The difference in lifespan. Maybe he’s already thinking about it. There are no clear records of how long monsters live. They usually die before they even become self-aware, usually within ten years. Even if they do become self-aware, it’s rare for them to live past fifty, often dying in territorial battles or for other reasons. Although rare, there are monsters that live for over a hundred years. One thing is for sure: even monsters that live for a long time do not die of old age. No matter how long they live, they often die in battle or are eaten by others before they can live out their lives. This is the typical life of a monster.

Since Zetak lives in the human world, he won’t die from being eaten by others. Nor will he die in territorial battles. So how long will he live? And what will happen to him when I’m gone? I imagined him standing in front of my grave, shedding tears. The image was the same as the one I’d thought of before, and just like then, the thought made my chest ache.

“You’re always looking too far ahead.”

“…”

I was content with the present, but it seemed he wasn’t. He was looking ahead – to the time when I would die and he would be left alone. I took his hand in mine. Those who use energy age more slowly. Unless something extraordinary happened, I would live longer than the average human. Perhaps, because of the unique way I use energy, I could live far longer than what is normally known – over a hundred years, perhaps even over two hundred. But however long that might be, it wouldn’t compare to the lifespan of a monster.

In the distant future, after I die, what will Zetak do? For the first few years, he would probably guard my grave. Perhaps he would linger around it with a forlorn expression. But time erodes even the strongest memories. The moments we shared would gradually fade. One day he might remember me as someone he once loved and smile at the memory. And then… would he find someone new?

I would be gone and he would move on. It was the natural course of things, but it felt strangely lonely. As if a hole had been torn through the centre of my heart, leaving an emptiness.

“I belong only to you, Your Highness.”

He spoke softly, almost as if he could read my thoughts. It was the kind of phrase you’d expect to find in novels read by young noblewomen. If any noble ladies had overheard, they might have scoffed and said, Who says such things anymore? But Zetak, when he said it, was utterly sincere. Only yours. What did that really mean? Perhaps, if I were to die…

“That is a matter for the distant future. Let’s not dwell on it now.”

He hated the thought of being left alone. When he was told of my death, he even gave up his revenge to reduce that possibility. I caressed his cool fingers as I held them. Yes, it’s something for the distant future. No matter how long I live, the end will come. And that end will exist on a different timeline than his.

He will probably cry. Holding my hand as my life slowly fades and my eyes close, he will shed tears. Perhaps, like when he was a child, he will cry uncontrollably.

“That is something for the distant future. For now, let’s just… stay as we are.”

“Let’s enjoy the present.”

I said, and Zetak smiled. But despite his smile, he looked like he was on the verge of tears. The days of hardship were long gone. Life was so peaceful now, so why did he seem so unbearably lonely? I gripped his hand tightly. I wouldn’t leave him alone.

What if one day I became a chimera like him? Would that allow me to walk the same timeline as him? It was an impulsive thought, but it didn’t seem too far-fetched. And if that day ever came, I was sure I wouldn’t regret it.

***

The meeting of the Council of Nobles, which I hadn’t attended for a long time, was the same as ever. A large hall, a circular table, and nobles seated with solemn and dignified expressions. The only difference now was the person sitting on the Emperor’s throne – Bapharos, instead of my father. Although the official ceremony of succession had yet to take place, almost all imperial authority had already been transferred to him. Even in formal settings, he was already addressed as ‘Your Majesty’.

Whether due to failing health or the emotional exhaustion of old age, my father had expressed a desire to retire early. Soon there would be a great ceremony to formalise the transfer of the throne.

Bapharos’s face showed obvious irritation, as if he already knew how pointless the discussions at this meeting would be. When our eyes met, he gave a slight smile, as if to say, You too always get caught up in these tiresome matters. I gave him a slight nod before taking my seat. Bapharos then looked around at the nobles seated around the table and began to speak.

“Everyone is here now. I’ve received numerous petitions, and this meeting has been called due to your requests. It seems that the matter at hand concerns Jaibid’s companion – is that correct?” 

“Yes, that is correct.” 

“Having a monster by the side of a royal is simply unacceptable.” 

As the nobles nodded in agreement and voiced their support, a flicker of irritation crossed Bapharos’ face. He seemed to find it tiresome that the nobles were wasting time on an issue that had already been resolved. 

“That’s a strange thing to say. This servant has been serving Jaibid for seven years. There were no objections then, but now it’s suddenly an issue?” 

“The circumstances are different now. Back then he wasn’t a complete monster. But now he is just that – a monster.”

A noble said as if rehearsed, and voices of agreement echoed from various corners of the room.

“We remember well the incident seven years ago. We saw the tentacles growing out of his back, the same ones he used to k*ll the monster. Doesn’t that mean his fusion with the monster is complete?” 

“He could turn on His Highness – or worse, the entire palace – at any moment.” 

The nobles took turns voicing their concerns about Zetak’s supposed danger, trying to lighten the mood in the hall. Bapharos listened to their arguments with a blank expression. Only when the nobles had calmed down and the room was quiet did he finally speak, his tone slow and deliberate. 

“This matter has already been addressed, and the Temple has confirmed his safety. By forcibly calling this meeting, it seems you’ve chosen to disregard my words. Am I to assume that my authority means little to you?” 

At Bapharos’ cold words, the nobles hastily waved their hands in exaggerated denial. 

“That was not our intention! We were only concerned for Your Majesty’s safety…” 

“Indeed, Your Majesty. This palace is Your Majesty’s residence. It is unthinkable to allow a monster here – it simply cannot be allowed.” 

At their predictable excuses, Bapharos smiled faintly, as if he had heard enough. Without further ado, he turned his gaze to me and Zetak, who stood silently behind me. 

“Very well. Jaibid, what do you think?” 

I looked around at the nobles. Some, seemingly guilty, avoided my gaze, including the older nobles who had recently visited me. Others met my eyes with a sense of righteousness, as if convinced they were champions of justice. Whether their intentions were for my benefit or not, unsolicited goodwill is nothing more than a nuisance. It’s an unnecessary intrusion, nothing more, nothing less, yet their expressions radiated satisfaction, as if they believed they were setting me on the right path.

Seven years ago they ignored me completely, treated me as if I didn’t exist. But after my arm was healed, their sudden change of attitude smacked of shamelessness. No doubt some of them are driven by excessive nationalism. My abilities should be showcased internationally to enhance the Empire’s prestige, but with rumours of my association with a monster, they couldn’t do that, so they wanted Zetak removed. Certainly some of them had such intentions.

“For the Emperor’s sake. For the safety of the palace. Enough of the grandiose rhetoric and get to the point. How exactly do you intend to remove my attendant?”

The room fell silent, as if cold water had been poured over it. Only Bapharos remained, chuckling to himself.

“You claim that the presence of a monster threatens His Majesty’s safety. That implies that you doubt His Majesty’s ability to wield his sword aura, does it not? It also suggests that I am incapable of subduing it, which means you are dismissing me as well, and it could be seen as an insult to Commander Liog of the Imperial Knights for failing to ensure the safety of the Emperor. Pretty impressive loyalty to insult three members of the Imperial family at the same time.”

A flicker of discomfort crossed the faces of the nobles. Before they could react, I continued.

“No doubt you’ll try to wriggle out of this.”

Behind me, I heard Zetak chuckle softly. “You’re too forceful,” he muttered, though he didn’t seem displeased. The nobles exchanged uneasy glances. It was clear that they had coordinated their arguments before this meeting. But my direct challenge to their intentions had made it difficult for them to speak.

After a moment of silent glances, one of the nobles rose. An elderly man, his eyes filled with the conviction that he was setting me on the ‘right’ path.

“If Your Highness’s attendant is truly safe and acting in the best interests of humanity, then it can be proven.”

“Proved? And how exactly do you propose to prove it?”

“We have received reports of a monster sighting in the Eltran Forest in the southern region.”

The noble began, almost as if he had been waiting for this moment. It was as if they had coordinated this beforehand.

“If Your Highness’s companion is truly safe and has the mind of a human, then let him prove it. Let him deal with his own kind for the sake of humanity. If he can prove it, no one will ever question his safety again.”