Chapter Sixty-Seven Summary: The Price of Secrets
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
After an unsuccessful attempt at intimacy, Euyn and Mikail lie in tense silence. Mikail asks if she wants to discuss his scars, but Euyn redirects to the real issue: his refusal to share anything about his past. She demands to know why he plans to kill Joon and what he gains from helping her. Mikail deflects, insisting his secrecy protects her from torture. Euyn argues that loyalty is not love, pointing out that she knows nothing about his family or childhood. Mikail counters that she has not been forthcoming about her own past, referencing her hunting in Westward. He snaps that he is giving her the throne of Yusan, and if that is not enough, nothing will be. He dresses and leaves the room without answering a single question.
Key Events
- Euyn fails to become aroused during intimacy with Mikail, a first in their history.
- Euyn confronts Mikail about his persistent secrecy and his motive for assassinating Joon.
- Mikail claims he keeps secrets to protect Euyn and that his loyalty should be sufficient.
- Euyn distinguishes between loyalty and love, stating that risking one’s life is not the same as emotional openness.
- Mikail points out Euyn’s own lack of transparency about her past in Westward.
- Mikail states that giving her the throne of Yusan should prove his commitment.
- Mikail dresses, takes his sword, and leaves the room without answering Euyn’s questions.
Character Development
Euyn shows vulnerability by acknowledging her lack of arousal, which signals the depth of her emotional distress. For the first time, she explicitly names the imbalance in their relationship: she has given herself fully, while Mikail holds back. Her frustration pushes her to demand more than physical loyalty.
Mikail remains guarded but reveals his reasoning: he believes secrecy is a form of protection. His retort about Euyn’s own secrets stings, showing that he feels equally exposed. His final statement—that giving her the throne should be enough—underscores his belief that actions outweigh words, but also his refusal to offer the emotional intimacy Euyn craves.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Love vs. Loyalty – Euyn draws a sharp line between the two. She argues that palace guards risk their lives out of duty or self-interest, not love. Mikail’s willingness to die for her therefore feels hollow if it is not paired with emotional vulnerability.
Secrecy and Trust – Mikail’s secrecy is presented as a survival mechanism. He believes that withholding information protects both himself and Euyn, but Euyn sees it as a barrier to true connection. The chapter questions whether trust can exist without full disclosure.
The Throne as a Bargaining Chip – Mikail offers the throne of Yusan as proof of his devotion. Euyn rejects this, implying that political power cannot substitute for emotional transparency. The throne becomes a symbol of Mikail’s transactional view of love.
Imbalance in Intimacy – Euyn feels she has given herself “body and soul” while Mikail remains inaccessible. Their physical disconnect mirrors the emotional gap between them.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter lays bare the central conflict in Euyn and Mikail’s relationship. It moves the plot beyond action and intrigue into the emotional stakes of the assassination scheme. Euyn’s demand for truth echoes her broader struggle for agency—she is tired of being kept in the dark not just about the plan, but about the man she loves. Mikail’s exit leaves the reader uncertain whether their bond can survive the mission. The argument also foreshadows potential cracks in their alliance that could affect the coup against Joon.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Euyn feel that Mikail’s loyalty is not the same as love?
Euyn explains that loyalty can be bought or commanded, as with palace guards who risk their lives for the throne. Love, in her view, requires emotional vulnerability and shared truth. Mikail offers his life but not his past, which Euyn interprets as a refusal to truly belong to her.
2. What does Mikail mean when he says, “I keep secrets to keep you safe”?
Mikail argues that if he were tortured, he could not reveal what he does not know. By withholding information about his past and his true motives, he ensures that Euyn cannot be coerced into betraying him. He prioritizes operational security over emotional intimacy.
3. How does Mikail’s retort about Euyn’s hunting in Westward change the power dynamic of the argument?
By pointing out that Euyn has also hidden her past, Mikail forces her to confront her own hypocrisy. This momentarily shifts the blame from him to her, suggesting that the imbalance in openness is not one-sided. It complicates the scene from a simple accusation to a mutual failure of trust.