying gaze had become unbearable. It was as if his every effort was dismissed as a futile dream.
So he had fought harder, struggled desperately to claim the throne. He had believed that if he could place the emperor’s crown upon his own head, he would finally see a different expression from his father.
But now, it no longer mattered.
He no longer needed the emperor’s gaze.
As Zair pulled the bloodied ornament from the emperor’s neck, a fresh surge of crimson spilled forth. Even as thick blood streamed down, the emperor made no move to staunch it, merely gasping for air.
Yi-Gyeol, cradled in Seth’s arms, watched the unfolding tragedy with tearful eyes and shouted sorrowfully,
—Why? Why are you doing this? How could you do this to your own father…?
Tears already laced his voice.
Seth, still holding Yi-Gyeol, remained silent, watching.
Zair could have been stopped.
But Seth chose not to move.
For the sake of another contract he had made.
Turning his gaze, Sethian met eyes with a figure stepping into the throne room—one who, where he once might have seemed sorrowful and despairing, now seemed to hold a different emotion, yet whose empty hands looked more desolate than ever.
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