tyrant chapter 7

Fiogen frowned, mulling over Karta’s words. She knew he was cruel, but she hadn’t realized the extent of his ruthlessness. No matter how hard she racked her brain, she couldn’t understand why the tyrant had spared her life. He treated human lives as insignificantly as those of flies. He was only ever tender with the heroine.

“Does he get his kicks from toying with his victims before he kills them or something?” Fiogen’s eyes narrowed. She wasn’t even sure if the novel’s plot was unfolding correctly anymore. Honestly, knowing her death was predetermined filled Fiogen with a gnawing anxiety. If she had to die, she wanted a swift, painless end.

“Does he only find pleasure in killing those who beg for their lives, not those who ask for death?” He had so easily killed everyone who pleaded for mercy, yet he completely ignored her pleas to end her life. But even Fiogen had clasped her hands and desperately begged him to spare her when they first met. Of course, she’d only done so because of that ridiculous rule.

“His Highness, the Prince, has arrived.” At the maid’s words, Fiogen flinched. Karta was akin to the Grim Reaper. In this novel, he was the only one who could take her life. The maids rushed forward, fussing over the unresponsive Fiogen, trying to rouse her.

“Is she still asleep?” he asked, his tone incredulous. His damp hair clung to his forehead, and his white shirt was damp with sweat. The maids blushed and quickly averted their gazes. For a tyrant, he was mercilessly handsome. The novel described him as a tyrant, but observing his life closely, he seemed more like a workaholic than a despot. Fiogen stared at Karta for a moment, then clutched her back with a playful expression.

“Oh dear, I overdid it last night. I can barely stand up straight.” She straightened slowly, her movements languid, like a wilting flower. Karta’s ears flushed red. Noticing his reaction, the maids hurriedly prepared to leave. Ever since Karta had brought Fiogen to the Empire, he’d spent every night with her. Rumors spread through the Imperial Palace that Prince Karta was so enamored with the princess that he couldn’t sleep. This only intensified the maids’ blushes as they backed away.

“Indeed. I haven’t slept well thanks to Fiogen either. Training has been difficult.” Karta saw right through her act, but he played along. He wasn’t afraid of the rumors circulating the palace about his obsession with her. He’d been rumored to be mad for decades. Being infatuated with a woman seemed almost trivial in comparison. He walked towards her, his voice gentle. Fiogen sprang up and wrapped her arms around his neck, embracing him.

“After last night, you missed me already?” A playful wink accompanied her words, and a touch of color returned to her cheeks. Karta gazed at her for a moment, then nodded. In the Empire, Fiogen was the only person allowed to touch him like this.

He searched her face, looking for tear tracks, checking if her eyes still held that familiar emptiness. He desperately sought reassurance of her well-being.

“I came because I remember last night.” Karta glanced around the room and gestured with his hand, dismissing everyone. Silence fell as they were left alone, still embraced. Fiogen rolled her eyes, then let them fall to the floor.

“Karta.”

“Yes.” He responded easily, like a longtime lover. He was nothing like the Karta she had imagined while reading the novel. His red eyes shone with an unexpected clarity. She saw her own reflection in their intelligent depths. Fiogen stared into his eyes, then sighed.

“I’m so sorry. I slept until now.”

“It’s alright.”

“I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep tonight either. Aren’t you tired, Karta?” She hadn’t stuck her tongue out, but her tone was undeniably teasing. Karta had wielded a sword since he was a child. He’d always excelled at swordsmanship, so he’d never had peers who teased him like this.

The Empire placed great importance on bloodlines. The princess, consort to the Emperor, had been taken from the Kingdom of Artea as little more than a hostage. No one in the Empire welcomed or respected the consort’s son. Despite being of imperial blood, Karta was ostracized because of his mother’s heritage.

His current position was the result of relentless effort. If he’d possessed even a shred of the naivete that allowed other children to play carefree, he wouldn’t have survived. The Imperial Palace was a breeding ground for conspiracies, and his life was constantly in danger. Knowing he couldn’t afford to be intimidated, he pushed himself harder than anyone else, until no noble dared to disrespect him.

Fiogen was the first person to ever tease him like this. She wasn’t innocent either, but at least she didn’t genuinely intend to kill him. Of course, her true intentions were more cruel than anyone else’s.

Her words, when considered carefully, were quite comical. Her desire for a good night’s sleep was essentially a plea for him to kill her quickly. Karta held her with his left hand and raised his right, gently smoothing a stray lock of hair from her face. He smiled.

“If it means I can have you, I’d gladly give up sleep, everything.” They spoke sweetly, like lovers who had just made love. But the memory of the previous night was anything but sweet. Fiogen had tormented him until dawn, demanding he kill her. He’d been utterly helpless against her, yet he refused to end her life.