After a short nap, Lee Hwan felt refreshed upon waking up. As he attempted to get out of bed, the edge of the blanket felt heavy. When he turned his head, he saw silver strands of hair. It was unmistakably clear whose it was.
Lee Hwan lay still for a moment before moving subtly. When he sat up, Absalom came into view.
Silver hair scattered on the discolored blanket, shimmering brilliantly in the light, even in Lee Hwan’s eyes, filled with resentment towards Absalom, it appeared beautiful. Despite the pale complexion, it added a touch of color to Absalom’s beauty.
As extraordinary as the packaging may be, Lee Hwan didn’t think this was Absalom’s true form. All the monsters Lee Hwan had encountered so far had unique appearances, and there were creatures capable of transforming into human-like forms to deceive. Monsters that seduced and took advantage of humans were among them.
‘Seduction…’
Lee Hwan’s gaze grew cold. There was no need to go far. Deceived by the pure, sparkling appearance, the fool who considered Absalom to be kind and good was right here.
How could he shake him off? Lee Hwan recalled his thoughts from before falling asleep. As Absalom had declared his intention to follow, Lee Hwan needed to make Absalom stop accompanying him. Suddenly, he remembered what he heard when he allowed him to accompany him.
‘I’ll also be able to serve Lee Hwan…’
‘Do whatever you want.’
Having spent nearly a decade in close proximity to the aristocrats, Lee Hwan knew they despised troublesome matters and anything that damaged their dignity. The Monster King might not be vastly different.
‘I’ll pamper you to my heart’s content.’
Lee Hwan looked down at Absalom with cold eyes. Absalom, sensing that chill, slowly opened his eyes. The fleeting moments between sunset and night painted the sky with colors, and the azure hues illuminated Lee Hwan’s figure.
“Lee Hwan?”
Absalom, who was blinking slowly, abruptly sat up. His deep blue eyes scrutinized Lee Hwan’s figure carefully. Lee Hwan ran his fingers through his outstretched hair and casually averted his gaze, pretending to be indifferent.
“You seem to be getting better. I’m relieved.”
It was a voice so heavily tinged with relief that it could be mistaken for sincerity. Lee Hwan, who didn’t even want to hear that, got out of bed.
Looking out the window, the sun was high in the sky, casting a clear morning light. Lee Hwan murmured softly to himself, almost like a whisper.
“I think we can depart now. You can fetch some water for washing, and also prepare a packed lunch… Oh, but there’s no running water here.”
“I’ll get it. Lee Hwan, just stay here.”
Absalom strode out of the room like the wind. Lee Hwan watched his back and pursed his lips defiantly.
After grabbing an early lunch and making sure they had a solid packed meal, they left the inn. Lee Hwan noticed that the innkeeper’s gaze lingered on Absalom. Whether someone approached the innkeeper with impressions of Lee Hwan, it remained uncertain if he could respond properly.
As they left the village, uneven paths stretched ahead. Even in this remote area, the paths were deserted, yet Lee Hwan kept his hood on.
“The weather is nice.”
Absalom said brightly, gazing up at the sky. Lee Hwan, paying no attention to the sky, asked, “What’s so joyful?”
“Do you notice it?”
Lee Hwan nodded. Then Absalom shyly smiled. Was it just an illusion, or was there even a faint blush on his cheek?
“I might be a bit excited. I’ve traveled a lot before, but this is the first time I’ve had a companion. And on top of that, it’s you, Lee Hwan…”
Absalom expressed his infatuation with every fiber of his being. Lee Hwan, scoffed inwardly, quickened his pace. As Absalom caught up, he asked, “What’s the plan from here?”
“First, let’s go to the market and buy some horses.”
Knowing that the meaning of the question was different, Lee Hwan still said it that way. ‘I see.’ A response that was almost a mutter followed.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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Scafglcu atf wbecajlcr, atfs obecv atfwrfinfr rqfcvlcu atf cluta atfgf, rfaailcu cfjg j rwjii ijxf.
Ljnlcu rfmegfv jc jwqif kjafg reqqis, Off Lkjc delmxis vlrmjgvfv tlr mibatfr. Cr Cyrjibw rajgafv ecqjmxlcu atf iecmt, tf rtbeafv ilxf j rmgfjw.
“Lee H-wan!”
Splash!
Lee Hwan jumped into the lake without hesitation. It was bone-chillingly cold, but discomfort took precedence over the cold.
After dunking his head underwater, he lifted it. At that moment, Lee Hwan was taken aback. Absalom was staring at him, and the revelation struck him.
Absalom’s clothes were wet, possibly from being caught in a downpour. Considering it was autumn and the night in the mountains could be quite chilly, Lee Hwan was certain it was uncomfortable. However, Absalom remained motionless. Lee Hwan felt awkward under the intense gaze of his piercing eyes.
“Absalom?”
Upon hearing his name, Absalom, who hadn’t moved before, flinched. Lee Hwan thought he resembled a fish with his lips constantly twitching.
Absalom quickly shut his mouth and turned his body. Then he exclaimed in a squeezed voice, “Wha, why don’t you…!”
“For what? Can’t men talk openly?”
“That…!”
Absalom reacted to Lee Hwan’s words, even though they were thrown without much thought. Lee Hwan couldn’t understand a thing. Then his gaze shifted to Absalom’s hand. It was trembling as he clenched his fist. Sensing that he seemed to be holding back, Lee Hwan questioned it.
Holding back, about what?
Lee Hwan, momentarily lost in thought, furrowed his brows.
After contemplating for a moment, Lee Hwan squinted his eyes.
Lucian was afraid of progressing beyond a kiss, so Lee Hwan hadn’t considered that direction. Therefore, he didn’t immediately think of it, but being a man himself, he quickly understood what such a reaction meant.
Quite a delicate setting you’ve got there. Lee Hwan murmured as he emerged from the water. After drying off, he put on the clothes Absalom had fetched for him in the village. The slightly rough texture of cotton felt more pleasant to Lee Hwan than silk.
“I’m dressed,” Lee Hwan said, toweling his still wet hair. Then Absalom, who had been standing with his back turned until then, turned his body. Resentment was buried in his sullen gaze.
“Um, Lee Hwan.”
“I’m hungry. Let’s have dinner.”
“….Okay.”
Lee Hwan quickly chewed and swallowed the sandwich, which had become a little soggy over time. Then he reached for his second sandwich. Absalom, who had been hesitating to speak, finally managed to utter words.
“Lee Hwan, please listen to me. Even though we’re close, there are still certain etiquettes we need to observe.”
“When you say that, it sounds quite awkward. If we’re close, we could bathe together and stuff, right?”
“That…”
“Well, my body is a bit ugly, isn’t it? There are a lot of scars.”
It was a statement that meant, “Stop talking,” but it wasn’t entirely incorrect. Scratched, cut, bitten. Time in this world had etched itself onto his wheat-colored skin in such a manner. Lee Hwan wondered what his family on Earth would say if they saw him. It was a bittersweet thought.
“No.”
Absalom said firmly. His voice carried a warmth that could be felt.
“It’s not gruesome at all. In fact…”
Lee Hwan looked up. Absalom was looking at him. Lee Hwan read something in those deep blue eyes. Flames rising, devouring everything in their path, including Absalom himself—
Must be a misconception. Lee Hwan instinctively turned away.
“So you saw enough to judge it not ugly, right?”
“T-that’s not what I meant!”
“Yeah, yeah. I got it.”
“Lee Hwan!”
Lee Hwan narrowed his eyes at the flustered Absalom. However, the brown irises within the deep gaze were coldly settled.
***
Right after Lee Hwan went missing, the palace organized a search party. If it were the disappearance of an ordinary knight, locals would have been included, but given that the target was Lee Hwan, it wasn’t feasible – the risk of information leaking was too high.
Ultimately, the search faced obstacles. Weather played a significant role as well. A sudden downpour had tied the feet of the search party. Despite investing an additional three days beyond the protocol, they couldn’t find Lee Hwan.
Lucian looked down at the items laid out before him. A cloak emitting a musty odor, distorted armor, a familiar Deus Telum sword.
It was time to reach for the countless times seen blade.
“Do not touch it.”
Crown Prince Charles spoke with a stern tone. Lucian lowered his hand without any enthusiasm.
Almost without realizing it, Lucian retreated before Charles. Lost in thought, he suddenly found himself on the path leading to Lee Hwan’s palace. Lucian halted his steps.
‘Why am I heading here?’
After all, it’s an empty place. Moreover, he hardly ever walked there himself. It was time to turn back.
“Oh My Lucian, is that you?”
A tiresome face approached from the other side. It was Prince Bernard, the fourth prince. Judging by his smirk, it was easy to guess what kind of conversation was about to unfold.
“I heard the news. Our brother, how pitiful. What can we do? Even the hunting dog, the only solace we had, is now lost.”
The hunting dog of Yela. It was the term used by the royal family and nobility to refer to Lee Hwan. Lucian had also uttered it several times. However, now it only felt disgustingly repulsive.
“Hmm? Why the expression? You should smile, little brother. Your half-and-half face is only good for that.”
Bernard removed his gloves and gently slapped Lucian’s cheek. It was a challenge to a duel, and refusal would be deemed cowardice. However, Lucian showed no reaction. It wasn’t because he didn’t know how to handle weapons.
It had happened several times before. However, it was not something to be mentioned to Lee Hwan. When Yela’s knights acted privately, Lucian, who had created such a situation, feared the condemnation and disadvantages that would befall him if it were revealed.
However, if his only confidant, Weibang, stepped in on his behalf, it would be a problem whether he won or lost. It meant that he lacked power.
Smack!
A sharp sound echoed through the trail. It was Bernard swinging his gloves forcefully. With that final motion, Bernard let go of the gloves.
“It got dirtied. I should throw it away.”
Looking at the fallen gloves, Bernard mumbled as if feeling regret, then squinted his eyes slightly.
“Oh, little brother. Have you run into something? Your face is turning red. You should take good care of even a holy messenger’s face, bewitched by God.”
Bernard chuckled as if finding it amusing and walked past Lucian. Weibang, who had been standing behind, finally took a step forward.
“Lord Lucian.”
“…Don’t say anything.”
Hurrying back to the residence, Lucian locked himself in the bedroom.
Bernard’s words left no room for error. That’s why he was angrier and, at the same time, more frightened. Now, he had nothing left.
A mixture of fear, frustration, and something unknown brought tears streaming down his face.
‘When I fell off the cliff, I really thought I was going to die.’
He said, wrapped in bandages from head to toe. Despite serious injuries, a faint smile graced his face.
From some point onward, the reduction in facial expressions was noticeable. At least in front of Lucian, he smiled more frequently. Occasionally, Lucian felt a sense of pride. It was enjoyable for him to wield his power recklessly, revered by everyone.
‘But back then.’
Rough hands covered Lucian’s hand. He disliked his touch. The uncomfortable sensation that accompanied his touch made it unpleasant. Nevertheless, he endured and stayed still as he took a long breath it was a sweet and comfortable breath.
‘Thoughts crossed my mind that it’s not right to leave you alone. So, my body barely moved.’
Lucian opened his eyes. The view was blurry. As he blinked, warm tears streamed down along the tear ducts.
He rose from the bed, and the chilly darkness greeted him. Just moments ago, he had been in the bedroom of the Star Palace, but as he opened his eyes, he found himself in his own room. The coolness, detached from the warmth of the Star Palace, brushed against his skin. Lucian, who felt a shiver down his shoulders, got out of bed.
In the dead of night, when even the wind was asleep, he hurried along the path. The dignity as a noble, the etiquette learned through stern lectures in the palace – none of it crossed his mind. The ink-like darkness didn’t intimidate him. If there was a warm place at the end, if he could reach that place.
However, the Star Palace he finally reached was enveloped in a chilling darkness. It was because the owner had vanished. Only then did Lucian realize that the warmth he longed for wasn’t the Star Palace; it was the presence of its owner.
Tuk.
Tears fell onto the grass, now tinged with a yellow hue. A childlike sob followed.
Afterward, Lucian suffered for a long time. A dream, whether a nightmare or a hopeful vision, tormented him until he succumbed to it.
In that vision, Lucian appeared both younger and, at times, older than now. Even the face of Lee Hwan changed slightly. Occasionally, there were scars on his face, and there were times when only half of his right ear remained. However, one thing that never changed in any scene was that they were always together.
After a few days, Lucian pushed aside the bed curtains and went to find Charles. It took a while before he could muster the courage to speak.
“Alexander is not dead.”
Whether or not Lucian entered, Charles, who had been fixed on the documents, finally lifted his head. His eyes, as cold as ice, turned toward Lucian. Under normal circumstances, just that gaze would have been enough to make someone shrink back. However, Lucian did not back down.
“I will personally go and find him.”
He said he wouldn’t leave him alone and that he returned alive because of Lucian. Since then, Lee Hwan has stayed by his side. So Lee Hwan will definitely be alive.
When they meet again, then―
***
Interesting, memories seem to be bleeding through
Seems like he has not remembered the most important bit yet.
This also implies though there’s a chance for Absalom to also recover his memories (unless he already has and this is his attempt at reconciliation)
Thanks very much for the chapter, is interesting how he could see images of the other life