Chapter 152
Rona knows that I intentionally got captured yesterday. I didn’t want Luwen to hear that conversation in case she might mention it.
‘I do need to sound out Duke Cromwell’s intentions anyway.’
Even if Linder returns, both his position and rank would change. If the Second Prince moves directly, that’s different, but that would take two months round trip, which is too late. Since going to the Imperial City with Cromwell would be the fastest and most certain way, I needed to talk with him.
* * *
Since Rona agreed to come along more readily than expected, I had a lot of time left.
‘Of course. You deliberately got captured for the future of the Empire, young lord. Honestly, it’s a distant matter for a commoner like me, but I don’t even want to imagine what would have happened by now if you hadn’t made that decision.’
She smiled bitterly. Perhaps she was disappointed in the royal family.
‘So to repay your kindness, I’ll be the witness you want.’
I thanked her sincerely. Blushing and waving her hands dismissively, she looked innocent. I also told her that when we go to the capital, we would stay together at the Duke’s residence.
‘It would be better to introduce her to my sister first, then have her meet the Master before proposing the physician position.’
Anyone can see that Irene is an impressive person. If Rona sees my sister in person, she’ll be completely captivated. Then if I tempt her with the opportunity to learn from the Master, an authority in medicine, she’ll be easier to sway. Once I see signs of her wavering, I plan to show her the Duke’s territory.
‘If I tell her it’s a good place to live and offer to relocate the people from her hometown, she might come over.’
Watching her being shy without knowing my dark intentions made me feel a bit conflicted. I sent her out, promising myself that if she really decided to stay with the goal of becoming my sister’s physician, I would support her in every way.
Left alone, I was sitting blankly in a chair, holding my throbbing head when I heard a knock at the door.
It was Linder.
“Come in.”
Unlike his usual slick demeanor, Linder appeared with a tense face. He seemed to have received a report about what happened last night.
“What about Adrian?”
“He was safely handed over.”
“Good. Now explain.”
Linder moistened his lips once with his tongue before beginning his explanation.
It was indeed his subordinate who kidnapped me. However, they weren’t alone, and despite noticing they were being followed, they had no choice. In fact, they moved quickly to prevent those with them from noticing my friends.
‘No wonder they used so much of the drug.’
Afterward, to prevent possible threats, they secretly assigned guards to my friends, which enabled them to detect Duke Cromwell’s knights’ movements. Judging that my rescue was assured, they decided it was better not to intervene.
“After observing the situation until the end, some were mistaken for being part of the group and are currently detained by Cromwell’s knights. That is all.”
It wasn’t intentional; they seemed to have made what they considered efficient choices. The problem was that they didn’t anticipate my friends running straight to Luwen to report the kidnapping, but even if they had known, what could they have done? If they had confined my friends somewhere, they would have faced my wrath.
“Let the detained people be escorted to the Imperial City. His Highness the Second Prince will resolve this matter.”
“Yes, understood.”
“And the two people who were kidnapped along with Rona will return home. Take responsibility for escorting them back, and secretly protect my friends until I say it’s okay.”
The First Prince probably wouldn’t seek revenge against them, but to be safe, it seemed reassuring to take precautions. After Linder agreed and left, I was alone again.
‘My head is killing me…’
As I was leaving the office, thinking about taking some medicine, I ran into Luwen.
“I’m back.”
“Good work. What did the Honorary Duke say?”
“He says he anticipates your business. He asked me to relay that he plans to escort First Prince His Highness to the Imperial City.”
Things were working out smoothly on that front too. Except for my relationship with Luwen, everything was going as I wanted. Now there’s no reason to stay here any longer, especially since my identity has been mostly exposed.
“Alright. Let’s prepare to return.”
There was much to prepare before the knight examination at the Imperial Palace. There was no need to linger here, so I decided to return to the Duke’s residence immediately.
I stopped walking and looked at the scenery outside the window. Though my academy life didn’t go entirely according to my initial plan, I made friends and gained important achievements, so it wasn’t bad.
‘The most unexpected thing was the change in my feelings.’
But that’s the most precious. The bright and positive thing I discovered within myself. Though sometimes sad and upsetting, it was a feeling I wanted to cherish.
* * *
It was about ten days after leaving the mansion. It started snowing in the morning and showed no signs of stopping all day. The steadily accumulating snow eventually hindered the carriage.
It’s been two days since we became stuck due to the snow. I seemed to be holding up well until I finally caught a cold. The cursed snow was still pouring diligently today. I worry we might freeze to death here.
“Cough, cough cough.”
Buried deep in blankets, I hugged my shivering body. I sent away the soup because my stomach felt bad, and Luwen left with a gloomy face and hasn’t returned.
I wiped the frost on the window and looked outside. Everything was white.
I stared blankly at the footprints on the ground, then closed my eyes due to dizziness. Perhaps because I had been severely ill on a snowy day long ago, Luwen’s expression hadn’t relaxed at all. I should get better quickly for his sake, but this annual event never passes by without incident.
Creak-
With the sound of the carriage door opening, cold wind rushed in. Luwen had returned. As I curled up while coughing, he handed me a hot water bottle.
“I’ll reheat the cooled one. And Rona has brewed some herbal water. Can you drink this?”
I was drooping from lack of energy. All I wanted was to lie on a soft bed.
“Please try to drink even just a sip.”
Luwen brought a spoonful of herbal water to my lips. Smelling it, I could tell it had sleep-inducing, fever-reducing, and pain-relieving effects. Despite feeling terrible, I thought it would be better to drink this, so I took a sip. He sighed with relief.
‘I can’t even tell what it tastes like.’
It should be extremely bitter, but I couldn’t even taste the bitterness. Because of that, it felt like I was just drinking hot water, so I took the teacup in my hand.
“Pour me more. I’ll drink more.”
“Yes!”
Luwen, suddenly brightened, carefully tilted the teapot. Is he that happy?
‘Well… I’m happy too.’
I liked seeing Luwen sticking close to me and fretting. He kept watching me as if I might somehow deteriorate if he took his eyes off me even for a moment. It was truly devoted care.
“I finished it.”
“Well done.”
Luwen took the cup while praising me.
“We can’t stay stranded here forever, so we plan to move little by little by melting the snow. Please hold on a bit longer.”
“Mmm.”
As I nodded and closed my eyes, Luwen helped me lie down. Fortunately, the carriage prepared by my sister for my journey had space to stretch my legs and lie comfortably.
Pat, pat.
“I will protect you.”
I drifted off to sleep, feeling the gentle pats and hearing his whispering voice.
I woke up at dawn. I was cradled in Luwen’s arms. I looked at his face while listening to his steady breathing.
‘He looks tired.’
I felt bad seeing how he had suffered because of me. Yet I found Luwen, who was so devoted to me, lovable.
‘It would be nice if feelings could be simpler.’
Ruminating on these conflicting emotions—uncomfortable yet pleasant—I burrowed deeper into Luwen’s embrace. Perhaps sensing my movement in his sleep, he held me tighter.
Is my fever due to illness, or because I’m in his arms? I don’t know, but what I’m doing now is clearly due to the fever.
I carefully pressed my lips against sleeping Luwen’s lips. His slightly cold lips were infinitely soft. Probably my side felt hot, making his seem cold. It felt like the temperature of our current emotions.
Just as I was pulling away from the gently touched lips, suddenly my head was seized, and our lips met again. Surprised, I opened my eyes wide.
‘Is Luwen awake? But why is he kissing me…’
Luwen had his eyes half-open. I couldn’t tell if he was fully awake or still drowsy. Meanwhile, his tongue pushed between my lips. When I reflexively parted my lips, his soft tongue entered as if it had been waiting.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
