tyrant chapter 20

“I could have taken the carriage. I came in one.”

“I have a fever. Let your body cool me down.” With that, Karta leaned forward, embracing Fiogen, and urged the black steed into motion.

“Karta.”

“Yes.”

“Duke Delkart seems like a good man.”

Karta remained silent. Fiogen, worried he might see her as a rival, looked up at him. “Though I don’t think he’d work as a romantic partner for me.”

At that moment, Karta’s arms tightened around her. In a low, tender voice, he whispered, “I’m glad you understand my feelings.”

Fiogen’s face flushed at his reply. His warm breath and gentle voice made her head spin. “Karta, I’ve known your feelings for a while now. I won’t ever disappoint you.”

She didn’t want to grovel for her life. Since things had taken this turn, Fiogen decided to be ambitious. The love this story originally intended had already gone astray. It had become a BL story between Karta and Duke Delkart. And Fiogen was wholeheartedly cheering for their love. If the plot was already defying destiny, she would actively support this absurd new development.

“I’ll do my best for your happiness, Karta!” She meant it. She wanted to support Prince Karta’s love. That was her reason to live. Only if their love blossomed could she dream of a happy future. Instead of being an extra destined to die, she could be beautifully repackaged as a supporting character who helped true love prevail.

The more she considered the situation, the more strangely elated she felt. If Prince Karta and Duke Delkart’s love succeeded, Karta wouldn’t have to die tragically. Everything seemed to be falling into place. Now, she wanted this life to end with a happy ending, not a sad one.

Then, Fiogen suddenly realized she genuinely wished for Karta’s happiness. Unlike the crown prince, who basked in the Emperor’s love, Karta had always been a shadowy figure. In the novel, he seemed perfect and impressive, but beneath the surface, he was like a child afraid of abandonment. Of course, she couldn’t fully trust the novel, but considering Karta’s kindness in sparing and caring for her, she truly hoped for his happiness.

Now, one crucial problem remained: escaping without catching the Emperor’s attention. In the novel, the Emperor’s fear of retribution was immense. Though not explicitly detailed, it seemed the Emperor harbored deeper secrets.

Things she hadn’t noticed when she longed for death were now becoming visible. Perhaps that was why a fondness for Karta was budding within her. Until she left, just until then, she wanted to help him escape the Emperor’s shadow. That was the way to save this world, and herself as well.

***

Back at the Imperial Palace, Karta headed to his bedroom. Fiogen was concerned about his damp appearance when he dismounted, as if he had a fever and the ride had worsened his condition, but she kept her worries to herself. Usually, Karta would train and then attend to his duties in his study at this hour.

At first, she thought he had something to say, but she soon realized he was genuinely ill. While Karta lay in bed, Fiogen placed a cool cloth on his forehead. She wouldn’t forget his grateful expression. That was when she began nursing him.

“Don’t die, Karta!” Sometimes, she would tease him. He didn’t seem deathly ill, but death could arrive unexpectedly. A hint of fear laced her exclamation.

“Why? So I can kill you?” His crimson eyes curved into crescents. Fiogen frowned and shook her head. The Imperial physician had visited, but only left some pills, instructing them to be administered at the appropriate time. Because Karta refused any attention from the maids, Fiogen was the one actually caring for him. Perhaps because it was her first time doing such work in a while, she felt more eager for his recovery than annoyed by the task.

Perhaps that was why Fiogen, who had been meeting with maids and knights all day, belatedly noticed the change in the guards stationed at the door. Seeing the stiff expressions of the maids and the cautious glances of the knights, she, too, grew uneasy.

“How can you say such a thing so casually, Karta? Even when I wanted to die, would you tell a sick person to kill you? Are you that selfish?” Fiogen exclaimed in shock.

“I thought you meant you wanted me to kill you once you recovered.”

Karta’s slow reply made her heart pound. Not long ago, his words would have been true, but now, Fiogen wanted to live. She was terrified he would suddenly change his mind and declare his intention to kill her. What if he truly held onto that absurd principle? What if, upon learning of her genuine desire to live, he declared he could finally kill her?