Chapter 67: The Self-Proclaimed Legitimate Wife Demands Answers (5)
The Self-Proclaimed Legitimate Wife Demands Answers (5)
“Then let’s go to war.”
“…What?”
Issak looked like a cat flung into outer space.
“I want you. You want to leave me. That leaves no room for negotiation. So what else is left but brute force?”
“If there’s no room for negotiation, then that’s a breakdown. A divorce makes the most sense.”
“You think just because the marriage was decided without my say, the divorce should be too?”
“Whoa, whoa. Then what about brute force?! What about my human rights?! My freedom of thought and belief? My right to pursue happiness?!”
“Kings don’t get those.”
“…I’m not even king anymore.”
“Your title hasn’t been stripped yet.”
“Why the hell not? I’m not even good enough to be a figurehead for the new regime.”
“Because I want you to stay king.”
At that, Issak stared at Mina’s face as if trying to bore a hole through it, and let out a strangled sound.
“…You’re mixing personal feelings with politics? On such a foundational level?”
“What’s the big deal? You’ve never had much presence to begin with.”
As Mina spoke without a hint of remorse, Issak worked his mouth, trying to force it shut again.
“What’re you gonna tell Lovecraft? The guy’s been dying to kill me.”
“No one will lay a hand on you. No one gets a say. I want you more than anything else in the world.”
Mina puffed out her chest with pride, and Issak pouted.
“You were all set to let him kill me just the other day… that was sarcasm, by the way.”
Mina looked like she might cry for a moment, but then she took a breath, straightened up, and pointed at Issak.
“I don’t care what you think of me. I’ll take you by force and make you sleep with me.”
“…What kind of demand is that…?”
“It’s only natural. I’m your wife.”
“You can’t even be satisfied unless it’s Lovecraft anymore.”
Issak grumbled sulkily, and Mina cradled her left hand against her chest, exhaling in a heated sigh.
“No. You’re better.”
“Stop dreaming about virgins.”
But Mina hugged her left hand tighter, as if clinging to some lingering sensation, and closed her eyes in dreamy bliss.
The look on her face made Issak so uncomfortable, that he deliberately raised his voice in irritation.
“What if I win?”
“You think you can beat me with nothing but a training sword?”
“God, you’re infuriating. Of course I can’t.”
Issak scowled, and Mina laughed, clearly enjoying herself.
Mina looked completely different from just a moment ago. There was a new vibrancy in her.
Issak realized this was the first time he’d ever seen Mina smile like that.
He had no idea what had cheered her up so much in such a short time.
“So, what exactly does this ‘war’ involve? I’m already your prisoner.”
“I’ll ravage your heart and body until you understand. You belong to me and no one else.”
Mina spoke of her invasion like a mischievous little girl plotting a prank.
That expression was dazzling. It was terrifying. Issak squinted involuntarily.
Then he faced Mina again and straightened his posture.
“All right. I accept your declaration of war. I don’t know what you’re planning, but I’ll put up a fight.”
Mina took in his words and his gaze, smiled brightly, spun on her heel, and left the room with a spring in her step.
“Call me if you need anything. I’ll come right away.”
“Like hell I can just casually summon the head of state whenever I want?”
“You’re a higher priority than the country.”
And with that, Mina danced out of the room. From beyond the door came the sound of multiple locks being thrown.
“You can’t just ignore the country like that…”
Grumbling as he shamelessly set his own behavior aside, Issak glanced at his left hand and froze.
At some point, without even realizing it, he’d reached for the tea Mina had poured.
He was parched.
Come to think of it, he’d never exchanged this many words with Mina before.
Fingers still resting on the teacup, Issak hesitated, then gave in and brought it to his lips.
After swallowing a sip, he peered into the cup.
“What the hell did she spike it with this time?”
Stuffing all the cookies into his mouth and washing them down with the tea, Issak let out a deep, exhausted sigh.