Chapter 172

Arsen had always been a child who smiled easily. His clear, bright laughter had a way of making those around him smile too. Despite being such a cheerful boy, so genuinely lovely, Delaina couldn’t shake the chill creeping up her spine.

“What’s wrong? So early in the morning?”

Given the circumstances, it was understandable. The emperor was missing, the princes were locked in a power struggle, and even the nobles were being dragged into the chaos. Unknown knights were tearing through the palace—it was practically a state of emergency.

“No, it’s even worse than a state of emergency.”

If this were a war, at least there would be soldiers to protect them. But now, with the Minister of Imperial Defense involved, the situation was dire beyond words.

A crisis of a lifetime. Delaina bit her lip, lost in thought, when Arsen tilted his head and approached her. He gently nestled into her arms and greeted her softly.

“Mother, what’s wrong?”

“This isn’t the time, Arsen.”

“What’s going on?”

“Jin, change your clothes.”

It wasn’t about comfort—it was a warning to be ready to flee at a moment’s notice. Delaina knelt down and gripped Arsen’s shoulders firmly.

“The emperor has disappeared. Marib and Gale have raised their banners to seize the imperial seal. I don’t know if they’ll come this far—”

“Ah.”

“Arsen?”

But Arsen only smiled wider and patted the back of her hand, as if to say everything would be fine, so there was no need to worry.

“They will definitely come here. Marib won’t hesitate to kill us, unlike Gale. They all know you’ve sided with Gale, Mother.”

His words were harsh but truthful. Even if it was a move to balance the two princes, from Marib’s perspective, Delaina was now an enemy for backing Gale. This was the moment to wipe them all out and settle the score for the future.

“Arsen.”

“But don’t worry. There are factions who don’t support the brothers—they’ll help us. First, let’s change clothes. Jin, what should we wear today?”

Arsen turned to Jin with a bright smile, acting completely out of place given the gravity of the situation. Jin bit his lip and looked at Arsen.

“This isn’t something to smile about.”

“Why not? I don’t think it’s all bad. Mother, there’s a saying: ‘A crisis is an opportunity.’ The reckless disturbance in the palace will surely punish the brothers.”

Only one of the two princes would survive—and that survivor would be the victor.

But victory always came with sacrifice. The factions would be weakened by the fierce conflict, and if handled well, they might even find an unexpected chance.

“What happens if the brothers are gone? Or even Father?”

Between Arsen and Jin, the odds were high that one of them would become the next emperor. Jin grabbed Arsen’s arm, disbelief written on his face.

“That’s only if we survive. Marib is trying to kill us to prevent that.”

“…Us?”

“Lady Delaina! A moment!”

“What is it?”

As Delaina stepped out at the steward’s call, Arsen pulled Jin close and whispered, as if puzzled by the use of ‘us.’

“If the twin closest to the throne dies, the imperial line ends completely.”

“……”

“If I die, the royal line ends. Would my brother kill me?”

Jin felt his breath catch at Arsen’s whisper.

“Gale’s curse is connected to Bariel.”

“I know. That’s why we’ll capture Gale alive. Whether the curse is real or not, we’ll announce it’s been lifted before dealing with him. The trial for treason will be shockingly brief.”

Arsen squeezed Jin tighter. Jin hesitated, his hand resting awkwardly on Arsen’s waist. He could push him away, but somehow he couldn’t.

“Jin, my poor little brother.”

“Arsen.”

“Listen carefully. This is for you. For Mother. And for Bariel.”

Arsen studied Jin’s face, so much like his own—the brother born to a fate that sought to destroy him, always living in the shadows.

“Move for me.”

So stay in the shadows.

“Do everything you can to keep me alive. By rank and prophecy, I’m the only one who can end this and turn the tide. If I live, you live. And Mother lives.”

Arsen stroked Jin’s face, his voice low and firm.

“Marib’s theft of the seal means Father is still alive. Showing Father’s body is the surest way to secure the succession, more than the seal itself.”

No need to argue with officials. Once the succession is settled and Gale is branded a traitor, it’s over. But their involvement means the situation is tangled.

And that means opportunity—for everyone except Marib and Gale.

“Jin, you have to prove to everyone you’re not the one who’ll harm me. Now is the time. If you don’t do this well, it’s all over.”

Arsen smiled as he ran his fingers through Jin’s hair. He wasn’t trying to kill him—he wanted Jin to do whatever it took to save and protect him. Jin met his brother’s calm gaze.

“I won’t hurt you.”

“But others think otherwise. That’s the problem.”

“…Arsen, do you know something I don’t? You sound like you do.”

Bang! Crash!

Before Jin could say more, a commotion erupted outside. Arsen spun around as if to say ‘enough’ and stepped into the dressing room.

“Then let’s change. Today, we’ll wear the same clothes.”

Usually, they’d wear slightly different outfits, but today, matching perfectly would be better. That way, if a blade came for Arsen, it might confuse the attacker and hit Jin instead.

Bang! Bang!

They called for the servants, but no one came. The noise outside was no ordinary disturbance. Arsen finished dressing first, grabbed Jin’s shoulder, and smiled brightly.

“Smile. Like me.”

“……”

“Come on.”

Reluctantly, Jin lifted the corners of his mouth. His dimples faintly appeared, but Arsen didn’t notice—he was just looking into those blue eyes.

“Good. You look great like this.”

“Don’t joke, Arsen.”

“Ha ha ha.”

Crash!

“Your Highness Arsen! Your Highness Jin!”

“This way! This way, come out here!”

Suddenly, the servants burst in, pale-faced. Each grabbed one of the princes and, unsure what to do, fled deeper into the palace.

“Mother?”

Jin noticed blood on the sleeve of one servant.

“Mother!?”

“Arsen! Jin!”

Screech!

They rushed into a side chamber and flung open the door to the garden, where Delaina’s voice rang out. She was running, clutching her cumbersome skirts.

“Hurry! Get out of here!”

“This way! Delaina, Arsen, Jin are here!”

“Seal all exits to the outside!”

“We have to get to the Magic Department. Magic Department! Arsen! Jin!”

“Catch them! Traitors allied with Gale! Kill them!”

“Run! Hurry!”

From afar, the shouts of unfamiliar soldiers echoed faintly. The main gate had been breached—likely Marib’s troops. Jin clung to the servant carrying him, closing his eyes tightly.

‘The garden is so vast.’

It was the first time running without horses. The rough breaths of someone else, the crushed grass beneath, the occasional cool breeze—it all felt like a dream. Just yesterday, none of this was even imaginable.

Crack.

Suddenly, the servant stopped running.

“Well, where are you all rushing off to?”

It was Marib. Her hair, usually tightly bound, was now disheveled beyond belief. Her face was marked with wounds, her clothes stained with blood and dust.

The servant stepped back, clutching Jin tightly. The pounding of their hearts pressed against each other.

“Marib! What is the meaning of this madness?”

Delaina stepped forward, shielding the princes. Though a concubine, by relation she was their mother—just as Arsen and Jin were Marib’s brothers.

“Not only have you harmed His Majesty, but you act so recklessly! Aren’t you ashamed as Bariel’s first prince?”

Behind them, soldiers pursuing them appeared. They were surrounded. Marib in front, swordsmen behind—no matter which way they turned, death awaited.

“Reckless? That’s what you call siding with Gale, isn’t it? Are you hiding Gale?”

“What?”

Delaina’s face went pale at Marib’s words. Hiding Gale? That meant the tide of battle was turning in Marib’s favor.

“No, this is none of our concern. We haven’t seen Gale. For the sake of the prince’s dignity, please let us pass. Have mercy on these children…”

“None of your concern?”

As Marib advanced slowly, Delaina instinctively stepped back. Jin pushed the servant aside and stood in front of her.

“Brother, please don’t do this.”

Seeing that, Arsen stepped up beside Jin without hesitation. The twin brothers wore identical blank expressions. Marib frowned, flicking her sword uncertainly. It was impossible to tell who was Arsen and who was Jin.

“Arsen! Jin!” Dilaina crouched down, pulling her two sons close. The servants had been subdued by the soldiers and were lying face down, while a cold wind cut through the tense air. The presence of death seemed to hang over them.

“Which one is Arsen?” Marib asked.

“How can you ask that?” Jin replied, but Marib said nothing. An ominous silence stretched between them. She aimed her blade at the boys’ necks, gauging the moment.

“Dilaina. Since you’ve allied with Gale, there must be a price to pay. Give me one of your sons. If you do, I will spare the rest of your household.”

Dilaina’s pupils dilated. Her hands trembled uncontrollably, but her mind went blank, unable to register the fear.

“Or I’ll kill you all right here.”

Marib’s words made her glance down at the two boys in her arms. Could she really—her own hands—take one of her sons? It was unthinkable. But wasn’t this entire situation already beyond reason?

“Mother.”

Then Arsen spoke softly, cautiously. A silent plea for her to remember why Marib had asked which one was Arsen—because one of them was bound by a prophecy, a fate that couldn’t be ended so easily.

“Mother.”

Jin called out next, his eyes moist and full of sorrow. As if he understood the fate awaiting him, he spoke his name with heartbreaking desperation.

‘I’m sorry.’

At last, Dilaina released Jin’s hand. The boy looked at his empty palm, then turned away. Dilaina held Arsen close, tears streaming down her face. Arsen, with his usual calm expression, simply raised an eyebrow.

‘Hurry.’

Jin bit his lip as he looked at Marib. Like his mother, tears fell freely from his eyes, but unlike before, there was a clear, raw emotion there.

“So you’re Jin.”

“…”

Anger surged through Marib. For the first time, Jin felt alive to her. But what could she do? He had already crossed a point of no return, and to move forward, he had no choice but to keep swinging his sword.

Swish!

Marib drew her blade. Jin closed his eyes. Just as the tip of his sword was about to strike the boy’s head—

Boom! Bang!

Suddenly, loud explosions erupted all around. Marib hesitated, halting her attack. Turning her head, she saw Ian standing there.

“…Ian?”

Ian looked closely at the child before Marib. A scar ran from forehead to chin, blood trickling down, though not as dark as tears.

“Put your sword away.”

At the moment the twins’ fates diverged—

The birth of an emperor.