Chapter: 198
‘Strange ceiling.’
Ivan opened his eyes amid a headache and thirst. The monotonous sound of the furnace crackling nearby was heard.
As always, his assessment of the situation was quick. He had collapsed on Kalion’s ship, and if he woke up under fine bedding, it meant he was not in a hostile environment.
His limbs were intact, and his bodily functions were…
‘Almost normal.’
Despite pushing his body to the limit, everything was functioning well. However, he could not sense the sacred power. It was difficult to determine whether this was temporary or a permanent loss at that moment.
He needed to meet the Saint. He had to call Yuri to organize the information gathered so far, report to Elizaveta about the aftermath, and check on the members of the Hero Party to assess their training status.
There was a mountain of tasks to be done. First and foremost, he needed to figure out where he was.
‘It’s Krasilov.’
He realized this instantly upon getting up. The scenery of the streets visible from the window and the architectural style itself were reminiscent of Krasilov. In fact, the smell of the air alone was enough to gauge his surroundings to some extent.
This meant he had been safely escorted to Krasilov, but why had he woken up on an unfamiliar bed instead of in a hospital ward? How much time had passed?
What had happened concerning the dispute with Kalion? What was the outcome of the council’s decisions?
He needed to secure the cooperation of Edel Cohenulf.
“…?”
While organizing his thoughts, Ivan pushed aside the bedding and rose from his bed. His body felt light. Looking down, he noticed that no clothes were visible, apart from his underwear.
There were no signs of injuries on his exposed upper body. Only scars filled it like shattered glass.
Based on the loss of muscle mass, it could be estimated that he had been out for two to three weeks. His nutritional state was nearly perfect, but it seemed he had lost muscle due to insufficient exercise.
Ivan slowly turned his gaze back to the bed where he had woken up.
Then, he stiffened as he discovered the smooth silver hair haphazardly spread on the neatly curled bedding.
“Oh.”
For heaven’s sake.
The bedding, each piece of furniture, exceeded the annual maintenance cost of his orphanage, therefore indicating nobility.
Among the nobles who would not kill him but take care of him, the ‘Royal Faction’ was what he could limit it to.
Among those nobles, a woman of around 165 cm with silver hair was singular in Krasilov.
“Clothes.”
He had to get dressed. The thought could not connect in complete sentences. He quickly surveyed his surroundings with a rigid expression. Surprisingly, there was nothing that could be considered clothing in the room.
Sadly, a rational thought struck him first. It was reasonable to strip an unconscious patient for the sake of hygiene management.
Moreover, the clothes he wore were tattered from days of relentless battles. Given the circumstances, it was natural they would have to be disposed of.
Furthermore, if this was ‘her’ chamber, it was only logical that there were no men’s clothes. In fact, there likely wouldn’t be any women’s clothes either. Servants from the tailor would be on standby 24/7 to bring attire.
So, it was logical, but also unreasonable.
“Ugh….”
“…!!”
Ivan’s hearing sharpened. He sensed a woman curled up on the bed slowly rising. The sound of his heartbeat grew louder.
Soon, the woman sat up, looking at him with dazed eyes.
“…Banka.”
The woman pulled the bedding to cover her chest and chuckled awkwardly. Her face, devoid of makeup, gleamed in the rosy glow of the furnace.
“Have you finally woken up? You sleepyhead.”
“Your Majesty.”
“Your Majesty.”
Elizaveta raised a hand to stylishly sweep her hair back into a bun.
“I am Elizaveta I.”
“Congratulations, Your Majesty.”
“It is your merit. I’ve been deeply troubled about how to reward you, and ultimately decided to give you the greatest treasure of this country.”
“I did not act looking for a reward.”
“But what should I do? I want to give you something.”
“….”
Ivan hardened his expression and glanced around again. Even though he had heard the conversation, the guards outside remained still. He could sense their presence keenly.
“Come closer.”
“It violates etiquette.”
“Does the laws of this country take precedence over me?”
Ivan stood silently before her. His long shadow fell over Elizaveta’s head.
A pale white finger touched his chest. It brushed over the old scars and sent shivers down his spine. At that moment, Ivan disconnected the pain. It felt more relaxing.
“Am I lacking…?”
Ivan lowered his gaze to look at Elizaveta. She cautiously turned her eyes down and whispered softly.
“You are hesitant, Banka.”
“…”
“Are you going to say you didn’t know? You are not a man oblivious to such things.”
The small voice pierced him like a blade. Ivan looked down at Elizaveta with dry eyes. The hand gripping the bedding trembled pale.
“Don’t you know? You must have known, right? Even back then, you were always the same.”
“Your Majesty.”
“Call me as you did back then!”
Elizaveta commanded with a tone that seemed a bit loud yet desperate.
“I did not confess because I knew you would refuse. I refrained from saying anything for fear of our relationship breaking if we crossed the line beyond our bond of god and soldier. Yet, did you not know? You, you never turned me down!”
“Elize.”
“See me… No, as me… Don’t see me as the granddaughter of Ivan Seregeyevich Krasilov… or as the last royal blood of the Great Royal House…. But…”
Elizaveta cautiously reached out her hand towards Ivan. Her trembling fingertips lost direction as they wandered in the air.
“See me… as Elizaveta. Ivan Petrovich.”
“Elize.”
“I love you. Oh, how can… how can I not love you?”
Her eyes blurred. Elizaveta trembled slightly with her head bowed. Her round, white shoulders quivered.
“With everything freely given… and to have a man who even gave his life…”
Since the moment Alexander was crowned Crown Prince, Elizaveta, just a young girl, had no possibility whatsoever.
She would inevitably be sold into a political marriage when she matured; she had precisely that much worth.
And yet, she grew up receiving the late king’s favor while serving in the military. She commanded a legion at a young age. She made significant military contributions and enjoyed continual success.
The only legitimacy she had was her bloodline, so the hurdles she had to clear to challenge the royal power were beyond words.
From the day the late king passed away, she had to gather the nearly vanished Cleanup Unit survivors in the capital filled with political enemies and start a power struggle.
It was a precarious situation. There were no trustworthy men. The nobles approaching her were only after her lineage or her beauty.
Amidst this, the only one she could trust wished to retire.
– My presence must be a burden to Your Majesty.
He was far too sharp a weapon to remain in an era of peace. He completed missions even in commands that bordered on suicide.
Given Alexander’s personality, he could not leave this man be. Having accomplished the feat of defeating the Seven Dragon Lords and returning alive, Alexander would not let him go unobserved.
Just his presence beside her was a threat to Elizaveta. She would be exposed more and more to overt attacks.
– I can protect you.
– Krasilov cannot bear any more war.
The moment the Northern Legion chose civil war, Krasilov would shatter. This country no longer had the national foundation to endure another war.
Thus, it was a problem to be solved politically. In such a dire situation, Ivan could not help her. Although he was capable in war, there was no longer any war left in this world.
Elizaveta stamped her seal on his request with a smile. Just as he planned to leave to protect her, she resolved to send him away to protect him.
This man could receive the best treatment wherever he went in this United Kingdom. Had his accomplishments been known, he could have forever inscribed his name in history.
Just when that man said he desired nothing and would quietly fade away to care for the orphans…
– If that is your will, then so be it. I will bless your future.
She knew she could not bestow him any honor, wealth, or glory. Rather, with the intention of not allowing more scars to remain on his body, she relinquished it willingly.
She could bear his absence. She could celebrate it. She understood and supported his desire to lead a second life.
How much had he suffered? How much had he endured? Even if she considered her cherished subordinates, weren’t they comrades for him? Almost all his dear friends must be sleeping far away in the Demon Realm.
Therefore, she rather chose to approve of his retirement with a blessing.
She could manage his absence.
But loneliness was difficult to bear.
Now she had to stand utterly alone in this country’s royal family. Leading the ambitious nobles casting subtle glances and those wishing to use her bloodline, together with the ‘Royal Faction’ ready to betray the Crown Prince at any moment.
“My… you were my only sanctuary. How could I not yearn for you…?”
“Elize. I…”
Ivan understood Elizaveta’s feelings. In the past, and even now.
The feelings she held began with admiration. Even as she took the rough men she led under her wing, there was gratitude, admiration, and dependence on the soldiers who silently remained loyal to her.
That was not wrong. Yet, he could not accept it.
Thinking about what the Great King had bestowed upon him, she should have married the most splendid man in this country… no, in this world and lived the happiest life.
Comparatively, what about him?
A peasant, a conscript, he had no property, fame, or title. He was inept in politics and could not adapt to peace, a broken half.
Haunted by guilt and a sense of indebtedness, he dreamed of nightmares every night, plunged into panic at the faces of fallen comrades.
He was a broken person. Someone who was not capable of making anyone happy, nor confident in doing so.
Just wanting to return home, struggling, but ultimately waiting for the day he could give up on that as well—an outsider.
Did he have the right to love someone, or to be loved?
No. Undoubtedly, his specialty was closer to killing someone. Be it enemy or ally.
“I am a broken man.”
Truly.
Hearing Ivan’s low voice, Elizaveta sadly smiled and looked up at him.
“Is there anyone unbroken in this broken world?”
“…”
“But I shall not say you are broken. I will say it is all of us.”
That it is not broken, but merely individuals who are slightly lacking.
Therefore,
“Just as there are paintings completed only through filling in the gaps…”
“I too am merely one of those lacking individuals.”
“I will complete you. So please let me complete myself as well.”
“Elize.”
“Shh.”
Elizaveta reached out and brushed her fingers across Ivan’s lips.
Her hand slowly moved, caressing Ivan’s cheek as if touching a fragile porcelain.
“If you won’t push me away, it would be rude to speak now.”
Looking down at Elizaveta as she cautiously approached him, Ivan closed his eyes as if sighing. Something soft moistened his lips, and the warm breath tickled the tip of his nose.