Contents
Chapter Fifty-Nine
Overview
Assassins arrive to kill Tiyung, but Ailor switches collars and poses as Tiyung, sacrificing himself. The killers take Ailor, leaving only blood behind. Tiyung realizes Ailor’s plan and breaks down, then steels himself as keys turn again, signaling that his peril is not over.
Summary
In Idle Prison, Tiyung wakes to Ailor shaking him and hushed male voices outside the cell. Expecting Hana but hearing strangers, Tiyung realizes killers have come for him. The men argue about seeing two prisoners in a cell that should hold only Tiyung.
Ailor urgently demands Tiyung’s collar, wrenches it off, and puts it on himself. He positions his body by the door to be mistaken for Tiyung and whispers a final request: tell his son he loves him. Blinding torchlight floods the cell as the door opens; Tiyung freezes on the floor awaiting death.
The door slams and locks again without a strike against Tiyung. When his eyes adjust, the assassins are gone. Lighting the lantern, Tiyung finds only a smear of fresh blood by the door. He understands that Ailor orchestrated a substitution, counting on the killers to identify Tiyung by cell and noble collar, not face.
Grief overwhelms Tiyung as he recognizes Ailor’s selfless choice and his final thought of Mikail. He allows himself to sob openly, honoring the man who died for a stranger. When keys turn in the door again, Tiyung composes himself, ready to face whatever comes next.
Who Appears
- TiyungPrisoner targeted for assassination; survives when Ailor substitutes himself; grieves and steels himself.
- AilorRevealed father of Mikail; switches collars, is taken and killed in Tiyung’s place; sacrifices himself.
- AssassinsUnknown killers sent to execute Tiyung; mistake Ailor for him and depart.
- HanaAbsent ally referenced; previously bought Tiyung time from execution.
- MikailAilor’s son, invoked in Ailor’s final message of love.