Chapter 186
“So the trial is being skipped?”
“No. It’s proceeding as scheduled. Tomorrow they’ll call witnesses regarding the slave auction case.”
Tomorrow?
I reflexively looked at Luwen. I didn’t want to leave him in this state, but the more charges recognized against the First Prince, the higher the chance he would be expelled from the Empire, so it seemed better to attend the trial.
“Fei, you don’t have to go.”
“…Huh? Why not?”
I turned my head toward my sister and asked. It was fascinating how she had been reading my thoughts since earlier. I’m not the type of person who shows my feelings so obviously.
“Rona submitted a detailed report on the situation at that time. She also said she could testify to the same content in court.”
Her tone conveyed subtle favor, as if she liked Rona. While I was thinking I should casually ask her if she’d consider becoming my sister’s personal physician before the trial ended, my sister continued.
“Also, Honorary Duke Cromwell has agreed to stand as a witness. He seems to have heard that Luwen was summoned to the Imperial Palace this time.”
Certainly, with those two standing as witnesses, there seemed no need for me to appear as well. I just felt guilty about stepping away from something I had caused.
“Still, I feel bad about being the only one absent.”
“That bastard drugged you, right? Take you to see someone like that? Absolutely not.”
Her firm eyes, brooking no argument, were clouded with contempt.
I quietly turned my gaze away. Since I had intentionally not mentioned that part, I was afraid I might get scolded for not explaining in detail…
“And Fei, you’ve just woken up. Who would say anything if you couldn’t attend the trial because you haven’t recovered?”
Is she just letting it go that I didn’t tell her? I rolled my eyes, trying to gauge her reaction. My sister gave me a brief glare, but fortunately, that seemed to be the end of it.
“You don’t need to be so cautious. Just don’t hide things like that in the future. That’s how I can protect you.”
“I didn’t want you to worry…”
“I know. Why wouldn’t I understand? But try to understand my feelings too.”
My sister gripped my hand tightly. Her fingers, slightly roughened from years of holding a sword, caressed the back of my hand.
“You’re my only family.”
“…And you’re mine too.”
“So don’t hide things from me.”
“Okay. And you tell me whenever you need me too.”
“I will.”
We smiled at each other. My sister stroked the back of my hand a couple more times before letting go.
“Now rest. I’ll come back later.”
“You’re busy. You don’t have to come.”
“I got an extended leave, so I’m not busy at all. See you later.”
My sister smiled brightly as she walked away. I saw her to the door before returning to my original position.
‘I wish he would wake up soon…’
I sat quietly beside the silent Luwen, gazing at him before stroking his cheek. At that moment, I felt a strange dissonance in my hand. Though fleeting, the sensation was vivid. It felt like I had let go of something I had been holding.
“Ugh, urgh…”
Before I could deeply consider what it was, I instinctively jumped up at the faint groan I heard.
“Luwen?”
“Y-young, urgh, Young Mas…ter…”
“I’m here! Luwen!”
I called out urgently and placed my hand on his neck. His pulse was rapid. His body temperature also seemed lower than before. I was afraid it might be a sign that his condition was worsening.
‘What should I do? Should I call Master?’
I knew nothing about auras. Not only was this content not in the original story, but related literature was also uncommon—I had read quite a few books but had never come across anything on the subject.
Rather than making a hasty judgment myself, it seemed better to call Master, so I rang the bell.
A waiting servant hurriedly entered. While I was shouting at him to quickly bring Master, Luwen clawed at his chest.
“Luwen!”
After confirming the servant had run out, I checked Luwen’s condition again. He had scratched so hard that his clothes were torn. He clawed at his chest once more. His raised fingernails left scratches on his chest muscles.
“Luwen! Wake up!”
Afraid he would hurt himself again, I quickly grabbed his wrist. But he was so strong that I couldn’t possibly restrain his thrashing body. I grabbed him with both hands and struggled, but was struck by his flailing arm and fell backward.
Crash!
“Ah!”
Ignoring the throbbing pain, I grabbed Luwen again. Watching him continuously injure himself suddenly made me want to cry.
“Why are you doing this all of a sudden! Luwen!”
No matter how I shouted, he didn’t respond to my voice. He only suffered with a deeply furrowed face, as if in great pain. Between his occasional groans, I could hear him calling my name. Each time, my heart tightened.
“What’s happening here!”
Master arrived just in time.
“Master! Luwen is suddenly having convulsions!”
Though it had been only a few days since I’d seen him, Master’s wrinkles seemed to have deepened. He approached with a seriously furrowed face.
‘Is it that serious?’
Had Master ever frowned like that when examining a patient? Except for when he yelled at me for making mistakes, he had never made such an expression. Seeing his unfavorable face made it hard to breathe.
Master quickly checked Luwen’s condition. I gripped my pounding heart and waited for Master to speak.
“…Hmph.”
“W-what is it? What’s wrong?”
“He’s perfectly fine.”
“His temperature has dropped, and his pulse is rapid. How can you say he’s fine when he’s thrashing like this?”
Master clicked his tongue and gave me a light knock on the forehead.
“He must be having a nightmare! More importantly, you’re the problem. With your complexion like that, how can you think of taking care of a patient by staying here!”
“…What?”
“You ignorant disciple. I’m saying you should worry more about your own body than this sturdy fellow who has nothing good about him except his strength.”
“B-but Luwen…”
“On the contrary, it’s a good sign. Seeing him thrash about like this after not moving a finger until now means he’ll wake up soon.”
My mind was put at ease by the unexpectedly positive answer. As I exhaled in relief, my head suddenly spun. When I staggered from dizziness, Master quickly caught me.
“Tsk, tsk. I knew this would happen. You there, take the Young Master to his room.”
“I want to stay here—”
“Shh!”
I shut my mouth at the fierce glare. Master nodded to the servant, who cautiously approached me.
“Stay in bed quietly until I come. Otherwise, I’ll put you to sleep and take this fellow away.”
“Ugh. Understood. But I’ll stay in the adjacent room…”
He didn’t say whether this was acceptable. It was harsh treatment, but I couldn’t dare defy Master, so I moved with heavy steps, shoulders drooping. However, as I was about to leave the room, my feet simply wouldn’t move, and I hesitated in front of the door.
“Aren’t you going!”
Startled by Master’s shout, I hurriedly walked away as if escaping.
‘But he did say he’ll wake up soon…’
Trusting Master’s diagnosis, I lay down on the bed obediently. Only then did I realize how much I had overexerted myself. My consciousness wavered. I lost consciousness thinking that when I woke up again, I hoped to meet Luwen’s eyes.
* * *
Luwen was running endlessly.
“Huff, huff, huff!”
Splash, splash, splash!
The viscous liquid reaching up to his knees clung to his legs. When he looked back, the scenery he had seen just moments ago had disappeared as if it were a lie, covered in darkness.
“Luwen!”
Luwen stopped at the voice calling him. He wanted to look toward the voice but also wanted to avoid it. However, he had to check. This time it might really be the Young Master.
‘How many times has this been?’
He felt as if he had fallen into an unknown trap. He didn’t know who had done this or with what intention, but it was extremely vile.
“What’s wrong? Can’t you hear my voice?”
Even if it was a trap, he had to look back. He had to confirm, even if it meant seeing that horrific scene again. As long as there was even the slightest chance it was his lover, the person he loved, there was no choice.
‘I know it won’t be… but still.’
Just before the building collapsed, he had wrapped his entire body around Fei. He had felt relief when he confirmed that Fei was completely in his arms.
But beneath the falling space, he saw a broken pillar. It was too late to change direction, but if they had fallen straight down, Fei would have been impaled. With the sole thought of saving him, Luwen did something.
He couldn’t tell exactly what he had done. He only had the sensation of using his innate power, like when wielding sword energy. He saw a familiar light spread out, and the wooden pillar that was about to pierce Fei shattered into dust. Immediately after, extreme pain came, and he lost consciousness.
When he opened his eyes, he was trapped in this pitch-black space. Since then, unending nightmares had engulfed him.
“When will you call me by my name?”
Much smaller and frailer than the Fei he knew. The coquettish voice that seemed to be wheedling was unfamiliar, but the look in the eyes was familiar.
“I want to date Luwen officially.”
“…”
“We’ve done everything, so why can’t we be lovers? My sister even gave her permission!”
From the context, he understood the situation, but it was something Luwen had never experienced. In other words, this wasn’t his Fei.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
