Trampled and Broken (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 19
Outwardly, his expression was utterly calm, yet worry bled unmistakably through his eyes.
Unable to meet that gaze directly, Dean and Martin lowered their heads and opened their mouths with heavy hearts.
“It’s… hard to be optimistic. We’re running dangerously low on medicine and bandages… and above all, His Grace hasn’t been able to rest properly.”
Only then did Aslan finally understand why Yorgos had summoned him today.
It was also the reason Yorgos had finally broken his long silence about the situation in the North and hinted it was time for Aslan to return to Kalati.
“Damn it.”
Aslan couldn’t hold back any longer, muttering a quiet curse through clenched teeth.
Dean and Martin, their faces tense with urgency, quickly added:
“My Lord must return.”
“We need someone who can stand firm as our center, unwavering even in the fiercest blizzard.”
Though Dean and Martin chose their words carefully, Aslan easily grasped the meaning hidden beneath them.
His father was no longer able to serve as the rallying point for the Northern knights—this could only mean his condition was grave.
No matter how inexperienced Aslan might be, to the people of Kalati, his very existence was strength and stability.
He was Kalati’s sole legitimate heir.
Although he had spent the past three years in the royal palace, Aslan had accompanied his father, Wayne Kalati, hunting monsters across the Northern plains since his very first winter.
Moreover, being a natural genius in both tactics and martial arts, those few years away posed no real obstacle.
“Winter is advancing further south. Without support from the South, we’ll soon reach our limits.”
Dean and Martin would depart the palace in five days.
During that time, Yorgos would hold council with his ministers to decide how much aid to send to the North.
But Aslan knew it was merely a delaying tactic.
‘Without a decisive move to turn the tide, it’ll be hard to change their minds.’
He took a deep breath.
Avoiding the earnest gazes of Dean and Martin fixed upon him, Aslan gave a slight nod.
“For now… I understand the situation.”
He knew time was of the essence, yet he hadn’t yet exhausted every effort he could make here.
Thus, he too would wait these five days.
‘It’s almost time.’
Hestia’s delayed debutante ball was soon to be held at the palace.
Normally, those affiliated with the temple did not attend such social events.
But Hestia, though a saintess, was also a princess, and had occasionally appeared at court functions. Thus, it was decided that holding her debutante ball—though late—was the proper course.
‘When I first heard about it, I was slightly annoyed I couldn’t be her partner… but given how things stand now, it’s almost fortunate.’
On that day, she, as the guest of honor, would naturally have to attend. But surely, midway through the banquet, she’d slip away to come see him.
Aslan intended to broach the matter then.
‘She’ll listen to me.’
He believed firmly that the bond they’d built over the years meant she would surely help him.
[This is the timeline separator]Having attended Hestia’s debutante ball only long enough to make an appearance, Aslan returned to his quarters and waited for her.
Just as expected, at the height of the festivities, she slipped away alone and came to his palace.
“Aslan.”
It was a moonlit night.
Though all around was dark, Aslan’s keen eyes saw Hestia clearly.
Her cheeks were flushed, as if she’d taken a sip of wine.
Dressed in an unusually lovely gown, she approached him with light, butterfly-like steps.
He’d already found it hard to bear when he first saw her at the banquet, but now, seeing Hestia come toward him alone, he couldn’t tear his eyes away.
Yet thoughts of his father’s grave condition kept intruding, forcing him to suppress his feelings.
Aslan tried to lift his lips into a smile.
He’d planned first to congratulate her on coming of age and tell her how beautiful she looked tonight.
But contrary to his intentions, he greeted her with a rigid face and couldn’t utter a single word.
Hestia, now standing close enough to touch, noticed his stiff expression and frowned with concern.
“What’s wrong? Why do you look so troubled?”
She reached out her delicate hand toward his face.
But before her fingertips could brush his cheek, he turned his head away, avoiding her touch.
“Aslan?”
“…I have a request.”
His voice came out thick with emotion.
“A request? …From me?”
Hestia asked, her face utterly guileless.
Aslan stared at her for a moment, then his tall frame seemed to crumple.
When he dropped to his knees before her, Hestia gasped in alarm.
“Aslan! What’s gotten into you all of a sudden?”
She quickly lowered herself, trying urgently to lift him up—but of course, Aslan didn’t budge.
Kneeling firmly on both knees, he looked straight up at her and, unclenching his jaw, spoke in a voice heavy with despair.
“Hestia, please—I’m begging you. You’re my only hope. So please… help me.”
Hestia’s face was now on the verge of tears.
It pained her deeply to see Aslan—of all people—so broken, clinging to her like this.
First, she tried to get him back on his feet.
Without thinking, she nodded and grasped his arms with both hands.
“Alright. I don’t know what it is, but I’ll help you… so please, stop this and get up! Hurry!”
But Aslan remained unmoving. Still kneeling, he continued.
“Even if it’s a lie.”
His voice had grown hoarse. He drew another heavy breath before going on.
He knew it was profoundly disrespectful, but with no other idea in mind, he simply said it.
“Please say you received a divine revelation that Kalati must be helped.”
“…What?”
Hestia froze mid-motion, her attempt to raise him halted.
‘Of course she’s shocked.’
This straightforward girl had likely never done anything against principle in her entire life.
Flustered, Hestia stammered.
“H-How can I… claim to have received a revelation I never…?”
Then a cold voice slipped from between Aslan’s lips.
“What’s the problem? You’ve always said you can’t hear the voice of the gods anyway.”
“…Ah.”
In that instant, Hestia’s expression fractured, and Aslan clenched his teeth.
He’d learned this from their conversations.
Aside from the moment of her awakening as a saintess, she’d never received a single divine revelation. She’d often confided in him how the Archdeacon kept showing disappointment in her, leaving her feeling deeply insecure.
Aslan had suspected his desperation would wound her—but even so, he had no choice but to make this request.
Seeing her expression crumble filled him with guilt.
He wanted nothing more than to flee the room and avoid her, yet he knew better than anyone that he couldn’t.
‘There’s no turning back. I’ve already spoken.’
He breathed in roughly, and Hestia fidgeted, twisting her fingers tightly.
After a long silence, Hestia finally spoke, her words hesitant and careful.
“Isn’t there… another way?”
Aslan immediately sensed her reluctance.
He, too, disliked being forced into a position where he had to pressure her.
“I’m… a saintess. How could I possibly…?”
She trailed off, the unspoken words clear: How could she dare conceal or fabricate the will of the gods?
“Of course, even though… I haven’t heard any revelations…”
Her next words were barely audible, like an ant crawling—Aslan knew this was the deep-seated insecurity she’d carried for so long.
It wasn’t easy to confront one’s own perceived inadequacy, especially when forced by circumstances beyond one’s control.
Hestia let out another heavy sigh, clearly frustrated by the situation.
The best outcome would have been for Aslan to say, “I misspoke—forget I said anything,” and apologize. But he remained silent, his expression resolute.
She glanced at him several times, but seeing no sign he’d retract his words, she grew anxious.
Chewing her lip, Hestia began searching for another solution—one that wouldn’t weigh on her conscience.
“Couldn’t there be a way without lying?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve just had my debutante ball, so I’m officially an adult now. My uncle will listen to me seriously.”
Forcing a bright tone, she pressed on desperately.
“I’ll beg Uncle—His Majesty himself—to aid the North. To send troops and grain. So… so Aslan.”
Strangely, the dynamic had shifted.
Clearly, it should have been Aslan pleading with Hestia.
Yet somehow, she was the one tirelessly trying to sway his heart.
Aslan felt this reversal was odd, yet he didn’t know how to set it right.
Each time Hestia proposed a nearly impossible alternative just to ease his mind, something hot and fierce kept rising within him.
That was why he ended up saying something cruel.
“Do you really think His Majesty will listen to you?”
Top Celebrity Younger Brother Bears Her Child (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: Forced to live stream romance with a top celebrity in a female-dominant world.
Yan Jin transmigrated into a brothel, with a fellow transmigrated junior beside her.
Hearing the obscene words coming from outside, the unfortunate junior covered his ears tightly, his cheeks flushed red, and whispered to comfort her, “Don’t worry, I will definitely help you escape.”
“Don’t worry, I will definitely defend your chastity.” Yan Jin looked at the flawless and delicate features of the unfortunate junior and gently comforted, “Because we have transmigrated into a female-dominant world.”
※※※
Top celebrity Yu Shu suddenly fell into a coma during a concert.
Research scientist Yan Jin fainted in the lab after working overtime.
Two people with no connection were rushed to the same hospital.
Three days later, neither of them had woken up.
Suddenly, the entire nation discovered that a live streaming app had been forcibly installed on their phones.
Upon opening it, they heard the two discussing how to escape from the brothel.
The entire internet was in an uproar.
After the two successfully escaped from the brothel, Yu Shu’s fan group rushed to make a banner and sent it to the hospital overnight.
“Big sister bravely took action to defend the chastity of our idol!”
※※※
When Yu Shu was diagnosed with pregnancy, Yan Jin stared at his belly for a long time.
Covering his stomach, he muttered gloomily, “If you don’t like it, I’ll go get an abortion.”
“It’s not that I don’t like it.” Yan Jin hugged Yu Shu and said softly, “I just feel like I’m not human.”
Yu Shu comforted Yan Jin, “I was already an adult when we got together.”
Yan Jin hesitated, “But you won’t be of legal marriageable age even after giving birth to the child.”
At the same time, a flood of bullet comments appeared in the live streaming room that the two couldn’t see.
[Although it’s inappropriate, I also want a young and handsome boyfriend to have my child.]
①Male pregnancy (highlighted)
The female lead is five years older than the male lead, and the male lead is already an adult when he appears.
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