Volume 2 – Brief (Lonely 寂蓼)
1
It happened on a dark cloudy day, not unlike today’s weather. On that grey somber day, when the dark clouds overhead threatened to sink even the hardiest of hearts, the sad news (悲報) was delivered. It was the report that Empress Leia, who had been relegated to a distant separate palace, had died.
According to what her maid said when she came to visit, Leia had killed herself. According to her, it was after Leia had received a letter from her father, The Northern Prince. It seemed that Leia was trying to reconnect with Cain by reaching out to her father on her own.
However, the hard-hearted Prince chose to ignore his daughter’s opinions. Although Leia hadn’t given up the position of Empress yet, the Northern Prince replied that it didn’t matter if she did, she would no longer be welcomed back in his kingdom, and for her to never contact him again. So even before his daughter could step down from her position, the Northern Prince had thrown her out first.
After Leia had been abandoned by both Cain and her father, she made an extreme choice to end her life. When Cain heard the news he ordered that all the people around Leia be beaten. Then he locked himself in an empty room for a long time without coming out.
Aran stood in front of the locked office door and just when he was about to knock when he suddenly stopped his hand in midair and let out a sigh. The entire Palace had sunk into a gloomy atmosphere.
A few days after her suicide, a funeral was silently held for the Empress. That day felt even more lonely as raindrops fell from the dark grey sky.
Aran was one of the few people who avoided the funeral. He was standing in an open space on the second floor, not bothering to avoid the drizzling rain.
Shaw quietly approached Aran’s side.
“I heard that she could have become Empress.”
Shaw spoke calmly as he put his coat over Aran’s wet shoulders. It was only misting now but after Aran stood in it for such a long time, Shaw must have noticed that he had quickly become damp, and his body temperature must have dropped. Aran nodded his head as he touched the warm coat with his fingertips.
“She was a kind-hearted woman.”
“It’s unfortunate.”
“… Taejeok-rune has ended another precious life.”
Uttered Aran quietly, as he continued looking up at the grey sky, Shaw remained silent.
“You have not met with the Emperor yet.”
Aran didn’t know what to say to Shaw’s question. It was like he said, he had not met Cain from the day he heard the news about Leia, until now. Frankly, he knew that Cain wasn’t ready to meet with anyone yet, but still felt disappointed.
“Prince, I know it’s not the right time to bring this up, but….”
It was around the time that Aran was thinking about Cain that Shaw carefully decided to push his luck by speaking to Aran. It was only then that Aran was roused from his thoughts and looked at him.
“…what are you going to do now, Prince?”
Shaw’s question was a serious one, but Aran wasn’t quite sure what he meant by it.
“To tell you the truth, the former General is looking for you, Prince.”
Shaw did give Aran a little bit of information about Kajang, but he had never brought this up before. Maybe he was looking for the right time after Leia’s funeral to speak up.
“Are you talking about General Jiyul?”
“That’s right.”
Aran knew of General Jiyul very well. Despite his young age, he’d gained the trust of the previous King and rose to the rank of general, serving as the right arm of the previous King. Although he was not highborn, he was a man with an extraordinary mind, and ability to handle work.
He remembered that he had fierce eyes, but he was actually a quiet and gentle person unless he had a job to do. Jiyul was so well-known that even young Jung, who had no interest in politics or bureaucracy, knew of Jiyul.
“I didn’t think that he was still alive. This is wonderful news.”
As the right arm of the previous king, Jiyul must have been Taejeok-rune’s number one target for elimination, so this was unexpected news. Shaw quickly recognized what Aran’s next question would be, and answered it before he could ask.
“Whether fortunate or unfortunate, when Taejeokrune usurped the throne, the former General was not in the city. I heard that he had gone down to another area under the King’s order when the war broke out, which spared his life.”
“He was lucky.”
“Yes, and now we are gathering forces.”
“Forces?”
Aran raised his eyes at his low voice. Shaw’s gaze was infinitely subdued as he stared back at him.
“He was so aggrieved at not being able to protect the late King, that he’s going to strike at Taejeokrune. Many people, including Nobles and relatives of the royal family who survived, have gathered under the former General.”
”…….”
“It was Jiyul who contacted me first. I’ve been in contact with him since he heard that he was looking for you, Prince. He asked me to find you without fail.”
Shaw’s low voice drifted into his ears through the cold wind, mixed with rain. His fingertips were cold. Aran just wanted to find Shaw, he didn’t expect news like this so he wasn’t sure what to say. Then Shaw came one step closer.
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2
“There is something else. Prince Won is still alive.”
“Won…… What!?”
Aran asked as he choked on the lump stuck in his throat. His face turned white. Prince Won is still alive……
“l don’t know what Taejeokrune’s scheme is, but it’s said that he’s kept Prince Won alive, imprisoned in the palace.”
“Is it true?”
“Yes. It has been confirmed.”
After hearing Shaw’s resolute reply, Aran lost all the energy in his legs and had to quickly grab the railing. He looked like it was going to collapse right there. He thought that he had no siblings left, but Won was alive!?
Won was the youngest of the brothers, and was officially appointed the fifth prince. He was a cute little boy who had just turned seven years old when Aran escaped from the palace. The child, who always had a lovely smile on his cheeks, was the younger brother of his eldest brother, Crown Prince Ryeong.
In other words, he was the second son born to The Queen. Unlike his brother the Crown Prince, who was always mature, he had a soft personality and was the cute youngest brother. He was the most beloved of all the brothers. He was such a lovely child! Aran still vividly remembered how much he loved Won, just like the other brothers did.
‘To think that Won is still alive, it is possible that I’m dreaming?’
“I wonder if Taejeokrune used Won like a plaything…..?
A chill ran down Aran’s spine. It was something he didn’t even want to imagine, but when he thought about the things that Taejeokrune had done to him, it seemed like a possibility. He clenched his fists, but Shaw shook his head resolutely.
“That’s not a possibility. The rumors coming out of the palace are quite fastidious, and there are no reports of homosexuality. Although there are innumerable reports of Taejeokrune’s daily promiscuity with women.
There were no rumors of homosexuality? It seemed absolutely unbelievable to Aran. Didn’t he try to force himself on him when he was young and tried to make a move on him again recently?
If Taejeokrune really didn’t touch Won, Aran couldn’t figure out what his plan was in keeping him alive. Why annihilate the whole Royal Family and leave only Won? No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t figure out what he was scheming.
“You have to come back and save Prince Won.”
Shaw whispered quietly to him like he was telling him a secret. Aran raised his eyes, it felt like he was waking from a dream. It was then that he realized that his life was turning in a completely different direction. Up until now, he had been under Cain’s protection, fighting beside him on battlefields and serving as his escort, but that time is coming to an end.
It was not long ago he was aimless searching for Shaw. But now that he’s found him, he brought even bigger problems with him. Aran was filled with anxiety and clenched his fists.
“Wait a minute, give me time to think.”
Complex thoughts cluttered his mind. He remembered the promise he made to himself when he was young. He resolved that one day he would strike back at Taejeokrune with his own hands. He kept that vague promise in the back of his mind to this day. However, a group had already formed to strike Taejeokrune, and they were calling for him to join them.
Prince Won would have turned 17 this year. Now that Aran knew that he was alive, he knew it was inevitable that he would be traumatized. If Prince Won is alive, he must be rescued from Taejeokrune as soon as possible!
Of course, it was a reckless gamble to throw away the quiet life he built by Cain’s side to wage a war against Taejeokrune. Maybe it would be like throwing an egg against a stone. He may not be able to bring Taejeokrune down and he may even be killed.
Nevertheless, he had a strong feeling that he would definitely follow Shaw. How could he not? He is Jung, the Third Prince of Kajang, there’s no choice. Even if he ran away from his country in order to survive, his true nature remains the same.
Cain wanted him to hide the fact that he was Jung, the Third Prince of Kajang. He argued saying to him ‘What does his past have to do with the present?’, but Aran knew that Cain was wrong. No matter where he goes, the fact that he is still the Third Prince of Kajang would never change, and this was something he had to do.
That is probably what Cain was worried about! That he would return to being Prince Jung for the sake of Kajang, and fight Taejeokrune. And just as he feared, Aran couldn’t ignore the voice calling out to him.
“Prince……?”
The reason he couldn’t tell Shaw right away that he would do it was because of Cain. Aran lightly bit his lips which were turning blue in the cold temperature. This was a feeling too complicated to put into words.
The long-awaited opportunity to strike at Taejeokrun came at such an inopportune moment. He had to tell them that he would go. No, he will definitely tell them soon, but it was hard to talk to Cain. Especially in a difficult situation like he was in now…….
“It must be because of The Emperor.”
“… Shaw.”
“He’s the one who looked after and raised the Prince so far, so I know it’s hard to turn your back on him now.”
Shaw smiled softly. It was difficult for Aran to face Shaw, who said that he knew the situation and understood. It was difficult enough for Cain to prepare for war, but then Leia suddenly died, and her funeral was held. Aran leaving now would be another shock, and it will be hard for Cain to take. Aran was reluctant to do that to him. So, he just needed some time.
“I’ll tell Cain soon, so wait just a little bit.”
“….Of course.”
Replied Shaw calmly to Aran, who was anxious, and bowed his head.
“Thank you”
Whispered Aran, as he calmed his complicated feelings. However, even as time passed the complicated emotions did not seem to be calming down easily, and the drizzling rain was getting stronger.
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3
A few days later as Aran was sitting around with a dark expression, he asked Shaw to take a walk outside. The day was chilly after all the rain. Aran walked for a long time. Because it was early in the morning he was feeling the colder temperature. Then, Shaw made a surprising suggestion.
“Why don’t we have a match?”
Aran readily accepted. When he met Shaw on the streets of the capital they didn’t recognize each other and raised their swords against one another. As he recalled that memory, he felt like the blood in his body was pumping rapidly again. The fact that he could keep up with Shaw, who used to secretly teach him swordsmanship with a wooden sword, showed how much time had passed.
As Aran approached the drill hall he began walking faster without realizing it. However, after he arrived he stood up and stopped moving. It was because the drill hall which was normally quiet at this time of day was full of soldiers for some reason. Aran walked through the busy space while he wondered what was going on.
Judging by the people gathered around shouting, it seemed like there was a fight, or maybe there was a sparring match. However, as Aran finally approached his eyes widened briefly at what he saw.
In the middle of the tournament hall Emperor Cain and his right arm, the Captain of the Guard, were competing with real swords. All around the sparring match, the soldiers were watching, and everyone was going crazy.
Cain, who is headstrong and hard-boiled by nature, is lost at the moment, but what is Jar thinking by sparring with him? Not to mention that Cain’s wounds have not fully healed yet, and Leia’s funeral was held only a little over a week ago. Aran didn’t know what he was thinking!
“That’s interesting.”
Muttered Shaw as he stepped aside and stared at them intently. Aran was staring at Cain whose face he’d not been able to see in a long time, with a dissatisfied expression. Aran kept his mouth shut and didn’t respond. But soon Aran’s gaze began to deepen as he watched them.
Cain and Jar are powerful men who no one could match in the Empire. With two such men wielding real swords, it was only natural that everyone was excited. Aran clicked his tongue and looked at the two swords indifferently. Then soon a strange thing happened.
The soldiers who had been cheering shut their mouths for a moment, and the surroundings became as quiet as death. The wide drill hall was filled with the blood that Cain and Jar spilled in an instant. It was a weird energy.
Cain was holding a large, heavy, daunting-looking sword that was in line with his magnificent physique. While Jar, who was a master of dual swords, held two swords, one in each hand. Their attacking posture was as different as the swords they held.
The power of Cain’s massive sword, which couldn’t be wielded by anyone else, was truly remarkable. With each swing, the wet ground ripped apart.
Clang–
The powerful blow of his sword was so great, that every time Jar blocked it with his two swords, the sound was painful to hear. If it were a regular soldier instead of Jar, the sword would have broken on the spot.
Jar’s sword was not broken immediately because it was special, like the sword itself contained Jar’s spirit. Even if a soldier tried to block it with a regular sword, it would’ve been split in half.
Jar, who held double swords and moved quickly, was also formidable. He defended against Cain’s unstoppable sword every time and counterattacked at a speed that was invisible to the eye. The movement of his feet and the gestures of freely swinging swords, were light enough that he looked like a black butterfly.
It was hard to keep up with the match, so distinguishing who had the upper hand was difficult. Aran’s mouth opened and a low moan emanated from his throat. Although they had been by Cain and Jar’s side for the past decade, it was his first time seeing them in a serious sword fight together, so it was a natural reaction.
“They’re both great.” Murmured Shaw as he looked at them with sharp eyes.
Aran was listening to Shaw and looked like he wanted to respond, but instead, he held his breath. He had wondered if the two’s skills might be on par with each other, but to actually see them, the only words that came to mind is that they’re amazing. Cain in particular had an intimidating presence that would be difficult for the average person to overcome. It was chilling. His aura was so powerful that it overwhelmed the area, like being attacked on a battlefield.
He was such a strong man, he was the Emperor of this country, and the man Aran carried in his heart. Looking at his strong energy which was rarely seen, made Aran’s heart feel heavy. ‘You’ve lost your heart to that man,’ thought Aran as his heart began to pound. He remembered a day when he was a child. They were riding a horse and Aran was leaning his back against Cain, he almost slipped and Cain hugged him tightly to him.
At that moment, he gripped Aran’s chest tightly in his hands. He remembered feeling that he’d given his heart to him, and he blamed himself for being a fool! But seeing him now, he felt he was right to give his heart to him back then. At that moment he felt afraid that his heart no longer belongs to himself.
In this rare match, Cain slashed with his great sword as hard as he could. If Jar made even the smallest mistake and couldn’t properly block or avoid it, the blow was powerful enough to cut Jar’s body in half. But Jar did manage to block Cain’s sword. Jar’s face which had always been expressionless was completely distorted at that moment, but Cain pushed him relentlessly.
Clang–
There was the sound of swords clashing sharply against one another, as Jar was pushed backward. Cain hit Jar without mercy and he was gradually pushed back, then Jar’s body finally flew up as if it were bouncing.
Boom-
He floated in the air and then fell to his knees as he crashed to the floor. Gasping noises could be heard here and there.
“Whoa… I will not be able to overtake you with strength.”
Jar was worried that he might have been seriously injured, then he clicked his tongue and got up from the ground. He was a mess from head to toe, after being knocked into the wet dirt. Cain reached out to him and smiled.
“It’s not strength, it’s skill!.”
Aran sighed in relief when he saw Cain return to his usual relaxed expression that was so different from the suffocating, intimidating aura he’d given off recently. But Aran’s heart was beating fast. Foolishtranslationss.wordpress.com
Although Cain won the match…… If you looked closely, you could see that there were many small wounds on his arms and legs. Jar had also swung relentlessly and couldn’t block every blow, it looked like he was scratched here and there too. No, the simple word ‘scratched’ was an understatement.
There was blood dripping down the long wounds. If someone didn’t know any better, they would think that they’d come back from the battlefield. It was an amazing match to watch, but no matter how you looked at it, what they did was reckless! It wasn’t because they’d sparred, it was because they went so hard against each other that they now required medical treatment. The more Aran thought about it, the more ridiculous he thought it was.
Aran stood silently and kept Cain in his sights. All the soldiers dispersed with smiling faces saying things like ‘That it was an incredible match’. Then, as if feeling his stinging gaze, Cain glanced towards him. Their eyes met and entangled in the air. Cain’s face was smiling but his silver-gray eyes were colder than ice. Aran’s shoulders reflexively shrugged at the chilling coming off of him.
“How long have you been there?”
Cain glanced at Aran for a moment, then frowned. Aran stood there without saying a word as Cain moved closer. After seeing him up close, his appearance looked even worse. He couldn’t even say he won against Jar after seeing him like this. Jar, who silently followed him, was hurt this much.
“Did you not notice this while you were swinging your sword, Jar?”
Aran muttered involuntarily. Jar tilted his head with a carefree expression on his face. Even after putting his Emperor in this state, he didn’t seem to care.
“Are you worried?”
Asked Cain as he stepped forward and closed his eyes. Instead of answering, Aran just rolled his eyes. Aran feared he would confess in front of Shaw and Jar if he met Cain’s piercing gaze. Cain was holding Aran’s chin lightly in his hand and looking straight at him. His grip was stronger than it looked and Aran swallowed a moan down his throat.
“I asked if you were worried about me.”
“… Of course I was worried. I haven’t seen you in a long time.”
Aran was unable to withstand the subtle pressure and finally confided in his feelings. Then with a satisfied face, Cain raised the hand that was holding his chin lightly, but also firm enough that he could not escape.
“But why did you come here so early in the morning?” asked Cain.
He felt a heat inside for some reason and bit his lip. Aran looked over at Shaw who was next to him. He came to the drill hall to spar with Shaw as well, but it has been a while since he’d lost his desire to compete. Besides, after seeing the match between two people with such great swordsmanship, made his desire wither even more
“I was getting some air.”
“Yes, some air.”
Cain suddenly glared at Shaw coldly.
“It’s good to clear your head, but I’m just worried that it’ll lead to useless thoughts.”
He said it like he could clearly see what Aran was thinking, and the decision he had made. It was also an unspoken warning to Shaw to be careful what he spoke to Aran about. Aran quickly blocked Shaw.
“Why did you suddenly fight like this? Your body hasn’t even healed completely, and it’s tattered again. You haven’t left your office for over a week, so what are you thinking?”
“That’s why he dragged me out.”
‘What!?’ Aran’s eyes widened.
He was going to ask him about threatening Shaw, but he distracted him with a few words.
“Jar dragged me out. He said he wouldn’t let me stay locked up in that room any longer. What kind of servant acts like that? Then he brought me here.”
“Didn’t you just say a little while ago, that used your skills to win?”
Replied Jar indifferently from a few steps away. Jar, who is less talkative, sometimes criticizes Cain like a child, but each time Cain pretended to lose and just goes along with whatever Jar says. Perhaps it was the same this time as well.
Perhaps that’s why he’s not showing his sadness at losing his only Empress. Even now Aran thought it was fortunate that Cain was able to pick himself back up again after losing her. However, he felt some bitterness in his heart at seeing Cain again, who had not mentioned anything about Leia.
As Cain was muttering to Jar, suddenly an attendant approached him looking for Cain. Looking back, the servant opened the door with an apologetic attitude.
“Your Majesty, Chateau-sama is looking for you.”
“… Father?”
“I was told to tell you that he would like to see you soon.”
Cain, who was joking around with Jar, furrowed his brows and hardened his expression.
“Tell him that I’ll be on my way after washing.”
The servant exited the hall like lightning. Cain clicked his tongue then gently grabbed Aran’s shoulder and released it.
“Looks like I have to go, we’ll talk later Aran.”
“Alright.”
“And, Escort. I hope you will not forget my warning.”
Cain spoke coldly as he glanced at Shaw and then ran straight across the training hall. Jar followed behind him like a shadow. Aran was left alone in the drill hall with only the cold wind blowing in, and looked up at Shaw.
“Shaw, what did he mean?”
“… Well.”
Shaw raised the corners of his mouth slightly to keep up with his usual calm expression. Even after looking at him with suspicious eyes, Aran quickly moved on. Anyway, his will to wield a sword had long since disappeared. Instead, he thought of someone else.
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4
A few days later, Aran found Ryugen’s mansion. The mansion was quiet and clean, and as Aran looked around, he saw that it had almost no furniture or objects in it. It seemed to be empty because in some ways no one lived there. The attendant approached and showed Aran the way. As he followed him, even his quiet footsteps resounded loudly. It was surprising that he is living in a place filled with so much emptiness.
As he continued his thoughts, the servant stopped in front of a large door. After the sound of light rapping, Ryugen’s monotonous reply of, ‘Come in’- was heard from within the other room. Aran was slightly nervous, and he clenched his fists lightly as he took a step inside. The door closed silently behind his back.
He walked slowly into the room and looked around. Like the rest of the mansion, the spacious room was equipped with only minimal items. It was definitely surprising. Aran thought that Ryugen would have been surrounded by luxuries, but it’s the exact opposite.
“What’s going on for the Prince to come all the way here himself?”
In the midst of the spacious room, Ryugen was half-lying on a bed, surrounded by a thin curtain. He slowly opened his mouth.
Aran didn’t notice it before but Ryugen was smoking something, he didn’t know whether it was a cigarette or opium, but before he could take even a few steps closer, a pungent smell tickled the tip of his nose.
“Say it outright.”
Aran sat down on the chair opposite the bed and stared coldly at Ryugen behind the curtain. It was not clearly visible, because he was covered by the thin veil, but he seemed to look at him with hazy eyes, waiting for him to speak.
“I want to buy you and your minions.”
“Hmm… ?”
“I’ve heard that you’re a skilled assassin.”
Ryugen raised his eyebrows, perhaps because it was an unexpected request. Without even moving the long pipe in his hand, he looked at Aran with a curious expression.
“I didn’t know that you would ask such a thing.”
He scratched his head in embarrassment and glanced out the window for a moment.
Then Ryugen asked a random question.
“Are you here alone?”
“And if that’s the case…?”
“This little guy has quite a big liver.”
“I can take care of my own business, I don’t need anyone else.”
When he replied bluntly, Ryugen chuckled and took another draw on his pipe. Aran frowned as he looked at him reclining on the bed exhaling a foul-smelling smoke. Does this mean he doesn’t want to deal with him? It was time to think about it.
“Are you going to fight Taejeokrune?”
Asked Ryugen, who had been deep in thought. This time, Aran kept his mouth shut. He had no intention to tell him anything until he accepted.
“For my part, it’s not bad, because I also have a history with him.”
Ryugen, who speaks like he already knows everything, laughed.
“But why would you leave Cain to join up with those who are going after Taejeokrune?”
“What do you mean, why?”
Aran raised his eyes at the unexpected question. Ryugen then turned over, halfway lying on the bed, and put a pipe in his mouth. Foolishtranslationss.wordpress.com
“Prince, did you hear the rumor that Taejeokrun is hiding Prince Won?”
“As expected, well is it true?”
“It’s true. Few people have known so far, but considering that it went into your ears, it seems that the Ttaejeokrune is done.”
If you’re reading this anywhere other than Foolishtranslationss.wordpress.com, it was stolen from the translator’s website. Reading this anywhere other than the translator’s website ensures that the translator may never translate any other works. Thank you. Ryugen licked his lips with his tongue and sucked on the pipe again. The pungent smell irritated Aran’s nose. His head began to throb and he reflexively rubbed his temples.
If you’re reading this anywhere other than Foolishtranslationss.wordpress.com, it was stolen from the translator’s website. Reading this anywhere other than the translator’s website ensures that the translator may never translate any other works. Thank you.
5
“That’s a relief. I was afraid the rumor that Won was alive might be false.”
“Why?”
Ryugen asked in a single word as though he were talking to himself. Aran glared at him with a bewildered gaze.
“Isn’t it natural to be happy that one’s flesh and blood is alive? If he’s still alive, I want to rescue him by any means possible. That’s why I came to you.”
Aran glared at him, resisting the urge to raise his voice. However, Ryugen still didn’t get it and continued to argue.
“Your blood yes, but a richer blood”
“What?”
“He is the younger brother of your father, but Prince Won is also the Queen’s son. Don’t you know that even if you are lucky enough to bring down the Taejeokrune and regain the throne, you will be pushed out of the rankings? It means that Prince Won is your enemy and will take over.”
“…….”
“You may not get anything back even after you have worked so hard to defeat Taejeokrune. Do you still want to save him?
Aran, who was listening to Ryugen’s sarcasm, closed his eyes. It was a problem he had never thought about before, and it was not something he would have thought about in the future either. It was surprising that Ryugen was the first to point out something that he had not even thought of. Maybe it’s because they have fundamentally different points of view.
“You have to think carefully, if you act foolishly, you might be the one put to death.”
“Shut up!”
Aran couldn’t stand it anymore and a lively voice responded automatically.
“All I want is revenge on Taejeokrun who killed my father and my brothers and took away my country. Besides, my brother is still alive, I just want to save him as soon as possible, I’m not greedy for the throne.”
Aran confessed the truth to Ryugen which he didn’t have to say anything to, but Ryugen sucked on his pipe and snorted, hmm.
“You’re not interested in the throne?”
“It has nothing to do with me.”
Aran answered coldly, as he let out a short sigh. He was far from the throne in the first place! It has been like that since the moment it was said that he was born under the Fortress of Heaven (天殺星 – killer star) in addition to being the Third Prince, he was not of the enemy. If he were to be asked to take the throne now and learn politics instead of wielding a sword, it would not be funny at all. Foolishtranslationss.wordpress.com
“What I want to hear from you is an assurance you will help me.”
When he finished speaking, Ryugen shrugged again. He rolled around on the bed as if he was uninterested, and exhaled smoke.
“Well, that’s what you want but……. unfortunately, I’m refusing all but Cain’s requests. I can’t trust anyone anymore, and this business is cumbersome. I think it’s time to retire.”
“… ….”
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6
“Besides, you may not know but I’m very expensive. Even if you were the Prince of Kajang, you wouldn’t have money right away, so how would you pay? I’m a foreign envoy.”
Aran sat expressionless while listening to his teasing words. He knew that he should get up right away, but he could not raise his body.
“By the way, I promised myself that I would be especially expensive for someone who might get stabbed in the back.”
So he was someone who might get stabbed in the back……
“You must think of me as an enemy, don’t you?” said Ryugen.
Aran was quietly listening while clenching his jaw. As Ryugen said, it was true that he always thought of him as an enemy. But putting that aside, he needed his skills. He was particularly greedy for the information Ryugen knew about the Taejeokrune. It was even more so because he knew that Ryugen was someone who could be useful.
“To be honest, you’re right. It would be a lie to say that you did not blame me for helping Taejeokrune in killing my father and brothers.”
“Aha.”
“But that’s the past. I need you to help me recover Kajang from Taejeokrune.
Ryugen quietly looked at Aran, who showed his honest feelings in a cold manner and shrugged. Ashes fell down the pipe he was holding, but he didn’t seem to notice.
“Cain said it, ‘yesterday’s enemies can become today’s allies, and yesterday’s allies can become today’s enemies‘.”
Aran swallowed a bitter breath as he recalled Cain, who did not disappear from his mind even at times like this. Ryugen looked at Aran as if in shock, then he snorted and inhaled smoke again.
“If you don’t even talk like him, are you afraid someone will say you’re not the child Cain raised? You’re like an old man”
“…. ….”
“By the way, Prince, again, I am expensive! Especially to those who might try to turn against me once, Taejeokrune is defeated.”
Aran sighed briefly in response to his answer. It means that he did not trust anyone anymore because he had been betrayed by the Taejeokrune once before. However, he has not clearly refused yet. It could mean that Aran still had something Ryugen wanted.
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7
“Seeing as you keep saying it’s so expensive, it seems that money isn’t what you want from me. Tell me what you do want.”
Aran didn’t want to say, ‘I’m different from Taejeokrune, or I don’t trust you either’, he’s not someone whom that would work even if he tried. Ryugen still slowly sucked on his pipe and tilted his head.
“Wow, you’re quick.”
Ryugen abruptly got up off the bed, pushing the thin veil aside. His short slightly wavy hair, slender body, thin chin, and long fine fingers stood out. He was a man with the opposite charm of Cain.
“This place is so boring. I’d like something interesting to play with.”
Ryugen took a step forward and looked down at Aran with his eyes blurred from smoking opium. He gazed at him from head to toe as if critiquing him.
“You haven’t had a relationship with Cain yet, have you?”
He spat out an incomprehensible question, relationship? Not understanding the question, he just stared at him. Ryugen lightly stroked Aran’s cheek with the back of his hand.
I don’t know how he endured with such a pretty person by his side. But patience is good too.”
“Speak straight. What does Cain have to do with it?”
When Aran asked that, Ryugen made a troubled expression. This is for Won, lamented Aran. However, Ryugen bent down, leaned his head closer, lowered his eyes halfway, and tilted his head. The smell of bitter smoke flowing from him stimulated the tip of Aran’s nose even more intensely.
“It doesn’t matter, of course, it doesn’t.”
“… … “
“So let me taste your body,”
Ryugen whispered as he ran a sticky movement across Aran’s cheek. ‘I’m so curious I can’t stand it’ the last comments were spoken quite seductively.
“Wait, what are you talking about now?”
Aran was stunned, but he immediately came to his senses and raised his voice. Did he understand correctly? Many doubts arose.
“In a nutshell, let’s enjoy a brief tryst. Oh, I won’t do it endlessly, so don’t worry. Only lightly so that I won’t die even if we’re caught. Do you understand now?”
Aran frowned for a moment at his joke-like reply. He had to bite down on his teeth so that he wouldn’t raise his voice and tell him it was nonsense.
“I don’t have much time, so answer me quickly.”
Aran was staring at Ryugen and let out a short sigh. He had continued to raise the ransom price because Aran’s circumstances posed more risk, and in the end, he made an absurd offer. However, Aran couldn’t just walk away this time either.
Aran hadn’t been in a relationship with anyone yet, but it wasn’t on purpose. There was no one that interested him sexually, and he didn’t have time to seek anyone out because he had spent a lot of time on the battlefields. Of course, there was also the fact that people had tried touch too often, and it dulled his interest in the act itself.
However, that night with Cain he surprised even himself. He couldn’t control the excitement that surged through him as he exchanged deep kisses with Cain and he ejaculated. Although it was his first sexual experience, Aran closed his eyes tightly at the good memories that made him feel dizzy.
“If that’s what it takes for you to sign on, then that’s fine.”
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8
Aran answered calmly, forcing himself to erase Cain who was flashing before him. Then Ryugen widened his eyes in surprise as he looked at him from a close distance. He didn’t expect that Aran would accept it so readily, and his mouth was half-opened in amazement.
Then he lightly pushed Ryugen’s chest with the palm of his hand and walked toward the bed. It was a topsy-turvy situation, and Ryugen took a step backward with bewildered eyes.
“Hold on, wait. Are you serious?”
“I don’t have time to waste.”
Responded Aran angrily as he dragged Ryugen, who was bewildered, to the bed and untied the hem of his robe. Ryugen was still perplexed, as Aran pushed him hard enough to throw him on the bed, and quickly sat down on his thighs. Only then did Ryugen come to his senses, he let out a squealing noise.
“Is it because you’re young, you’re more aggressive than I thought?”
“If we’re going to do it, it’s better to do it quickly.”
“Haha. Well, we only have only a short time anyway, so let’s just go….”
‘If I get caught, my life will be in danger.’– Ryugen added, barely audible.
His eyes brightened and he raised his hand. Then in an instant, their postures were reversed. Ryugen, who had been lying flat on the bed, now laid Aran flat this time and got on top of him.
How could he change their postures so quickly? Aran was surprised for a moment when Ryugen immediately took off his jacket, he was nervous and swallowed down his dry throat. The black hem of his robe was ripped open revealing the contrasting white skin.
Although there were some scars on his skin, it was exceptionally white and soft. Ryugen, who was licking his neck and collarbone with his eyes, opened the hem so that his hard shoulders, wide chest, and soft nipples could be seen.
“I knew there must have been a reason why Cain, who hated men, couldn’t come to his senses.”
Ryugen looked at Aran’s naked upper body. Ryugen even blew a whistle in admiration of him, but Aran only frowned. He had managed to shake the memories of Cain, but he brought it up again.
“You were beautiful when you were wrapped in clothes, but you look even more beautiful with them off.”
Ryugen lightly stroked Aran’s side with his palm. It was a long, fine hand, but it felt rougher than it looked, probably because of the calluses on the palm of his hand. Aran watched what Ryugen was doing with an indifferent expression. As time passed only strange thoughts filled his head. It’s just that it’s completely different from when Cain touched him.
He has been in love with Cain for such a long time, so of course, it should feel different. But even so, it felt completely different. When Cain’s fingertips touched him even his toes were tingling, and he didn’t know what to do. Ryugen’s palms swept from his side to the top of his chest, but he was numb.
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9
While in a difficult situation. Ryugen bowed his head and Aran, who was looking at him falling towards the tip of his nose, hurriedly raised his hand and blocked Ryugen’s mouth.
“I don’t want to kiss you.”
Ever since he was forced to kiss Taejeokrune as a child, he hated kissing terribly. Although he later learned through Cain that the act that was hated could be pleasing, he still didn’t want to do it with anyone else. The feeling that might never come again, could be erased…..
“You are a Picky Prince. Well, I don’t particularly like kissing.”
Ryugen muttered, putting his teeth on the nape of Aran’s neck instead. As the damp and hot breath touched his skin, his shoulders stiffened reflexively. But that was it. Even when he sucked at the nape of his neck and slid down to his chest it was just dull, as if he were afflicted with insensitivity. It was as if he were just a spectator looking at someone else. There was no feeling or emotion.
“I will do it.”
Aran was unable to see what he was doing and became bored. He raised his upper body and placed his hand on Ryugen’s chest. He thought it would be better for him to do it, being he couldn’t even feel it anyway. When he tried to have a relationship with someone else, thoughts of Cain just ran through his head and he couldn’t stand it.
“It’s my first time.”
“What?”
“Didn’t you want to be embraced by me?”
“… What?!”
Of course, Aran thought that was the case, but Ryugen jumped up. Aran looked at him curiously, as he was giggling with a red-hot face.
“Are you saying you want to embrace me now?”
“Isn’t that what you wanted?”
Aran asked Ryugen who just slapped him on his chest. Aran looked at Ryugen with a puzzled expression. It had been a while, and he’d only watched, but he clearly saw Cain embracing Ryugen, and he didn’t know why he was so angry. There is no way to get excited by seeing Ryugen, but because it was the body that Cain had touched, he decided to do him, while thinking of their coitus in the forest of evil spirits.
“Listen to this Prince, you have to wait a million more years before you can embrace me.”
Ryugen ground his teeth then shoved Aran on the shoulder and climbed on top of him again.
“I’ve lived long enough to hear it all. Anyway, do you think a kid like you could lay me?”
“Isn’t that what Cain did?”
“That’s because he’s Cain Richen-… Wait, how do you know that?
Ryugen’s voice raised in excitement, and his eyes widened. It was not so different from Cain’s reaction not too long ago. Aran squinted.
“You’re saying the same thing as Cain. Even though it was when I was young, I know because I saw it.”
When Aran responded coldly, Ryugen spit out a small curse word. After muttering for a while, he sighed and took a cigarette from the table next to the bed, and put it to his lips.
“Damn, I can’t believe you saw that. I was running out of things to do.”
“You didn’t want to do it?”
“I thought I would try it for fun, but it wasn’t fun, and I almost got beaten up again.”
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10
It was just then when Ryugen was grumbling and nervously sucking on a cigarette…
Kwack-
…the door swung open with the sound of it being smashed. Aran and Ryugen were startled by the sudden noise and looked away at the same time. In front of the half-broken door, an unexpected figure was glaring at them.
“Cain?”
“Ha, what are you doing right now?”
The lowered voice contained a chilling tone. It was more terrifying than the presence he witnessed a few days ago when he was fighting Jar.
“Ahh-“
The sound of Ryugen’s tongue clicking was faintly audible. At the same time, Cain ran like a lightning bolt and punched him. Ryugen, who was sitting on Aran’s body, flew away in an instant as if it were a piece of paper and crashed into the table. A loud sound was heard followed by a crash- as the table and the objects on it poured onto the floor.
“Cain, you bastard!”
Ryugen quickly got up and clenched his jaw. With a face full of irritation he groaned and spit out blood, but Cain took on a beast-like appearance and ran back to him without any regard for it.
Puck-
The sound was brutal. It was the sound of a weapon-like fist being stuck on the floor thanks to Ryugen avoiding his fist. It was such an eerie sound that Aran was worried that the bone might have broken, but Cain shook his fist as if he didn’t even feel pain.
“Cain-!”
It was Aran who screamed as he sat motionless on the bed, calling for Cain. Cain was so furious with him that he stopped moving and turned his cold eyes to him.
“How did you get here?”
“How? Are you asking because you don’t know that right now?!”
Cain, who rushed in out of nowhere and suddenly punched Ryugen, now roared at him. When he touched out his tingling head at the unorganized situation, he threw away Ryugen and approached him.
“What the hell are you thinking coming all the way here alone? Then you roll around in bed with him like that? Are you crazy?
The man staring at him as if he was going to eat him was unnerving. His silver-gray eyes were burning with so much rage. Aran had to clench his trembling hands tightly.
“No matter what I do, it’s my business. There is no law that requires me to report every move to you. It’s too much interference.”
“Your business? Too much interference? Ha, that’s funny.”
Cain snorted and stretched out his hand. He shrugged his shoulders reflexively, wondering if he was going to hit him. But contrary to his expectations, he roughly grabbed the half-opened robe and pulled him up. Aran looked at his hand with a bewildered gaze, he was holding the front of his robe so tightly that his veins stood out.
“Look at this, what a sight to see. I was wondering how far he would go if I left you alone.”
Aran opened his mouth to repudiate Cain’s scolding words when he meticulously ripped the hem of his clothes, which had already been ruffled, and suddenly lifted him up and held him like a piece of luggage. Aran was placed upside down on Cain’s shoulder in an instant, he let out a short scream in surprise. Cain didn’t even stop his pace.
“What is this?! Let me down!”
“Shut up. If you had to say one more word, I don’t know what I will do with you here and now.”
Aran struggled to get away from him, but the only thing that came to him was a harsh word and a hand that slapped his thigh so hard that it made a sound. Aran clenched his teeth at the throbbing pain. But rather than feeling pain, he couldn’t help but feel ashamed and angry.
“Ryugen, we’ll talk about it later,”
Cain said coldly as he walked across the room with Aran on his shoulder. Ryugen, who had been sitting in the corner of the room, shuddered and clicked his tongue.
“I was the one who got hurt.”
Ryugen grumbled, wiping his blood-stained lips with his fist as if it was unfair. Then Cain glanced at him with a curious expression. But soon he walked out fast as if he’d| had not heard anything.
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Foolish Translations 
I’m beginning to think Aran is dumb. Of all the people to go to…and Cain! Together he and Aran need to speak truths to each other. Cain likes Aran but is to thick headed to realize it
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omg I’ve been waiting for this!!! thank youuu for the update 😍 although I miss and want more of Cain & Aran’s moment :’>
Happy Holidays to you, translator-nim!
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Happy Holidays to you!! Next update with be the last for Vol.2 and its really good. 🙂
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