# Side Story 1
Normally, Ilaine with his always expressionless face should have stood guard. A guard with few words, whose thoughts were hard to discern. But he suddenly got a stomachache. As he disappeared, clutching his stomach with a pale blue face, a soldier smiled slyly. Though Ilaine’s stomach pain was unfortunate, this situation was advantageous for him.
Because Ilaine’s absence meant an opportunity to watch the king’s training.
In truth, the soldier had been eyeing this position for some time. For a very long time, Ilaine had done his job too well, leaving no opportunities for him. Nevertheless, the soldier didn’t give up. He quietly waited, silently wishing that such a day would come someday. Fortunately, the goddess of luck didn’t betray him, and finally, he got to stand guard in place of Ilaine. The soldier’s footsteps through the corridor were as light as a child’s. He caught himself humming a tune and barely managed to stop. He didn’t want to appear foolish, but it was also difficult to suppress his excited heart.
The reason he headed to the training ground with such a fluttering heart was simply because he was a fervent follower of Kadilen.
A legendary figure known to any man who had ever handled a sword.
Rumors said he had casually swung a sword as thick as an adult’s forearm since he was three years old. Before reaching adulthood, he was already more skilled than most generals, and when he entered battle, there was no longer anyone who could stand against him. It was said that once Kadilen started wielding his sword, even the most threatening enemy would be too busy losing themselves in his smooth movements. People said that they would stare as if enchanted, not even realizing that the nimble blade was aiming for their life.
The soldier’s heart pounded. Finally meeting him…!
His chest trembled at the thought of what splendid techniques he would witness. Every night during training, how overwhelmed his heart had been at the thought of serving such an idol-like figure. Finally, a golden opportunity to see him in person. And wielding a sword, no less!
After quite some time passed, the soldier’s thumping heart nearly stopped altogether. Kadilen was opening the door and entering. At his waist hung that famous sword. Though it had no unusual ornaments, it was a sword engraved with Kadilen’s name, more valuable than anything else. Its appearance was different from the many crude swords he had seen before. Before he could cover his mouth, Kadilen strode into the center of the training ground.
‘This is insane.’
The soldier had to try his hardest not to break his posture. He felt like he might scream in excitement at any moment. ‘Kadilen’ was drawing his sword right before his eyes! Kadilen, who instantly focused with a piercing gaze, raised his sword high. It was truly the posture of a master swordsman. The soldier couldn’t even predict how the next movement would flow. He gulped and his eyes sparkled.
But at that moment, before the blade could slice the air, the door to the training ground opened.
And Kadilen smiled like a child, lowering his sword and…
What? The soldier tilted his head. The cool gaze that had filled the empty training ground was gone, replaced by a generously curved eye-smile. Confused by the suddenly changed atmosphere, the soldier couldn’t help but look toward the doorway. Someone wearing plain training clothes was entering. In his hand, he firmly held a sword engraved with the same pattern as Kadilen’s.
“You came early.”
“I didn’t want to keep you waiting.”
“Well done.”
Who on earth was this person speaking to the king as if praising him? The soldier examined the intruder’s face in confusion. Only when he came into the sunlight streaming through the window could he confirm the man’s identity. A pure white face, deep-set eyes and lips. Contrasting with these were neat muscles and a well-placed smile. It was an impression one wouldn’t easily forget after just one encounter. The soldier had no difficulty recalling his name.
Ludin.
With that, the soldier’s momentarily calm heart began to race again. Yes…! Ludin was no weak opponent either. When he was healthy, even the strict Zendal would often send Ludin to the front lines in wars. The first prince never disappointed his father, not even once. Victory followed wherever he went, and despite his young age, no one ever doubted his actions. Rumors of him overcoming his illness had been circulating for a long time, so by now, he must have recovered much of his former skill.
Sure enough, his nimble body shone in the sunlight as he removed his light outer garment. Though not bulging with imposing muscles, they were firm and finely placed. It was a perfectly beautiful physique created by persistent, regular training. Ludin threw his outer garment far away with a smirk. Kadilen was looking at him with a curious expression.
‘Are they going to duel…!’
The soldier watched them, forgetting even to breathe. A duel between Kadilen and Ludin. It was a sight worth boasting about for a lifetime. The soldier was excited like a boy as he watched Ludin slowly taking his stance.
Two swords clashed in midair. Ludin’s sword, creating perfect lines with minimal force, delicately digging in. And Kadilen’s sword, elegantly curving like a melody, soon grazing the skin. The soldier’s eyes grew endlessly wide. The swords meeting repeatedly created cold metallic sounds as they moved brilliantly. Their movements, freely traversing the wide space, were more like a well-choreographed dance than martial arts.
Then mischief appeared at the corners of Ludin’s mouth. Bending his waist to lightly avoid Kadilen’s sword, he rushed straight into the king’s arms. Just when the soldier thought it was a perfect counterattack, Ludin embraced Kadilen like a puppy. What rushed into the king’s chest was not a sharp blade, but Ludin’s warm body. Kadilen smiled faintly and wrapped his arm not holding the sword around Ludin’s waist. With the shortened distance, their lips almost touched.
‘Hmm…?’
The soldier’s pupils began to waver. Is this… really a duel?
While he was questioning his eyes, the two once again swung their swords. As the training continued seriously for a while, the soldier’s confused expression gradually settled. Ludin strikes from above, Kadilen blocks, then turns and attacks…!
Seeing the sword instantly reach Ludin’s neck, the soldier almost let out a cheer. But the very next moment, Ludin spun around and snugly nestled into Kadilen’s arms. At his beaming smile, Kadilen helplessly dropped his sword. Before the soldier’s admiration could fade, the two had thrown training far away and were busy exploring each other’s lips.
That evening, when the soldier returned with a flushed face, the guards asked for his impressions. Everyone was puzzled to see him unexpectedly quiet, when they thought he would shout and praise Kadilen’s swordsmanship for an hour. The soldier couldn’t utter a single word and just shook his head repeatedly.
* * *
Sezan was a nobleman known for being devoted to his wife. In fact, he lacked much of the power and honor to truly be called a nobleman, and people were more interested in his charming wife than the small title he had inherited or the farmland on the periphery. Regardless of how anxious Sezan was about rumors already spreading before he had properly entered society.
Various rumors circulated about how he had made the enchanting woman his own. Most were incorrect, but one thing was true: Sezan’s sincere courtship was different from the shallow emotions of other men. And his wife was a wise woman who could recognize that.
So regardless of what reputation circulated, or how little they had, the two were happy without caring. Each other’s love was the greatest force sustaining each other’s lives. It seemed that as long as Sezan held his wife’s hand, and his wife held Sezan’s hand, no matter what happened, everything would be alright.
Until the king’s summons came.
“Why on earth do you think he called for you?”
“I have no idea, my lady.”
He kissed his wife’s hand. It was before departing on a long journey. It was simply amazing that the king would take an interest in a nobleman from such a remote area. Although he couldn’t know what the king’s secretive summons meant, he only hoped that this peaceful daily life wouldn’t be taken away.
A quiet chamberlain greeted him upon his arrival at the palace. He guided Sezan suspiciously, as if on an espionage mission. His footsteps, heading straight to the king’s office, were so swift that Sezan couldn’t even think about looking around the palace. Despite having calmed his mind while looking at his wife’s anxious smile, his heart continued to beat without rest.
The king, whom he met for the first time, was a figure who dominated the atmosphere without a single word. Without anyone telling him to, Sezan’s head lowered automatically. While waiting for the awkward and somewhat eerie air to pass, Sezan quietly waited for the king to open his mouth. But as Kadilen seemed lost in thought and still remained silent, Sezan lifted his head ever so slightly to steal a glance.
Rather, it was Sezan who was surprised by the exceptional appearance that caught his eye. Flinching and shrinking back, he recalled the face he had just seen. There was no one who wouldn’t have their breath taken away by that half-lowered gaze. Those deep eyes didn’t even permit him to admiringly look at the king’s dazzling silver hair. After some time passed like this, Sezan realized what Kadilen had been waiting for. It was because a chamberlain soon came, struggling to carry a box.
“W-what is all this, Your Majesty?”
It was expensive treasure he had never seen before. Items rumored to be precious were gathered together, shining brightly. Sezan’s mouth fell open.
“It’s an expression of gratitude.”
“I… thank you very much. It will be of great help to my family.”
Though he bowed his head countless times, Sezan’s heart was shaking violently. What on earth was all this? It was already unsettling to be summoned to the palace for the first time in his life, and now he was suddenly receiving gold, leaving him at a loss. But looking down at the restless Sezan, Kadilen calmly replied.
“Yes, family. About that…”
“Pardon?”
“Tell me.”
He adjusted his posture for the first time. Sezan, with a confused face, briefly raised his head to see the king’s waist slowly bending forward.
“How did you love your wife?”
“P-pardon…?”
There was no time to consider propriety at such an unexpected question. Sezan hurriedly closed his mouth, afraid that saliva might drip from it. Kadilen gestured to him without releasing his steady gaze. At the leisurely yet threatening gesture, Sezan hesitantly approached the king.
“Well…”
Seeing Sezan hesitating even after sitting close, Kadilen laughed briefly. He was clearly waiting for Sezan to open his mouth, resting his chin on his hand as if determined. Sezan stammered awkwardly.
“I-I’m not sure how much I should tell you…”
“In detail. Without omitting anything.”
The corner of the king’s mouth rose smoothly.
“Tell me everything.”
