Chapter 501 – Masquerade

I had tortured Hwangdo to extract the truth.

-Mmm…clothes.

It was a somewhat intense and erotic interrogation, yet perhaps it was pleasurable. Leaving Hwangdo twitching, her legs spread open like a frog, I returned home, unable to mask my troubled feelings.

‘Does she know she’s a counterfeit?’

Not only Hwangdo, but everyone. They had concealed from me that this world was nothing more than an illusion. If it weren’t for Hwangdo attempting to satisfy her lust under the pretense of my hazy memories, I would not have discovered it.

“…Is it a conversation unfit for the confines of your room?”
“Yes.”

So, Cheondo and you,
You must have also concealed this truth.

-Death Sentence. Your hands have grown significantly colder.
-You’ve been through a lot recently. It’s not unreasonable to think you’re cooling down.

Suddenly, I remembered what she had told me this morning. The words that felt caring and affectionate, for some reason, seemed not to be from my past but addressed to my current self.

-Does it feel warm?

There is no Lee Do-won, the savior of this village. I was unable to prevent the downfall of Do-won, and such a future never existed in the first place. This world is an illusory dream, adorned with all sorts of sweet baits.

-Good morning. Gaga.

Then, were Cheondo’s words to me also a fallacy? Hwangdo had once said to me,

[Even though I know everything… Everyone, they want to live. Without you, this place will crumble.]

Dreams are boundless, unfolding within our minds. However, the moment I wake up, the immutability that only dreams could possess vanishes. They are all destined to perish.

The tower and its vassals constructed this dream world to confine me.

‘So, if I escape from this world…’

It’s only natural for this world to crumble.

‘Did Cheondo share the same thought as Hwangdo?’

“Follow me.”

We stepped outside and shifted our location to a secluded spot behind a residential house.

“Executioner, this is… that.”
“Cheondo. Answer me truthfully.”
“…!”

She kneels in the snow, leveling our gaze. Despite her growth, the difference in our heights was significant.

“Is there anything you haven’t told me?”

Cheondo took a sharp breath. She appeared cold in her thin attire, but it wasn’t the moment for coddling.

“What do you mean, haven’t spoken? Executioner…?”

Cheondo’s eyes filled with desperation. It was as if she was pleading with me not to ask that question.

The falling snow, the kneeling knees. The scene was eerily reminiscent of a marriage proposal, but….

“You are, no-“

The brutal words I uttered without hesitation were bound to rend her heart.

“That everyone here is a facade.”

Cheondo, with her lips pressed tightly together, clenched her fists and trembled.

It wasn’t shivering from the cold, but from bewilderment and sadness. The word “pretend” seemed to have deeply embedded itself into her heart.

“Sigh, ha…”

She held her breath, exhaling fervently. Her perplexed gaze darted around aimlessly. Her expression appeared on the verge of tears.

“Where did you find out?”
“Zodiac told me.”
“Why?”
“Is that what matters now?”

They claim to possess hearts and will, but they are mere characters created by the tower. As regrettable as it might seem, it was right to detach from them emotionally.

“You’ve heard wrong.”
“Heaven.”
“It’s not true.”
“Really?”
“Then what do you want me to say?”

She kept pressing. Deliberately pricking Heaven’s nerves who was evading her questions.

“Heaven, you’re not the person I know.”
“No.”
“Really?”
“So, what are you?”

She continued relentlessly, her gradually opening emotions ceaselessly tormenting, and forcing the truth to surface.

“What am I…!”

Soon enough, Heaven, just as she had intended, lifted her head. Her eyes were brimming with hot tears.

“Do you want me to say it myself, that I’m a fraud?”

It would be torturous. I’m sorry. The attitude towards this space can only be selfish.

“In fact, this space was entirely fabricated. Even I, who revel in the death penalty, am nothing but a mere prop here….Did you truly want to hear that from my own mouth?”

Heaven, who had spoken candidly, clenched her robe and spoke. I’ve never seen such an emotional Heaven.

No, actually, this might be her true form. Heaven is more tender and innocent than I thought.

“I’m sorry.”

Even now. You can still see her apologizing.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry…”

In each piece of her speech, every syllable was brimming with the resentment and sadness that Heaven felt.

“It was because I was so, so angry.”
“Angry?”
“I’m angry! My memories are real, but if the truth is revealed, they could shatter.”

Her gaze, devoid of direction, fell to the floor. Tears didn’t fall, but it was clear she was forcefully holding them back. Heaven spoke in a voice choked with emotion.

“I can’t lie.”
“Heaven.”
“I wanted to deceive you. I wished that you would be deceived and that we could simply stay here together.”
“That’s possible.”

Even as I say this, I refuse to let a nail be driven into my heart. She’s venting her emotions but with restraint.

Is she being considerate because she’s concerned I might get hurt? If not…does she dislike invoking my hatred?

Her complex and chaotic emotions, there was something inexplicable that couldn’t be attributed to mere affection or love. Indeed, within Heaven’s memories, there exists a friendship shared with me, as well as affection.

“….”
“Do you know a way out?”
“I can’t, I can’t say.”

This time, Heaven is clutching my clothes. Her hands are shaking. She’s still holding back her tears.

“Can you close your eyes and just be with me for a few days?”
“I have an urgent matter.”

“When this ordeal is done… Even if I am to die for all my days?”

No, not a threat.
An obstinance that inevitably has to be exercised.

The situation grows increasingly tense.

‘How much further does the tower intend to scratch at my nerves?’

What benefit could they possibly glean from showing them such a spectacle?
My hand firmly grasped Heaven’s arm, and as I tugged, she was drawn towards me, powerless.

On the snow-white blanket of down, I cradle Heaven.
Her body quivered, akin to a puppy abandoned by its master, left to the mercy of a heavy downpour.

“I… adore you…”

A confession, laden with torment, reached my ears.

“Do I even have the right? Given that I am ruining your memories?”
“That’s not the case…”

Heaven embraced me with all her might, her anger brimming. She held me so tightly it felt as if my body would crumble.

“Say that you love me, just once.”
“……”

I remained silent.
Heaven, who had been tracing the skin of my back, buried her face into my chest.

“I’m sorry.”

As my apology struck her ear,
A voice, laden with regret and sorrow, emanated despairingly from Heaven’s mouth.

“…The rite of adulthood.”
“What?”
“On the eve of the rite of adulthood, you can leave Do-won. Abandon us all. Kill me.”

It’s a trial that is horrifyingly cruel.
Can this even be considered a trial? A situation that only serves to weigh down the spirit instead of increasing one’s strength?

Nonetheless, bound by the contract with the crown,
I had no choice but to endure this ordeal that hardly seemed like one.

…It is uncertain whether the necks of the subjects I am to meet in the future will remain intact.

“…I’m sorry, for being so stubborn.”
“No, I’m the one who’s sorry.”

Heaven took my hand. As if she was trying to melt the chill from my hands, she brushed the back of her hand against my palm repeatedly.

“I won’t hold a grudge. When the time comes, don’t hesitate.”
“Thank you.”
“May I ask for one favor?”

When I nodded, Heaven drew her face away from my chest.
Her nose was slightly runny and her eyes were red. No matter how hard she tried to hold it in, tears seeped out.

It’s a relief she didn’t break down into sobs.
Heaven, who had composedly wiped her tears, spoke in a trembling voice.

“A kiss.”

A tender word spoken with an endearing innocence.

“Kiss me.”

Before I could say anything, her cold, hardened lips met mine.

It was nothing more than a light brush of our lips, yet it will be remembered as a heavy memory.
Because she had been biting her lips so hard, the scent of blood emanating from her mouth was transmitted.

Her hands are warm, but her lips are cold. Lost in such a monotonous thought, I lightly cradled the back of Heaven’s head.
Heaven’s closed eyes slowly opened. The eyes that looked up at me held the night sky of the distant heavens.

A tear fell.

Eyes streaming, we parted our lips.
Our noses brushed against each other as we gazed at each other deeply.

“Do it a bit more.”

Our hardened lips collided once again.

And, as if they would part…

Their lips clashed together, sharing breath, the scent of Heaven, slightly tart, filled their nostrils.

“The time we are allowed to be death mates will end this month.”

In truth, the tale was even shorter than that.

From the gap between their parted lips, a warm breath escaped. A soft knock, and a novice red tongue entwined with hers.

The movement of the tongue was timid, hesitant. As Heaven tasted the insides slowly, her body twitched. The lips parted for a moment.

“…more.”

They kissed again. Lips parted. Again, they kissed. The falling snow nestled between their upturned noses.

“Please… do more…”

Mixed with saliva and affection, Heaven, who had just scratched her back, was now caressing her cheek and hair without her realizing it. The hand soothingly stroking her hair belonged to Heaven, not to her.

It was her who should be consoling Heaven and yet, Heaven was the one worrying about her.

Heaven’s demeanor gradually became more aggressive, as if this was their last chance. She began to fervently explore her mouth.

“More…more.”

The warm sensation of the tears rolling down Heaven’s cheeks transferred to her skin. Those tears, tangled with the winter wind, grew lukewarm.

During their kiss, tears slipped in, spreading a taste of saltiness. But the sweetness of the peach flavor, more potent than the saltiness, allowed her to endure it.

“Heaven.”

“Let’s create good memories.”

The words Heaven had spoken with a smile that morning echoed in her mind. She tightened her grip, pulling Heaven closer. More tears flowed. She consciously chose to ignore those tears.

******

– Bubble bubble.

A pot of boiling stew sat before the three of them. In the soy sauce-based broth, heaps of fish cake and meat, and large chunks of radish were added. Sipping the soup warmed the stomach, the perfect dish for a cold winter.

“It’s ready.”

Heaven, who wore a bright smile, served a ladle of the stew to Ebony and herself. It was appetizing as it was divided evenly, ensuring no one felt left out.

“Aren’t you eating?”

At her words, Ebony nodded. Heaven averted her gaze from Ebony for a moment, then touched the gap between her own lips.

“Just a little bit, later.”

She licked her lips, seemingly lost in the memory of the kiss they had just shared. Despite the cold weather, her tear-streaked eyes remained slightly swollen.

“…Sir?”

Ebony’s eyes narrowed. She swiftly avoided his gaze.

“Come on, open wide.”

“Oh, sir, wait a moment… Ah!”

She fed Ebony a piece of meat, her feet numb. Ebony, his mouth stuffed full, moved his jaw vigorously and shot her a piercing look.

‘How did Ebony ever manage to come here?’

Could it be the work of a deity? The reason is beyond comprehension.

‘Yet… perhaps due to the dreamlike state. She’s engaging in dialogue so fervently and expressing emotions so freely.’

Today was the first day I discovered the extent of Ebony’s expressive diversity. If we were to awaken from this dream, retaining these memories in their entirety… wouldn’t our rapport advance a tad further?

“…”

Casting a glance at Heaven, a faint smile on my lips, I noticed her mouth remained firmly sealed.

Is there a particular sweetness she pursues while persistently sucking on her lips?

“Heaven.”
“…Yes, yes, Your Highness…?”

Night is also present. With a subtle indication, Heaven finally picks up her chopsticks, albeit reluctantly.

Her resentment apparently hasn’t fully abated yet. Nonetheless, she didn’t seem inclined to show it to me.