"Schleiman will soon become a battlefield?"
Bi Young read the letter aloud, then turned to his subordinate with a piercing stare. His eyes demanded answers.
"Is this true?"
"…Yes."
Seoha lowered his head briefly, closing his eyes before meeting Bi Young's gaze with steady determination.
"It's true. You need to leave immediately."
More subordinates entered the room, one of them carrying a fresh set of clothes for Bi Young. He glanced at the scene, a sneer forming on his lips.
Even as Seoha urged him, Bi Young stood still, refusing to move.
"With the wedding preparations in full swing, this place is defenseless. If an attack happens now, we could lose everything overnight."
"…"
"I know it's just an arranged marriage, but vows have already been exchanged."
"Your Highness—"
"And you expect me to leave without even telling them?"
Bi Young's sharp gaze cut through Seoha like a blade. Though the words weren't meant as an accusation, Seoha still bowed his head and replied softly.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness, but your safety is all that matters to us."
"Ha!"
Seoha, as Bi Young's closest confidant, knew his reaction would be like this. Suppressing his worry, he stepped closer, his expression firm. Time was running out.
"Forgive me, Your Highness."
In one swift motion, Seoha pressed the pressure point at the base of Bi Young's neck, knocking him unconscious.
Bi Young's body went limp, collapsing forward before he could resist. Seoha caught him swiftly, then turned to the others, his voice firm.
"We're leaving now. Protect him at all costs!"
"Yes, sir!"
***
Two days later, after an unexpected period of complete unconsciousness, Bi Young's eyes finally fluttered open.
"You're awake, sir?"
Seoha, who had stayed by his side through the long hours, moved closer, relief evident on his face.
Still groggy, Bi Young struggled to sit up. As his thoughts cleared, his expression turned dark, and he fixed Seoha with a piercing look.
"What happened to Schleiman?"
Seoha hesitated, remaining silent. Bi Young pressed him, his voice sharper.
"I asked what happened?"
"…They're gone, sir."
"Gone?"
"Yes, sir."
"Are you telling me they're all dead?"
Seoha's expression grew grim. "The Schleiman tribe has scattered. As for their army… it was nearly wiped out."
Bi Young stared at him in stunned silence, the weight of the news pressing on him. After a moment, he spoke again, his voice trembling.
"And Roen?"
"The leader of Schleiman fell in battle. Lady Roen… fought alongside them…"
Seoha's voice faltered, the words heavy with meaning. Bi Young's eyes narrowed, his tone hardening as he asked once more.
"Were the bodies recovered?"
"We… couldn't confirm it, sir."
Bi Young's jaw clenched. "Then confirm it."
"…Yes, sir."
Bi Young pushed the covers aside and stood, his tone calm but resolute.
"Also, prepare a petition."
"…"
"I need to see Father."
***
Kneeling before the King of Byro, Bi Young looked up at the monarch seated on a throne adorned with golden dragons.
The King, the picture of luxury, sat serenely, sipping fragrant tea brewed from rare Bajin leaves, a treasure of the Byro Kingdom.
Bi Young's lips tightened as he took in the opulent scene. Finally, he spoke, his voice steady but edged with tension.
"You already knew about this, didn't you, Father?"
The King responded without looking up. "Indeed."
"Explain."
"Are you feeling better?"
"Father!"
Bi Young's calm facade broke, his voice rising in frustration. The King glanced at his son's clenched fists, then let out a contemplative "hmm" as he carefully set his teacup on the jade table, the sound of porcelain meeting stone ringing softly in the quiet chamber.
"I made a deal," the King said simply.
"With whom?"
"Bliderin."
"Bliderin?"
The King nodded, his tone measured. "A secret society of warriors. They have no fixed identity, yet their power has been growing steadily."
"The ones who attacked Schleiman… it was them?"
"Yes. We made a deal with them."
"Why… why would you do such a thing?"
Bi Young's suspicions solidified into undeniable truth: the Byro Kingdom was involved in Schleiman's fall. The realization made his body tremble with anger. The King, noticing his son's reaction, fixed him with a sharp, steady gaze.
"Officially, the Byro Kingdom has no connection to Schleiman's downfall. We were simply preparing for a wedding while that unfortunate nation collapsed."
"Father!"
The King remained unmoved, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to Bi Young's fury. To him, the Empire's reputation came before all else.
"Schleiman's arrogance had become unbearable," the King continued. "A tiny nation with barely any land, yet they dared to see themselves as equals to the great Byro Kingdom, their immediate neighbor."
The King's eyes darkened as he recalled his first meeting with Daphman, Schleiman's leader a man whose insolence had left a sour impression. Even now, the memory made the King click his tongue in irritation.
"Is that your only reason?" Bi Young's voice shook with anger, his fists clenching so tightly his knuckles turned white.
"Our military is weak," the King said bluntly. "And our weaponry? Pathetic."
"…"
"For an empire to thrive and maintain order, we need strength strong soldiers and strong weapons. And that's where the Byro Kingdom falls short. In nearly every way, we are a perfect empire. But one flaw remains. Whether by nature or by fate, we've failed to produce even average weapons. We've lost every significant conflict. Over the years, we've given up miles of our borders to foreign tribes."
"…"
"At a Heads of State meeting, I approached Daphman, hoping to learn Schleiman's methods for making weapons. But his arrogance was overwhelming, he kept his secrets hidden behind an air of superiority."
"So, what kind of deal did you make with Bliderin?"
"It wasn't part of my plan at first. But then, one day, I got a letter from Blaine, Bliderin's leader, asking for a meeting. His proposal was... intriguing."
"…"
"They wanted Schleiman's land. We wanted their weapons. That was the deal."
In his impatience, the King of Byro had taken the easiest route: acquiring weapons from others instead of developing them himself.
"With unmatched military power, no empire on this continent will be greater than the Byro Kingdom. We will rule as the supreme power."
The King's eyes gleamed with fierce ambition, like a predator eyeing its prey. Bi Young's fists, once clenched tightly, relaxed, unable to withstand the weight of his father's boundless desire for dominance.
"…Then what was the purpose of the marriage proposal?"
"We had Bliderin suggest a marriage alliance with Schleiman. Nothing lowers someone's guard like the idea of peace."
Bi Young's head, which had been held high, fell forward in defeat.
"My engagement… was it just a distraction?"
A bitter laugh escaped him. The King, watching his son's despair, paused for a moment before rising from his seat.
He crossed the royal chamber with steady, deliberate steps, his dragon embroidered robe whispering against the floor.
When he reached Bi Young, who knelt with his head bowed, the King bent down and gently took his son's hand.
"Think of it as a passing romance and forget it."
"…"
"It was an arranged marriage with someone you hardly knew. There was never a chance for a real bond to form. And from the start, their rank never matched ours."
"…"
"We'll find you a proper marriage alliance with an empire worthy of Byro's prestige. Would a father ever sabotage his son's future? Trust me."
As the king released his son's hand, his expression hardened.
"This, my son, is the one flaw in your otherwise perfect armor."
Noticing the tears welling in Bi Young's eyes, the aging king gently wiped them away with his thumb.
"Such weakness."
He cupped Bi Young's pale face in his hands, any hint of warmth fading as his gaze turned cold.
"Weakness is unforgivable in a future ruler. I knew your heart was too soft. That's why I chose not to tell you."
"…"
"Harden yourself, Young-ah. Everything we do is for your future prosperity and the strength of the Byro Kingdom."
The king's words ignited a quiet fury in Bi Young. Rising to his feet, he offered a brief, formal bow.
"I will take my leave."
As Bi Young turned to go, the king's voice echoed behind him.
"Once everything is settled, we'll finalize the deal with Bliderin in secret. Will you join us?"
Bi Young paused, his back still to his father. His voice, distant and cold, broke the silence.
"That is no longer my concern."
"…"
"Forgive me, but I must decline. Handle it however you see fit."
Without another word, Bi Young left the king's quarters. The king watched his son's retreating figure, his expression unreadable, before turning his gaze away.
***
As Bi Young wandered, lost in thought, he gazed out the window, a bitter smile tugging at his lips.
He recalled a moment they had shared in the garden of the Byro Kingdom. His first impression of her was nothing like he had expected. She seemed delicate, almost fragile, with her long ebony hair flowing down her back and framing her small, pale face perfectly.
I'll be the prettiest bride in the world for you—
Her shy smile as she said those words was endearing.
Though their marriage had been purely political, Bi Young had felt a pull toward her from the moment they met. As his feelings grew, he found himself looking forward to their wedding.
When he learned her body hadn't been found on the battlefield, he sent men to search for any trace of Roen, but every lead came up empty. His faint hope slowly faded, and over time, he came to believe she had perished.
Their brief time together had left an indelible mark on him, one that lingered despite their limited encounter. A self-deprecating chuckle escaped his lips.
Knock knock
"Sir Bi Young. It's Seoha."
The urgency in his subordinate's voice made him raise an eyebrow. At Bi Young's nod, Seoha stepped in quickly, holding a deep blue envelope.
"A secret letter has arrived, sir."
"A secret letter? Who's it from?"
"It's from the former deputy commander of Schleiman."
He's still alive?
Bi Young's eyes widened in surprise. Seoha, equally astonished, handed him the letter.
The former deputy commander of Schleiman was Roen's uncle. Bi Young broke the seal and quickly scanned the message. His expression grew more focused as he read.
"They were ambushed, and the entire region has been devastated…"
"…"
"He seeks aid and requests a brief meeting."
"You're not seriously considering going, are you?"
Ignoring Seoha's concern, Bi Young fell silent, his mind racing. When his eyes reached the final line, they widened in disbelief.
"Roen… she's in Bliderin. She might be alive."
"Is it true, sir? Could the young mistress still be alive?"
Bi Young's expression grew steely as he tightened his grip on the letter. His decision was swift and firm.
"Send a reply. I'll accept the meeting."
"…"
"I need to see them."