Chapter 17. “You resemble ice.” (Feb 29, 2016)
Il-sia kept hurrying after Shukri, who kept walking ahead of her.
After chasing him for a while, he subtly slowed his pace. Il-sia smiled and matched his stride, walking beside him.
She didn’t press him for details about what had just happened. She didn’t fully understand, but it seemed he no longer wanted to explain.
“He’s surprisingly shy.”
Amused by her own thought, Il-sia smiled softly.
After walking a bit further, they soon arrived near their destination. Since they couldn’t openly linger around, they hid at a street corner and peeked out slightly.
“Over there.”
Shukri pointed toward a grand building. Il-sia read the sign aloud.
“Talamakhan…….”
Located slightly away from the bustling district in a quiet area, Talamakhan was said to operate as a high-end restaurant during the day and a bar at night.
Only high-ranking emirs and wealthy elites could enter Talamakhan. Newly rich individuals who had just come into money couldn’t even step inside.
“It seems we can’t go in,” Il-sia said.
“That seems to be the case.”
They observed the building, but nothing could be determined from the outside. They would need to enter to know more—but entry wasn’t something just anyone could manage.
Even if they confirmed it was an auction house, one more thing remained to be verified: whether the Debaris were truly present.
Even if Debaris circulated through auctions, their numbers would be extremely small. Only if they were certain Debaris were present could they mobilize the Dekarim. Acting without evidence would come at too great a cost.
Mobilizing the entire Dekarim was no easy task. Each member had their own missions and assignments, and gathering them meant incurring significant expense.
Since they had already mobilized them twice recently, it was no longer feasible.
“…!”
A guard near the building glanced their way, prompting Il-sia to quickly pull her head back. Shukri quietly said,
“Perhaps we should return for now.”
She didn’t want to leave. But she also knew storming in recklessly was not an option. As she continued glancing at the building with lingering regret—
Someone suddenly placed a hand on her shoulder.
Thinking it was Shukri, Il-sia turned around—only to scream and collapse when she saw the face behind her.
“Ahh!”
The man resting his hand on her shoulder pressed a finger against her lips and whispered softly,
“Shh…”
Both Il-sia and Shukri looked at him, completely startled. A deep resonance spread through her body. With red eyes curved like crescent moons, he greeted them.
“Long time no see.”
“Hashar…!”
Why was he here? Someone she never expected to meet. Seeing Il-sia flustered amused him, and Hashar smiled faintly.
He wasn’t alone. Behind him stood a man wearing glasses, looking nervous. Though he appeared somewhat clumsy at first glance, the faint scent of ink and his sharp eyes suggested he was quite intelligent.
Il-sia narrowed her eyes slightly and asked Hashar,
“Why are you here?”
“Then why are you here?”
He countered her question with one of his own. Il-sia had no answer.
“Shall I guess?”
“Don’t,” Il-sia muttered, turning away.
“I clearly told you to wait, yet you couldn’t resist coming to the auction house.”
His words hit the mark, and Il-sia’s face flushed red with embarrassment.
As she tried to speak, Hashar tapped her lips lightly and whispered,
“Don’t speak too loudly. There are many eyes and ears here.”
Il-sia obediently fell silent. His gaze shifted to her hands. On the ring finger of both her hands were black rings.
“You’re wearing the ring properly.”
“Who would dare take off a ring given by someone like you?”
She replied softly, then looked at the bespectacled man behind Hashar, silently asking who he was.
Hashar gave a small nod and introduced him briefly.
“Chancellor, Alsned.”
The man called Alsned looked completely flustered at the minimal introduction. He quickly bowed politely to Il-sia.
“I am Alsned, Chancellor of Alshatra Empire. It is an honor to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you, Alsned.”
So this was the Chancellor of Alshatra.
Il-sia had heard of his reputation—he was said to be highly competent. Observing him carefully within polite bounds, she couldn’t help but think: shouldn’t a chancellor normally be sitting in an office handling documents? Not following the Sultan around like a guard…
Sensing her thoughts, Alsned muttered in complaint,
“His Majesty enjoys dragging me around so much that I end up serving as chancellor, attendant, and bodyguard all at once.”
His tone was half joking, half serious, which made Il-sia smile.
Seeing how casually he spoke to Hashar suggested they were quite close. Aside from Hashar’s nanny Anasila, this was the first person she had seen who seemed familiar with him.
And the fact that he has no guards… likely means he never had anyone he trusted to watch his back, even on battlefields.
After fighting in countless wars, he had no one he could rely on behind him.
Il-sia realized his circle of trust was extremely narrow. His deep-rooted distrust of others was faintly visible.
And yet, despite that distrust… why had he saved her eight years ago?
He was a man full of contradictions.
Il-sia masked her unsettled feelings with a slightly sharp tone.
“You have many enemies targeting your life. Why are you wandering around without guards?”
Instead of answering, Hashar only smiled faintly. His gaze shifted to Shukri standing behind her.
“Isn’t the same true for you?”
He touched the cloth covering Il-sia’s face.
“Danger naturally follows a woman who walks around like this.”
Il-sia grabbed Shukri’s arm and replied,
“I do have a guard. Right here.”
Hashar raised an eyebrow, scanning Shukri from head to toe before smirking.
“Ah… this weakling?”
The mocking tone made veins pop on Shukri’s forehead. The two glared at each other intensely, as if ready to fight in the street.
Moments ago he had told her to be quiet, yet now he was the loudest of all. The tense atmosphere drew the attention of nearby passersby.
Il-sia stepped between them and said quietly,
“Hey… let’s not do this here…”
Realizing they were being watched, Shukri coughed and composed himself. Hashar pretended not to notice and crossed his arms.
Seeing the two of them made Il-sia chuckle softly.
Her smile wasn’t visible beneath the cloth covering her face.
Looking at her, Hashar asked casually,
“Going to eat something?”
Il-sia blinked, not immediately understanding.
“Let’s have a meal together.”
She never imagined she would one day share a meal with a Sultan.
Unless, perhaps, she was the main dish being served.
She shivered slightly at the thought.
“Are you cold?” Hashar asked.
Il-sia quickly shook her head.
They entered Talamakhan, which also served as a suspected auction house.
The manager, already familiar with Hashar, approached immediately and bowed respectfully.
“Two on the top floor, two below.”
Then Hashar turned to Shukri.
“I’d like to speak with her alone for a moment.”
It was neither a command nor a request, but something in between.
Reluctantly, Shukri agreed.
Thus, Shukri and Alsned ended up dining together, while Hashar and Il-sia were escorted to the top floor.
Wow…
The top floor was spacious, with a large table and soft chairs, and no one else present. It was far too large for just two people.
A full banquet had already been prepared. Staff moved silently, setting the table like ghosts before disappearing without a sound.
Now only Hashar and Il-sia remained.
“Take off that cloth,” Hashar said.
With a flick of his fingers, a strand of black energy wrapped around her and removed the covering.
“From now until I leave, not even a mouse will come near this place.”
Il-sia didn’t resist as the cloth slipped away.
Seeing her uncovered face, Hashar smiled with satisfaction.
“Sit closer.”
After hesitating, Il-sia didn’t sit right next to him, but diagonally across the table.
The awkward distance reflected her feelings.
Unable to meet his gaze directly, she fiddled with the tablecloth and muttered,
“About that forbidden power… shouldn’t you avoid using it as much as possible? Using it like earlier could be harmful…”
Hashar chuckled softly.
“Another lecture.”
“It’s not a lecture, it’s concern!”
Still looking down, she continued talking.
He lifted her face gently so their eyes met.
“Look up. I can’t see you.”
Their eyes met directly. Il-sia turned her head slightly and stammered,
“W-why are you doing this?”
“Have you ever tasted ice?”
In the scorching desert, ice was a rare luxury.
“Of course I have.”
His hand brushed near her eyes.
“Ice cools and clears the mind just by being near.”
“….”
“You resemble ice.”
Il-sia was stunned.
That monster Sultan? The devil of the desert?
Seeing her reaction, Hashar simply smiled without comment.
He really said embarrassing things so casually.
Il-sia decided to change the subject.
“Why did you come here?”
“To eat.”
Seeing her patience wear thin, she asked again.
“Even if Talamakhan might be a secret auction house, is it really okay to come and go like this?”
“I’ve been coming here for a while.”
“Don’t read too much into being here,” Hashar added.
“I brought you here because I wanted to feed you.”
“….”
He offered her skewered meat.
“Try this.”
Il-sia accepted it silently.
Delicious…
It was truly delicious.
Hashar continued offering various dishes, and she accepted them without refusal.
As she ate, she noticed one dish in particular had an exquisite aroma—it contained saffron, an expensive spice. Using such lavish ingredients for a meal meant for just two people was extravagance itself.
But then she remembered: Hashar was someone who burned money without hesitation.
While she was eating, Hashar suddenly spoke.
“Don’t do anything dangerous.”
The words made her lose her appetite slightly.
“This is about the Debaris.”
Her tone sharpened.
“Your role is only to provide information. Nothing more.”
“So you’re telling me not to interfere.”
“Yes.”
Hashar leaned back, resting his chin on his hand as he looked at her.
“Will you kill them with your own hands?”
“Of course.”
He took the knife from her hand, his fingers overlapping hers.
“Then let me handle anything that involves blood.”
He tossed the knife into the air and caught it again.
“You just give the orders.”
His offer was tempting—but Il-sia refused.
She didn’t want to rely on him. The more she depended on him, the more she might become attached. And if something happened—if he broke down or betrayed her—she needed to be prepared.
She decided to avoid relying on him unless absolutely necessary.
She deflected with a joke,
“How could a mere king of Debaris dare give orders to the great Sultan?”
But Hashar didn’t let her escape.
“I’m serious.”
“….”
Why was he being so kind to her?
Il-sia couldn’t help but ask.
“Why are you treating me like this?”
Hashar smiled silently, his expression as relaxed as a midday nap.
He returned the knife to her, placing the handle in her hand while holding the blade himself.
Watching her take it, he finally spoke.
“…I wonder.”
He whispered,
“Why is that?”
