Chapter 188
I’m getting sleepy.
She should rest in his arms while she still could.
Honestly, a month was not a short time for her either.
It was only in her husband’s embrace that she could sleep soundly.
“A sleepless night for both of us, then.”
“On nights like this, let’s look at the sky. Even if we can’t meet right away, knowing that we’re both looking at the same night sky will keep the loneliness at bay. It might be lonesome, but not desolate.”
“I just want you to sleep peacefully.”
Yasamin chuckled and tapped her nose.
And so, another day for the couple came to an end.
An evening passing quietly, without any grand events.
They had fallen asleep early, and by the time they opened their eyes, dawn was breaking.
The brilliant sunlight spilled over the sharp spires.
The castle, built with white bricks, shifted in hue depending on the sun’s position.
In the morning, it gleamed in ivory. And when the sun set, it shimmered in a vibrant orange, harmonizing beautifully with the orange trees that lined the streets.
Not a single broken tile—just a bright, clean, and beautiful street.
Lined with newly built structures and brimming with the passion of those embarking on fresh beginnings, this place was called Idoros.
The capital of the empire.
“I like it.”
That was Yasamin’s first reaction as he surveyed the completed castle and streets.
Though his tone was composed, the emotions within were anything but light. If anything, they were too heavy to be spoken carelessly.
‘Home.’
The South was home too, but he had suffered there for far too long. Every street bore the scars and memories of those wounds, so he wished to build a new life in a different place.
Not alone, but with his family. Along with the retainers who followed him.
“This is the main hall.”
Eltan, too, seemed overwhelmed with emotion today.
Naturally so. After all, the castle they had labored over for so long was finally complete.
He had spent years supervising its construction without time for romance or marriage.
Idoros’ castle was the very culmination of Eltan’s life’s work.
“For reference, if you press this torch holder, a secret passage opens.”
Clunk.
The fifth torch holder from the back of the main hall. It looked no different from the others, but when pressed firmly, the floor suddenly opened up.
Beneath it lay a passage leading deep underground, exuding a faintly ominous aura.
“It smells like groundwater.”
“That’s correct. If you go down this way, there’s a fully equipped shelter where around a hundred people could survive for a month.”
“Oh.”
Step, step.
The sound of two men’s footsteps echoed through the space.
Eltan, having stepped inside first, took a lamp from the damp wall and lit it.
“If you press the ring attached to this lamp, the door will close.”
“Wouldn’t it be useless if someone opened it from the outside?”
“That’s why we installed a manual locking mechanism inside. Once activated, the door can’t be opened unless someone breaks it down from above, which should give enough time to escape.”
“It’ll be useful to one of our descendants someday.”
Yasamin murmured indifferently.
Neither he nor his direct heirs, the twins, would have any need for it.
As beings from the Age of Myths, they could freely shift between their beast and human forms. If they ever needed to flee, they wouldn’t use this route—no human could keep up with them once they ran in their beastly forms.
But over time, their bloodline would inevitably dilute. Eventually, this passage would become a necessity for someone.
That was why humans built evacuation routes and secret passages in castles.
“What’s at the end of this tunnel?”
“There are three paths. The rightmost one leads outside the castle walls, the center one exits within the walls—somewhere near the forge, I believe. And the leftmost path actually leads back inside, toward the maids’ quarters.”
Depending on the situation, one could choose the best escape route. Quite practical.
Nodding in approval, Yasamin stepped back into the main hall.
For now, there was no need to explore where each of those paths led.
“What’s next?”
“We’ve also built a hidden passage that allows you to spy on the main hall.”
“Oh, impressive.”
“Do you see the painting on the upper wall? The one of the moon. If you look closely, the clouds surrounding the moon contain tiny holes.”
What a twisted man.
To have gone to such meticulous lengths in designing this place.
Yasamin had little interest in such things, so he let Eltan’s explanation drift past him.
After all, he had no reason to sit up there and watch over the main hall.
‘He even picked out the artwork well. He has good taste.’
The corridor, wide enough for six people to walk side by side, was lined with sculptures, paintings, and ceramics placed every ten steps.
Each piece was exquisite, leaving no room for critique.
Even Siren would appreciate them. Satisfied, Yasamin gave a slight nod.
‘Ah, I miss her already. I’d love to show her this.’
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