First, let's get one thing straight: the kingdom didn't officially use gags on criminals.
Even for those sentenced to the most severe punishments, gags weren't part of standard restraint procedures—especially not for noble convicts.
In short, the gag Liana was wearing? Not an approved kingdom restraint.
CRACK!
"...."
"...."
"...."
The iron gag, crushed under immense pressure, clattered to the floor. The carriage rattled ominously, as if the very frame had dented under the force.
"Ah."
Even Liana looked startled that the gag had shattered. Her expression twisted in embarrassment—she clearly hadn't expected this.
"Isaac, what do we do about this?"
Isaac was at a loss.
That had been their only gag.
It wasn't standard-issue, and who would've predicted a gag could be bitten through? Since when could human teeth warp iron?
Click-clack! Click-clack!
Beside them, Sharen began tapping her teeth together, as if proudly demonstrating the infamous durability of Helmut fangs.
"Hoh, are they stronger than the Transcendents'?"
The Grandmaster sounded impressed.
But Liana's tongue, no longer restrained, was already moving—against her will.
"Using a bandage from your chest to wrap his arm? Have some dignity as a woman."
Her tongue writhed like a separate creature. Liana grimaced, but her mouth kept running, as if someone else was voicing her thoughts.
"Sharen has a handkerchief. Use that to stop the bleeding, Isaac. A bandage stuffed in the chest is not hygienic."
"Tch, you should be grateful your master bandaged you. 'Unhygienic,' my foot."
"It's sweaty, grimy, and dirty. Isaac, don't use it."
"I don't recall sweating, but you seem very familiar with the idea—"
"...."
Silence.
Sharen's jaw dropped.
Isaac ducked his head, pretending not to hear.
It was the kind of remark everyone had thought at least once but dared not say aloud.
Even the Subjugation spell seemed to short-circuit at the audacity. Liana's brain had clearly blue-screened from the verbal self-destruct.
"Ah—"
Trembling faintly, Liana slowly replied:
"Isaac said he likes them like this."
"What?!"
Isaac lunged to cover her mouth, but the Grandmaster yanked him back by the collar.
"Ghk—!"
In an instant, he was sprawled across her lap.
Grinning, she peered down at him.
"Men, by nature, love the one they hold dear as they are."
"Says the woman who drinks and whines about missing her youth—"
His mouth was smothered by her hand. Her grip was unnaturally strong.
"Preferences and true love are different."
"Isaac said I'm just right. He said I'm lovely."
"…Is that true?"
The Grandmaster released him. Freed, Isaac sighed and moved to Liana's side.
"On our wedding night, Isaac said my chest was—mmph!"
Isaac clamped a hand over her mouth and glared at the Grandmaster.
"You know she can't control her words under subjugation spell. Stop provoking her."
"…Let go. I need to hear the next part, or I'll lose sleep tonight."
"Sharon is right here too."
Isaac weakly gestured to the wide-eyed girl.
"Buh Izzah shaid—mmph!"
Even muffled, her voice leaked through. Hands weren't exactly fullproof gag substitutes.
"Liana, please."
Liana's eyes pleaded—she wanted to stop too. But once a thought surfaced, the curse dragged out every connected memory. At this rate, she'd spill every detail of their wedding night.
So Isaac took drastic measures.
"Lia, sorry."
"Hngb?!"
He shoved his fingers into her mouth, grabbing her tongue.
Liana's eyes flew wide, her face burning crimson. But finally—finally—her mouth was sealed.
Isaac exhaled in relief.
"I was curious!"
"Hoh, why stop mid-tale? It was just getting interesting."
Sharen and the Grandmaster sulked, but Isaac desperately wanted this buried.
"...."
"...."
Isaac and Liana locked eyes. The warmth of her tongue against his fingers, the stifled words—ironically, one of their wedding night's activities was now replaying in this carriage.
[Isaac—!]
[Lia! They'll hear—!]
[Hahh?!]
"Ahem."
"...."
Flustered, they quickly looked away.
Some things were better left unsaid.
***
Late at night.
No matter how urgent the pursuit, even horses need rest. Normally, they would switch mounts, but stranded in this middle-of-nowhere stretch, they had no choice but to camp.
The crackling campfire cast flickering shadows. The exhausted coachman was already asleep—he'd need his strength for tomorrow.
Around the fire, the group took turns keeping watch. With enemies on their trail, someone had to stay alert.
And Isaac volunteered first.
"I'll take the watch. The rest of you, sleep."
"Yay!"
Sharen, thrilled at the idea of not being woken up later, pumped her fists in the air.
"Growing kids need their sleep!"
"…Right. Sleep well."
Isaac nodded, recalling the vision of Sharen from the ring's magic. She'd grown up well—if she kept at it, she'd surely become the woman she aspired to be.
"Hmm? Won't you be tired tomorrow?"
"I'll sleep in the carriage. Besides, I have work to do tonight. Don't worry about me."
The Grandmaster smirked as Isaac pulled out a blank book, ruffled his hair, and headed for the tent.
"Don't push yourself. Wake me if you're exhausted."
Liana, still bound due to the subjugation spell, was supposed to sleep alone in the carriage. Instead, she sat rigidly, staring intently at Isaac.
"Should I take you to bed?"
"No. I want to stay with Isaac. Just the two of us."
"…Alright."
At first, the raw honesty had been awkward, even uncomfortable. But now, it was… familiar.
Isaac opened his book. By the light of the fire and the moon, his pen began to move. Liana watched, then asked:
"A training manual?"
"Yes. The princess was disappointed with the royal guard's current strength, so she asked if I could help."
Beside him lay another book—"Imperial Guard Swordsmanship," the guard's specialized defensive combat style. Isaac cross-referenced the texts, marking adjustments and emphasizing key techniques.
'Having a sword makes this much easier.'
Before, he'd only been able to theorize with a pen. Now, if something felt off, he could stand and test the motions himself.
The satisfaction of refining his work brought a smile to his face.
"You're amazing."
Of course, Liana's unfiltered commentary never stopped.
"So handsome."
"..."
"Your profile is perfect."
"..."
"Your stoic face makes my heart race."
"..."
"Do you think I'm being too vulgar and disappointed in me?"
"…No. You're not 'like this' in a bad way."
If a truly vulgar person were cursed, their words would've been unbearable.
"Most people under subjugation spell would say far more embarrassing things. Myself included."
The fact that Liana's confessions remained this tame was proof of her innate sincerity.
"You too?"
Her eyes sparkled suddenly. Leaning closer, she pressed:
"What would you say?"
"..."
"Tell me. I'm baring everything—'Isaac, you're incredible.'"
"I don't need to—"
"I'm curious. You look so dashing in the firelight. I want to know what you'd say."
"…Can you stop slipping those compliments in between?"
"I-I'm not doing it on purpose!"
Right.
Isaac set down his pen and met her gaze.
"If I were under subjugation right now…"
He let the thought flow.
"I'd probably say… I'm grateful we can talk like this."
"…Isaac."
"What we needed was conversation."
He offered a faint smile and reached for his pen again—
"That's so cool."
"..."
"I want to remarry you."
"…Hey."
"Can't I?"
"No."
"Please."
She inched closer. Isaac didn't push her away—just watched.
The firelight painted her red hair and eyes in vivid hues. True to her epithet, "Blood Rose," she was devastatingly beautiful.
"…Stay here, Lia."
Isaac stood, gripping the two swords he'd laid beside him. Liana nodded, scanning the darkness.
"Three, I think."
"Yeah. I figured they'd come."
Enemies lurked among the trees, watching.
'Transcendents?'
The aura and pressure screamed Transcendent.
It struck him—he'd never fought one alone before.
'Could I win, just me?'
The answer was obvious.
Of course he could.
The calluses on his palms and the sweat he'd shed were proof enough.
"We were having such a nice moment. What a waste."
He stepped forward, glaring into the shadows.
"Why'd they have to ruin the mood?"
The first one to emerge lost its head to a single draw-cut.
"If my arms were free, I'd have killed them all already. Ugh, so annoying. Just die alrea—"
"Master! Wake up and gag her, please!"
I can't listen to this anymore.
*
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[TL Note]
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