Chapter 08
The young golden dragon, Usman, was sleeping in the dragon’s cave of Sangser, which was much farther away than Yongyeon, where Akelans had once slept. Because of this, the rumors about the black dragon appearing in the imperial city of Impel had already spread far and wide. Now, if the golden dragon were to appear, it had to be much bigger and more overwhelming than the black dragon to gain recognition.
Even though Sir Flich had suddenly disappeared, the excitement surrounding the black dragon couldn’t be stopped.
“Why isn’t he moving?”
Some people were wondering about Akelans’s actions. Unlike the golden dragon coming from Sangser, who was traveling in a carriage, Akelans had matched his pace to the cavalry. This meant there was a delay, giving him plenty of time to seize control of the political world.
“What’s the point of moving? The heir is already decided anyway. There’s even a rumor that a woman is in Faikal Palace.”
Rumors spread no matter how much people try to contain them. A consort was powerful enough to solidify the succession. In the past, before traveling back in time, Akelans had firmly secured his position as crown prince by backing Hasollan, despite not officially recognizing her as his consort.
“Why don’t you just kill me?”
That’s what Hasollan, the woman essentially ‘imprisoned’ in Faikal Palace, suggested to Akelans. His usually expressionless face cracked for the first time.
“If you just stay still, the throne will naturally come to you because of me. That’s not what you wanted, right?”
You said you didn’t want to be emperor, but everyone outside is already talking about it. What are you going to do?
“How would you know what’s happening outside when you haven’t even been out there?”
Seriously? Hasollan gave him a look, holding a newspaper in her hand. She wasn’t just anyone—she was an advisor to the emperor and a skilled administrator. She had spent 14 years navigating the ruthless politics of Impel. There was no way she wouldn’t know.
“I’ve already spoken with my sister.”
Akelans quickly added, realizing how ridiculous his words had sounded.
“As if the former emperor would just accept that.”
“He’s not the former emperor yet. Why are you acting like he’s dead? That’s treason.”
Hasollan, who usually answered him sweetly with a smile, now had a cold and sarcastic tone. Akelans understood why and didn’t argue, but he was still surprised. Was she always this cold?
“It’s just a habit. If it bothers you, report me. I’d probably be executed for insulting the emperor.”
Her calm and indifferent tone made Akelans’s eyes snap toward her. In an instant, he grabbed her wrist and forced her to face him.
“Hasollan.”
His voice was gentle, but his eyes were anything but. He had been like this ever since traveling back in time.
“I’ve already done something I shouldn’t have.”
He had defied the laws of nature, grabbed hold of a dead person’s fate, and crossed time itself.
“If I’ve done it once, do you think I can’t do it again? The only way you’ll die is after living out your full lifespan as my consort. If you die any other way, I’ll repeat everything from Yongyeon all over again.”
The dragon, his eyes bloodshot, clenched his teeth and made a vow.
“Death is not an option.”
She had already died a tragic death. Why was she talking about dying again? Even though he knew why, Akelans refused to accept it. He shook his head. And then, in anger, Hasollan slapped him across the face. A loud smack echoed as his head snapped to the side.
“You think I can’t do it again? At least I endured for 14 years.”
She had held on with nothing but infinite patience and fragile hope.
“How long did you last after I died?”
Hasollan spat out the words bitterly to the man she both loved and hated.
“Go ahead, try it. There’s one thing I’m better at than you—enduring. You got sick of it, didn’t you? Try it, then. Let’s see what happens.”
She had already died five times. She knew it was pointless. Akelans would never let her die. So she was pushing him, provoking him, screaming at him out of pure frustration. If she had to suffer, she wanted him to suffer just as much.
“I was never sick of it.”
Akelans didn’t even get angry after being slapped.
“I never got tired of you.”
He spoke quietly.
“Not even once.”
So, even if she screamed and got angry, it didn’t matter.
“Your Majesty, the emperor is calling for you.”
A servant’s voice echoed from the distance.
The emperor, Lowell, had not called for Akelans but for Hasollan, who was staying in Faikal Palace. She quickly changed into proper clothes and was led to the emperor’s office. Her face was expressionless. She simply followed protocol, sitting down and waiting for the emperor to speak.
“Is everything comfortable in Faikal Palace?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Hasollan answered politely. She had no resentment toward Lowell—at least not yet.
“Akelans was making a fuss, insisting on coming with you.”
“I apologize. It’s my fault for not keeping him in check.”
She spoke mechanically, showing no real remorse. She knew exactly what to say in situations like this.
“That’s not your fault.”
Lowell personally set a teacup in front of her.
“That idiot is just foolish. Is that how he’s been handling politics?”
Oh? Hasollan raised her head. Lowell knew Akelans had traveled back in time, and she wasn’t even trying to hide it from Hasollan.
“Not at all. He doesn’t care what others say.”
“I see. Humans like hearing nice words, so they assume others do too.”
But they weren’t human. They were dragons.
“That applies to everyone.”
“So, you’re saying there are dragons like that too.”
Lowell was an emperor, just like Akelans. They both had sharp political instincts. Even when they spoke indirectly, they understood each other perfectly.
“Tell me, is the young dragon arriving now one of those kinds of dragons?”
No matter how kind Lowell sounded, she wasn’t always kind. She had already lost her consort and was nearing the end of her life. Nothing mattered more than settling the succession.
“I’ve only observed three dragons closely in my life. You, His Majesty, and now this one. Both of you became emperors. I’ve learned a lot about what happens to dragons who wake up at the wrong time.”
“I see.”
Lowell listened carefully but didn’t press further. In the end, the emperor would make her own judgment.
“You submitted your resignation.”
“Yes.”
“Who do you want to be emperor?”
Lowell’s way of questioning was relentless.
“Whoever is fit for the position.”
“You’re not saying it should be your consort.”
At that, Hasollan hesitated, slightly surprised. No one had ever openly referred to Akelans as her consort before.
“He… he is not my consort.”
Even though she had refused to say it, admitting it out loud stung. She lowered her gaze again.
“Poor thing.”
Lowell sighed.
“You’ve been through so much.”
It was the kind of pity that someone who had experienced true companionship could feel for someone who hadn’t.
Hasollan blinked.
“You’ve suffered so much.”
Lowell reached out a warm hand. Hasollan, unable to resist, held it and lowered her head.
“What a shame.”
Lowell sighed as she stroked Hasollan’s back. She was an emperor—she had to make cold decisions. And yet, she knew this woman, who had already given up everything, would likely be sacrificed again.
She could only hope that the foolish Akelans would take care of her properly.
And for the first time, under a gentle touch, Hasollan finally broke down in tears.
