The Tyrant Won’t Let Me Go

 “Let go of me! Get off me, everyone!” 

I scrambled away before Cedric could deliver the medicine, but with all ten Knights pursuing me, I didn’t have the stamina to fight any longer.

 

After a struggle, they grabbed me by the arms and dragged me away.

 “I am the leader and you are the members! Let go of me now. This is my order as the captain!” “Captain, you realize that it was the Emperor who ordered us to capture you,”

said Sera with a look of regret on her face.

 

But despite her expression, her hand was tightly gripping my arm to prevent me from running away.

 “You’re right, how could a mere member of the ranks like us defy the imperial order?” 

Hilac, now recovered from his wounds from the raid and hobbling around, spoke softly.

 “I’m sorry you had to take that medicine, but it can’t be helped, so give it up now, Captain.” “‘Guys, spare me just this once. Please.” 

The day I saw twelve-year-old Cedric drink it, I vowed to never catch a cold in this world.

 

I’ve been lucky enough to catch a few colds in my life, and even when I do, I’ve been able to avoid taking the nasty stuff.

 

Sometimes I’ve gotten over a cold before Cedric brought the medicine.

 

But this time, I was stuck taking them.

 “‘Captain, managing one’s health is part of being a knight. You should try everything you can to recover from this cold.” “Sir Turka, I know that, but those medicines are so…” “If you close your eyes and take it straight, it’s not so bad, and you’ll be fine.” 

No, the way I saw it, if I inhaled it straight, I’d be fine, not just fine, I’d go straight to the other side.

 “I’m sorry, but I’m on your side this time, Captain.” 

For the first time, Lord Turka’s usually warm smile frightened me.

 “See to it that you all carry our captain in comfort.” “Yes, sir!” 

And with that, the men led my last-resisting body back to the room where Cedric was waiting.

  “Did you enjoy your little escape, Ciel?” 

The way Cedric smiled as he stirred the medicine with a spoon was truly frightening.

 

His face, always as bright and cheerful as a fluttering flower petal, looked like the face of a grim reaper who had come to pronounce death.

 

In his hand, he held a bowl of a grayish-green liquid that looked like a crocodile skin or an alligator swamp.

 

To be honest, it felt more like porridge than medicine.

 

And whatever it looked like, there was no doubt that it would be hard to swallow.

 “…Your Majesty, would you mind giving it a try?” “No.” 

Knowing Cedric’s character, I realized there was no way out now.

 “I’ll let you hold my hand for half an hour today.” 

His resolute red eyes wavered for the briefest of moments.

 “What do you think, half an hour is three times your usual—” “No, no.” 

Wow, Cedric, who was usually hell-bent on increasing our hand-holding time, rejected this offer.

 [Hey, give it up, if he’s willing to give up on increasing the amount of time he spends holding hands with you, it means he’s not going to change his mind.] “Ciel. Ah.” 

Cedric held out a spoon full of thick medicine.

 

‘How could I not accept this when the Emperor is handing it to me…’

 

I gave up and cleared my throat.

 “Instead, if you finish this, I’ll grant you a wish, just like Ciel did for me back then.” “…Then, when I finish this, please let me retire.” “I can’t do that.” “Then no more contracts.” “…The future whereabouts of a Knight Commander is an important matter that needs to be discussed with the High Priestesses, and cannot be decided here.” “No, then what is the solution?” “Tell me something else. I’ll listen.” 

The image of Cedric negotiating to get me to take the medicine somehow made me laugh.

 

It brought back memories of when I was twelve.

 “No, thanks, I’ll just drink it.” “Huh?” 

I took the bowl from Cedric’s hand and brought it in front of me.

 

Staring at the suspiciously bubbly, greenish liquid, I took one deep breath, squeezed my eyes shut tight, and emptied the bowl in one swift gulp.

 

It felt so strange to feel the medication slide down my throat.

 

I finally finished it, but I didn’t realize it, and the foul odor of the pills rose up my throat, and I couldn’t help but gag.

 “Oops…” “Water, here, drink some water.” 

After emptying three glasses of water, the nausea finally subsided.

 

I couldn’t think straight as my insides felt like they were being turned inside out.

 

I thought,

‘How in the world did Cedric drink this at the tender age of twelve?’

 

At the time, I let him drink it, thinking it was the only thing I could do to help him get better, but now I realize I did something awful.

 “Wow, you cleaned it out. Good job, you worked hard.” 

Cedric patted me on the back, showering me with praise like he was soothing a child.

 

‘I’m still a captain of the Knights.’

Seriously, how could this be?

 “Now that you’ve finished, I’ll grant you your wish. Except for the last two.” “Uh, you’re really going to grant them?” “Because it’s a promise.” 

Cedric shrugged, pulling up a chair and sitting down.

 “You can tell me anything. I’ll listen.” “Um…” 

Truth be told, I didn’t really want anything.

 

Sure, taking the medication was a pain in the butt, but it also felt weird to get something for doing it right.

 “It’s just, it’s not a big deal-“ “Yes.” “It’s just that my wish for you is that you stay healthy and continue to be the excellent Emperor you are.” 

The crimson eyes that looked at me widened slowly.

 “Ciel…” “You’ll grant me that, won’t you?” 

With that, I smiled and wrapped my hand around his.

 

Cedric looked down at me and said nothing for a moment.

  “I— I’m afraid I have nothing to say to you.” 

The shabbily dressed man spoke as he lay flat on his back with his forehead touching the ground.

 

The man’s body was trembling slightly, as if in fear.

 “…Pardon?” 

The red-haired man on the throne asked in a frosty voice.

 “For what exactly?” “…For failing to fully fulfill the plan and for losing the Emperor.” “And?” “What?” 

The man on the ground raised his head involuntarily.

 

At that moment, a sword flew right under his nose.

 “Ow!” 

The trembling man jumped to his feet, startled by the rushing blade that threatened to cut off his nose.

 

The man who had been caught stepped forward, his eyes livid.

 “Who said you could dare to lift your head?” “I, Your Majesty, it was…” “You said you failed to fulfill your plan and lost sight of the Emperor, and that’s not your only fault.” 

The man on the floor, his eyes glowing with an eerie fury, said nothing.

 “You have wasted my energy for nothing. Was it that difficult for the five of you to bring the emperor back before the oracle came out?” “Well, the Emperor never fell asleep… and the Knight’s Commander intervened during the confrontation, so things didn’t go so well.” 

The golden eyes glowed in the darkness with an ominous aura at his apologetic words.

 “…So, you didn’t do anything wrong, and you don’t intend to take responsibility, I see.” “Your Majesty Jayden, it’s not that—” “Then there is no choice. I can only force you to take responsibility.” “Wait, Your Majesty, please, give me one more chance, Your Majesty!” 

Jayden, caught him red-handed, kicked the man at his feet heartlessly, and turned around.

 “Drag him out and kill him.” 

At his words, the soldiers who had been standing in a line in the corner of the room came out and grabbed the struggling man.

 “Your Majesty, please have mercy—” “Your death is merciful.” 

Jayden swept a hand through his red hair, the corner of his mouth twitching upward.

 “You will die honorably for Ackeletta, whom you have never been able to serve in your life.” “Your Majesty!” “You will make up for the magic drained by your useless minions.” 

The voice calling desperately for Jayden grew farther and farther away, until it was inaudible.

  

When I opened my eyes again, my whole body was numb and cold.

 

My limbs ached as if someone had hit me.

 “Ugh…” 

Even my eyelids felt like they were tingling, so I couldn’t open my eyes.

 

Just then, I felt a warmth envelope my entire body.

 

‘What is it?’

 

 

As I opened my eyes, I saw a huge mass of bright green light hovering in front of me.

 “This is…” “Are you awake?” 

The voice from across the room startled me and I turned my head.

 “Du, Duke?” 

Shiny blonde hair, green eyes like emeralds. Even through my blurred vision, I could make out the doll-like features.

 “Uh, it’s me.” “How did you get here…” “Marquis Lauren told me.” 

I scrambled to my feet, but Kashuel urged me to lie back down.

 “I heard you collapsed in a meeting.” “Oh, yeah…” 

Recalling it again made me feel a little embarrassed.

 

After all the cool stuff I’d done to keep up my image as the strongest Knight in the Empire, to collapse so spectacularly in front of everyone.

 

‘I must never let that happen again…’