15. Choosing You…… (2016.02.22)
“Choose right now in this situation?”
At the sudden demand, Ilshia looked back and forth between Hashar and Caliph in confusion.
But not only Caliph—Hashar also seemed quite satisfied with Caliph’s suggestion. Though he said nothing, his silence clearly signaled agreement.
This… this isn’t good…
As a last resort, Ilshia looked toward Shukri. But the moment she saw him, her last hope shattered.
“……”
When their eyes met, he gave a deeply meaningful nod. Shukri seemed to think this was for the best. It appeared he believed it would be better to settle things here and now.
And the choice Shukri had in mind was Caliph.
“So…”
Ilshia clenched her fists tightly. Both Caliph and Hashar were waiting for her decision. Objectively speaking, based on everything that had happened so far, Caliph was the safer choice.
Ilshia knew that well. Caliph was safe. In contrast, Hashar was like a ticking time bomb that could explode at any moment. If she chose Hashar and he lost control and went mad…
But…
Ah. Ilshia squeezed her eyes shut.
This was bad. She had thought she could make a calm, rational decision. But when it actually came down to it—especially with Hashar watching—choosing Caliph was not easy. She felt like crying.
“Master…”
Shukri called her softly, as she hesitated without speaking. His voice pierced her chest. He was urging her to make a decision.
“Stay composed. I am the king of the Devaris. I must make a choice for them…”
Finally, Ilshia opened her mouth.
“I…”
All eyes focused on her. Ilshia forced her unwilling lips open and spoke.
“Cal—”
But she couldn’t finish the word.
“No.”
An arm slid around her waist and pulled her back. Something struck her from behind. A large hand covered her mouth. Hashar’s deep voice reached her ear.
“Don’t say it.”
Gone was his usual relaxed tone—his voice was urgent. Ilshia tried to pull his hand away, but he tightened his grip further.
Perhaps due to resonance, a faint yet pleasant sensation spread across the waist he held and the lips he covered.
“I won’t let you go.”
“……”
His low voice seeped through her body. That damp, sinking sensation wasn’t unpleasant. She was glad he was holding onto her.
‘I’ve gone mad…’
There must be something strange about the ring Hashar had given her. Otherwise, this couldn’t be happening.
Why did Hashar matter so much to her…? Her mind said one thing, but her heart said another. Ilshia found herself relieved that she couldn’t bring herself to choose Caliph.
In truth, she already knew her feelings. She wanted to choose Hashar. Even knowing she shouldn’t, she was constantly drawn to him. If not for her responsibility as king, she would have chosen him without hesitation.
Caliph’s brows shot up sharply as he watched Ilshia in Hashar’s arms. In a stiff voice, he said,
“That’s cheating, Hashar.”
But Hashar was no easy opponent. Despite Caliph’s polite objection, he merely smirked.
“Then…”
Hashar’s unholy power slowly swirled around Ilshia. She trembled slightly. She could clearly feel his power moving. The unholy force began to amplify through her, growing endlessly deeper.
He revealed the surging energy that grew ever larger. Tilting his chin slightly upward, Hashar said arrogantly,
“Die.”
Such a shameless statement. With Ilshia in his arms, Hashar was invincible. Caliph knew that as well.
Caliph gazed quietly at Hashar. As if speaking to himself, he murmured,
“You’ve changed quite a bit since I last saw you.”
Narrowing his eyes, he added softly,
“The beast I knew wasn’t like this.”
Through his narrowed gaze, his gray eyes were cold and lifeless. Hashar smirked back at him.
“And you haven’t changed at all, Caliph.”
“……”
Those simple words seemed to strike something within Caliph. His expression visibly wavered. Though still smiling, there was a faint crack in his demeanor.
But Hashar wasn’t finished.
Hashar curled the corner of his lips in a crooked smile and mocked him,
“Why don’t you clean up the stench of blood coming from you before you speak?”
At that, Caliph’s face turned terrifyingly cold. The compassionate pope was long gone, replaced by killing intent.
Yet even as he looked like he truly wanted to kill Hashar, his voice remained courteous.
“Let’s stop here. If we continue any further…”
Caliph slowly clenched and unclenched his hand several times. Sparks of bright white light flickered in and out.
“I fear we’ll end up doing something we’ll regret.”
Hashar nodded lazily.
“Very well.”
“……”
Caliph exhaled deeply, as though releasing something from deep within.
“I will no longer stay in the Sultan’s palace.”
White light began to emanate from his body, gradually enveloping him. As he faded into the light, he continued,
“I will remain in the Alshatra Empire, but I will not meet the Sultan.”
His firm declaration made Hashar chuckle.
“That’s welcome news.”
Caliph turned his gaze from Hashar to Ilshia. After looking at her briefly, he said his final words.
“…This visit will be for meeting the followers of the Ahalah Church.”
Then a blinding flash erupted. When she opened her eyes again, he was gone. The tension left her body, and she felt weak.
‘Is… it over?’
But before she could even breathe a sigh of relief, a sinister voice called her name.
“Ilshia.”
“……”
It sounded like the voice of a demon freshly risen from hell. Her face went pale. She stiffly turned around—and there stood an enraged Hashar waiting for her.
“You’ve been playing a sly game between Caliph and me.”
In the monochrome room, Hashar’s dark presence stood out more vividly than ever. His surging aura clearly conveyed his anger. Feeling suffocated, Ilshia drew a deep breath.
While she struggled under his pressure, black smoke extended from Hashar and wrapped around Shukri.
“Shukri!!”
But before she could finish shouting, Shukri was completely engulfed and vanished in an instant.
It all happened too fast for her to react. Ilshia snapped her head toward Hashar, glaring at him.
“He’s been sent to the Dekarim estate.”
Hashar replied calmly.
But there was no time to question his arbitrary actions. He immediately grabbed Ilshia’s chin roughly.
“!!”
He forced her to look at him. The grip tightened painfully, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Yet Hashar showed no mercy. He brought his face close and said harshly,
“Now that the nuisance is gone… shall we have a quiet conversation?”
Fear crept in.
Now was the time to pay the price for deceiving the Sultan. If she wanted to survive, she had to say something—anything—but her lips wouldn’t move, as if frozen.
Seeing her silent, Hashar spoke slowly,
“If I spare your life…”
There was a complex emotion in his trailing words.
But what stood out clearly within it was betrayal. Ilshia felt a sharp pain in her chest.
“What can you give me?”
Hashar’s lips pressed firmly together. He waited for her answer. Until she responded, he would not speak.
Realizing she had no choice, her mind filled with resignation.
If she didn’t give the answer he wanted, Hashar would not let her go. As someone dangerous enough to become an enemy, he might even kill her if she didn’t choose him.
But perhaps saying she had no choice was just an excuse. Deep down, her heart had already chosen him.
She swallowed nervously, her throat tight with tension, and spoke:
“I choose you.”
“……!”
A brief ripple passed across Hashar’s face. Ilshia pressed further.
“I mean it. I choose you. I won’t waver between you and Caliph anymore.”
Her words would decide the fate of both the Devaris and Dekarim going forward. Though she hadn’t discussed it thoroughly with Shukri, this wasn’t a rash decision.
Alone, she had been able to think clearly.
Caliph… his resonance felt too unsettling. Though he appeared polite and courteous, inside he was cold and frozen. Her instincts told her to choose Hashar.
“Good.”
Hashar’s satisfied low voice brushed against her like sharp claws.
“Swear on your name.”
His heated gaze felt like it would burn her whole body. Ilshia quietly replied,
“I swear upon the name of Ilshia Karim Devaris.”
Hashar leaned in and whispered,
“What will you swear?”
At that moment, he resembled a demon tempting and devouring a human at the peak of desire. Under that intense presence, Ilshia found herself entranced.
“…That I choose you…”
Hashar pulled her into a kiss.
It was rough, fierce, and entirely without restraint. The world around her went dark. Was it the black smoke surrounding him? All she could see were his red eyes.
Those eyes branded her like a mark. Her heart pounded violently. A faint tremor of resonance spread through her body.
Her fingers tightened instinctively. She grabbed his arm, and his muscles reacted beneath her grip.
A soft sound escaped her lips. His strong arms wrapped tightly around her waist as if intending to crush her.
‘It feels like I’m going to break…’
She closed her eyes weakly, a wave of languid helplessness spreading through her.
“Ah—!”
Hovering between pleasure and pain, she finally couldn’t endure it and let out a sharp cry. Hashar slowly pulled away—but still didn’t let her go.
He silently looked at her, his red eyes trembling with desire. Embarrassed, she looked away and softly called his name.
“Hashar.”
“…Yes?”
“It hurts…”
Hearing her tearful words, Hashar finally loosened his grip. Her skin throbbed where he had held her so tightly—it felt like bruises might form.
Seeing her discomfort, he hesitantly asked,
“…Did it hurt a lot?”
“Pfft.”
Just moments ago he had been like a beast, and now he was worried she might be hurt. Ilshia couldn’t help but laugh.
“What are you?”
She said, smiling.
“I’m fine.”
Perhaps embarrassed, Hashar turned his head slightly and muttered,
“That’s a relief.”
She had thought he was a predator, but in moments like this, he seemed like a puppy. Unable to hold it in, Ilshia laughed openly. Hashar, seemingly understanding why she laughed, simply stood there in silence.
Wiping the tears from her eyes, she said,
“Please take care of me from now on, Hashar.”
“…Well…”
He seemed to be searching for another topic out of embarrassment.
Finally finding something to say, he spoke:
“I’ve found information about an auction that trades Devaris.”
The moment he finished speaking, Ilshia exclaimed,
“Really!?”
Hashar nodded lightly and waved his hand. Black smoke gathered and spat out a sheet of paper. He picked it up and handed it to her.
“However, I have yet to determine who owns the auction house. It’s information that still needs to be investigated, so wait for now.”
Ilshia quickly took the paper and began reading.
A secret auction…
It stated that Devaris occasionally appeared as merchandise there, though no transactions had occurred recently. It was presumed that instead of public auctions, they conducted private one-on-one deals with selected clients.
“…Ah…”
Even reading it made her vision blur. Rage surged within her. The fact that her kin were treated as mere goods ignited a deep hatred. Her grip tightened, crumpling the paper.
“I’m working on a way to infiltrate the auction house, so if you wait a little—”
Hashar’s voice drifted past her ears. Ilshia bit her lip hard. How long would it take him? A day? A week? A month? She didn’t know.
‘I can’t wait.’
But she absolutely couldn’t wait. Sensing this, Hashar warned her:
“…I hope you don’t entertain any foolish thoughts.”
Ilshia composed her expression as if she hadn’t thought anything at all.
“Thank you for telling me, Hashar. When did you manage to find this?”
“Ever since we decided to work together. Though it seems you were doing quite the sly things behind my back.”
At his words, Ilshia let out an awkward laugh. Meeting with Caliph behind Hashar’s back was truly indefensible.
Realizing she hadn’t even properly apologized yet, she finally spoke:
“I’m sorry… for lying to you.”
But Hashar didn’t seem to take it too seriously. Crossing his arms, he replied leisurely,
“For the King of the Devaris, that’s only natural.”
His red eyes rested on her. Surprised by his generosity, Ilshia blinked. His hand then gently patted her head—simple, yet affectionate.
“But I’d prefer Ilshia not to do the same.”
That was quite a statement…
Ilshia reacted as if she had just heard something unbelievable. Amused, Hashar smiled faintly, having regained his usual composure.
Tapping her forehead lightly, he said,
“Shouldn’t you be heading back? Your subordinate must be waiting anxiously.”
“Ah!”
Only then did she remember Shukri. She had completely forgotten about him. As she panicked, Hashar said,
“I’ll send you home, so don’t worry.”
Black smoke rose from the ground and wrapped around her body, preparing to transport her back to the Dekarim estate.
As the smoke obscured her vision, Hashar’s figure faded. Suddenly, she felt reluctant to part. She reached out toward him.
“…!”
Hashar looked slightly surprised, then smiled faintly and took her hand. He kissed the back of her hand with a soft sound.
“Next time, come to my bedroom instead of Caliph’s.”
Just before the smoke fully engulfed her, his whisper slipped into her ear:
“I trust there won’t be a second mistake.”
