The Tyrant Won’t Let Me Go Chapter 107

💫

 

“Finally…!”

 

Jayden picked up the scattered parchments with trembling hands.

 

Plans, information about Caliberne, and numerous documents detailing the oracles that had descended upon Ackeleta.

 

‘The end is finally in sight.’

 

Every time his mad laughter echoed, the dark magic emanating from his fingertips danced.

 

It was as if the dark cloaks of reapers, ferrying souls to hell, were ominously fluttering.

 

“Alent.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Prepare for the meeting with the Kingdom of Chitran.”

 

“Understood.”

 

His attendant, Alent, bowed briefly and left the room.

 

Alone in the room, Jayden wore an ecstatic expression, laughing like a madman.

 

‘Now, this tedious work is finally over.’

 

He was deliriously happy that the sword that would bring the entire continent to its knees would soon be his.

 

Unable to contain his joy, he swayed like a drunkard.

 

Before his eyes was a map of the continent. The black letters spelling ‘Deamant Empire’ came into view as he chuckled.

 

“Deamant is finished now.”

 

With a thud, a black ink bottle toppled, and ink as dark as night stained the pristine map.

 

Watching the darkness engulf the once-mighty letters of ‘Deamant Empire,’ Jayden smiled with satisfaction.

 

💫

 

The operation to leak false information to Ackeleta through Persephine seemed to have succeeded.

 

Once they were lulled into a false sense of security, believing the situation was in their favor, we could strike.

 

‘I hope it goes well.’

 

So far, there hadn’t been any major issues in executing the plan.

 

However, it was concerning that the king of Ackeleta’s methods of using dark magic were becoming increasingly unpredictable.

 

“Ciel, what are you thinking about?”

 

I turned my head at Cedric’s voice from behind me.

 

“Ah, Your Majesty.”

 

He appeared dressed in a light shirt, holding two steaming cups in his hands.

 

“Here, drink this.”

 

“Ah, thank you.”

 

“As the weather gets colder, you need to keep warm.”

 

What he handed me was honey-sweetened milk.

 

‘I used to drink this a lot when I was younger.’

 

The sweet honey spreading in my mouth seemed to ease some of my anxiety.

 

“You were worrying about something again, weren’t you?”

 

At his words, I paused while lifting the cup.

 

“…Your Majesty. Even though we’ve been together for over eight years, this is still a bit scary.”

 

“That’s harsh. Can’t you call it the attentiveness of a lord who carefully watches over his knight?”

 

“You just wanted to hear the word ‘attentive,’ didn’t you?”

 

I chuckled and set the milk-filled cup down.

 

“Right. Persephine said it. Everyone likes it when someone they care about notices even the smallest changes in them.”

 

‘Hmm, that’s true.’

 

But Persephine, at least in this lifetime, hadn’t met anyone who paid such excessive attention to others that they could memorize the exact circumference of their left ring finger.

 

“By the way, when did you have such a conversation with the princess?”

 

“You told me to be nice to her, so we’ve become somewhat close. We’ve had these kinds of conversations occasionally. Before she collapsed.”

 

“I see…”

 

So they were counseling each other.

 

‘At first, I tried to pair them up…’

 

But now, that wasn’t necessary.

 

‘This dynamic isn’t bad, either.’

 

Instead of a love-hate relationship between a sub-male lead and a female lead, they were mutual confidants and advisors.

 

It really didn’t seem like a bad idea.

 

“So, what were you worried about earlier?”

 

“Nothing much.”

 

“Hmm, if it’s about the Ackeleta issue, I can’t say it’s nothing.”

 

“Did you really just read my mind…?”

 

At my words, Cedric burst into laughter.

 

“Well, there’s nothing else you’d be worried about at this time. And I understand how you feel.”

 

Cedric looked at me with his transparent red eyes.

 

“It’s only natural to feel nervous before something like this.”

 

“True.”

 

Thinking about it, I’ve been nervous about many things.

 

When I first came to the palace, my first lesson with Cedric, the knighthood initiation ceremony, the first expedition.

 

As I grew older, I became less anxious about big events compared to before.

 

But when the safety of my subordinates, and especially the people of the palace, including Cedric, depended on me, I couldn’t help it.

 

This time, the reason I’m so anxious is undoubtedly because I want to protect him so badly.  

 

This person who looks only at me.  

 

“…We’ll definitely succeed.”  

 

At that, Cedric gave a faint smile.  

 

“You’re reliable.”  

 

“What kind of knight wouldn’t be reliable when it comes to protecting their lord?”  

 

I also smiled back at him.  

 

“Failure isn’t even an option.”  

 

At that moment, the look in Cedric’s eyes changed as he stared at me.  

 

“Huh? Oh… right.”  

 

“Your Majesty?”  

 

I asked, noticing the slight stiffness in the corner of his mouth and the fleeting shadow of unease in his eyes.  

 

“Is something wrong…?”  

 

He hesitated, biting his lip, then cautiously spoke.  

 

“Ciel, you’re not thinking anything strange, are you?”  

 

“Huh?”  

 

Startled, I asked back, and Cedric added hesitantly.  

 

“It’s just… I thought I’d ask, just in case.”  

 

“Strange thoughts? What kind of thoughts?”  

 

“Ah… never mind. It’s nothing.”  

 

Then he erased the stiff expression and smiled softly again.  

 

“Ah, I finished this. Where should I put the cup?”  

 

“Just leave it on the cabinet next to you. I’ll clean it up.”  

 

“Thank you, it was delicious.”  

 

After receiving my thanks, Cedric lay down on the bed, and I placed the cup on the cabinet before sitting on the edge of the bed.  

 

“Why are you sitting there so uncomfortably? Lie down here next to me.”  

 

Cedric patted the spot beside him with his hand.  

 

“Hmm… no. I’ll just sit here.”  

 

“I won’t do anything, I’ll just lie here quietly.”  

 

“Don’t lie. The moment I lie down, you’ll tell me to stay for just one more hour.”  

 

“No, I wasn’t planning to. Did you really think I’d do that?”  

 

Cedric’s red eyes softened as he gave me a subtle look.  

 

‘This is cheating. Using the expression he’s most confident in to tempt me like this.’  

 

“Ciel, just 10 minutes. Just lie here for 10 minutes, and I’ll let you go.”  

 

“…Fine. Just 10 minutes. I’ll lie here for 10 minutes and only hold hands, nothing else.”  

 

“Got it. Come here.”  

 

In the end, I gave in again.  

 

And as expected. The moment I laid my head on the pillow, Cedric wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into his embrace.  

 

“Got you.”  

 

“Excuse me, do you not know the definition of holding hands?”  

 

“It’s your fault for lying down, knowing I’d do this.”  

 

“Ah, really…”  

 

I sighed, but didn’t struggle to escape his arms.  

 

Instead, I wrapped one arm around his shoulder.  

 

“I’m only doing this because it’s you.”  

 

“Yeah, thanks.”  

 

Cedric smiled warmly and nuzzled his cheek against mine.  

 

I couldn’t help but smile at the warmth.  

 

‘He’s such an affectionate person.’  

 

Could he really endure a world without me?  

 

I didn’t know. I wasn’t confident I could endure a world without Cedric, either.  

 

So I felt sorry. The truth was, I ‘was’ having ‘strange thoughts,’ but I couldn’t bring myself to say it.  

 

“…Can’t you stay here and sleep tonight?”  

 

His red eyes, filled with adorable sparks, stared intently at me.  

 

Wanting to embrace those sparks fully, I nodded.  

 

[Your mana condition has really improved lately.]

 

Hearing Caliberne’s diagnosis, I smiled quietly.  

 

[That’s a relief. At this rate… as long as you don’t recklessly use powerful attacks like lightning strike, there shouldn’t be any problems in the future.]  

 

Her voice carried a sense of relief.  

 

Though she often argued with me and hit my back whenever I fainted, Caliberne was the one who worried about me more than anyone else.  

 

“Sorry, you must have been really worried when I was in prison.”  

 

At that, Caliberne didn’t respond for a while. It was only after a few minutes that she broke the silence with a sigh.  

 

“Honestly, I can’t say I wasn’t.”  

 

Her voice carried sincerity.  

 

[I can say this now that it’s all over, but back then, I really thought you were going to die.]  

 

“…I see.”  

 

[I’m sorry I couldn’t bring myself to tell you. But I just didn’t know when or how to say it.]  

 

A bright blue light emanated from the sword resting against the sofa.  

 

Was it just my imagination, or did that light seem sadder than usual today?  

 

[If I had told you, you would have spent the rest of your time fearing when you’d die, and I couldn’t think of any way to fix you…]

 

I understood Caliberne’s feelings.  

 

If I were in her position, I would have done the same.