MBOMEN 34

Chapter 34. Secret Game (3)
Ode suddenly burst out laughing as he looked at Basso. Chief Attendant Basso was never more than a minute away from him on any given day, and yet he felt as if it had been a hundred years since he’d seen Ode laugh like that.

“Coming through the front gate like that—you must have something important to say, don’t you?”

Basso tilted his chin slightly and smiled. It was a good sign… Ode was in very good spirits today. For Basso, nothing mattered more than that.

“You may leave now, Basso.”

The chief attendant bowed respectfully. He gave the same deep bow to Eustar, who had entered just after, and then vanished silently beyond the heavy doors that closed behind him.

“What brings you here?”

asked Ode. Seeing his brother sitting on the bed in the sunlight brought a broad smile to Eustar’s face.

Although his sunlit skin was as pale as a corpse, for a brief moment Eustar had the absurd thought that if Ode just sat like that for another day or two, basking in the sun, his illness might miraculously vanish.

“It’s been a long time since you walked through that door.”

Even Ode’s expression softened as he looked at his smiling younger brother. Eustar turned to glance at the door he had come through, then pulled up a chair and sat beside him.

“I’m relieved to see you looking well today, brother.”

“It’s because I didn’t have to hear Sui’s constant clatter. My head doesn’t hurt as much.”

As he said it, Ode’s face momentarily looked like that of a very young boy. Even with all the sickness and wrinkles, that youthful quality shone through.

Sui was the name of Marquis Himierd. Eustar chuckled lightly at Ode’s remark.

“Don’t be too harsh. He cares more about the kingdom’s peace than anyone.”

“Right. Which is why he’s so desperate to kick me out and put you in my place. Back when I ascended the throne, he would have pretended to die if I told him to.”

Eustar’s gaze dropped slightly, and the bright smile faded from his lips. But Ode didn’t seem too concerned by his brother’s shift in mood. He simply watched him in silence.

Eustar exhaled slowly, then turned to Ode again with a gentle smile.

“You know better than anyone that I have no such ambitions.”

At that, Ode let out a quiet laugh. Though his voice was tinged with iron, he didn’t cough.

“Yes, that’s true. No one knows you better than I do. That much is certain.”

Ode clenched and unclenched his hand once more. Even that small movement seemed difficult—his joints ached, and his wrist trembled.

His gaze darkened with pain as he looked at his own skeletal fingers. Eustar noticed, but pretended not to for his brother’s sake.

Ode changed the subject.

“What of the little witch?”

Recalling Layla’s anxious expression, Eustar replied calmly,

“She refuses to leave her room. She’s extremely anxious about coming outside.”

Ode let out a sharp, irritated breath—not pleased with the answer, or perhaps with Layla herself—and curled one corner of his lips.

“She’s more timid than she looks. When she looked me straight in the eye and told me she was a person, not a thing, she seemed fairly bold.”

Eustar responded,

“It’s a new and unfamiliar place. It’s natural she’s uneasy. She’s lived her entire life in a small house in a small village.”

“But the land she had taken root in burned, didn’t it? If she’s found new ground, she must spread her roots quickly—even if it’s painful.”

Ode spoke sharply, his bloodshot eyes glaring out the window.

“Otherwise, she’ll dry up and die.”

Eustar thought again of Layla. He knew she wasn’t weak. But he chose not to argue.

The land where Layla had once rooted herself—or believed she had—was now reduced to ashes.

Rizikus had never truly welcomed her. She was merely a seed blown in by chance, never blessed by the fertile soil, never given the chance to thrive.

Had she remained in Rizikus, she would have withered away quickly—in a barren land with no sun, no water, no nourishment.

Eustar didn’t dare say he had saved her. That would be arrogant. Her life was her own, shaped by her own hands.

But from now on, her life and his would be intertwined, inescapably so.

And so he had no choice but to pull her closer—make sure she took firm root at his side. Otherwise, both of them would wither.

Ode asked,

“So? What did you come to say?”

“It’s about the wedding.”

He had expected that. That’s why Ode deliberately shook his head indifferently.

“If that’s what it’s about, don’t worry. The palace officials will take care of it.”

“That’s exactly why I’m here. I know they’re busy preparing but… Brother, please allow us to forgo the wedding ceremony.”

Ode turned a sharp gaze on Eustar. It was the kind of look that could precede a slap across the face, but no blow came. Instead, Ode’s voice dropped, cold and irritated.

“Why?”

Eustar hesitated, unsure of what to say. Whatever he said might sound unjustified—or completely justified. After all, this was his own marriage.

As king, Ode had the right to command many things from his brother.

But he wouldn’t try to rule Eustar’s personal life as king. Eustar believed that. That’s why he dared to come here, calling him “Brother” instead of “Your Majesty,” even knowing he wouldn’t like it.

“I asked why, Eustar.”

“This marriage… it’s just…”

Eustar trailed off, shaking his head slowly with his gaze lowered. His long hair stirred slightly, as if caught by the wind.

“No other reason matters. I simply want to ease her burden. That’s all.”

Ode stared intently at his brother, intrigued. Did Eustar understand what that gaze meant?

No—he probably didn’t. Ode thought so. He had never seen Eustar show this kind of delicate consideration for someone before.

He had always known Eustar was kind, but never had he seen him defy his own brother’s will for someone.

Even though Sui Himierd had been utterly devoted to him, Eustar had never given her any hope—of any kind.

Ode said,

“That little witch seems to have really captured your heart.”

Eustar gave a vague smile, unsure how to respond.

“She’s a good person. I believe one day you’ll come to know that too, Brother. And Layla… she’ll come to know what kind of person you are as well.”

“What about you? When I told you to marry that witch, did you resent me even a little?”

Resentment. For a moment, Eustar almost laughed at the absurdity of it. He could never resent Ode.

Even if Ode had told him to marry someone else, he would have accepted it.

“No. And I believe you know that best of all. But it was… unexpected.”

Ode nodded. His gaze had already drifted elsewhere.

“Yes, I imagine it was. But just like then, I won’t allow you to ask why. One day you’ll understand. When the time is right.”

“I understand.”

Ode moved his cold, stiff hands with great effort, resting them on his knees. The pain felt like dry bones scraping against each other.

“If you want to do something for that little witch, very well. We’ll skip the wedding ceremony. But she’s now part of the royal family. She must be introduced. That part is non-negotiable.”

Being introduced meant meeting the highest-ranking officials and nobles of the kingdom. As Ode said, it was a rite of passage for any new member of the royal family—and a very important one.

“I understand, Brother.”

“And one more thing.”

Ode turned to Eustar.

“The decision to cancel the wedding must be my command. My whim. Do you understand what I mean?”

At that, Eustar frowned slightly, wearing a bitter smile.

“I understand that as well.”

Ode’s body tilted slightly. Worried he might fall, Eustar quickly raised an arm to support him, but just then, Ode braced himself with a trembling hand on the sheets and opened his eyes wide.

His pale face came so close it almost brushed Eustar’s chin.

“You must be pushed further, Eustar. For your sake. And for mine. Do you understand?”

Ode said, his voice rasping like a hissing snake. Eustar relaxed his frown and gave a faint, unreadable smile as he nodded.

“I understand.”

Only then did Ode pull back. Eustar waited quietly for him to finish moving, then said,

“Then, I’ll take my leave. Please rest well.”

Ode nodded.

Eustar stepped out of the royal bedchamber, passing Basso who had been waiting outside. The late afternoon sun was beginning to fade, and long shadows stretched from the columns.

He remembered—he was supposed to have dinner with Layla. He had almost forgotten in that short time.

It was always like this after seeing Ode—after talking with him. His head became clouded with complex thoughts, despair, and a sorrowful kind of love.

Eustar decided it was best to head to Layla’s room before it got too late. But before he could take even ten steps, a royal guard in Tentinel uniform came running and called out to him.

“Lord Eustar! I have something to report!”