DMHS 18

Because of that, even when the king prepared this tournament to help him find a mate, he never expected Lucien would find one so easily.

All the more so in this tournament. But Lucien did find one.

And unable to contain his joy, he had barged into the king’s office.

‘I have never seen anyone so beautiful in my life!’

‘The moment I saw him, I felt like I couldn’t breathe. That is how pretty he is.’

‘Do you know, Eddie? Everything around him looks pitch black, as if he absorbed all the light around him.’

Lucien clung to the busy king and sang his praises for over an hour. Even when ordered out of the office, he refused to leave.

In the end, the king had to endure Lucien’s “Kian praises” repeated a hundred times.

So, when King Edward finally saw Kian Semes, the man who was “the most beautiful in the world,” who “absorbed all light by his very presence,” and who “possessed beauty that should not exist on earth,” his impression was…

‘That brat Luci has completely lost his mind.’

Kian Semes was a man with black hair, black eyes, and skin so pale it seemed almost white.

His features were balanced, and he was handsome, but not so much that the king wanted to heap endless praise on him.

Compared to Milena, the capital’s most beautiful woman, Kian was plain.

‘And his background was as a fallen noble?’

Neither his speech nor his bearing carried elegance or grace.

With that frost-like cold expression, it felt less like meeting a gentle mate and more like facing a knight commander before battle.

“So. What is it you must say to me alone?”

The king got to the point.

Even as he asked, he had little expectation.

‘No doubt it is something about the tournament. How to be chosen as the final mate, how to stay in Luci’s good graces, things like that.’

He did not believe Kian’s vow sworn on his father’s honor. What vow could not be spoken in order to achieve a goal?

Those who had sought an audience with him always started with empty boasts and promises they could not keep.

Twenty years as king, Edward prided himself on knowing people well enough.

But the moment Kian opened his mouth, the king had to discard all his assumptions.

“Your Majesty, do you know that the kingdom will soon turn into a battlefield?”

The king gave no reply, only stared at Kian. Perhaps he had never intended to answer, for Kian continued speaking.

“Right now the kingdom is split between the South Party and the North Party. They impose heavy taxes on their lands, driving the people into suffering. The wealth they collect is being used to build military strength.”

“……”

“Gathering soldiers is the same as gathering firewood. Without firewood, a fire will burn out quickly, but with it, the fire will not die until it consumes everything. In this situation, if war breaks out, it will spiral out of control.”

A faint smile appeared on the king’s face.

“You are truly remarkable.”

His words carried clear sarcasm.

“So this is why you sought an audience with me? To point out that I mishandle state affairs? So that I might reflect and repent my mistakes?”

The king’s smile vanished as he fixed a cold gaze on Kian.

“You would like me to kneel, shedding tears of gratitude for your advice. But reality is not like the tales. Hero Edward heeded the words of Hero Betias only because his counselor was a noble dark elf, not a nameless man with no family name like you.”

The king’s voice carried restrained anger. His hand tightened on the sofa’s armrest.

He was the king of the realm, direct descendant of Hero Edward, who bore the will of the goddess Celestia, and the most exalted person in the kingdom.

For the ruler of the land to heed the words of a man with no known family was unthinkable. What Kian had just said was overstepping, an insult to the king. Yet even under the king’s measured fury, Kian remained calm.

“Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I did not mean to point out faults. I speak for another reason.”

Kian drew a letter from inside his coat.

“I came here under the command of the lord of Paleon. Here is his letter.”

He extended his arm straight, holding out the letter. His gaze on the king did not waver.

The king was taken aback. When he vented his anger, even the most powerful bowed their heads. Attendants stifled their breaths, cowed by his presence.

That was what it meant to be the most exalted person in the kingdom. His emotions pressed down with great weight, especially when they were negative.

“You think you can speak presumptuously and walk away unscathed. Are you not afraid of my wrath?”

“I am afraid.”

“Then why do you not look afraid now?”

Instead of taking the letter, the king questioned him. Kian met his eyes directly.

“Because Your Majesty is not angry now. If Your Majesty does not feel anger, then I do not feel fear.”

“What did you say?”

“Your Majesty is the highest in the kingdom. Naturally, you should not heed advice from someone like me. You showed rightful anger as a king should. But I did not feel that was your true emotion.”

The response hit home.

The king could no longer keep his “true” feelings hidden. He leaned his head back and laughed.

“Hahaha! You are not of the palace, yet you know the language of the palace?”

“I know nothing of such language. I only know that in Your Majesty’s position, you can neither wholly trust nor wholly doubt anyone.”

“You are smarter than you appear. Hand me the letter.”

The king read it.

It was a request for reinforcements, as bandits had appeared in the northern lands and troops were needed to subdue them.

He placed the letter on his knee and crossed his legs the other way.

“I see the situation. But why ask me? By your own words, the kingdom’s power lies with the two houses. Why not ask the South or the North?”

“Our lord serves no one but Your Majesty.”

“Such loyalty. I wonder how long it will last.”

Though his words carried a barb, his tone was calm.

“And yet, it is true that I need such men right now. Very well. I will send troops to clear out the bandits in Paleon and the north.”

For the first time since the meeting began, Kian showed surprise.

“Truly, Your Majesty?”

“I will dispatch two knights of the royal order and some of my men. But such aid cannot be given for free…”

The king narrowed his eyes at Kian.

“You will remain in the palace.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just that. I will write to Lord Paleon myself. From now on, Kian Semes of the Paleon guard will stay in the palace as a guest of the king. As for how long, let us say until I feel otherwise.”

“Why issue such an order?”

“I have the feeling that I must not let you leave. I am one to trust my instincts.”

Though the words were vague, the king had a reason for his order.

‘Lucien said it himself. His mate’s aim was only to become a finalist, and he did not want to be Lucien’s mate.’

After speaking with him, the king saw it was true. Kian had come to deliver his lord’s letter. Why he joined the tournament midway was unclear, but his real aim was to meet the king, not to become a mate. Now, Kian had achieved that aim. Which meant…

“I am of no use in the palace. I have no family name, no connections here. Why keep a man like me?”

The king, seeing Kian’s desperate response, was convinced.

‘As I thought, he planned to leave the palace immediately.’

But now, under the king’s order, he would not be able to leave at will.

‘I should make Luci owe me for this.’

“Enough modesty. A man as sharp as you will always be of use in the palace.”

“I have not even received proper formal education…”

“I said that is enough. Our talk ends here.”

Kian steadied his breathing and bowed politely. He walked to the door and put his hand on the knob.

At that moment, the king suddenly spoke.

“But tell me, do you believe there is a way to stop this war?”

It was not truly a question.

He was just muttering to himself out of frustration. He was briefly startled that his worry had escaped his lips, but more startled by Kian’s reply.

“There is.”

“…..!”

The king straightened his crossed legs. His eyes lit up as though he might leap at Kian that instant.

Kian, however, continued with his usual expressionless face.