DSMBL Chapter 91

Chapter 91 

Cassius placed his hand on the ground. The energy of the forest was starting to change. Something was coming. The wind had turned cold and fierce, rustling the branches. Leaves fell in waves, and the animals had gone silent, hiding in fear.

The forest was holding its breath, scared of what was approaching.

“…It seems the time is near.”

“Do you mean the monsters are coming?” asked Giverny, standing tense and alert.

Cassius nodded slowly. They didn’t know how many were coming or what kind of disaster was waiting. The unknown only made the fear worse.

“It’s fine. We’ve prepared just as much as they have.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“If they cross this land, we will cut them down. If they dare to desire our land, we will shove death into their throats. Just like always, we will win, and we will protect humanity and the North.”

Giverny looked at Cassius with admiration. Since Cassius became the ruler of the North, he had never lost a battle. He was an undefeated sun, an unbreakable sword, the symbol of victory. Since following him, Giverny had never once thought about losing. This time would be no different. There was no need to hesitate—only to move forward.

“The Prince of the Yeti Tribe said he must meet you today.”

“Where is he now?”

“There was a change in leadership. The chieftain died, and the prince has become king. Other tribal leaders are gathering to celebrate, and the king invited you. He wants to show the strong bond between humans and the snow beasts even after the leadership change.”

Cassius nodded.

“I will attend the event.”

Since the gate hadn’t opened yet, it was a good time to show unity with the snowbeasts, just as the new king wished.

Following Giverny, Cassius walked deep into the forest.

When the new King Kninri saw them, he bounced up and down excitedly. A translator approached.

“Prince now king. He is king now.”

“I heard. Is the next heir chosen here too?”

The translator nodded.

“Yes, here, now. Must come, human.”

They wanted to let Cassius see the new heir and build a connection early. King Kninri would now step back to rule his tribe, while the next heir prepared to take his place.

“…There won’t be a problem with the alliance, will there?”

“King and heirs understand. They agree. Alliance strong.”

Cassius sighed. He no longer knew if the short lifespans of the snow beasts were a blessing or a curse. There was no guarantee King Kninri would survive until the end of the war. The snowbeasts turned their eyes toward him.

The translator spoke again.

“Come inside. Meet the king.”

Inside, King Kninri laughed loudly and held out his hand.

“Guhhhh! Guhhh!”

“Handshake, human.”

Cassius took his hand. At that moment, the snowbeasts stomped the ground and cheered. It seemed to be one of their rituals.

Cassius looked at them quietly. Unlike him, who was worn out by the world and still unable to fully trust others, they were pure. They believed in him and his knights completely. They wouldn’t betray him. If betrayal came, it would be from humans.

Cassius smiled bitterly.

“We will win. No matter what.”

The translator repeated his words, and King Kninri laughed again and nodded. Cassius couldn’t help but smile. Maybe the fear of war felt lighter now because he had made a new friend.

***

As the sun began to set, Cassius returned. While the count, his wife, and their children helped prepare the barbecue, Charlotte followed Cassius into the castle.

“Did everything go well today?”

“Yes.”

“You’ll still cook the turkey like you promised, right? Theo bragged about it to his friends all day. I told him not to, but he was so excited he couldn’t stop talking.”

Cassius chuckled softly. Charlotte brushed off his coat and helped him out of it in his room.

“You must be tired. I’m sorry for asking you to do more.”

“It’s fine. I promised Theo, after all.”

He turned and wrapped his arms around her waist. Surprised, she looked up, and he kissed her forehead.

“I’m really okay, Charlotte.”

“I was just worried you were tired… Mmm—”

He kissed her again, deeper this time. He smelled like grass and wind—the scent he always carried after visiting the forest. Wild and raw.

She clung to him, breathless every time he moved closer.

“There are guests waiting outside…”

“Just a little longer. Only for a moment.”

He kissed her again. When he finally let go, she felt completely melted in his arms, even though he hadn’t changed out of his clothes yet.

“…You reminded me of them.”

“Me?”

“The snowbeasts. They choose a mate and stay with them for life. When one dies, the other usually follows. The last king died after the queen passed away.”

“…That’s so romantic.”

To live and die together with one love.

“I want that too.”

“What?”

She looked up at him, wide-eyed. He kissed her eyelid and whispered,

“To only ever love you, to only ever look at you. And when my time comes, to leave with you. So no one is left alone.”

“Cassius…”

Her heart ached warmly.

“If one of us is left behind, it would be too sad. Too lonely and painful. So promise me—you won’t leave me.”

He kissed her forehead again. His gentle voice felt like soft rain on her heart. She finally understood what he meant. It was the continuation of the conversation they once had but never finished. He was asking her not to use too much of her divine power and sacrifice herself. He didn’t want to lose her.

Maybe it was a sweet kind of threat—if she died, he’d follow.

She held him tightly.

“…I promise.”

She whispered like a sigh.

“I won’t leave you. If we can be together forever, I promise to stay with you.”

That promise felt much easier to make than one about holding back her power.

He stroked her hair and rested his chin on her head. She could feel every movement of his throat as he spoke.

“Sometimes I wish the world would stop right here. That only you and I remained in it.”

As her love deepened, so did his. He gently ran his hand down her back.

“I really hope you keep that promise.”

She nodded. They didn’t know what the future held—but for now, she wanted to make that promise. For this moment.