Chapter 19

Sitting inside this magnificent horse-drawn carriage, I observed every detail outside the window with amazement. The sun was shining brightly, giving a golden glow to the vast grasslands and green trees that extended as far as the eye could see. This world felt so different. There were no skyscrapers, no motorized vehicles or electronic devices like in my world. There were only simple buildings lined up neatly along the village streets, and commoners walking or riding horses.

I took a deep breath, feeling the fresh air that I had never felt in my city, where air pollution had become a part of everyday life. The scenery outside is truly mesmerizing. Green rice fields, vast plantations, and dense forests stretched out as if without borders. It’s a world that’s completely foreign to me, yet there’s something soothing here, something I’ve never felt in the hustle and bustle of the city.

King Domiano sat across from me, his eyes occasionally observing me with a look that I couldn’t quite decipher. I tried to look relaxed, even though inside I was still filled with anxiety. Ever since I was trapped in Dean’s body, everything had been complicated and confusing. However, momendi in this horse-drawn carriage, traveling through the peaceful countryside made me momentarily forget the chaos.

Because I was too busy with my previous routine while in my world, I had no way to refresh myself other than looking at paintings and artworks in the museum. Other than that while I was there, I only saw the bustling life of the world that was so suffocating with fatigue that could not be overcome because of the many jobs that I had to bear to support my own life.

I turned my gaze back out the window, watching the farmers working in their fields. They looked hard at work, pulling carts full of crops. The smiles on their faces gave the impression that everything was fine, but I couldn’t ignore the concern that slowly surfaced in my mind.

“You seem to be enjoying the view,” King Domiano’s deep, authoritative voice broke my reverie.

I turned to him, slightly surprised. He rarely spoke unless there was something important to talk about. This time, however, his tone sounded more relaxed, as if he was also enjoying this trip.

My instincts tell me that for the time being the man beside me now would not think of diverting the conversation towards that ridiculous matchmaking direction. Because from the looks of it, he’s also enjoying this trip, I’m sure someone like him also wants to feel calm even for a moment in a simple way like this.

“You’re not usually this enthusiastic about the lives of people you don’t know,” he continued, his voice sounding amused. “It’s even hard to get you out of the palace gates.”

I smiled slightly, trying to hide my surprise. Dean, or rather I who was now in Dean’s body, rarely seemed interested in things outside the palace. At least that’s what I know from the little information I’ve gotten so far.

“How could I not like this,” I said finally, trying to distract him from his curiosity. “All this scenery, it’s so different from the city filled with car fumes.”

I fell silent for an instant. What I said earlier... that was a big mistake. Car fumes? What was I thinking when I said that? Realizing my mistake, I held my breath, waiting for King Domiano’s reaction. Maybe he wouldn’t realize what I had just said.

‘Let’s hope so.’ I thought hopefully.

I was completely carried away, as if I was sitting in the middle of my usual routine when I was in my home universe. It really was like nostalgia, albeit under different circumstances.

But, unfortunately, King Domiano noticed. He looked at me with slightly raised eyebrows, clearly confused by what I had just heard from my mouth.

“You must have read too many books and fantasized too much before going to bed,” he said in a voice that sounded like a parent trying to calm down a child who said something far-fetched.

I tried to chuckle, even though my heart was beating fast. “Maybe,” I replied, then looked back out the window to avoid his piercing gaze. I thought it would be best if I didn’t talk too much.

However, even though a sense of relief began to creep over my body as King Domiano didn’t seem to be delving into my words, I still couldn’t get rid of the anxiety. It felt like the longer I was in this world, the harder it was to hide my true identity. On one hand, I wanted to shout to all of them that I wasn’t Dean, that I was Jou Porska, an ordinary human from the modern world. However, on the other hand, I knew that would only make things worse.

The horse-drawn carriage continued on, passing through the long cobbled streets. The further we went, the more things I saw. I saw farmers working hard, harvesting their lush-looking fields. In some places, there were carts full of crops ready to be taken to the market. However, as we began to enter more remote villages, the atmosphere began to change. The faces of the people we met looked grimmer, their bodies emaciated and their eyes empty.

I felt sick to my stomach at the sight. How could it be that on the one hand the country looked lush and prosperous, yet on the other many people were suffering from hunger?

“What’s going on here?” I asked quietly, more to myself.

But King Domiano was listening. “This is one of the problems we are facing,” he replied in a serious tone. “Their crops are not what they seem. Their crops look lush, but many are damaged by pests and bad weather. Plus, the ongoing wars with neighboring countries make the situation even more difficult.”

I was speechless. So, although the country looked prosperous from the outside, the reality was that not all the people felt the same way. Many are suffering, starving, and unable to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

“The war... is it really necessary? I mean there are many diplomatic ways that can be done to reach an agreement rather than spending a lot of money on a war not to mention that the war leaves a lot of losses and damage that must also be borne and that will be very detrimental to many parties.” I asked, even though I knew the answer.

King Domiano looked at me for a moment before replying, “Every country has ambitions. And in this world, it is power that determines who survives and who falls. There are some people who think like you but most do not as they want to achieve and scoop up everything in front of them for their own benefit.

I nodded, though my heart felt heavy. Under these circumstances, I began to understand why King Domiano was so insistent that Dean or I in Dean’s current body be matched with one of the powerful beings like Junigo or Jade. The match is not just a matter of love or personal desire. It’s more than that. It’s about power and influence, about making sure the kingdom survives amidst external threats.

However, that left me with a dilemma. I can’t keep being here, trapped in Dean’s body and caught in an arranged marriage I don’t want. I must find a way to return to my world. But, the longer I’m here, the more I understand the complexity of this situation.

Not only was I dealing with two powerful beings who wanted me as their partner, but also the great responsibility that Dean had placed on me, which was now my duty.

It could be that Dean already knows about this kind of unpleasant side. Hence he’s probably also very indecisive as to what his next move should be.

We continued to walk through villages that seemed to be suffering more and more. The people greeted King Domiano with respect, although it was clear from the looks on their faces that their lives were far from prosperous. Some even dared to speak up, complaining how the war had deprived many of them of their land, their families injured or killed.

I looked at King Domiano, noting his expression that remained calm despite the obvious weight on his shoulders. Inwardly, I wondered if he really believed that setting me up with Junigo or Jade would solve these problems. Perhaps he thought that by having their power at his side, the kingdom would be safer from outside threats.

However, for me, it wasn’t the right solution. I couldn’t just go along with this arranged marriage plan without personal feelings and will. But on the other hand, did I have the right to refuse if it meant saving many lives?

This trip opened my eyes to how complex the world is, and how much responsibility lies in King Domiano’s hands and now, somehow, in mine as well. I no longer saw him as a king who just wanted to impose his will. I could feel the burden he carried, but that didn’t make the dilemma I felt any less.

At the end of this journey, I could only think, ‘Maybe I’m starting to understand why King Domiano wanted Dean to match with Junigo or Jade so hard. But I’m still Jou. And I must find a way to save myself from this situation before things get even more complicated.’