[You have survived]
Koul's eyes were wide open, not in relief like his knight and wife, just open.
He was in quite a shock. He had concluded with finality that he'd die. And since he couldn't really see what was going on before him or what was being talked about, he naturally had no idea that king Aziel was healing him.
The only thing he felt was relief in his chest. He simply felt the excruciating pain in his chest fade and the tightness and constriction also disappeared.
But after his eyes fluttered open and he saw the scene before him, he immediately understood.
King Aziel was glaring daggers at him which caused him to precipitate unnaturally.
On the other hand, the knights, especially the vice captain was filled with relief.
Ignoring king Aziel's glare, Koul quickly turned to Yui who remained knelt beside him.
A smile was on her face. A smile of relief. Her eyes, however, were filled with tears that were yet to fall.
Seeing this, Koul was hurt.
He made her cry.
The couple weren't given any moment as king Aziel extended his hand forward and called back his strand of hair.
It unwove from within Koul's chest, slipped out, and floated back to king Aziel.
The moment the strand left Koul, a wave of pain shot through him once again, causing him to squint his eyes.
The pain that had once faded now returned. But this time, it was milder than it was. And his heart didn't feel suffocated or constricted.
It just felt like his wound was still fresh and was yet to heal.
Without a word, king Aziel turned swiftly, walking away.
But before he could take more than three steps, the vice captain rose and snapped forward.
He surged to Aziel's front and went down on one knee.
"Thank you so much for not allowing his life to end like this. You have our gratitude, your highness."
Aziel didn't respond. He simply moved aside, and continued on his way quietly.
They might've thought he deserved their gratitude but he didn't think like that.
To king Aziel, he simply acted on his wife's wishes, not for them. So he saw their gratitude as pointless.
And what's more, he only worked on the wound Koul incurred from the knight's last blow, nothing else.
To king Aziel, saving him didn't mean healing all his wounds and setting him free of all his pain.
He should suffer. If possible, let the wound he'd just healed reopen and lead to his death. This, Aziel wished.
He went back to his wife and took his seat. Although not happy he saved Koul, he was glad he fulfilled his wife's wishes.
"Honey, why didn't you leave the thread inside him until he's healed? You know without the healing thread inside him, his pain won't ease and the wound might take longer to heal."
His wife's face was still full of worry.
"You should've waited a few days before taking back the thread," she scolded softly.
"I saved him like you wanted. Is he a child that he cannot endure such minor pain?" He questioned.
His wife turned away. Her fisted hand was hovering lightly above her chest. And her face was slightly twisted in worry.
She couldn't help but feel concerned for Koul.
The vice captain rose and went back to Koul. He was aching all over. Aside from the wound on his chest that Aziel had just treated, his body had more wounds.
And several more bones were broken and dislocated.
The vice captain helped Koul up to his feet. He flung Koul's arm over his shoulder and secured his own arm around him to keep him up and steady.
Though Koul still was unable to stand upright. His posture was hunched, and his breaths came out in pants.
King Sestrus, from where he sat, shot the herald who quietly remained in a corner an eye.
Because despite the situation at hand, Sestrus needed the herald to announce the winner.
It was a serious matter but he wasn't going to let his chance to humiliate Koul pass.
While the vice captain and his knights tried to help Koul walk, the herald came forward. And beside him was the opposing knight.
He had slipped by toward the herald.
The herald raised his hand, announcing loud but nervously.
"T-the.. the king has lost!" He shouted, drawing everyone's attention back to himself.
"T-the winner is sir Galencho of Ruswen!" He announced, raising the opposing knight's arm.
Cheers! Applauds! All from king Sestrus and his people. It was awkward at first, drawing the gazes of the other kings to himself.
But king Sestrus was shameless enough to not mind. He continued clapping, smiling big.
Some of the other kings soon joined in awkwardly, clapping along with him.
Koul's face stiffened up. He was now faced with his loss that had sunk into the deepest corners of his mind.
Failure. He had failed. To not only save his wife, but to also save his face.
It was painful. Even more than the physical pain he was enduring.
Seeing this, king Sestrus was overwhelmed. Although not to the perfect extent he'd planned, he still achieved his goal.
He finally rose from his seat and walked toward Koul.
When he reached him, he smiled wide in his face. It was to mock him for losing woefully, but he pretended he was simply happy that his knight won.
To make it worse, he offered false consolation and praises.
"You were really brave. You stood up to a knight with that much experience and lasted quite long. Don't beat yourself over your loss. Be proud of your courage and perseverance."
Koul, of course, knew all this was pretense. He could clearly see the truth beneath the smiley mask he put on. And so did the vice captain. He wasn't foolish enough to fall for Sestrus' shenanigans.
But just like Koul, they simply kept quiet and accepted his words.
Because Koul was almost killed, the event unfortunately had to be stopped. It usually lasted 3-7 days. But since a king had almost lost his life from it, they couldn't continue it anymore.
Though if it was up to Sestrus, he'd continue without batting an eye.
"Don't hold any grudge against my knight. It was a duel and we know in this kind of match, things like this happen. Don't sulk over it and accept your loss."
He smiled at Koul, then turned to leave.
Since it was already late, the kings couldn't start their journey home. They had to retire for the night in Koul's palace, and prepare to leave the next day.
As the vice captain escorted Koul away, Yui attempted to join. But a chilling call halted her.
She turned to gaze toward the spot where she had sat with her co-wives and met their eyes.
They were glaring intently at her, stern and cold.
"Let's go," they told her.
Yui stole one glance at Koul, then reluctantly walked away to join the women.