Esa Promesa

Even I had to admit that Count Delan’s words made sense. I appreciated Diver’s consideration for me, but as the count had pointed out, the Kingdom of Emar was struggling with disasters this year, with countless citizens in dire need of aid across various regions.

But could it really cost that much to rebuild Sol Avla?

I saw Diver’s lips curl into a smile. His eyes, however, weren’t smiling at all.

As memories I had pushed aside in the chaos following Diver’s confession began to resurface, my mind cooled, sharpening with clarity.

“I must be a truly blessed king, to have a noble like Count Delan who loves and cherishes his people.”

“You honor me, Your Majesty.”

“Honor you? I mean it sincerely. After all, it’s out of that same love for your people that you secretly raised taxes by 30%, used the funds to buy weapons, and sold desperate citizens fleeing famine and disease in your lands as test subjects to Remable.”

Gasps rippled across the hall. The nobles seated near Count Delan openly revealed their shock as they turned to look at him, their expressions visible even from where I sat.

“What are you saying, Your Majesty?”

“You’ve underestimated the reach of my ears, Count.”

As Diver’s words ended, the doors swung open, and knights entered the hall. The stench of blood hit me, causing my face to twist in discomfort.

I sensed Diver’s gaze flicker toward me for a moment, but instead of looking back, I focused on the large, writhing sack the knights dragged in.

“You recognize these faces, don’t you?”

The knights stopped in front of Count Delan and untied the sack. What had been squirming inside spilled out, revealing its contents. A low chorus of groans spread throughout the room.

Although this wasn’t the first time I’d seen something like this during my time as Diver’s advisor, for some reason, it unsettled me more than usual today.

“These are your accomplices, the ones who helped you sell citizens to Remable for their inhumane experiments.”

“You claim I was in league with such despicable individuals? Couldn’t it be possible that someone, seeking to frame me, paid them to use my name? Your Majesty, I swear I am innocent!”

“So, I’ve been truly underestimated by you, Count.”

The smile vanished from Diver’s face. As the inevitable events ahead played out in my mind, I briefly considered whether I should close my eyes or simply leave the room.

An unexpected nausea churned within me. I had witnessed Diver execute traitors and those who sold out their people countless times before. I had even occasionally helped him hunt them down and eliminate them. But today, it felt different, unsettling.

Why? Was my body growing weaker as I neared death? My head throbbed.

“Do you think that’s the only evidence I have?”

“I truly know nothing of this, Your Majesty!”

“You claim ignorance of the suffering inflicted upon my beloved citizens, sold to Remable to fund your rebellion?”

In an instant, Diver rose from his seat, drawing a sword from the knight standing beside him. He swung it at Count Delan, and with a *thwack*, the sound drew everyone’s attention to its source. The stark contrast of bright red and pale flesh stained the pristine white table. It was Count Delan’s nose.

“Aaaah! My—my nose!”

“Just from what I’ve heard so far, the list surpasses dozens. And until the Count remembers everything, I plan to have him experience exactly what his victims endured. Oh, don’t worry—you won’t die.”

I had known about the signs of Count Delan’s treachery even before submitting my resignation. I was also aware that Diver had mobilized not just ears but eyes to monitor the situation. However, I hadn’t known that he had sold citizens for Remable’s inhumane experiments.

Judging by the extent of Diver’s fury, the number of murdered citizens must not have been small. The thought that I might have been able to save them if I had realized sooner weighed heavily on my mind.

“Too noisy.”

At Diver’s command, one of the knights restrained Count Delan, who had been clutching his face and screaming, and gagged him.

“Strip Count Delan of his title and confiscate his wealth. Arrest all those involved in this matter, dismember their limbs, and leave them to be devoured by insects until they die. As for the count’s heirs and household, what should we do?”

“Mm, Mmmph!”

At the mention of his family, Count Delan began thrashing wildly. Watching the scene with a serene expression, Diver seemed almost affectionate. I turned away in disgust. A headache surged as the nauseating stench of blood filled the room, more bothersome than the muffled cries of the gagged count.

“Oh, right. Cut off their arms and legs one by one and leave them in the middle of the Ramble Desert, just like the citizens they abandoned.”

As the knights dragged away Count Delan and the writhing sacks containing bodies that were barely alive, the council chamber fell silent again. No one dared to speak, their gazes fixed on Diver, anxiously gauging his mood.

Why had Diver brought me here? It certainly wasn’t to reprimand me for not noticing Count Delan’s schemes earlier. Judging by that ominous smile, it was something else entirely.

“Now that the trash has been cleared, it’s time to discuss the main agenda.”

The fact that the main topic still hadn’t started was astonishing.

Suddenly, Diver’s gaze landed on me.

The moment my eyes met his, the headache that had been tormenting me vanished instantly, and the unease in my chest dissipated as if it had never been there.

That’s the power of fear.

“I will soon head to Sol Avla.”

I know. I didn’t want to, but I knew.

Diver glanced around at the gathered nobles, but his gaze lingered on me longer than necessary, as though he was waiting for my reaction.

Was he really waiting, though? Those confident gray eyes seemed to be gauging my mood, as if he was the one walking on eggshells.

“I previously told you all that I’d return before my birthday, but I’m changing my mind.”

No way. He wouldn’t—

“From now on, all events for the remainder of the year will be held there.”

“Ugh!”

A chorus of gasps erupted from the nobles, who had poured their hearts into preparing for Diver’s birthday, the royal celebration of his birth.

For the first time in ages, I felt the urge to grab Diver by the collar and shake him. My fingers twitched at the thought.

As I took a deep breath to regain my composure, the nobles, unable to collect their wits as quickly, began pleading desperately, almost frantically, with Diver.

Feigning interest in their appeals, Diver turned his gaze back to me. Meeting his eyes, I gritted my teeth.

So this was why he brought me here. It was payback—for my unauthorized confrontation with the thorn.

*

As soon as we arrived at the bedchamber, I quickly locked the door. I didn’t forget to dismiss the maid who had tried to follow us in to assist with undressing, sending her away with a sharp glance. Diver turned to look at me briefly, then began undoing his cravat himself.

“Tei, if you’re planning to argue with me about Sol Avla, I’d prefer you drop it.”

“I have no intention of arguing about that.”

Before arriving at the bedchamber, I had indeed planned to confront him about Sol Avla, but as my composure returned, I reconsidered. Upon reflection, it wasn’t a matter worth confronting him over. I knew Diver. I had known him since he was an unruly ten-year-old brat, so I understood him better than anyone.

Diver wasn’t the kind of fool who would involve others in his petty revenge against me.

There must have been reasons I wasn’t aware of, perhaps to pressure another noble he’d rather have slashed across the nose in Count Delan’s place, or something along those lines.

Of course, until just before I shut the door, I had toyed with the idea of smacking Diver’s smug head with the spine of a book, smashing him with a vase, or simply shaking him by the collar out of spite.

“…Really?”

Diver stopped mid-motion, staring at me with a puzzled expression. That he doubted my sincerity was slightly irritating, but understandable. I nodded firmly to reassure him.

“Yes. I’m done with Sol Avla.”

“Then why are you still looking at me like you want to devour me alive?”

I didn’t flinch as Diver stepped closer, gazing up at him silently. I was curious what he’d do next. To my surprise, he reached out and removed the thin coat I was wearing.

Only after taking off my coat did Diver resume removing his own garments. Watching him struggle with the layers of constrictive clothing—far more cumbersome than my own—I felt a strong urge to help. But blocking his escape route came first. I subtly shifted my body to stand in front of the door.

Ah, I want to help.

On formal meeting days, Diver wore a total of six layers. Even though the fabrics were thin, the knots, buckles, and cuffs were so numerous and intricate that it was nearly impossible to undress alone. His attire rivaled even the complexity of women’s dresses.

My hands trembled with the desire to assist him, but I held back. Helping him undress wasn’t my priority right now.

As Diver finally removed one layer and focused on untying another knot, he glanced at me.

“What are you trying to do?”

“I have a question for you, Your Majesty.”

“You can ask, but could you help me first? You look like you’re struggling just watching me.”

Diver gestured toward a knot at his chest as he spoke. Had he eaten something strange?

His voice was disturbingly sweet.

I frowned at the strange feeling his tone gave me, but ultimately gave in to his request. Standing before him, I began undoing the intricate knot with practiced hands.

Until he turned fifteen, Diver had refused to trust the maids and attendants around him. As a result, I had to help him undress every time. In the beginning, I often made things worse and ended up cutting the knots with scissors, but now I could untie them with ease.