A Story the Emperor Doesn’t Know

Will it be a resolution to himself, or a fragmentary display of his intention to go wild?

The faces of the vassals were crumpled at the Cavalry Commander’s short declaration of victory.

“How rude…!”

Even the taciturn Commander of the Knights raised his hand to his waist and took a stance to draw his sword.

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

“We must kill that bastard!”

“How dare he, to His Imperial Majesty!”

Starting with the Commander of the Knights, the murmurs of the vassals grew louder and louder, eventually becoming arrows of condemnation flying towards the Cavalry Commander.

It was partly an outpouring of heartfelt loyalty, but also to avoid being said that they did nothing when the Emperor was insulted.

Soon, a boisterous noise condemning the Cavalry Commander echoed around.

Inhumane punishments that were hard to put into words were mentioned, such as beheading, tongue-pulling, and eye-gouging.

And in the midst of the commotion, the Emperor, who had been silent, spoke.

“If anyone here opens their mouth any further, I will tear their mouth apart.”

“……..”

Everyone shut their mouths at the calm tone of the words, which were neither shouted nor tinged with annoyance.

Hoo- the Emperor took a deep breath in and out.

In the meantime, his chest rose and fell slightly.

“I heard your declaration of victory well. It was impressive. I’m relieved that you seem to think of me comfortably.”

“That’s not the case.”

The Cavalry Commander corrected the Emperor’s thoughts, which he was interpreting as he pleased.

Even though he was adding to his words, the Emperor did not say that he was presumptuous.

“But… did you call me here just to say that? Did you have to convey that short message to me?”

The Emperor takes one step closer. And another step. His steps were light.

The Commander of the Knights flinched as the Emperor approached the commander of the enemy forces, but he did not follow him.

The instinct to obey the Emperor’s orders came first.

The Emperor, who had come close, looked up at the Cavalry Commander.

Even though he was looking up, the Emperor had eyes that looked down.

The Emperor raised his arm, showing his palm. And slowly, he placed his hand on the Cavalry Commander’s chest.

The Cavalry Commander’s breath was felt beneath the leather armor, which was dirty with blood and sweat.

It was at this moment that the Emperor’s face, which had been slightly cracked, began to smooth out a little.

“If I came here to hear the word [win], it wouldn’t be worth it…”

“I think so.”

The Cavalry Commander affirmed.

“It’s easy for you to say, since it’s someone else’s business. To use a woman’s heart like this. How will you compensate me for the excitement I felt at the thought of meeting you?”

Hmph, the Emperor snorted and opened his eyes primly.

“Hmm….”

“If you wanted to declare victory, it would have been better to just attach it to an arrow and send it.”

While he was choosing his words, the Emperor added.

“Hmm… then, would you like to take a walk for a while?”

“A walk?”

At the sudden words, the Emperor asked back, but with a smile on his face.

“Yes. How about from here to there?”

The Emperor’s eyes followed the Cavalry Commander’s finger.

“It’s quite far to walk.”

The Emperor estimated the distance, looking at the small tree at the end of his finger.

“I see.”

“But, it will be very short if I am with you, so let’s go.”

The Emperor smiled.

Of course, the vassals did not follow the Emperor.

The Commander of the Knights had a face that said he had a lot to say, but he bit his lip hard and swallowed his words.

Perhaps it was because he noticed his desperate efforts? The Cavalry Commander untied the sword tied to his waist and handed it to the Commander of the Knights.

The Cavalry Commander’s martial prowess was at a level where he could threaten the Emperor without having to use a weapon, but the symbolism of his actions was so great that the Commander of the Knights had no choice but to send the Emperor away, even with an unpleasant expression.

The Emperor and the Cavalry Commander walked side by side.

With the forest beside them, their slow steps were different from those of people on the battlefield.

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

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

“The Emperor’s schedule is not leisurely.”

A man in leather armor and an Emperor in a classic outing dress.

The Emperor glanced at the man’s rough hand brushing against the back of his hand.

He had a surge of desire to hold that scarred hand, but he soon gave up.

‘I will indulge in you tomorrow. I will make sure that there is no place my hands have not touched.’

The Emperor thought and thought again.

“So, are you just going to walk in silence? Your escorting skills are worse than your horsemanship.”

The Emperor said with a smile.

“I wanted to talk to you. I had some questions for Your Majesty.”

The Cavalry Commander, who had been walking silently, turned his head.

“Questions?”

“Yes. I wanted to ask what your reasons are for wanting to possess me.”

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

The Emperor answered immediately.

“May I ask what aspect of me you fell in love with?”

“A normal woman would criticize you for being unromantic, but I can gladly tell you.”

The Emperor smiled.

“I fell in love with your appearance as you ran out even in a battle with a high chance of defeat. And I fell in love with your appearance as you buried your dead comrades and knew how to cry.”

As soon as the Emperor’s words were finished,

“So that’s why.”

The Cavalry Commander stopped walking.

“What?”

At the Emperor’s question, the Cavalry Commander met his eyes.

“I chose to fight because the Cavalry Commander was someone who fulfilled his duty even in a battle that seemed likely to be lost, and who knew how to cry for his dead comrades.”

“If I declared surrender and begged Your Majesty for mercy, it would not be the image of the Cavalry Commander that Your Majesty liked.”

The Cavalry Commander said calmly.

“The man named Kang In-ho would have definitely sought a way to survive. Whatever kind of life he lived, he would have made such a choice.”

Of course, he did face unavoidable deaths. He muttered very quietly.

“Then why didn’t you do that? It would have been easier for both of us.”

At the Emperor’s question, the Cavalry Commander shook his head.

“Isn’t that not the kind of choice the Cavalry Commander would make? If I had made Kang In-ho’s choice, you would have definitely been disappointed. Saying, [Is the man I valued so highly only this much?]”

The Cavalry Commander smiled.

“Haha, you speak as if you know me well. By the way, Kang In-ho’s choice… does that mean that the duties of the Cavalry Commander and your true feelings do not match?”

At the rare expression of emotion, the Princess said in a listless voice.

“These are stories that Your Majesty would not know.”

He smiled, saying enigmatic words.

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

Looking at his face, the Emperor also smiled.

“You will have to work hard.”

“The same goes for you.”

The walk proceeded peacefully.