#126. Broken Relationship
Olivia grabbed Asherad's clothes with both hands. Let's say she is, but Ian is his child. So why is he neglecting him? Olivia held Asherad and cried. She was helpless and didn't know what to do at this moment.
Is Ian dead? So vainly?
Just a small and cute child? My always thoughtful and mature child?
It hasn't been that long since he's been properly loved.
However...
But he died? I had to see the body. Olivia clung to the child's father. There were moments when she absolutely did not want to touch him, but at this moment, those feelings were long forgotten. It's sad when a pet you raised becomes like that. Parents who lost their own children could be even more heartbroken.
"Daphne."
The sweet voice that was heard seemed to be floating in the air, as if it were separate from the situation. A pair of green eyes with clear joy stared at her. That infinitely calm, yet gentle face was hateful. It was when her eyes turned red.
"Mom!"
Olivia turned toward the sound. Ian came running from the end of the hallway. Olivia opened her eyes wide and hugged the child tightly. She hugged him so tightly that she could feel his heartbeat. Ah, he's alive.
Stay alive.
Olivia sobbed and stroked his head with tears streaming down her face.
“Thank goodness. Thank goodness.”
“...”
“Thank goodness, Ian.”
Ian tilted his head because he had no idea what was happening.
“What is it, Asherad?”
Asherad smiled even more deeply as he looked at that disgusting face that was both curious and unpleasant. The King of Pindus still couldn't let go of his lingering attachment to Olivia.
“As you can see, this is my wife.”
Olivia flinched. 'Wife'? What the hell?
“As you can see, that child is my child.”
Asherad pointed at Ian. Everyone looked at Ian with that finger. The sight of them who looked too much like a lie was visible. The little boy, who knew nothing, turned pale and dug deeper into Olivia’s arms. At the same time, he focused on the man’s figure between his mother’s arms. The green eyes that were revealed were definitely the same as Asherad's.
“Wife? Are you saying that this woman is an Empress?”
“I was planning to make her the Empress. But that was a problem because war broke out before that.”
The King of Pindus recalled the rumors of the blonde woman who had driven the Emperor almost mad. She was a beauty who never showed herself to the public...
“Why was that woman living here in the city?”
“Why was it so easy to conquer this city?”
At Asherad's words, the King narrowed his eyes. This place was taken over more easily than he had thought.
“Are you talking about the spy you planted here?”
“Yes.”
In fact, it was nonsense. The woman that Asherad hid and did not show was a spy. However, the existence of a son who resembled Asherad was confusing to him as well. And the word 'wife' was also confusing.
Although he was an Emperor who had lost most of his power, the fact that he used such an expression was a gentle warning not to mess with him. However, the King of Pindus still could not give up his desire for women.
“If it were your wife, why didn’t you tell me first? No, you should have told me in advance when you attacked this city. And why would you leave your son in such a dangerous place?”
Although the King was a womanizer, he was not completely stupid. Asherad said in response to that remark.
“I decided that it would be better for the child to be with the woman rather than being alone. I didn’t say anything because...”
“...”
“I just tried to let it go.”
Olivia flinched at those words. You were going to let him go, this guy? Asherad's smiling eyes grew weary. The King of Pindus was equally puzzled.
Could it be that he was trying to abandon the woman who gave birth to his son? Why on earth? Asherad looked at Olivia under the King's gaze. He could sense that he was looking at him with boredom. When he called her his wife and protected her, when did he always have that kind of expression on his face?
“It is unacceptable for my wife to be hugged by another person, and I wanted to save my son. And I can’t turn a blind eye to her crying so desperately.”
Does that make sense? Asherad's excuse was arbitrary. It didn't make sense, but as a King, he couldn't take the woman of someone who had an external alliance. He smacked his lips as if he were disappointed. If he did more, he would only end up regretting it.
"Let's go!"
He turned away, showing his displeasure. It was bitter to find a nice woman like this.
Ian met the homeless man again after his mother was taken away somewhere, and he was also taken behind the castle by some men. The men who had promised to let him see his mother suddenly changed and smiled, revealing yellow teeth. The men pulled out a rope.
“Hey kid, wouldn’t you like to play rope game?”
What is rope play? He shook his head in fear, and they grabbed Ian by force and threw him down. Ian burst into tears.
“Mom, mom!”
Despite the urgent call, Mom did not come. Ian also guessed. Mom would not come back. While Mom was away, these people were trying to harm him.
Ian screamed and thrashed.
"Stop."
They stopped at the sound of the voice. They flinched like rats, and Ian found them repulsive.
"Your Majesty."
“Your Majesty, what brings you here?”
Your Majesty? Ian raised his head at the unfamiliar title. He blinked with a puzzled expression. The old man he had seen when he lived in the old Dense harbor was standing here.
“Leave this kid alive.”
“His Majesty the King ordered me to kill him.”
Kill me?! I'm going to die? Ian's eyes widened. Ian tried to move as hard as he could, but the men held him down. A handsome homeless man looked down at the scene and frowned. He drew his sword.
For a split second, he seemed to hesitate whether or not to swing his sword.
“Should I kill you first?”
The men looked at each other at the gentle threat. His face looked ominous, as if he was about to swing his sword at any moment. They knew very well how cruel the Emperor, who seemed gentle on the outside, was on the battlefield.
They took their hands off the child, glanced at Askeraad, and left. When Ian looked up at the man, he said,
"Wake up."
“...”
Ian almost died. His legs gave out. Aside from his joy at seeing the man, his legs were shaking. If he were a little younger, he would have peed himself. Ian wanted the man to help him up. But as if he were ignoring his childish feelings, the man spoke coldly.
“Get up, Ian.”
The man looked down at Ian without even offering a single smile. Ian was also taken aback by the coldness of the man who didn't even extend a hand.
“I... sir.”
“...”
“Why are you here, sir?”
But Ian asked in a puzzled manner. Asherad frowned. When Ian finally got up, the man said.
“Quiet.”
“...”
“I hate noise.”
For some reason, that sensitivity seemed to suit him well, as if it were clothing tailored to him. He certainly had a cold face, but for some reason, he wasn't scary. Was it because he had a small favor that would save him?
Ian approached the man and took his hand as if it were nothing more than a matter of course.
The man looked down at Ian, flinching as if he had been burned by fire. The man seemed lost in thought, but did not let go of his hand and instead dragged Ian somewhere.
It was a room. Ian opened his eyes wide in the spacious and luxurious room. When the man sat down on the sofa, Ian noticed him and sat down next to him, chattering.
“What about Mom?”
"Yes?"
“Mom, won’t you save her?”
The man responded stiffly.
“If you ask for help, I will save her then.”
"Where is that?" Ian nodded.
“But how did Mom know you and ask you for help?”
“We know each other well.”
“How?”
As Ian opened his eyes wide, the man looked ahead and spoke calmly.
“We knew each other very well before you were born.”
I see... Until then, Ian nodded without knowing anything. And after a while, Ian realized that this man was his father through Olivia’s shout. For some reason, he was convinced.
I see.
So the eye color was the same...
So he came looking for him, now Ian knows why his mother was depressed when she saw the green-eyed homeless man. That was the starting point for them to move to another city.
"Ah."
Olivia grabbed Asherad's clothes with both hands. Let's say she is, but Ian is his child. So why is he neglecting him? Olivia held Asherad and cried. She was helpless and didn't know what to do at this moment.
Is Ian dead? So vainly?
Just a small and cute child? My always thoughtful and mature child?
It hasn't been that long since he's been properly loved.
However...
But he died? I had to see the body. Olivia clung to the child's father. There were moments when she absolutely did not want to touch him, but at this moment, those feelings were long forgotten. It's sad when a pet you raised becomes like that. Parents who lost their own children could be even more heartbroken.
"Daphne."
The sweet voice that was heard seemed to be floating in the air, as if it were separate from the situation. A pair of green eyes with clear joy stared at her. That infinitely calm, yet gentle face was hateful. It was when her eyes turned red.
"Mom!"
Olivia turned toward the sound. Ian came running from the end of the hallway. Olivia opened her eyes wide and hugged the child tightly. She hugged him so tightly that she could feel his heartbeat. Ah, he's alive.
Stay alive.
Olivia sobbed and stroked his head with tears streaming down her face.
“Thank goodness. Thank goodness.”
“...”
“Thank goodness, Ian.”
Ian tilted his head because he had no idea what was happening.
“What is it, Asherad?”
Asherad smiled even more deeply as he looked at that disgusting face that was both curious and unpleasant. The King of Pindus still couldn't let go of his lingering attachment to Olivia.
“As you can see, this is my wife.”
Olivia flinched. 'Wife'? What the hell?
“As you can see, that child is my child.”
Asherad pointed at Ian. Everyone looked at Ian with that finger. The sight of them who looked too much like a lie was visible. The little boy, who knew nothing, turned pale and dug deeper into Olivia’s arms. At the same time, he focused on the man’s figure between his mother’s arms. The green eyes that were revealed were definitely the same as Asherad's.
“Wife? Are you saying that this woman is an Empress?”
“I was planning to make her the Empress. But that was a problem because war broke out before that.”
The King of Pindus recalled the rumors of the blonde woman who had driven the Emperor almost mad. She was a beauty who never showed herself to the public...
“Why was that woman living here in the city?”
“Why was it so easy to conquer this city?”
At Asherad's words, the King narrowed his eyes. This place was taken over more easily than he had thought.
“Are you talking about the spy you planted here?”
“Yes.”
In fact, it was nonsense. The woman that Asherad hid and did not show was a spy. However, the existence of a son who resembled Asherad was confusing to him as well. And the word 'wife' was also confusing.
Although he was an Emperor who had lost most of his power, the fact that he used such an expression was a gentle warning not to mess with him. However, the King of Pindus still could not give up his desire for women.
“If it were your wife, why didn’t you tell me first? No, you should have told me in advance when you attacked this city. And why would you leave your son in such a dangerous place?”
Although the King was a womanizer, he was not completely stupid. Asherad said in response to that remark.
“I decided that it would be better for the child to be with the woman rather than being alone. I didn’t say anything because...”
“...”
“I just tried to let it go.”
Olivia flinched at those words. You were going to let him go, this guy? Asherad's smiling eyes grew weary. The King of Pindus was equally puzzled.
Could it be that he was trying to abandon the woman who gave birth to his son? Why on earth? Asherad looked at Olivia under the King's gaze. He could sense that he was looking at him with boredom. When he called her his wife and protected her, when did he always have that kind of expression on his face?
“It is unacceptable for my wife to be hugged by another person, and I wanted to save my son. And I can’t turn a blind eye to her crying so desperately.”
Does that make sense? Asherad's excuse was arbitrary. It didn't make sense, but as a King, he couldn't take the woman of someone who had an external alliance. He smacked his lips as if he were disappointed. If he did more, he would only end up regretting it.
"Let's go!"
He turned away, showing his displeasure. It was bitter to find a nice woman like this.
***
Ian met the homeless man again after his mother was taken away somewhere, and he was also taken behind the castle by some men. The men who had promised to let him see his mother suddenly changed and smiled, revealing yellow teeth. The men pulled out a rope.
“Hey kid, wouldn’t you like to play rope game?”
What is rope play? He shook his head in fear, and they grabbed Ian by force and threw him down. Ian burst into tears.
“Mom, mom!”
Despite the urgent call, Mom did not come. Ian also guessed. Mom would not come back. While Mom was away, these people were trying to harm him.
Ian screamed and thrashed.
"Stop."
They stopped at the sound of the voice. They flinched like rats, and Ian found them repulsive.
"Your Majesty."
“Your Majesty, what brings you here?”
Your Majesty? Ian raised his head at the unfamiliar title. He blinked with a puzzled expression. The old man he had seen when he lived in the old Dense harbor was standing here.
“Leave this kid alive.”
“His Majesty the King ordered me to kill him.”
Kill me?! I'm going to die? Ian's eyes widened. Ian tried to move as hard as he could, but the men held him down. A handsome homeless man looked down at the scene and frowned. He drew his sword.
For a split second, he seemed to hesitate whether or not to swing his sword.
“Should I kill you first?”
The men looked at each other at the gentle threat. His face looked ominous, as if he was about to swing his sword at any moment. They knew very well how cruel the Emperor, who seemed gentle on the outside, was on the battlefield.
They took their hands off the child, glanced at Askeraad, and left. When Ian looked up at the man, he said,
"Wake up."
“...”
Ian almost died. His legs gave out. Aside from his joy at seeing the man, his legs were shaking. If he were a little younger, he would have peed himself. Ian wanted the man to help him up. But as if he were ignoring his childish feelings, the man spoke coldly.
“Get up, Ian.”
The man looked down at Ian without even offering a single smile. Ian was also taken aback by the coldness of the man who didn't even extend a hand.
“I... sir.”
“...”
“Why are you here, sir?”
But Ian asked in a puzzled manner. Asherad frowned. When Ian finally got up, the man said.
“Quiet.”
“...”
“I hate noise.”
For some reason, that sensitivity seemed to suit him well, as if it were clothing tailored to him. He certainly had a cold face, but for some reason, he wasn't scary. Was it because he had a small favor that would save him?
Ian approached the man and took his hand as if it were nothing more than a matter of course.
The man looked down at Ian, flinching as if he had been burned by fire. The man seemed lost in thought, but did not let go of his hand and instead dragged Ian somewhere.
It was a room. Ian opened his eyes wide in the spacious and luxurious room. When the man sat down on the sofa, Ian noticed him and sat down next to him, chattering.
“What about Mom?”
"Yes?"
“Mom, won’t you save her?”
The man responded stiffly.
“If you ask for help, I will save her then.”
"Where is that?" Ian nodded.
“But how did Mom know you and ask you for help?”
“We know each other well.”
“How?”
As Ian opened his eyes wide, the man looked ahead and spoke calmly.
“We knew each other very well before you were born.”
I see... Until then, Ian nodded without knowing anything. And after a while, Ian realized that this man was his father through Olivia’s shout. For some reason, he was convinced.
I see.
So the eye color was the same...
So he came looking for him, now Ian knows why his mother was depressed when she saw the green-eyed homeless man. That was the starting point for them to move to another city.
"Ah."
That's how Ian, Olivia, and Asherad met. Asherad guided Olivia to his room. As soon as she entered the room, Olivia sighed and stroked Ian's head.
“Are you hurt?”
At that moment, Asherad, with his arms crossed, spoke quietly.
“I brought you back alive from the brink of death.”
Ian nodded as if he were right. Olivia paused. Ian looked at Olivia and the man behind her with a confused expression. Asherad said stiffly.
“Aren’t you even going to say thank you?”
“...”
“If it had continued like this, I don’t know what would have happened if you had fallen into the hands of that King.”
Olivia turned her back on Ian.
“You haven’t changed.”
Asherad's face distorted at those words. He closed his eyes and shook the rope. Asherad spoke coldly to the attendant who had come in.
“Take him out for a bit.”
Olivia grabbed Ian's shoulder. Then Asherad spoke in a low voice.
“You have to agree with this. You wouldn’t want your son to see you like that.”
“...”
“You seem to have a lot to say?”
Olivia nodded at Asherad's words. And so Ian was dragged out by the attendant.
As Olivia looked at the door, Asherad said.
“Leon will take good care of it. Don’t worry about that.”
“...”
She knows Leon well. He is his loyal subject. Olivia lowered her eyes. His face was indifferent.
“Why did you say that?”
Is that so? Asherad, whispering in response to that question.
“What do you mean I haven’t changed?”
Olivia frowned and spoke in a low voice.
“You didn’t help me on purpose, did you?”
“...”
“I wish I could ask for help.”
At those words, the corners of Asherad's mouth went up, and a cool smile appeared on his lips. Olivia felt a sense of foreboding. The man she had always remembered vividly was right in front of her. The man who had stuck in her mind like a nail and could not be removed no matter how hard she tried to forget him.
“Don’t get me wrong, Daphne. You said it was over between us.”
It was a cold voice that didn't even pretend to be sweet. Asherad glared at Olivia with his green eyes.
“But why should I help you?”
“...”
"Ah."
He smiled bitterly as if he was reminded of Asherad.
“Daphne, I know what you’re thinking. You think I attacked this place on purpose.”
“...”
“That’s why I’m so angry.”
Olivia flinched as if hit with a point. Asherad stroked Olivia’s cheek with a cold expression. She looked up at his beautiful green eyes without saying anything. Anger was on his face.
“You are the one who didn’t trust me and came to another city, and now...”
“...”
“How long did you think I was going to chase after you?”
Olivia's eyes widened at those cold words. She lowered her eyes as she looked at Asherad's face. Wasn't it? Was it her imagination? But of all the cities in Thalassa, why did the army led by Asherad occupy the city where Olivia lived? Does this coincidence make sense?
Asherad said, his face still filled with doubt.
“Daphne. My plan was to capture cities with relatively light borders and little trade with other cities. It was a very tightrope walk. We quickly captured small cities with minimal troops.”
“...”
“My goal was a city that I thought was free from war danger, and you were there.”
Asherad said with a gloomy face.
“It doesn’t matter if you don’t trust me. You are free to think whatever you want.”
“....”
“What matters to me is that you asked me for help.”
Asherad approached. He reached out and stroked Olivia’s chin. Olivia glared at Asherad. He mercilessly tore into Olivia’s heart.
“You were the one who connected the broken relationship, weren’t you?”
In an instant, his face came closer and he covered her lips. Olivia didn't know whether he had changed or not. But as if it had been planned, she closed her eyes.
“Are you hurt?”
At that moment, Asherad, with his arms crossed, spoke quietly.
“I brought you back alive from the brink of death.”
Ian nodded as if he were right. Olivia paused. Ian looked at Olivia and the man behind her with a confused expression. Asherad said stiffly.
“Aren’t you even going to say thank you?”
“...”
“If it had continued like this, I don’t know what would have happened if you had fallen into the hands of that King.”
Olivia turned her back on Ian.
“You haven’t changed.”
Asherad's face distorted at those words. He closed his eyes and shook the rope. Asherad spoke coldly to the attendant who had come in.
“Take him out for a bit.”
Olivia grabbed Ian's shoulder. Then Asherad spoke in a low voice.
“You have to agree with this. You wouldn’t want your son to see you like that.”
“...”
“You seem to have a lot to say?”
Olivia nodded at Asherad's words. And so Ian was dragged out by the attendant.
***
As Olivia looked at the door, Asherad said.
“Leon will take good care of it. Don’t worry about that.”
“...”
She knows Leon well. He is his loyal subject. Olivia lowered her eyes. His face was indifferent.
“Why did you say that?”
Is that so? Asherad, whispering in response to that question.
“What do you mean I haven’t changed?”
Olivia frowned and spoke in a low voice.
“You didn’t help me on purpose, did you?”
“...”
“I wish I could ask for help.”
At those words, the corners of Asherad's mouth went up, and a cool smile appeared on his lips. Olivia felt a sense of foreboding. The man she had always remembered vividly was right in front of her. The man who had stuck in her mind like a nail and could not be removed no matter how hard she tried to forget him.
“Don’t get me wrong, Daphne. You said it was over between us.”
It was a cold voice that didn't even pretend to be sweet. Asherad glared at Olivia with his green eyes.
“But why should I help you?”
“...”
"Ah."
He smiled bitterly as if he was reminded of Asherad.
“Daphne, I know what you’re thinking. You think I attacked this place on purpose.”
“...”
“That’s why I’m so angry.”
Olivia flinched as if hit with a point. Asherad stroked Olivia’s cheek with a cold expression. She looked up at his beautiful green eyes without saying anything. Anger was on his face.
“You are the one who didn’t trust me and came to another city, and now...”
“...”
“How long did you think I was going to chase after you?”
Olivia's eyes widened at those cold words. She lowered her eyes as she looked at Asherad's face. Wasn't it? Was it her imagination? But of all the cities in Thalassa, why did the army led by Asherad occupy the city where Olivia lived? Does this coincidence make sense?
Asherad said, his face still filled with doubt.
“Daphne. My plan was to capture cities with relatively light borders and little trade with other cities. It was a very tightrope walk. We quickly captured small cities with minimal troops.”
“...”
“My goal was a city that I thought was free from war danger, and you were there.”
Asherad said with a gloomy face.
“It doesn’t matter if you don’t trust me. You are free to think whatever you want.”
“....”
“What matters to me is that you asked me for help.”
Asherad approached. He reached out and stroked Olivia’s chin. Olivia glared at Asherad. He mercilessly tore into Olivia’s heart.
“You were the one who connected the broken relationship, weren’t you?”
In an instant, his face came closer and he covered her lips. Olivia didn't know whether he had changed or not. But as if it had been planned, she closed her eyes.
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