CHAPTER 125: LOCKED AWAY

The commanders who fought them were gradually worn down, their minds poisoned, until many of them descended into madness.

That arm was suddenly grabbed by Aaron. A whisper brushed against Shiao Yi’s ear.

"Teleportation is dangerous. The room where Captain Dominic is confined has several protective barriers for safety. Of course, there are also barrier seals that prevent entry and escape. With your teleportation, Shiao Yi, you can’t pass through those barriers, right?"

Shiao Yi caught his breath. To him, the barriers that was blocking the intrusion were like powerful traps, as sticky and binding as a rat-catching adhesive tape.

"Wait for now. Captain Dominic’ actions had complicated reasons, so it won’t turn into something bad. He may be under restraint, but his treatment shouldn’t be terrible. He is being regarded as a guest of honor. It’s better to leave this to the Supreme Commander."

But that was not what Shiao Yi feared. His worry was not about Dominic’ treatment.

What truly terrified him was the darkness inside Dominic’ heart, still left unattended.

If Dominic’ heart were to break during this time, Shiao Yi would never forgive himself.

The more time passed, the less chance there would be to save him.

At that moment, Jircniv approached Shiao Yi.

Taking the hand that Jircniv offered, Shiao Yi begged. "Please. Let me go to Dominic!"

Jircniv cast his gaze at Aaron and the others, then led Shiao Yi out through a side door of the council chamber.

After all, Shiao Yi had no role in the council meeting.

He had no rank to sit among them.

"What is the relationship between you and Dominic?" Jircniv asked.

"He’s my lover. I must see him. I cannot live without seeing him."

Jircniv froze. When Shiao Yi looked up at him, the king’s face was twisted with sorrow, as if enduring a sharp pain.

"Shiao Yi, you are my angel. Because of you, I became king. Without you, I cannot continue as king."

Still staring straight ahead, Jircniv muttered those words like a soliloquy. Then suddenly, he pulled Shiao Yi by the hand and rushed down the corridor at a near run.

He opened the door to a room and pushed Shiao Yi inside.

The push was so strong that Shiao Yi’s feet gave way and he sat down hard on the floor.

While summoning the guards, Jircniv spoke. "Shiao Yi. You stay here. You are tired. I will have food brought to you. Rest now. But do not try to leave this room. If your figure disappears from here, the guards responsible will be executed. They will be punished for failing to protect you. If you don’t want others to die because of you, then stay here quietly."

Jircniv’ red eyes glared at him with deadly seriousness.

They shone with merciless resolve.

He knew that Shiao Yi had the power to freely escape into the skies and so he chose the most effective restraint.

The two guards, their faces pale and stiff with fear, stood on watch.

They knew well that if they failed their duty, they would pay with their lives.

Right before his eyes, the heavy door slammed shut.

Shiao Yi heard the sound of the lock turning with a dull clank and he could only sit there, stunned.

...

Jircniv sat through the council meeting, listening absentmindedly to the voices around him.

He told himself he should focus more, yet his thoughts drifted back again and again to Shiao Yi, whom he had just locked inside a room.

That man—Dominic, every time he touched Shiao Yi so casually, every time he pulled Shiao Yi close, Jircniv felt a surge of unbearable anger and restless impatience that twisted his insides.

It did not take long for him to realize that what he felt was jealousy.

Each time he saw the two of them together, a black shadow spread deeper into his heart.

It was all new to him.

His feelings for Shiao Yi.

His hatred toward that man.

For fifteen years he had been locked in a dim stone chamber, seeing only a few people.

And even then, most of them were just spiteful maids dripping with hostility or indifferent guards who barely looked at him.

Only one man, Argyll, came as a breath of fresh air from the outside. Argyll was his teacher, his doctor, and in some ways, his guardian.

He had been alone. Always, painfully alone.

His days were like endless slumber, filled with resignation.

He had learned not to move his heart—because it hurt too much, because it only brought suffering.

He had killed his emotions quietly, planning to live that way forever, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Then suddenly, light had entered his life.

A miracle that had pulled him out of that dim stone room and led him beneath the blue sky.

An angel—so beautiful, so warm, so overflowing with life that he shone brighter than anything else.

How could he not fall in love?

How could he not crave him?

Even the heavy responsibility thrust onto him so suddenly—he could accept it, only because Shiao Yi had spoken to him, only because Shiao Yi was by his side.

As long as Shiao Yi was with him, he felt he could do anything.

He felt he could endure any hardship.

Together, they would make the kingdom of Dalmasca prosper.

He needed Shiao Yi.

He could never let go.

He could never hand him over to that man!

The force of such fierce emotions struck him with dizziness.

His burning, searing desire for Shiao Yi.

And at the same time, a dark, ugly weight sinking in his chest—a black, suffocating emotion.

Impatient, Jircniv longed to return to Shiao Yi’s side.

He watched the council with growing frustration.

On the side of Dalmasca, his grandfather, Count Dunrossil, was present, along with his uncle Lord Chelmsford, and Tenby, the representative of the Royal Restoration faction.

There were also the powerful nobles whom Uncle Chelmsford had been persuading and preparing behind the scenes.