You Were My Sl*ve - Chapter 91

“My dear daughter, did the slave Kazan seduce you? Did he defile your body?”

At twenty years old, when her father asked her this, Elona had answered:

“It is all true.”

Now, she whispered into the ear of the dying Kazan, words she had never been able to record in history.

“Just as he seduced and desired me, I, too, longed for him. From the very moment our eyes first met. Even though I knew I could never truly have him. Even though I knew I could never make him happy. I still dared to claim him for myself.

It was not I who was deceived—it was Kazan.

My love wounded him, and his love made me drown in guilt.”

“So if there is to be punishment, then let it be upon me. Free him from the chains that bound him because of me, and instead, place those shackles upon me.

That is the only way… I can ever atone for what I have done to him.”

After offering that testimony, Elona gazed silently at Kazan’s unmoving face.

Would she ever get the chance to tell him this again?

Could she still save him from death?

Here, in this desolate desert, where no hand of salvation could reach them?

But what if I have found water?

Elona’s thoughts snapped to the water jug given to her by Lu God. She turned her head—and widened her eyes in disbelief.

The jug, the proof of her three promises, was overflowing with clear water.

Since when?

The endless stream poured down like a small waterfall, drenching the dry sand beneath them.

“I found it.”

With trembling hands, Elona scooped up the water. Without hesitation, she brought the precious liquid to her lips, drinking with gratitude.

Then, her water-kissed lips pressed against Kazan’s parched ones.

In the moment she delivered life to him—she understood.

Her final prayer to Lu God in Ferma had been answered.

After wandering aimlessly through the endless desert, she had finally found it.

The ever-flowing water.

At that moment, the man lying still beside her stirred slightly.

Elona, who had been about to scoop more water, hurriedly turned to look at his face.

The curse mark that had threatened his life was slowly fading.

From his cheek to his neck, from his neck to his shoulder, from his shoulder down to his right arm…

Death was retreating.

Watching the miraculous sight unfold before her, Elona trembled in awe at the power of the gods.

Lu God had kept their promise.

In exchange for three vows, the God of Water and Life had granted her wish.

Kazan opened his eyes.

“…Elona.”

He raised his right hand and gently caressed her cheek. His fingertips, rough from being buried in the sand, grazed her skin.

Elona let out a small, tearful laugh.

Joy and relief flooded her, making it impossible to stop either the laughter or the tears.

No god could have known how desperately she had longed for this tender touch.

“Elona, there’s something I have to tell you.”

Kazan’s eyes, gazing up at her, shimmered with unshed tears.

Despite the dull pain in his chest, he slowly forced out the words.

“I’m sorry. I’ve misunderstood you all this time. You never… not even for a moment….”

“Stopped loving you.”

Elona softly completed his sentence.

At her words, his hand fell, covering his eyes.

Tears of regret streamed down his face, soaking into her dress.

Gently, as if to console him, Elona spoke.

“Kazan, there’s something I must tell you as well.”

Just like her confession on that fateful day, the words she was about to say would never be recorded in history.

But as long as one person listened, that would be enough for her.

“You may find my story hard to believe. But in the end, you will believe me. Because… from now on, we will be together for a very long time.”

Placing her hand lightly over his strong chest, she felt the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her fingertips.

At last, Elona wiped away her tears.

Where death and hatred had once loomed, only life and love remained—enduring and unbroken.

Part 2: Lu, God of Water and Life — End

The missing King of Sindar, who had vanished into the desert, reappeared seven days later.

It was in the small city of Kurgo, three days’ journey from Ferma.

Miriam and the elite soldiers stationed there welcomed their king’s miraculous return with tears of relief.

And in Kazan’s arms—Elona was nestled safely.

“You’re both safe…!”

“Miriam!”

Elona dismounted and embraced Miriam warmly. Despite having wandered through the desert, she looked remarkably well. Miriam, holding her like an older sister comforting a beloved sibling, suddenly looked up at the king and gasped.

“Your Majesty, your right arm…!”

The mark of Sindar that had once covered his right arm was now completely gone.

What had happened in the desert?

Had the king lost the blessing of the god?

Fear and shock flickered across the faces of the soldiers and Miriam.

Sensing their unease, Elona quickly reassured her.

“It’s all right, Miriam. This is actually a blessing for him, not a loss. There’s no need to worry.”

“B-But….”

Just then, the king dismounted and approached them. He carried the white water jug that Elona had left on the saddle and set it down on the ground.

Miriam glanced at it—half-filled with clear water.

“Elona.”

Kazan called her name softly and, without hesitation, pulled her into his embrace.

Everyone around them fell into stunned silence.

The soldiers, Miriam, all those who had spent years by his side—none had ever witnessed such an expression of raw, heartfelt affection from their king.

The cold, ruthless King of Sindar… showing such desperate and genuine love?

“I’ll return soon. Wait for me.”

Holding the former slave princess tightly, he whispered in a low, tender voice.

Before the eyes of all, Elona boldly wrapped her arms around him.

“I’ll be here, Kazan.”

With that sweet whisper, everything became undeniably clear.

They were lovers—without question.

Kazan held her for a long time before reluctantly letting go. Even as he turned away, his steps were heavy, as if he found it difficult to part.

Finally, with a firm resolution, he closed his eyes for a moment, then climbed onto his horse.

“Let’s go. To Ferma.”

As he rode off, the elite warriors of Ashatra followed closely behind.

In Kurgo—where the rebellion’s reach had not yet spread—Elona, Miriam, and a small number of soldiers remained behind.

‘Please, come back safely.’

She prayed with all her heart.

To Lu God, who had granted him life once before, she begged for another blessing—to protect him once more.

May he overcome every blade of hatred, every looming threat of death, and prove himself as the rightful ruler of this land.

With her hands gently resting over her womb, Elona prayed for the man she loved—and for the child growing inside her.

*

Some humans defy fate.

When King Sindar arrived at the walls of Ferma, General Torthan found himself thinking that very thought for the first time in a long while.

“Your Majesty! How did you return so quickly…? Are you unharmed?”

“As you can see, I am fine. What is the current state of the battlefield?”

“The palace has been seized by the rebels. Fortunately, we gathered our forces in time and have completely blockaded the outskirts of Ferma… but reinforcements for the enemy will arrive soon.”

“Who are they?”

“The Padisha family and the Omar family. Some vassals from the Omar family have also joined the fight, but those two factions make up the core of their forces.”

As expected.

Kazan was thoroughly familiar with Harnuk’s private soldiers, so he had no concerns there. However, dealing with the Omar family’s army would not be easy.

“This may turn into a prolonged war. But no matter how long it takes, I must win.”

Victory.

That was the only way to protect Ashatra, the Mileshatra royal bloodline, and—most importantly—Elona and their child.

As he solidified his resolve, he suddenly noticed Torthan’s gaze upon him.

His loyal general was silently staring at his right arm—the one now completely free of Sindar’s mark.

Carefully, the general spoke.

“Sindar has taken back what was his.”

Kazan let out a faint chuckle. The phrasing was strangely fitting.

“Yes, he has finally taken it back.”

“Then…”

Instead of answering, Kazan closed his eyes. He could almost hear the sound of his own heartbeat, pulsing through his veins.

The Kazan Mileshatra who once bore three hearts of Sindar no longer existed.

Now, he had only one heart left.

But Kazan felt no fear.

‘Elona.’

Beyond his closed eyes, he saw her smiling face as vividly as if she stood before him.

Now, neither Sindar nor Lu held power over him.

Only Elona—she alone made his heart beat.

Taking a deep breath, Kazan lifted his gaze toward the distant palace.

The golden spires shimmered beneath the sun, a magnificent castle standing atop vast lands. The great throne that overlooked an empire. The blood-soaked crown.

The mere thought of it still sent fire through his veins.

How desperately had he longed for it? He had once craved it with a burning hunger, willing to risk everything just to grasp it.

So he could stand before her with his head held high.

But that time of wretched yearning had already passed.

Now was not the time to take—but to protect.

He had to defend the eternal royal lineage of the desert, which would one day pass on to their child.

Feeling the fierce rhythm of his last remaining heart, Kazan threw himself into the final war.