Chapter 502 – Even If It Transforms Into a Scar

– Clink, clink.

The domestic symphony of washing dishes exudes a subtle warmth. It’s akin to being nestled in an ondol room, leaning against a steaming blanket, marinating in an unavoidable wave of happiness.

“….”

By now, Ebony was already deep in slumber.

“Ebony.”
“Yes, yes. Sir.”

Ebony responded quietly, half-asleep. I felt a playful urge. I stretched out my hand before her eyes and fluttered it gently.

“Ebony, you are listening to me. You will listen to me.”

As my hand moved, her eyes followed the motion, her eyelids slowly descending.

“Call me brother. Yeah.”
“Sir, that’s cringeworthy.”

Ouch.

I was merely attempting to inject a bit of humor, only to receive a wound that may never heal. I always insist that I am not old enough to be addressed in such a way. Perhaps having a daughter amplifies this sentiment.

That’s enough of the playful antics for mood improvement. I smoothed Ebony’s hair and cast a spell to instill tranquility.

“She’s sleeping.”

After laying the slumbering Ebony with gentle care, I draped a blanket over her and ventured out to the kitchen.

‘Now, what should be done?’

We must exit this world at the earliest. The urgency to conquer the tower was paramount, and above all, I doubted the kingdom could function appropriately without me. If Taeyang or Aori steps up to fill my shoes, perhaps things might work out. But currently, Taeyang is engrossed in raising his daughter, so I must perform better than I have thus far.

– Clink.

In the kitchen, Heaven was washing dishes, adorned in an apron decorated with a peach illustration. Diluting the detergent in water, she scrubbed diligently with rubber gloves. It was commendable how efficiently she cleared the pile of dirty dishes. I seated myself on a chair next to the sink.

“What about your student?”
“She’s asleep.”
“Is she feeling better?”
“Yes. Thanks to you, her fever has significantly subsided, and she’s not talking in her sleep anymore. I did get scolded for suggesting she should call me ‘brother’ in her half-asleep state.”

Heaven chuckled at my grumbling. Despite her attire, she found it amusing. Wearing pink rubber gloves, her cuteness was almost photo-worthy.

– Clink.

Heaven placed the final plate on the dish rack. Then, glancing at me,

“… Brother.”
“Hmm?”
“Was it too abrupt for you?”
“No, it was pleasing to hear. I was just momentarily stunned.”

The Heaven of this world has consciousness and feelings. Even if she’s not the Heaven I know, she still radiates affection towards me. To prove this, Heaven removed her rubber gloves, gently approached me, and wrapped her arms around me. Her wrists and forearms were slightly damp.

– Smack.

A continuous exchange of kisses. Heaven’s small tongue slipped between my slightly parted lips, and an irresistibly sweet scent wafted through the gaps.

This wasn’t our first time, yet she was significantly more assertive.

For an extended period, I have patiently accommodated Cheondo’s tantrums, her lips moderately plump and her tongue soft.

“Phew…”

After roughly a ten-minute lapse, Cheondo, having separated her lips, removed her apron, and touched her mouth. While still clad in her sparse clothing, she clutched the fabric tightly in her hand. In response, I enfolded Cheondo in a firm embrace.

“…Shall we retire for the night now?”
“Yes.”

Even though we are merely betrothed, we enter a chamber designed for a married couple and share the same blanket. Perhaps due to the day’s events, silence permeates the room for a considerable amount of time.

“…Cheondo, are you sleeping now?”
“No.”

Emerging from the blanket, Cheondo wraps her arms around my shoulder. As she feels my collarbone with her hand, she gazes up at me with a besotted expression.

“Cheondo…”

Her voice faint and plaintive.

“Cheondo…”

Her beauty, flawless and breathtaking, never ceases to captivate me.

I often wonder if living on the mere sight of her face for the rest of my life is what true happiness feels like. I find it hard to deny the allure of this enticing dream. If I weren’t so blessed…

“Yes.”

I wouldn’t even entertain the thought of escaping this realm. The warmth emanating from her is indeed genuine and not mere pretense.

“Cheondo, I apologize for today.”

Cheondo voices her apology once more.

“I hope that even if you leave this world, you will remain unharmed.”

Her abrupt decision to choose death for herself is alarming. If this event, too, was orchestrated for the king’s trial, nothing could be more cruel. Nevertheless, Cheondo’s resolve feels sincere to me. She has made this choice, drawing upon the affection rooted in her memory.

Even though she is cognizant of the twisted path she has chosen, she understands the anguish of being on the brink of a resolution.

“My memories are manufactured. But remember, Cheondo. I’m not the one you love.”
“Yes.”
“He may not be the one, but… I, too, harbor feelings for you that rival his. Truly. So… Huh—”

I silenced her with a kiss.

“Cheondo… Ah, Cheondo…”

Upon the same bedspread, we mingle our lips once again. Cheondo, unable to finish her words, appears slightly flustered, yet soon closes her eyes and begins to slowly and satisfyingly suck my tongue.

“I adore you, I truly do. Every aspect of you, entirely.”

Cheondo seems overwhelmingly dejected that she hasn’t yet heard these words. She pleads to me.

“Therefore… can’t you say you love me, even if it’s just for a day?”

After considerable contemplation, I responded slowly.

“I love you.”
“…Ah, ah. Haha… ha.”

Cheondo, her eyes wide open, planted a surprise kiss on my face. With her hands clasped as if in prayer, she trembled, seemingly overwhelmed by my single phrase.

“I, too, am very much in love with you.”

The brutal exchange of kisses resumed. She, apprehensive of a relationship destined to shatter, yet yearning to embrace the inevitable joy.

Heaven explored her body, caressed it, intoxicated by the scent, accepting even my coarse touch.

“This moment, it’s better than the fear of the world crumbling.”

Perhaps Zodiac had thought the same. Despite having spasm after spasm, she kept yearning for affection until she was on the brink of unconsciousness.

What had White Peach been thinking? She must have known I was aiming to kill Heaven. With that thought, I realized why White Peach had been so frantic.

The Heaven that White Peach admires, must die by my hands.

‘….’

So what about me, who apologized to such a White Peach? I might appear as a coward.

I steeled my mind. Swallowing Heaven’s lips, I pulled her into an embrace.

– Thud, thud.

As if comforting, I patted her tense body which shivered in response. Heaven closed her eyes, and I consoled her for a long while.

Heaven always reassures me, but dying is indeed frightening. Even if she remains calm now… the moment the end comes might be different.

I asked Heaven,

“If there was another way to break through this ordeal, what would you do?”
“What way? I don’t know. What kind of method are you talking about?”
“A way to end it without me having to kill you.”

I can shatter this world.
My power, [Thorn], entirely blocks interference from the outside. Although it might be difficult to manifest without the king’s power, it’s not impossible. If I start to prepare now… perhaps when the time comes to kill Heaven, I’d be able to use my power.

‘….’

Heaven gave me a bitter smile. Because it didn’t matter whether or not I could shatter this world.

“Even if the executioner doesn’t kill me, I will die if the executioner leaves.”
“That’s right.”
“In that case, I’d rather die by the executioner’s hands.”

I had heard the conversation. As I gradually distanced myself from this dream world, I thought of several methods, but it seemed right to follow Heaven’s opinion.

“Rather than dying from someone’s vile trick. I prefer the executioner.”

If Heaven wishes to die like that, I must do it myself.

“….I’m sorry, for being selfish.”
“Why is that selfish? It’s a reasonable thought.”
“Well, if the executioner kills me. That memory will last a long time. Whether it’s a trauma or anything else.”

There are plenty of unpleasant memories, but that’s the way it is. Heaven smiled with a face full of guilt.

“Even so, if I remain with the executioner… it would be nice.”
“I’ll do that.”
“Really… Thank you so much. For embracing even such an unsightly scar.”

I wonder what Heaven, with her eyes closed, thinks of me. I decided not to contemplate that now.

As time passed, as the moment drew near, Heaven maintained an attitude close to resignation. Yet, in order to extract as much affection from me as possible, she kissed me again.

“Let’s create a wealth of cherished memories, so you can remember me more. If there’s anything you desire, just voice it… I may be inexperienced, but I will strive with all my might.”

The longest night of the year.
Yet, time for just the two of them flew by all too quickly.

* * * * * * * * * * *

‘Siheon.’

“Siheon.”

I’m not even sure why I cling so persistently.

The warmth of the man that lingers vividly in my memory was always comforting. The moment I awoke in this world, it felt as though I had already spent decades here.

“Are you still asleep? You’re not pretending, are you?”

Siheon, lying down, was breathtakingly handsome — a sight unparalleled. It wasn’t just his physical appearance.

An irresistible charm radiated from him, an allure so profound, others couldn’t possibly comprehend… it was boundless.

I reached out my hand, stroking his soft, yet uncombed hair. I held up the scissors and gently began to tidy his nest-like hair. Outside the window, snow was falling.

‘…He wouldn’t mind, would he?’

Though I’m unsure, I imagine he could tolerate this degree of obstinacy. His hair, once tidied, enhanced his attractiveness immensely.

Merely observing him brings a smile to my face.

‘…….’

The Tower.
A vaguely familiar entity.
It had forced me to make a choice. To deceive it and spend my life with Siheon, or not to deceive and die a wretched death.

‘In truth, if I could return to the past…. I would attempt to deceive once more.’

I was sincere. If possible, I yearned to spend my entire life with Siheon. Who would refuse a lifetime with their beloved? I cannot lie. However… this situation was not entirely undesirable either.

I bear no resentment towards the Tower. They created this world, gave me life, and allowed me to experience these precious emotions. Holding hands or sharing a kiss.

These jewel-like moments were too joyous for an imposter to possess. Siheon, too, had genuinely reciprocated my feelings.

It wouldn’t be strange to pierce my heart at this very moment….
What lingering attachment keeps me so restless?

“Siheon.”

Setting down the scissors, I spoke.

“…Thank you for indulging my whims.”

I wish he would indulge me a bit more.
There’s so much I yearn for.
Kisses, the mingling of tongues.
Drinking and singing together….
The time I wish to spend with him feels inadequate, even if it lasted a thousand years. There were many shortcomings in fulfilling all the desired moments within a week.

I reached out and gently stroked his hair. Siheon’s eyes narrowed, a lonesome expression etched into his features.
For some reason… it feels as though I’ve become the adult, offering comfort.

Siheon. You must have suffered, I don’t want to see you crumble.

Adult thoughts flit through my mind as I speak to him. An emotion akin to maternal love. The image of a mentor calming him with a face that could easily be mistaken for his own. I feel as though tears could stream down my face at any moment.

Perhaps I will crumble. Maybe I could reach the point of pleading with him not to leave.

“Execution.”

Despite everything, maintaining a façade of dignity seems to be the best option.

I gently press my lips against his forehead. All moments in this corner of time were truly intoxicating.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Against all odds, Do-won was breathtakingly beautiful.

“Indeed.”

Though I loathe to admit it, it seems I was still internally yearning for Do-won.

Regrettably, I had no choice but to harbor these lingering feelings. I did not consider these emotions worthless. Having experienced failure, I’ve learned how to maintain a cool head regardless of the circumstances, and my body had grown resilient in proportion to my prior collapses.

Both Heaven and Se-Young had labeled me a fool. Yet, without such foolishness, I would not have made it this far.

The tower now seemed to be forcing me to break free from my past.

Present reality is overwhelming enough, but will I ever be able to inherit the king’s will if I am constantly mindful of such places?

“Screw this.”

Why they are the ones making the judgment is beyond me,
It’s ridiculous, but since Heaven asked this time, I agreed to go along.

The more burdens I’ve shouldered, the larger the leaps I’ve managed to make with each collapse.

However, it appears my values did not cast a particularly favorable light in their eyes.

-Whirring!

Chaos erupts.

A week has passed, and as I gaze down at Do-won on this morning, I sense it. There are flaming banners wavering in this direction.

‘Yes. You all probably don’t want to die either.’

Since Heaven has been handed over to me, they will be forced to pledge their allegiance, whether they like it or not. Heaven, standing next to me, tightly grips my hand and closes her eyes.