A Snake’s Life Ch 29

Chapter 29

 

The sun had not yet risen—it was still a time when even the attendants and maids had not woken. There wasn’t a single light visible outside the window.

Zerpell always woke up early. As soon as he got up, he changed into light clothing in the darkness and strapped a sword to his waist. On the bed lay Shuiren, fast asleep with his hair splayed across the pillow. He was sleeping peacefully, breathing softly. But as the warmth that should have been beside him disappeared, his hand wandered across the bed sheets, searching for the presence that should have been there.

Realizing he couldn’t grasp anything, Shuiren’s brow furrowed. Seeing this, a soft chuckle escaped between Zerpell’s teeth. Zerpell placed the pillow he had been resting on next to Shuiren. Shuiren clung tightly to it with both legs, preventing it from being taken, and with a satisfied expression, began to breathe softly again, slipping back into sleep.

Zerpell habitually rose at this time every day. His lifestyle differed from Shuiren’s, who only woke long after the sun had risen. But after his morning training, Zerpell would return to lie beside Shuiren, sharing his warmth. Waking Shuiren, who struggled to get up in the morning and often whined, was one of his pleasures.

After watching him for a while, Zerpell twitched his fingers. Then, without a sound, Casa appeared in the once-empty space behind him.

“Casa. Keep watch well.”

“Yes.”

He bowed his head and received Zerpell’s order. Zerpell entrusted Shuiren to Casa and stepped outside. As he walked, Cedric was approaching from the opposite direction.

“You’re early again today. I always tell you to wait until I arrive…”

“You’re just slow. Let’s go.”

“It can’t be helped.”

Cedric sighed softly upon seeing that Zerpell had come out before he could even greet him. He admired how Zerpell never missed a day of training at the practice grounds at this hour. But at the same time, he felt a tinge of bitterness, thinking that Zerpell still hadn’t broken his wartime habits. Seven years was a long time, and it was only natural that habits cultivated over such a period wouldn’t disappear easily.

By now, he should be able to lay down his burdens and rest…

Of course, moderate training was fine. But Zerpell swung his sword with an intensity that made it seem as if the harsh wind didn’t bother him at all. Even when Cedric suggested he rest, Zerpell didn’t bat an eye. That hadn’t changed since they arrived at the Imperial Palace—if anything, it had worsened. His sword carried a jumble of emotions, as if he were being chased by something, as if he were in a rush.

No wonder Ian’s nagging never stopped. He told them to stop the prince, but who could possibly stop his stubbornness? Come to think of it, there was now one person who might. Cedric unknowingly smiled in relief. It felt like a weight had been lifted from one corner of his heart.

If it’s that person, the prince can be entrusted to them. The reason the prince laughs more now must be thanks to that person too.

Contrary to Cedric’s expectation that today would be no different, Zerpell’s sword swung in a clean, precise arc. His form was flawless. Though his posture had always been steady, today’s strikes were clearly different from the restless ones of the past. Did something good happen to His Highness? Cedric watched Zerpell’s training curiously. At that moment, he felt a light beside him. Turning his head, he saw the sun beginning to rise, dawn slowly breaking. As it climbed, it quickly lit up the surroundings.

“That’s enough for today, Your Highness.”

“Alright.”

Cedric was startled by the response. Usually, he had to ask two or three times before Zerpell would stop. On harsher days, he’d even have to bring up Shuiren to make him relent. Today was definitely different. Cedric’s suspicion grew at Zerpell’s unusual response. He asked with some bewilderment.

“…What’s the matter? You’ve never listened to me before.”

“Have I?”

Zerpell stopped swinging and began to tend to his sword. Cedric watched him with narrowed eyes. Who had stubbornly refused to listen until now? In the past, even when Cedric tried to intervene, Zerpell would merely glance at him before swinging again, as if to say, “Don’t interfere.” In Cedric’s line of sight, he could see Zerpell’s eyes. The curve of his eyes, as he tended to his sword, had softened.

That gaze had only softened in the presence of Shuiren… Cedric was certain. Shuiren had changed the prince once again.

There had always been a sharp atmosphere around His Highness—especially when he held a sword. Even when he punished nobles or completed a rain ritual successfully, that tension didn’t go away. If anything, it had sharpened after the rain ritual. The prince Cedric knew had always seemed anxious. Though he never said so, Cedric believed the reason was “to survive.”

“Did something good happen with Lord Shuiren?”

Zerpell recalled what had happened the day before and let out a small laugh. To Cedric, Zerpell looked genuinely happy. The sun had now fully risen, shining on the side of Zerpell’s face. His dark hair fluttered in the breeze. He stood there, smiling like the sun itself.

“Shuiren said this to me: ‘Don’t shoulder everything alone. Don’t keep it all inside.’ Truly admirable.”

“Ha…”

Cedric let out a dry laugh at those words. It was something they had told him countless times. Something Ian had repeated like a mantra. If Ian had heard that, he would’ve blown up in anger. It only showed how special Lord Shuiren was to His Highness. It was the first time Cedric had seen the prince relax so gently, even while holding a sword. A soft breeze blew around Zerpell.

Maybe this is what it means when they say the meaning of words changes depending on who says them.

“…Which is why I can’t let him out of my sight.”

Faced with such blatant possessiveness, Cedric was left speechless. An odd intensity shimmered in Zerpell’s eyes. Perhaps it was fortunate that their affection was mutual. Cedric could easily imagine what Zerpell would’ve done if Shuiren had left. Seeing how devoted they were to each other gave Cedric peace of mind.

‘In that sense, it’s a relief.’

After finishing his training, Zerpell returned to his room. The soft breathing still echoed through the space. Zerpell gestured for Casa to leave. He quietly disappeared from the room.

Zerpell lifted the blanket and slipped into bed beside Shuiren. Then he snatched away the pillow Shuiren had been hugging. In response, Shuiren began to grope around again. Zerpell gently took his hand, and Shuiren clung to the warmth.

Zerpell gazed at Shuiren, who burrowed into his arms and rubbed his face contentedly. He swept Shuiren’s hair behind his ear. Just like Shuiren, Zerpell also wrapped one arm around his waist and buried his face in the nape of his neck.

Enchanted by the scent, Zerpell slowly ran his fingers through Shuiren’s hair from root to tip. Silvery strands fluttered between his fingers. Shuiren’s hair sparkled as it reflected the sunlight. The daily effort of applying oil had paid off. Looking at this glittering silver hair reminded him of the days when Shuiren had been so small.

“Ugh… the sunlight…”

Feeling the sunlight through his closed eyes, Shuiren burrowed even deeper into Zerpell’s arms.

“It’s morning. Shuiren, time to get up.”

“Just five more minutes…”

He called to Shuiren in a gentle voice. Mumbled words followed. That phrase was never honored. Not that Zerpell really wanted to wake him either. Rather, he simply wanted to bask in this warmth a little longer.

Knock. Knock.

A knock came at the door. Ian entered the room. In his hands were neatly arranged clothes.

“Your Highness, today is a busy day. Have you forgotten?”

“So, it’s finally today.”

Suppressing the instinct to stay in bed, Zerpell gently brushed Shuiren’s sleeping face before getting out from under the covers. He carefully tucked the blanket around Shuiren to make sure he wouldn’t catch a cold. Then he put on the clothes Ian had brought.

“The documents?”

“They’re already in the office. But… are you really alright with this?”

“Do you really think that woman would so much as bat an eye?”

“You know that’s not what I’m asking.”

Zerpell glanced at Ian waiting behind him and said,

“It’s fine. That child won’t stay a child forever.”

“I believe being ten years old is still very much a child.”

“Ten years old as a prince is different. It’s time he breaks free from his cage. From now on, hardships will await him.”

Shuiren still showed no sign of waking, his lips slightly puckered as he remained deep in slumber.

“I’m sorry I won’t be able to brush your hair today.”

Zerpell swept his hand over Shuiren’s forehead and placed a brief kiss before pulling away.

It would be better if they gave up quickly…

But the Emperor and Empress showed no signs of giving up. Even at this point, their refusal to back down made it hard not to suspect they truly intended to pass the throne to Aiden. That was precisely why Zerpell couldn’t give up the throne either. The very first thing they did to give Aiden the throne was to push Zerpell out.

The Emperor had never liked Zerpell from the start. While his love for the Empress was immense, having no heir was a serious issue. Eventually, due to pressure from the nobles, he took a concubine, and the child born in a single night was Zerpell—treated solely as a successor. But once Aiden was born, the Emperor coldly told the young Zerpell, “You’re no longer needed.”

The Empress was no different. Whenever she saw Zerpell, her face would twist in disgust and a deadly aura would radiate from her. She would lash out at him, saying that because of him and his mother, she was neither the nation’s one true queen nor the mother of the next heir. His mother only ever watched from a distance. There were even frequent threats of poisoning. He may have held the title of successor, but due to their blatant attitudes, people avoided Zerpell. In defiance, he diligently excelled in even the most difficult lessons. Some said he had potential, but once Aiden was born, it all collapsed in an instant.

Did those people ever truly let him go willingly? Zerpell knew their duplicity better than anyone. Even now, they were desperate because they couldn’t kill him.

To survive, Zerpell had to become emperor. He had to reform the rotting empire—for the many lives that had perished.

It wasn’t that Aiden didn’t weigh on Zerpell’s mind. Who didn’t know that Aiden was a victim too? Sacrifices existed everywhere.

Aiden was attending classes, but it was said he was more interested in tactics and strategy than politics, economics, or royal studies. He even trained in swordsmanship. It was clear he was trying to follow in Zerpell’s footsteps. That earnest desire to follow close behind reminded Zerpell of Shuiren.

“I’ll make sure Aiden doesn’t get hurt. And with Shuiren by his side, it should be alright.”

Shuiren seemed to like Aiden, often bringing him up tentatively as if gauging Zerpell’s mood. There were even times it was a little annoying how fond he was of Aiden.

“Well then, I’ll be off.”

“Mm… okay.”

Half-asleep, Shuiren unconsciously responded to Zerpell’s words. Zerpell smiled faintly and drew the curtains so he could sleep comfortably, blocking the sunlight from reaching him.

“Today’s going to be a noisy day.”