I seized the moment and urgently shouted toward the rescue soldier.
“Request support from the Mage Tower immediately! I don’t care what reward it takes. Prioritize his rescue over mine. He is—”
Smack.
Edmund suddenly grabbed my wrist.
Then, with his other hand, he gently cupped my cheek and turned my face. As our eyes met, filled with confusion, he slowly shook his head.
As if telling me not to speak.
“You need to leave here first. Then I’ll follow.”
“…Why do you keep trying to send me away? This is my territory and my cave. If someone has to leave, it should be you.”
He let out a dry chuckle as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“Are you seriously claiming ownership in this situation?”
“Of course. Even the rock that crushed your leg is mine. So don’t tell me to leave you behind just because I own this place.”
The faint smile on his lips disappeared. His expression turned serious as he blinked.
“No, you have to leave. You…”
He trailed off, his eyebrows twitching, his gaze lowering. His jaw clenched as his muscles tensed.
A moment later, with a pained expression, he forced out his words.
“You’re just a burden. You’re useless here, so get out.”
I closed my mouth and stared at him in silence.
What he said was true.
Having one more rescuer inside would be better for him than me being here. I had no physical abilities to help.
But I knew his harsh words weren’t for his sake—they were for mine.
If he told me to leave for my safety, he knew I would insist on staying.
How could I be so sure? Because his eyes said it all. The man who threw himself in harm’s way for me wouldn’t say such cruel things without reason.
I felt a surge of emotion rise within me.
He had gotten trapped under a rock while saving me, yet he still put me first, forcing out painful words to push me away.
Why did he always make me feel guilty? Did he think a single cold remark would erase my remorse and sorrow? It only made them heavier.
But I couldn’t insult his consideration. I bit my lip hard enough to turn it pale, glaring at him with resentment. A sharp sting followed, and the metallic taste of blood spread in my mouth.
His golden eyes twisted at the sight of my bleeding lip.
“Don’t do that.”
He reached out, pressing my lower jaw to release my lip from my teeth.
“It hurts, doesn’t it?”
His voice was hoarse, tinged with sorrow.
Who was really hurting here? I wanted to argue but swallowed the words and pushed myself up against the rocky wall. Wasting more time wouldn’t help anyone.
“Fine. I’ll go. Like you said, I’m only a burden.”
“Good.”
Don’t look so relieved. It’s annoying.
I swallowed those words too and took a deep breath before continuing.
“But once I leave, the rescue team will come. Until then…”
My throat tightened, and my voice trembled. I almost bit my lip again but stopped, remembering his touch.
“Don’t lose consciousness.”
With that, I forced myself to climb over the stacked rocks in a low crawl, grasping the rescuer’s outstretched hand.
A heavy, dull pain shot through my arm as I was pulled through the narrow passage.
“My Lady!”
Baron Totair, who was usually composed and indifferent, rushed forward with the other leaders, their faces pale with worry.
“Are you alright, My Lady?”
“Just a few scrapes. I’m fine.”
My legs gave out, leaving me as limp as a soaked rag. Baron Totair caught me and moved me to a safer place.
Under the shade of an elm tree, I finally caught my breath.
A soldier who seemed to be in charge approached anxiously.
“We need to request support from the Mage Tower through the communication channel. No matter the cost.”
“But a second collapse could occur. The Mage Tower might refuse.”
“I understand. Moving the rocks could trigger another collapse. But should we abandon someone just because of what ‘might’ happen?”
“To be honest, the soldiers are hesitant to go in…”
The soldier looked down in discomfort.
I knew. I knew it was hypocritical to demand action when I couldn’t take it myself.
But…
“It’s dark in there.”
“Pardon?”
I slowly lowered my head, covering my eyes with my hand.
It’s dark in there. The only light comes from a tiny crack in the rocks.
That place is filled with everything that could trigger his trauma.
I swallowed my unsaid words and closed my wet eyes. My eyelids trembled.
I was furious at myself for being powerless. And I was angry at Edmund for only thinking of me until the end.
Had he ever prioritized himself? Ever taken care of himself?
Of course not. He saw wounds as weaknesses.
His entire life, his priorities had been his family, Lilien, and his past debts.
Thinking of his burdens made my chest ache.
But now wasn’t the time for sentimentality.
I steadied my breath and looked up at the soldier.
“Even if they refuse, request support from the Mage Tower. Tell them Duke Edmund Mipedian is in danger. They will come. And they need to use something faster than a portal.”
“Wait… Who did you say he is?”
Baron Totair and the soldier’s eyes widened in shock.
Explanations could come later.
Right now, I had to get him out of that darkness.
Not just for him—but for myself. Because leaving him alone in that suffocating darkness felt like it was crushing my own breath.
“I’ll say it again—no matter the cost. And Baron Totair, if he isn’t rescued, there will be rumors. If word spreads that Duke Mipedian suffered misfortune in Buell Territory, it will harm our land’s reputation. You must do your duty—”
At that moment—
Crash. A few pebbles fell, then—Boom. Boom.
The rocks gave way, sealing the entrance completely.
Gasps and cries of shock erupted around us.
“No…”
I slowly got to my feet, my face pale.
The cave was completely sealed.
Darkness.
Again, darkness. The place where the day inevitably ends.
Edmund drifted through his dream. It was deep, consuming his consciousness.
How long had he been submerged in total darkness?
He blinked awake and realized he must have lost consciousness when the entrance collapsed, hitting his head.
Even with his eyes open, the world was pitch black.
Oxygen was running low, making his mind sluggish. His breaths grew shallow.
His crushed leg was growing cold. His sword’s aura had protected him from external shock, but if this continued, even rescue wouldn’t help.
He let out a dry laugh.
He could escape if he wanted. If he used all his strength, breaking through the rocks would be easy.
But a deep sense of helplessness held him still.
Then—
“Don’t lose consciousness!”
A desperate voice echoed through the darkness.
“I’ll be back soon…! Don’t lose consciousness!”
At first, he didn’t realize whose trembling voice it was.
Etricia Buell.
But as soon as that name came to mind, his eyes widened. At the same time, his fading awareness returned, and it felt like every dead cell in his body came back to life.
He straightened his tilted head and looked straight ahead.
Yes, surely beyond that…
Boom. The rock blocking the entrance began to move.
Without color or brightness, light slowly entered the eyes where the boundary between the pupil and iris had blurred.
Soon, a bright white light poured down on him.
He blinked as his stinging eyes shut and reopened, and the blurry vision became clear.
Two mages were lifting and moving the rock, while two others were reinforcing the cave’s structure.
And standing at the entrance, with light shining behind her, was a woman looking down at him.
Her face was faintly visible in the pale light.
A beautiful face, with eyes red from relief.
Then, her hair—burning red like the dawn—fluttered as she began to run toward him.
