It’s Sunny But I’m Depressed – Chapter 10

Author: B0ucha

Chapter 10: A Dark Figure, Yet a Rabbit (5)

A massive spear flew toward Ilena like an arrow. They say you see your life flash before your eyes before you die. Just like in a movie, the spear seemed to approach her in slow motion.

‘Am I going to die again?’

Again? Ilena was startled by the thought that flashed through her mind.

“Watch out!”

A huge black horse galloped toward her, and the man riding it deftly deflected the spear. Clang—! The sound of metal clashing tore through the air. To knock away a spear flying at such a speed with one hand was truly a feat of immense strength.

“Priestess!”

It all happened so quickly. Andre rushed over to her, trying not to show his shock. His usually pleasant face had turned pale.

“Oh my, what is this! Are you alright?”

“Well…”

“Are you hurt?”

“…No.”

“You must have been frightened.”

A cold voice snapped Ilena back to reality. When she looked up, she saw the Black King sitting imposingly on his black horse. The sensitive horse neighed, startled by the loud noise. He controlled the horse with his strong thighs and approached Ilena.

As he got closer, she realized how massive he was. Ilena had to crane her neck to see his face atop the giant steed. The knights who had been training arrived belatedly.

“I-I’m sorry! It was an accident during training…!”

The man who seemed to have thrown the spear stammered an apology. He was a bear of a man with a massive build.

“An accident, you say.”

The Black King spoke in a voice so cold it sent shivers down her spine.

“I’m sorry!”

The man shouted, his voice filled with discipline. He offered no excuses. The Black King dismounted with graceful movements and slowly approached the man. The man stood with his hands behind his back, bracing himself. Then—Smack—!

The Black King slapped the man’s cheek without hesitation. The blow was so harsh that the bear-like man staggered sideways. But he quickly straightened up and maintained his posture.

“Ahhh!”

The scream came from Andre, who was watching. He hurriedly shielded Ilena as if to protect her from something wicked.

‘…I’m fine, though.’

Ilena thought indifferently, held in his arms. Her emotions were dulled by lethargy. But she had always been brave and composed. Her grandfather, the founding chairman, often praised her for being the most like him among his grandchildren.

‘Though it’s all useless now.’

Ilena smiled bitterly at the sudden memory.

‘Maintaining discipline is crucial in the military. Especially in a country threatened by invasions due to its mines.’

The Black King turned at Andre’s scream and looked down at Ilena, who remained unfazed.

‘She never seems to be caught off guard.’

Though he couldn’t show it, he was deeply impressed. Even when the spear flew at her, the priestess remained expressionless. Her beautiful yet weary expression. Why does seeing that expression make his chest itch? Unlike others who hurriedly averted their eyes when meeting him, she didn’t shrink back.

The Black King looked down at Ilena and spoke in a cold tone.

“…I’ll postpone the punishment to spare the onlookers.”

“Yes!”

“For now, run 100 laps around the training ground. Begin.”

“Begin!”

‘…Isn’t 100 laps a punishment? Are they all crazy in this weather?’

Even Ilena looked at the Black King with slightly daunted eyes. Despite the overcast sky, it was still hot and humid in the tropical region. But the bear-like soldier saluted and ran to the training ground without complaint.

Others, equally disciplined, quickly followed. They must usually receive much harsher punishments.

‘Typical of the Black King. Just like the dark figure in the original story.’

“This is perfect timing.”

The Black King lazily stroked the neck of his horse, which matched his hair color.

‘Look at him, acting all decadent for no reason. Like a fruit I can’t have.’

Ilena thought to herself, maintaining her expressionless face as she looked up at the Black King.

“Your eyes must have recovered by now.”

He scrutinized her with a cold gaze.

‘Eyes? Oh, that. From yesterday. It was just one onion, not much to recover from.’

He was a dark figure with surprisingly soft spots. When Ilena nodded silently, he turned away with a cold demeanor.

“Then follow me.”

***

Could it be torture this time? The place the Black King led her to was the Sun Palace where he resided.

‘Is there a torture chamber in the basement here too?’

Ilena glared at the Black King’s unnecessarily broad shoulders as she thought. Don’t be fooled by that sweet appearance. He’s like a venomous snake hiding in the desert sand. Ready to bite your heel the moment you let your guard down.

‘Even the kind male lead electrocuted me at the start of the original story. The dark figure would do worse, wouldn’t he?’

In reality and in the novel, people were harsh to the incompetent. The Black King was no exception. Just seeing him mercilessly slap someone for a small mistake proved that. Don’t trust him easily. Don’t show emotions. Don’t appear weak.

Ilena steeled herself over and over as she followed the Black King.

‘If things go south, it’s lightning and thunder. If you mess with me, it’s do or die.’

She followed him with unwavering tension, only to find herself in his office. The room matched his aura perfectly. Dark-colored wallpaper and massive mahogany furniture. The only surprising thing was the large brown puppy sleeping quietly under the desk.

Though big, it was plump and clearly not a hunting dog.

‘I didn’t expect him to have a pet. Surprising.’

Her gaze then landed on a desk in the office. It was piled high with an enormous amount of paperwork, not just on the desk but also on the floor.

‘Why so many documents?’

He didn’t seem lazy. Was he handling all the work himself? One person doing all the work was inefficient.

‘It’s not like there’s no one in the palace. Why not divide the tasks? Creating a system to share the workload would be much more efficient… No, there I go again!’

Ilena shook her head.

‘Phew. That was close. I almost started living diligently again.’

Her pre-possession life had ingrained in her a habit of analyzing and solving problems as if they were her own, even without being asked. But what did living like that cost her? Overwork, insomnia, depression. And the kind male lead’s electric torture.

Ilena resolved once more.

‘In this complicated world, live comfortably and casually.’

“Have a seat.”

Unaware of her thoughts, the Black King gestured to the sofa. Ilena leaned against the sofa opposite him without a word.

‘What’s his plan?’

As she glared at him with tension, the Black King, with a serious and imposing expression, began setting cookies on the table.

“Andre, bring some tea.”

He commanded Andre in a serious voice. Soon, steaming hot tea and cookies, meticulously arranged by the Black King’s large hands, were set on the table. The teacups and porcelain plates were delicate and beautiful, befitting the palace.

Surely, he didn’t buy them himself. Ilena looked down at the prettily arranged cookies on the plate and dryly remarked,

“…Strawberry jam cookies.”

Her reaction was the same as when she saw the ‘…rabbit pattern’ on the handkerchief he offered.

“…”

The Black King seemed momentarily at a loss for words, though he maintained his serious and sexy expression.

‘Why isn’t he saying anything? What harsh words is he planning…’

Ilena asked, still wary.

“You didn’t call me here just to have tea, did you? Why did you summon me?”

“…You’re more impatient than you look. Have some cookies.”

He leaned back on the sofa, leisurely sipping his tea. As he raised his arm, his southern attire, which was quite revealing, exposed his abs. Marble-like six-pack abs. It felt like being in a high-end restaurant overlooking a night view, sipping wine or whiskey, with a languid and decadent atmosphere.

Yet here they were, with cutesy strawberry jam cookies and tea. …And somehow, it oddly suited him.

‘Being handsome is the best, after all?’

Keeping her expression neutral, Ilena nibbled on a cookie, indulging in silly thoughts.

“They’re good.”

She said calmly, and the corner of the Black King’s lip curled up.

“…Really? I was worried they might be too sweet.”

Worried?

“They’re perfect with the bitter tea.”

“Hmm. I see. Well, it’s not that important.”

“That’s true.”

Ilena replied coolly.

‘Whether the cookies are sweet or not isn’t the issue. My life might be at stake here.’