Chapter 09
Because Lowell ruled peacefully, Impel prospered. On special days, department stores stayed open late, and artisans lit up their shops. Everything from small trinkets to luxurious velvet and lace sold quickly.
Hasollan walked through the streets, unimpressed by the return of old fashion trends.
“Do you not like anything? Want me to buy you that?”
She looked up at Akelans, who had been watching her closely. She had just snuck out of the palace but was caught by him immediately, which put her in a bad mood. Did he think this was some kind of fun night out?
“It’s been a while since we last saw the Temisi Department Store.”
Fourteen years ago, it was dazzling, though the civil war had nearly destroyed it. Seeing it revived felt strange.
“I know this place is famous for ready-made clothing. Since we’re here, I’ll buy you some things.”
He firmly held her hand. No palace servants trailed them, no hidden guards watched over them—they were truly alone. It felt like a foolish dream Hasollan once had come to life.
“Don’t want anything?”
“No.” She gritted her teeth.
“Why?”
“If I need to escape later, small, valuable things are easier to sell. Clothes are heavy and take up space.”
Akelans laughed in disbelief at her blunt response.
“You haven’t given up, have you?”
“After I hit you, you still think that?”
Yes, today, she had the audacity to slap a dragon in the face.
“I barely felt it,” he said casually.
“You should work on your strength.”
“I’ll do that.”
As excited noblewomen rushed toward new products, Akelans pulled Hasollan back slightly to keep her from being pushed around.
“Be careful.”
“You’re letting me walk around?”
Wasn’t he just going to lock her up again?
“I locked you in the palace, and you still got out. Doesn’t seem to work.”
“I’m glad you finally realized that. I thought you were too dense to figure it out.”
“You’ve been holding back a lot, haven’t you?”
The sarcasm in every word she spoke was something to behold.
“I haven’t been holding back. I’ve been nice.”
She coldly observed the streets. Since she was out, she might as well assess Impel’s security and look for escape routes.
Then, unexpectedly—
“I’m sorry.”
His sudden apology didn’t faze her. It sounded sweet, but how sincere was it? And how long would it last? Meaningless. That bastard.
“I didn’t realize how much you meant to me.”
“No, you knew. You just didn’t care. It’s fine. It’s not like I was the only one you treated that way.”
Her gaze remained fixed on the street, never once meeting his eyes. That was unbearable for Akelans. He stopped walking and pulled her closer.
“If you have something to say, say it.”
He struggled for words, but Hasollan spoke first.
“I want to say I never mistreated you, but if you think I did, then I must have.”
“Then don’t say anything.”
“You’re the smartest person I know.”
“Yes, and you took full advantage of that.”
His lips pressed together at her sharp reply. No matter what he said, she left no opening. But if he were the type to give up, he wouldn’t have torn apart an empire or defied time itself.
“Then why…? Seeing how things are now, why don’t you believe me?”
“If you don’t want to be Emperor, then what will you be?”
“Do I have to be something? I’ll do whatever you want me to.”
A former Emperor should never say something like that. But lately, this man had become unrecognizable to her, as he had lived through time she hadn’t.
“People won’t leave a dragon alone. And if you wanted, you could take the throne again anytime.”
“Not unless you tell me to.”
He said it so gently as if it suited him.
“Well, the current Emperor’s decision is unknown.”
She stared at the jewelry display. If she had those sapphires and rubies, they’d make great funds for an escape. So beautiful.
“With Flich gone, my sister knows my stance. She wouldn’t put a madman on the throne.”
No one was listening to Akelans. The street was full of people shopping and heading to theaters. Only Hasollan was close enough to hear him, her hand still in his grasp.
“Yet you still don’t listen to me.”
She suddenly replied, still eyeing the jewels.
“How am I any different from Flich?”
“What do you mean?”
“We were both your tools, weren’t we?”
“So?”
He stared at her, urging her to continue.
“Well, seeing as he’s dead, I suppose I am too.”
He wasn’t needed, so he was eliminated. Simple.
“I see it differently, but if that’s what you think, fine. Doesn’t change the fact that I was wrong.”
“What made me different enough to keep alive?”
Hasollan muttered, still gazing at the gemstones. After everything, a few jewels weren’t too much to ask for.
“You always spoke the truth.”
“He didn’t?”
“Regardless, you killed me too.”
Work for you or not, the end was the same. So what? She decided not to care.
“Welcome! What would you like to see?”
A senior jeweler approached them.
“Whatever this lady wants.”
Akelans turned to Hasollan.
“Oh, then please, come this way.”
The jeweler thought they were a sweet couple, with the husband affectionately calling his wife “lady.”
“Are you looking for anything specific? A necklace? A ring? Earrings?”
“Just show me everything.”
Akelans kept his gaze on Hasollan. While the jeweler turned to gather items, he leaned down.
“Take what you need when you run.”
“Oh, I’ll live quite comfortably, then.”
“I’ll find you before you can sell everything. I just found you now, didn’t I?”
Hasollan didn’t hide her irritation, and Akelans chuckled.
—
The next morning, Emperor Lowell summoned Akelans again after meeting young dragon Usman and his caretaker.
“You were right.”
She looked even more exhausted than before. The era of old dragons was ending. She was ready for peace.
“That thing won’t listen to reason.”
Akelans just smiled. He had expected this.
“I couldn’t even tell him to wait for his time to come.”
“He’d only rebel.”
“If only it were just him waking up.”
Lowell sighed, staring at her mad brother—her only heir.
“I can’t put you on the throne after what you’ve done.”
He nodded.
“If I did, you’d tear the empire apart again. Once wasn’t enough?”
“I’d do it better the second time.”
“Shut up. Do you even realize how terrible your actions were?”
“Sister, of all the things I’ve done, nothing is worse than what I did to my mate.”
His eyes were cold, logical—mad but controlled.
Lowell sighed.
“I’ll issue a decree. But before that, promise me one thing. Just one.”
She had lost her mate, so Akelans could at least understand this much.
“Win her back. It’s what you want most, isn’t it? Succeed. I beg you.”
In other words, she wanted him to take the throne properly—with his mate by his side.
“Promise me.”
“I promise. All I ever wanted was to return Hasollan to her rightful place.”
Even if she hated him, he’d stay by her side forever.
