CHAPTER 130: THE BARGAIN

Was that... a smile?

But before he could be certain, Gabrant had already left the room.

What remained in Quintus’s chest afterward was nothing but a heavy, ill-omened feeling.

...

As soon as the council ended, Jircniv made his way straight to the room where Shiao Yi had been left to rest.

Four guards were stationed outside the door, standing in the same disciplined posture as before.

"Any changes?" Jircniv asked.

"No, sire. We served him food and tea, but nothing else. He has remained very quiet," one of the guards replied.

Shiao Yi could move freely if he wished.

With unease pressing in his chest, Jircniv carefully opened the door.

The room was dim, already touched by the creeping shadow of evening.

Closing the door behind him, Jircniv stepped inside, his eyes searching for Shiao Yi.

The table still held untouched dishes and a cooling teapot.

Panic sharpened his gaze as he looked around the chamber.

Then he saw him—huddled small, curled up on the thick carpet in the corner of the room.

Relief washed through Jircniv.

Shiao Yi sat with his knees drawn tight against his chest, his body folded in on itself.

"Shiao Yi...?"

At the sound of his voice, Shiao Yi’s head snapped up.

The sight struck Jircniv so hard he was left momentarily speechless.

Shiao Yi’s face was hollow, worn down with exhaustion, his eyes swollen and brimming with tears ready to fall at any moment.

"I can’t reach Dominic," Shiao Yi said, his voice breaking. "It’s like there’s this thick, heavy jelly between us. I can feel his presence, but I can’t grasp his form. Something is blocking me, something’s stopping my voice from reaching him. Jircniv, please. Help me. Let me see Dominic. Please, I just want to see him."

As he begged, tears spilled freely down Shiao Yi’s cheeks.

What a terrible face he wore.

What deep suffering was written on him.

If Jircniv gave in to this request, would Shiao Yi stop looking like that?

But then—

From deep inside Jircniv, something black and ugly surged up without restraint.

It spread quickly, filling his body and seizing control.

Shiao Yi’s eyes saw only Dominic.

Shiao Yi’s heart held only that man.

For Shiao Yi, his presence was worth nothing at all.

And yet Jircniv desired him so completely!

Shiao Yi rose to his feet.

He staggered, swaying, and came toward him.

"Please, Jircniv. Let me see Dominic. Take me to him," Shiao Yi pleaded, tears streaming endlessly down his face.

Jircniv backed away toward the door, as if trying to escape Shiao Yi’s desperate approach.

Just then, there was a knock.

One of the guards entered to announce that a visitor had requested an audience.

"I understand. I’ll come at once," Jircniv said.

And so, like a man fleeing, Jircniv turned and left Shiao Yi’s room behind.

...

It was none other than Great General Gabrant who requested a private meeting with Jircniv, something that truly surprised him.

Jircniv immediately assumed it must be about the release of Dominic and he braced himself.

However, what Gabrant said instead was that it was a confidential matter.

This was the same fierce general who had fought the Dalmasca army many times and claimed victory in countless battles.

What kind of demand would such a man make?

The thought filled Jircniv with honest fear.

Yet, he could not refuse him.

And so, as night had already fallen, he invited the general into his office.

Tenby and the other knights who guarded Jircniv fixed their stern eyes on the Rosaria general as he entered.

However, Gabrant silenced them at once with his cold blue gaze, then requested to speak alone with the king.

Tenby and the rest placed their hands on their swords, unwilling to leave.

Jircniv had to calm them, urging them to wait outside.

Gabrant was indeed a general of an enemy force, a man who opposed Dalmasca with all his strength.

But Jircniv was convinced he would not do anything dishonorable.

He knew it simply by looking into those piercing blue eyes—eyes that were the same as those of Dominic.

Shiao Yi’s involvement with him stirred Jircniv’s hatred, yes, but still, he had to admit Gabrant was a man of upright and unbending honor.

"Well then, General Gabrant," Jircniv said, keeping his voice carefully casual as he faced the general seated across from him in a leather chair. "What matter brings you here so suddenly?"

Gabrant’s eyes roamed the room, examining the banners, maps, and furnishings.

The office still bore the look left behind by Talcott and the others before him—Jircniv had not had time to replace the decorations.

With its heavy military character, the room seemed to hold Gabrant’s interest.

"I dislike troublesome negotiations and endless probing for hidden motives," Gabrant said at last. "So let me be direct."

It was with a soldier’s bluntness that he cut straight to the heart of things.

"That black-haired, black-eyed boy, Shiao Yi. You seem to have an unusual amount of interest in him, do you not?"

The unexpected remark made Jircniv’s eyes widen, leaving him unable to speak.

Seeing this reaction, Gabrant narrowed his eyes slightly and allowed a thin smile to curl his lips.

"Good. Very good indeed. My foolish son Dominic has committed a disgraceful act that caused great trouble for Dalmasca. Of course, I want his release as soon as possible, but from your side it would not be so simple to just hand him back without consequence. So I propose a trade."

Gabrant leaned forward over the desk, his presence heavy and direct.

"As atonement for Dominic’s crimes, let his aide, Shiao Yi, be given over to Dalmasca. As an assistant, he has proven himself quite capable. It would not be a poor exchange. And if Dominic sees it as part of paying for his sins, then he cannot refuse it, can he? After all, this is nothing but the punishment that comes from his own foolish actions."

For Jircniv, it was an offer he could not have wished for more.