[IYFILWATIP] 5 – Jade Eclipse Is Dead

The child was the emperor’s first grandchild. Although the child was not yet fully formed, the only one who dared to speak to the child, other than the royal family, was the child’s biological father. However, like many pregnant women in the Mihadas Empire, Kirona did not know the exact place of conception of the child. There were only a few candidates that could be narrowed down to, but only God knows exactly who they are.

But one thing was certain. 

That this cheeky knight who just kissed her stomach was definitely not. Kirona never touched Jade Eclipse. It was the last piece of conscience she had left.

“Anyway, I would have carried you, hugged you, comforted you, played with you, put you to sleep. So why are you being so tight? Ain’t that pretty much a biological father? No matter how hard you try now, rumours will eventually spread. After all, as soon as you gave birth, you were thinking of giving it to me.”

Jade raised an eyebrow in protest. Kirona, who had nothing to say, reiterated the argument that had lost its persuasiveness.

“It’s because I’m afraid that someone might misunderstand. Let’s be clear. It was never your kid.”

She owed Jade a huge debt, from just taking care of her. To bring him into such a thorny political battle, Kirona’s conscience wouldn’t allow that. Whilst Kirona contemplated revising her plan to have him take care of her child, Jade opened his mouth first, breaking the silence. 

“Yes, no. But now, it doesn’t matter whoever the biological father is.”

The Princess and the Knight met each other’s eyes. Jade Eclipse knelt down on one knee.

“...Because it is Your Highness’ child.”

“...”

“It is my child.”

Your child is my child.

It was a common oath of brotherhood, sword in the Midlands. Jade was from the Mid East. It was enough to be interpreted as his pledge of loyalty. However, eyes cannot deceive others even if they deceive those who own them.

At that moment, facing him, Kirona froze. He wore an expression that she had never seen before. It was too straight and 

It was enough to interpret it as a word from loyalty. However— even if the bearer deceives, the eye cannot. 

At that moment, Kirona had to freeze, facing him. He had the first look Kerona had ever seen. It was too upright and heavy. And Kirona wasn’t stupid enough to not notice the meaning of those eyes. 

-You.

=No way.

The unspoken words became an echo in her mouth. Jade grabbed Kirona’s hand as she tried to retreat. He seemed to know that Kirona had noticed. 

No, that wasn’t it. Kirona soon realised. Kirona had not caught his eyes. He had chosen to reveal. Something he had been hiding thoroughly for the past hour, now. Kirona stuttered, not daring to say what its identity was.

“Are you…by chance...”

“Please don’t say anything. I’ll listen to you when I come back.” 

Jade Eclipse chuckled. He covered Kirona’s mouth with his palm. At the same time, he placed his finger on her lips, caressing softly. In the silence, they only stared into each other’s eyes. Staring at her eyes, the world was endless. 

Finally, he rose from his seat and turned around.

That was the last time. The next morning, Jade Eclipse left for the East. After the subjugation forces’ arrival in the east, contact with the Imperial Palace was completely lost.

//Jade & Kirona’s relationship have landed their place high up in my book with flying colours. 

Half a year later.

The subjugation forces returned to the Imperial Palace. They brought with them a piece of good news, and bad. The Emperor inquired Marlon, the Commander of the Knights, to report.

“What is the good news that you have brought?”

“We successfully killed the dragon and dismantled its hide and the mana stone. We have brought it to the Imperial Palace. This exhibition, our forces had the lowest casualties ever, and the highest number of treasures obtained.”

“...and the bad?”

Marlon’s eyes were on Kirona, sitting next to the emperor. An uneasy silence ensued. 

“Marlon, say it.” 

Kirona urged. Marlon avoided her gaze, and finally, after a long pause, opened his mouth.

“Jade Eclipse went missing in action. His body was not found... He is presumed dead.”

♔♔♔

As she lived a life where death was predestined, Kirona learned a truth. Even if a person disappeared, the world continued to revolve. There was no such thing as an indispensable person in the world. This world, was ruthless. But a living person had to continue to live.

Eventually, one would get used to it.

In the end, Jade was right. 

It had been five years since Jade Eclipse disappeared. Kirona had already become accustomed to the world without him. When she first heard the news, she cried. Her uncontrollable sobs racked her whole body so terribly, that the moisture in her body almost left her.

But now, it was all right.

She was still sad and missed him...but that was all. After all, Jade Eclipse to Kirona, was not an ‘indispensable person.’