The Nature of Possession

378 – EP.13 A Story the Emperor Doesn’t Know

***

Is this a promise to oneself, or is it a fragmentary demonstration of one’s intention to go out?

The faces of his subjects were crumpled at the cavalry captain’s brief declaration of victory.

“How rude…!”

Even the taciturn commander put his hands on his waist and took a stance to draw his sword.

The vassals had no intention of easily overlooking the disrespect shown to the Emperor, who was the ruler of the continent and the empire itself.

“We have to kill that guy!”

“How dare you, Your Majesty the Emperor!”

Starting with the commander of the knights, the vassals’ murmurings grew louder and louder, and eventually they turned into arrows of criticism and flew at the cavalry captain.

It may have been an expression of loyalty that came naturally, but it was also to prevent people from saying that he did nothing when the Emperor was insulted.

Soon, a tumultuous voice denouncing the cavalry captain echoed around.

Cruel and unspeakable punishments were discussed, such as beheading, pulling out tongues, and gouging out eyes.

And the emperor, who had been silent amidst the commotion, spoke.

“If anyone opens their mouth here, I’ll tear their mouth apart.”

“…….”

Everyone was silent at the level of just calm words, without shouting or irritation.

Hoo- The Emperor took a deep breath and let it out.

During that time, my chest rose and fell slightly.

“I heard your declaration of victory. It was impressive. I feel reassured that you seem to think of me at ease.”

“That’s not it.”

The cavalry captain corrected the emperor’s arbitrary interpretation of the matter.

Even though it was spitting on his own words, the emperor did not say anything impudent.

“But… is that why you called me? Do you really need to tell me such a short story?”

The Emperor takes another step closer. And then another step. His steps are light and gentle.

The Knight Commander flinched as the Emperor approached the enemy commander, but did not follow him.

It was because the instinct to follow the emperor’s orders took precedence.

The emperor, who had come within a stone’s throw, looked up at the cavalry commander.

Even when looking up, the emperor had eyes looking down.

The Emperor raised his arm, opened his palm, and slowly placed his hand on the cavalry captain’s chest.

I could feel the cavalry captain’s breath beneath his leather armor, stained with blood and sweat.

It was at this moment that the Emperor’s slightly cracked face began to brighten up a little.

“If I came here to hear the words [win], it doesn’t add up….”

“I think so.”

The cavalry captain agreed.

“You say it’s someone else’s business so easily. How can you exploit a woman’s heart like this? How can you compensate for my excitement at the thought of meeting you?”

Huh, the emperor opened his eyes sharply, snorting.

“hmm….”

“If you wanted to declare victory, you could have just sent it off on an arrow.”

While he was choosing his words, the Emperor added his words.

“Um… Then would you like to take a walk for a bit?”

“walk?”

The emperor smiled as he asked back at the sudden remark.

“Yes. How is it from here to there?”

The Emperor’s eyes followed the cavalry captain’s finger.

“It’s quite far to walk.”

The emperor estimated the distance by looking at the small tree hanging at his fingertips.

“okay.”

“But, since it will be very short with you, let’s go.”

The emperor smiled brightly.

***

Naturally, the vassals did not follow the emperor.

The Knight Commander had a face that seemed to have a lot to say, but he bit his lips hard and swallowed his words.

Perhaps because he noticed his hard work, the cavalry captain untied the sword from his waist and handed it to the knight commander.

The cavalry captain’s actions were so symbolic that he could threaten the emperor without even having to use a weapon, but the knight commander had no choice but to send the emperor away with a displeased expression on his face because of the great symbolism of his actions.

The emperor and the captain of the cavalry walked side by side.

With the forest at their side, they walked slowly, their footsteps different from those of those on the battlefield.

“It’s been a while since I’ve gone for a walk.”

“Don’t you do this often in the palace?”

“The emperor’s work is not easy.”

A man in leather armor and an emperor in antique street clothes.

Glancing briefly, the Emperor cast his gaze on the man’s rough hand brushing the back of his hand.

I felt a strong desire to hold that wounded hand, but soon gave up.

‘Tomorrow is the day I indulge you. I will make sure there is no place that my hands cannot reach.’

The emperor thought and thought again.

“So you’re just going to walk away without saying a word? Your skills in escorting a lady are worse than your horsemanship.”

The emperor said with a smile.

“I wanted to talk. There were things I was curious about, Your Majesty.”

The cavalry captain, who had been walking silently ahead, turned his head.

“Any questions?”

“Yes. I wanted to ask why you wanted me.”

“I told you last time. I fell in love with your appearance.”

The emperor answered immediately.

“May I ask what it was about this appearance that you fell in love with?”

“Any woman would probably accuse you of having no mood, but I’m happy to tell you.”

The emperor laughed.

“I fell in love with the way you charged forward even in a battle where your fate seemed doomed. And I fell in love with the way you knew how to weep while burying your dead comrades.”

As the emperor finished speaking

“That’s what it was.”

The cavalry captain stopped walking.

“what?”

The cavalry captain met the emperor’s question.

“He chose to fight because he was a cavalry captain who knew how to do his duty even in a battle that seemed like it would be lost and how to cry for his dead comrades.”

“If I were to declare surrender and ask for Your Majesty’s mercy, that would not be the kind of cavalry commander Your Majesty would like.”

The cavalry captain speaks calmly.

“A man named Kang In-ho must have searched for a way to live. No matter what kind of life he lived, he always made such choices.”

Of course, I faced the inevitable death, he muttered very quietly.

“Then wouldn’t it have been better if it had been like that? It would have been better for both of us.”

The cavalry captain shook his head at the emperor’s question.

“Isn’t that a reasonable choice for a cavalry captain? If you had chosen Kang In-ho, you would have been disappointed. [Are you saying that the man I highly regarded ended up being this bad?]”

The cavalry captain laughed.

“Haha, you talk as if you know me well. By the way, Kang In-ho’s choice… Does that mean that the duties of a cavalry captain and your true intentions do not match?”

The princess spoke in a weak voice at the rare display of emotion.

“Your Majesty, you don’t know this story.”

He laughed as he spoke in a muddled tone.

“Will I be able to know after I capture you?”

The emperor also smiled as he looked at his face.

“You’ll have to try.”

“You too.”

The walk proceeded peacefully.