It’s Sunny But I’m Depressed Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Comforts of the Night (3)

 

 Iago knew all too well that his rebellion was futile. Everything had been exposed. He had broken down in tears in front of her, leaving nothing to hide. The ruthless Black King of the desert!

 

‘I couldn’t help it…’

 

He imagined the shocked eyes of Otter staring at him. Even though no one was listening, Iago muttered to himself as if making excuses. Seeing her with those faded eyes, as if her soul had died, swallowing her sobs, he couldn’t hold back his tears.

 

‘Somehow… I didn’t want to hold back.’

 

Iago tilted his head. If it had been anyone else, he would never have allowed himself to cry so freely. Why was it different with her? Somehow, it felt okay. Finally, Iago spoke slowly.

 

“Mai Island is a peaceful and beautiful place. But ten years ago, war broke out and a sudden climate anomaly hit. People fear it might be the ‘end times’ foretold in legends.”

 

“I heard about that before,” Ilena replied, recalling the past. He nodded earnestly as he continued.

 

“And the North keeps eyeing our Orichalcum mines in Rihu. In such chaotic times, a strong king is needed to stabilize the nation. So I…”

 

Iago lowered his head, looking dejected.

 

“You pretended to be a strong king to protect the country from the Northern invasion.”

 

“Yes.”

 

He answered in a small voice.

 

“It must have been tough. You played the role well.”

 

Ilena offered her comfort calmly.

 

“No… It wasn’t.”

 

Iago mumbled, resting his chin on his knees, looking sullen.

 

“…I’m the pathetic one.”

 

Was it because of the darkness?

 

‘Somehow… he looks like a rabbit with invisible ears.’

 

The thought of this large, black panther-like man resembling a soft-furred rabbit was absurd. Ilena shook her head vigorously to clear her mind.

 

“My father and brother were natural leaders. But I… I’m not at all. I keep pretending and making mistakes. Because of me, Otter suffers…”

 

His eyes reddened again as if trying hard to hold back tears.

 

“I find myself… so pathetic.”

 

“Don’t hold back.”

 

“Huh?”

 

With tear-filled eyes, he looked at Ilena. She spoke with a casual but kind gaze.

 

“I heard somewhere that emotions are like water; if you block them, they’ll eventually burst.”

 

“Is that something they say in the North?”

 

“Yes. And it’s the same for you, Your Highness.”

 

Ilena smiled warmly at him.

 

“Huh? The same how?”

 

“In my eyes, you’ve never been pathetic, not for a single moment.”

 

Tears welled up in his purple eyes, and they finally spilled over. The Black King buried his face in his knees, sobbing aloud. Pat, pat.

 

‘The Black King is a crybaby.’

 

Ilena awkwardly patted his broad shoulder.

 

“…There, there. It’s okay.”

 

The sensation of patting his firm, muscular body was unfamiliar.

 

***

 

The horizon of the desert was beginning to light up. Light started to seep into the once pitch-black desert. Iago seemed to have calmed down somewhat.

 

“Are you feeling better now?”

 

Ilena asked, and he nodded.

 

“Yes. Thank you…”

 

“For what? Now, go wash up at the oasis over there.”

 

“Okay.”

 

With eyes as red as a rabbit’s, he nodded awkwardly. It was the first time since ascending the throne that someone had given him an order. Yet, somehow, he didn’t mind it. Ilena watched his retreating figure, as if wondering when he had ever been the Black King and the mastermind.

 

The sound of washing could be heard from afar, and soon he returned, his face tidied up, walking leisurely.

 

“Phew—”

 

He ran his hand through his wet hair, letting out a long sigh. Water dripped from his black hair, and his wet, thin clothes clung to his muscular body. It was hard to believe this was the same person who had cried like an abandoned rabbit just moments ago.

 

Watching him, Ilena suddenly spoke.

 

“By the way.”

 

“Phew, yes?”

 

How long had it been since he cried out loud like that? He couldn’t even cry freely in his own room for fear of being overheard. Feeling better, Iago responded to Ilena with relaxed eyes. His beautiful purple eyes shone moistly between his slightly narrowed eyelids.

 

He looked decadently alluring. But unfortunately, Ilena, still suffering from depression, had no romantic feelings. What bothered her was something entirely different.

 

“Why am I the only one speaking formally to you?”

 

Caught off guard, Iago looked as if he’d been stabbed in the back.

 

“Is that… really important right now?”

 

“If it’s not that important, I’ll speak informally too.”

 

‘Respectful speech should be mutual.’

 

Ilena naturally switched to informal speech.

 

‘Why is she pretending to ask when she’s already doing it?’

 

Grumbling internally, Iago just nodded meekly. Even though she was a priestess, speaking informally to the King of Rihu was something that would shock others, but he decided to let it slide, attributing it to her amnesia.

 

Ilena glanced at the sky and said.

 

“Alright, let’s get going. It’ll get hot once the sun fully rises.”

 

“Okay.”

 

“Do you know the way back?”

 

“Yes. At night, I follow the stars, and during the day, I follow the sun’s direction.”

 

“Very good. You’re quite capable.”

 

“When commanding people, rewards and punishments should be clear.”

 

Trained by her grandfather, Ilena naturally praised him. Iago, weak to compliments, blushed.

 

“It’s nothing. Thank you.”

 

“Alright, let’s go.”

 

Watching Ilena confidently lead the way, Iago marveled once more.

 

‘She’s amazing…’

 

And then he quickly corrected her.

 

“Ilena. It’s this way, not that way.”

 

***

 

Surprisingly, the capital was closer than they thought. Perhaps they hadn’t noticed it yesterday due to the panic and the sandstorm. Once they left the desert, Iago found a large horse from somewhere and galloped towards the palace like the wind.

 

“Ilena!”

 

As soon as they crossed the palace gates and dismounted, Andre came running.

 

“Ugh. Andre.”

 

As his large frame enveloped her, Ilena chuckled.

 

“I can’t breathe.”

 

“Sniff… Do you know how worried I was? My goodness. How terrifying it must have been in the desert.”

 

“Are you crying?”

 

‘The people of the Rihu Kingdom are such crybabies.’

 

Ilena wiped the tears from Andre’s face with a slight smile. By the way.

 

“How did you know I was in the desert?”

 

“I told them.”

 

Otter, who had approached quietly, spoke up. His face looked like it had lost half its weight overnight.

 

‘Tsk… You should live true to yourself. Only those who are truly bad can do wicked deeds.’

 

Seeing him, any lingering resentment vanished. She had no intention of interrogating someone who seemed to have suffered more than she had overnight. Yet Otter bit his lip until it bled.

 

“I’m truly… truly sorry. There’s no excuse.”

 

He bowed deeply, almost touching the ground.

 

“Alright.”

 

Ilena accepted the apology without hesitation. Otter was taken aback by her straightforward response. He stammered with wide eyes.

 

“Is… is that all? I kidnapped you and left you in the desert…”

 

“Well.”

 

‘It wasn’t such a bad experience.’

 

Ilena thought as she rolled her eyes. She had seen stars she couldn’t see in the city, enjoyed the campfire, and the oasis water tasted quite good.

 

‘And I got to know the Black King’s true nature.’

 

“You apologized, and I accepted. That’s it for now.”

 

“But still, I should be punished to feel at ease! Please, give me a fitting punishment!”

 

“Wait. She needs to rest first.”

 

At that moment, Iago gently wrapped his arm around Ilena’s waist and joined the conversation.

 

“She hasn’t eaten since yesterday. Priestess, eat something easy to digest and go to sleep right away.”

 

“Alright. Yawn.”

 

The moment she heard the word ‘sleep,’ Ilena felt an overwhelming drowsiness.

 

‘Come to think of it, I didn’t sleep at all last night…’

 

Seeing this, Iago frowned slightly in concern and led her into the palace.

 

“No, you must eat something before you sleep. Come this way.”

 

They entered the palace together, with Ilena staggering slightly.

 

***

 

She hadn’t eaten anything. How hungry she must be. Such a dreadful thing.

 

‘It’s all my fault…’

 

Otter watched their retreating figures with a face full of guilt. But then. Poke, poke.

 

“…What are you doing, Andre?”

 

Andre, who was also watching them, poked Otter’s side with his elbow.

 

“Otter, don’t you feel something?”

 

Andre whispered slyly, lowering his head. Otter looked puzzled.

 

“What?”

 

‘Honestly, this is why… people who’ve never been in love…’

 

Andre sighed internally and exclaimed urgently.

 

“The atmosphere between them has changed!”

 

“…Atmosphere? Well, she did look a bit hungry.”

 

After fasting all day. Andre looked at Otter with a mix of pity and frustration. That subtle, ticklish atmosphere. The newfound ease in their interactions! Well, spending a night alone in the desert could spark love even between sworn enemies.

 

“I’m saying their relationship seems to have changed!”

 

“What? Relationship?”

 

Otter asked blankly.

 

“Oh, dear.”

 

This is why love fools… Andre shook his head and clicked his tongue. Then he muttered, “Oh my, I should prepare Ilena’s meal,” as he bustled away.

 

“Did Andre just say something about love? Wait, wait, wait.”

 

A flash of joy crossed Otter’s previously sullen face. There was a way, a way to make the priestess cry without resorting to cruel methods! A way to bring rain to the desert!