Chapter 13: A Choice That Isn’t One

“Since it seems you’ve caught on, I’ll get straight to the point. I intend to take you as my spouse.”

“…What?!”

“You’ve certainly changed quite a bit.”

‘No- wait, Your Highness? You’ve clearly got something wrong here. I mean, you-’

Kebel tried to clear his tangled thoughts, rubbing his face with both hands. Something in the original story had definitely gone off track, but that didn’t change the fact that he was still living on borrowed time.

If he abandoned Osh and took the Crown Prince’s hand instead… would that extend not only his own life, but the survival of the Ilya ducal house as well?

“I like that you’re no longer bothersome like before, nor do you twist words here and there. As you know, in the palace, a loose tongue is as dangerous as poison.”

Leaning back comfortably, the prince straightened up with a smooth, elegant motion. His legs, previously crossed, unfolded while one hand remained resting lightly on his thigh. The movement resembled a languid predator, something subtly provocative, yet strangely captivating.

Noticing Kebel staring at him, the prince smirked, eyes gleaming with ambition as he spoke in a soft, gentle tone.

“If you dislike the idea of being a concubine, I’ll change the law.”

“…No-”

“I’ll place you in the position of consort.”

“Wait-!”

Kebel bit his tongue without realizing it. The metallic taste spread in his mouth, and the pain brought tears to the corners of his eyes.

The prince watched him intently, as if trying to read his thoughts. For a fleeting moment, something close to madness flickered in his gaze.

Suppressing the pain, Kebel forced his expression to relax and tried to speak, forming a strained smile.

“I’m sorry, but-”

“I will continue to fight to ascend the throne. And if that process requires blood, then I won’t hesitate to spill it.”

“…”

“And if that happens, the Sulleban Count family you’re so close to… won’t remain unharmed.”

Kebel’s fingertips trembled. He already knew that Osh wouldn’t die but would be dragged to the battlefield. Still, before that, Count Sulleban was Osh’s father, whether good or bad. Could Osh really endure that?

The thought alone made his chest ache, as if he were already witnessing Osh’s suffering.

“Even so, if Duke Ilya continues to support the count, that’s his choice. But you should remember, doing so means standing against me as well.”

The cold words sent a chill down Kebel’s spine. It felt as though a blade had been pressed against his throat with just a sentence. He unconsciously rubbed his neck.

‘Was this inevitable? Was changing Osh alone not enough to escape his death flag?’

His thoughts tangled like knotted threads. If he chose the Crown Prince, then someday Osh might come for his head. But if he stubbornly tried to change Osh… could Osh really abandon his father, the man who had raised and shaped him for so long?

Tears welled up in his throat.

And yet, even now, all he could think about was wanting to see Osh.

Kebel clenched his fist so tightly his nails dug into his palm.

“I’ll give you time to think. And take this.”

“…What is it?”

“Something for appearances. You’re meeting the Crown Prince, after all, it wouldn’t do for you to have nothing to show for it.”

What the prince handed him was a pair of cufflinks. Simple gold, but upon closer inspection, they bore the Crown Prince’s insignia, a mark given only to those he claimed as his own.

It felt like a seal, binding their futures together.

Kebel tightened his grip around the box before finally accepting it. He had no real choice. The prince stood above him in status, how could he refuse that coercive gaze?

Once their conversation ended, the prince stood. Kebel rose as well, but as the man approached, it felt like a large predator closing in. His shoulders flinched instinctively.

The prince chuckled and lightly patted his shoulder.

“I’m sure you’ll make the right decision. This isn’t a bad offer for you.”

To others, his voice might have sounded smooth and pleasant, but to Kebel, it was terrifying. Like a predator baring its fangs.

After the prince left, Kebel’s legs nearly gave out.

“Are you alright?”

Ida hurried to his side, supporting him. Kebel forced a smile and nodded, though his pale complexion betrayed him.

“Thank you, Ida… but I’d like to go home right away. Could you help me?”

“Of course, young master.”

Even on the way back, no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t find an answer. Only a growing sense of suffocation remained.

****

The moment Kebel arrived at the estate, he didn’t even report to the duke. Instead, he rushed straight to Osh’s room.

Like a man who had found an oasis in the desert, Kebel threw the door open and ran to him, pulling Osh into a tight embrace. He buried his face in Osh’s shoulder as if they hadn’t seen each other in ages.

Osh’s faint scent calmed him instantly.

But Osh’s body stiffened slightly.

Still, Kebel didn’t want to let go. Right now, that warmth was the only thing grounding him.

“Kebel…?”

Osh’s voice was filled with concern.

“Osh.”

“…Yes.”

“I guess… I missed you, even though we were only apart for a little while.”

Kebel slowly let go, forcing a bright smile despite the chaos in his heart.

The setting sun cast an orange glow over Osh’s face. His gaze, as always, was steady, but somehow sharper today.

“…Did something happen at the palace?”

His tone was gentle, yet something about it felt different.

“Kebel.”

Osh called him again, softly, but this time, there was a faint edge of anger beneath it.

Kebel swallowed. Osh stepped closer, close enough that their noses nearly touched. Flustered, Kebel took a step back, but Osh only smiled.

“Something did happen, didn’t it? But Kebel… don’t worry.”

“…What?”

Osh took his hand, intertwining their fingers, gripping firmly.

“There will never be anything in this world that causes you pain.”

Something about his words felt… off.

Kebel looked up at him. The sky had darkened, and a long shadow stretched behind Osh. His smile lingered, but it sent a chill down Kebel’s spine.

“It’s just like a spell I’m casting for you. Why do you look so scared?”

With a neutral expression, Osh tilted his eyes slightly, then gently released their intertwined fingers.

“It’s late. I’ll come again tomorrow.”

“…Ah. Okay.”

“Good night, Kebel.”

With that, Osh left.

Only then did Kebel wipe his sweat-dampened palms against his clothes. Yet the unsettling feeling refused to fade.

Was it because his collar felt too tight around his neck? Or because his chest felt suffocating?

He loosened a few buttons, but it didn’t help.

In the end, he collapsed onto his bed, still unable to shake the lingering unease.