It’s Sunny But I’m Depressed Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Possessed, Yet Depressed (5) 

 

Iago Lihu was the young king of the southern region, a land undergoing desertification due to abnormal climate changes over the past decade.

 

‘Wasn’t his nickname the Black King?’

 

He was the one who, with formidable military might, invaded the north and kidnapped the priestess. I remember it because it was the only conflict element in the otherwise rosy story.

 

‘But that episode appears in the latter part of the novel, doesn’t it?’

 

Lost in thought for a moment, Ilena soon grew weary and stopped thinking altogether.

 

‘Who cares about the original story? The main character being possessed and then getting depression is already messed up.’

 

Ilena simply admired the man’s appearance, something she couldn’t have even dreamed of in her previous life.

 

‘No matter how much I look, he’s both beautiful and decadently alluring… a great face.’

 

The man, who had been gazing at Ilena, soon turned his eyes to the window. Ilena also turned her head to where he was looking. Outside, the sky was still filled with thick, gray clouds.

 

‘And to think I was asleep during all this.’

 

Ilena thought bitterly.

 

“At least with that cursed sun covered, it’s somewhat better.”

 

A surprising comment reached her ears. Startled, Ilena looked over to see the man smiling at the cloud-filled sky.

 

“Why did those greedy northerners give up their priestess? All they asked for was a mine. Fools.”

 

‘Ah, so that’s how it happened. They sold me for a mine.’

 

It seemed they had hidden the fact that something was wrong with her from this dark figure.

 

‘You should be careful with second-hand deals, handsome. There are so many beggars and swindlers in the world.’

 

While Ilena was lost in her dazed thoughts, the man slowly approached her. His purple eyes, fixed solely on her, shone beautifully. She felt as if she might be drawn into his deep, decadent gaze. Ilena couldn’t avoid his eyes and stared back, entranced.

 

He gently stroked her chin with his large hand. She flinched. His touch, as delicate and subtle as brushing silk, made her shiver. The man smirked, lifting the corners of his mouth again.

 

‘Ah, he’s really handsome. Especially when he smiles.’

 

While Ilena was admiring his face in a daze, a thick forearm appeared beside her face. While she was captivated by those beautiful eyes, he was already looking down at her from above.

 

“If I make you cry, it might rain in this desert.”

 

His long, rough finger brushed Ilena’s lower lip. Ilena slowly blinked her eyes, which showed no emotion.

 

‘He’s incredibly handsome, truly.’

 

Though her face appeared lethargic, inside, Ilena was constantly admiring the man’s face. He was indeed very handsome. Of course, the crown prince, the male lead of the original story, was also handsome, but his first impression was too dirty.

 

And her taste, as an ‘adult’ woman, was not for such pretty-boy princes. Look at this man of the desert. A thick body, sturdy arms, a face with smooth, tanned skin, and a sharp nose that seemed like it could cut.

 

“What are you thinking?”

 

A low, soft voice whispered curiously in her ear, sending chills down her spine.

 

‘I’m thinking you’re exactly my type.’

 

Fortunately, this time her thoughts didn’t escape her lips. The effects of the sleeping incense must have worn off. When she didn’t respond and just stared blankly, the man above her slowly leaned closer to her face. Neither of them averted their gaze.

 

Purple eyes met golden ones in the air. Just before their lips touched, he stopped.

 

“…Aren’t you going to avoid it?”

 

Ilena just blinked. Her face still showed no expression.

 

“…”

 

‘Yeah. No matter how much he’s my type, so what?’

 

Ilena sighed inwardly. Though he was maddeningly handsome, her emotions felt as indifferent as looking at a well-carved statue. In short, she felt no romantic feelings at all. It was one of the symptoms of depression. The decrease in appetite and libido.

 

In Korea, she was quite popular. With a pretty face, a successful family, and a lively, leadership-oriented personality. Unless someone had a twisted mind, everyone liked her. She dated freely in her early to mid-twenties, enjoying a vibrant period, but everything changed after she joined her grandfather’s company.

 

Excessive competition for succession. Eyes watching her everywhere. Colleagues who smiled to her face but whispered behind her back, calling her a parachute, saying she had no skills. Living like an apple tree on sand with nothing to lean on, one day depression suddenly appeared, and she broke up with her boyfriend.

 

Since then, even the exciting flings and passionate romances had become just bothersome. When Ilena showed no reaction, the man sighed.

 

“I was rude to someone unwell… without realizing it.”

 

The man heavily lifted himself from the bed.

 

“You will stay here for the next three months.”

 

‘Hmm. Even if I’m broken, it seems they didn’t completely give up on the priestess.’

 

Ilena quickly speculated with her still expressionless face. As he spoke about her residence, the man suddenly opened his mouth.

 

“Our Lihu Kingdom hasn’t seen rain for ten years.”

 

‘What? Ten years?’

 

She knew desertification was happening, but she didn’t realize it was that severe. Ilena looked at the man’s serious face.

 

“We import water from the east at a huge cost, but even that isn’t enough. As a priestess, you can control the weather, right? Covering the sun with clouds like this must be intentional.”

 

“…”

 

Ilena kept her mouth shut.

 

“I never expected those northerners to hand over the priestess quietly.”

 

The man said, glaring at her with a cold gaze.

 

‘It’s not on purpose.’

 

Should she tell him her abilities were currently broken? She hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. As mentioned before, the concept of depression doesn’t exist here. The supposedly gentle male lead had tortured her upon realizing she couldn’t use her abilities.

 

Recalling the horrific memories of torture, Ilena shivered. Moreover, this man was the dark figure of the original story. The ruthless ruler of the desert. If she wasn’t careful, she might end up buried alive in the desert sands instead of facing electric torture.

 

‘Maybe it’s better to let him think it’s intentional.’

 

“You don’t seem inclined to talk. But you won’t hold out for long.”

 

The man said, his beautiful purple eyes shining coldly.

 

“This Black King will make you open that mouth.”

 

He was indeed the dark figure of the original story. Unlike the male lead, the dark figure’s character remained intact.

 

‘What did he do after kidnapping the priestess in the original story?’

 

Ilena pondered quietly. …There wasn’t any memorable episode. It was such a lively and cute story without much hardship or conflict, so any trials or conflicts were always glossed over quickly.

 

“…For now, rest after your long journey.”

 

The man hesitated for a moment before speaking and then hurriedly turned towards the door.

 

‘Rest? What’s this? The dark figure can say such things?’

 

Thinking it was unexpected, she wasn’t surprised when—Bang—! He slammed the door shut as he left.

 

‘Are you trying to break the door? Slam it harder!’

 

Recalling her mother’s words from when she slammed doors in a tantrum as a child, Ilena clicked her tongue. Such a temper… as expected, he was the dark figure. …But.

 

‘Actually, this is good.’

 

Ilena simply turned over and lay down again. She had been feeling guilty while in the north. Because of her, the sun hadn’t risen. What fault did the people have, even if the king or crown prince were to blame? In this desert, if the clouds could help even a little, that was enough.

 

And if things got really annoying, she could just summon lightning again.

 

“I can just lie here for a while longer.”

 

Ilena murmured indifferently, stretching out in lethargy once more.

 

***

 

Bang—.

 

‘Oh, my!’

 

Iago flinched, his broad shoulders tensing as he looked at the closed door. Thump, thump. His unnecessarily jumpy heart was pounding wildly.

 

‘It was just the wind!’ he wanted to open the door again and shout to her.

 

His large hand reached for the doorknob but then faltered, dropping weakly. What would he say if he went back in? Apologize for scaring her? Claim he wasn’t really like that? As the Black King ruling this desolate desert, he couldn’t do that.

 

He couldn’t show weakness to others. He had to break the cycle of desertification that had lasted for ten years. Clenching his fist tightly, he stepped away from the door.

 

“Yes… I must make her cry.”

 

As if making a vow, he spoke aloud, recalling the image of the priestess. The soft sky-blue hair scattered on the bed and the expressionless lemon-colored eyes that revealed no emotion. The feel of her lips when he brushed them with his finger.

 

‘Her lips were really soft…’

 

Feeling a strange tickle at his fingertips, he absentmindedly rubbed his thumb against his forefinger.

 

“…I must.”

 

Reaffirming his vow once more, Iago trudged heavily back to his office.