Chapter 164: Irreversible Past (2/2)

The moment he took the throne, the tragedy began.

The King despised half-breeds and openly discriminated against the non-Kurkans who had been brought from other parts of the continent. Though at first he only treated them contemptuously, as he consolidated power, his actions became more extreme. The purists who supported him walked arrogantly through the desert, and the Kurkans who had married non-Kurkans began to worry for the safety of their partners.

Genin and Haban, escorts of the King, hated the change in his behavior. It came to a head when they learned that the King was selling Kurkans to Byun Gyeongbaek and other slave traders.

He sold half-breeds for a lot of money. And not once or twice, but constantly. Genin and Haban protested furiously, but their protests had no effect. The King was a tyrant, and the purists supported him.

Genin’s fear for her husband increased every day, and finally she decided to leave the desert where she had lived all her life. Haban decided to go with her, sickened by the King and his followers.

They were caught before they had to escape. It was a day Genin would never forget. The price they paid was very great.

—Please… no, please…!

That was the day Genin bowed her head to the man she hated so much. She begged, beating her forehead on the ground.

—Please punish me, please, King, have mercy…!

But the cruel nature of the King did not grant forgiveness. He showed Genin the consequences of her betrayal.

—No…no…

Genin stared. She stared until her eyes reddened and the vessels there ruptured. She stared until tears of blood flowed down her cheeks.

Every time she thought of that day, Genin’s mind went blank and vague. What she had done was irreversible. All she could do was regret.

“I have arrived.” Genin said as she opened the door. The man in the flower garden replied cheerfully and moved toward her, pushing his wheelchair. Genin looked away in embarrassment and thrust out a bouquet of flowers to him. His eyes widened.

“I picked them on the way here,” she said.

“Genin!” He took the bouquet of peonies in surprise. “It hasn’t been long since the last bouquet of flowers.”

“Peonies are beautiful. They’re also one of Leah’s favorite flowers.”

“I see.” He smiled softly and smelled the flowers, then extended his arm to Genin. With the ease of practice, she lifted him.

The blanket covering his lap fell to the floor, and his pant legs dangled, empty.

He had no legs.