I breathed heavily and rolled my eyes.

You never fail to badmouth Lucian even when

I couldn't continue speaking.

Because Kuhn's body was covered with red moss.

This was due to the strong scent of roses on him.

are you okay?

I'm not okay.

Earlier, you said you'll be okay because you're resistant to it!

He replied.

I'm doing better than any ordinary person would. Thisispoison we're talking about. You see this lump on my skin?!

The skin that is covered by the red moss had become dark as if it were rotting. Such a sight was unfamiliar to me, who is ignorant of such things.

Stay still. I'll wipe some off.

Kuhn avoided my touch.

Don't touch me! I didn't build up my resistance for nothing!

Kuhn shook off the moss with his own hand and said.

Don't get too close to me. It'll be annoying if you get moss on you.

But

If this has touched your heart, put your worries aside and go on a date with me. That's what I was aiming for.

He looked like he was joking as he said those detestable words. But this situation is no joking matter.

Kuhn's face was much paler than before.

Kuhn continued to chatter endlessly.

As if he was trying to stay sane. As if he's trying to comfort me by claiming that he's okay.

He continuously refused my assistance as we continued walking.

Even he was clearly not feeling good.

When we arrived at the castle, he eventually collapsed.

On our way back to the castle, Kuhn told me.

[When we get back to the castle, ask Baroness Alicia for this medicine called Madecassol. It detoxifies poison instantly.]

He seemed to have told me in advance in case he lost consciousness.

Baroness Alicia quickly sought for the medicine and entrusted the treatment to a doctor who rushed in.

The toxicity has subsided a lot thanks to his resistance and the antidote. He might have a fever for a day or two, but he's not in serious condition, so don't worry.

I was relieved to hear those words.

As the doctor said, Kuhn had a severe fever.

Baroness Alicia said with a worried face.

You must have been surprised by the incident, so please rest. I'll stay here and take care of Lord Kuhn.

No, this happened because he was helping me. I ought to be the one taking care of him.

It was natural to do this for someone who helped me.

I brought a chair next to Kuhn lying in bed and sat down. Kuhn opened his eyes when I put a cool, wet towel on his forehead.

Wow, are you nursing me?

I'm not so rude to abandon the person who saved me.

I see. So it was worth it to help someone who rejected me.

Kuhn laughed.

Because I had been wiping his face with a wet towel, his makeup was washed away and his innocent face appeared.

'With this face, you would never imagine him to be such a selfish and mischievous person.'

I quickly wet the hot towel again and said.

Thank you so much for today. Thanks to you, I came out alive with no injuries.

I have no intention of dating you, so I'll make sure to repay you with something else.

That made Kuhn burst into laughter.

Bang, and the door opened.

It was Lucian who appeared through the open door.

Surprised by his sudden appearance, I opened my eyes wide.

Lu

But I couldn't finish calling his name.

Because Lucian pulled me by my hand out of the room.

I was flabbergasted because Lucian had never acted so coercively.

It hurts, Lucian.

.

You're hurting me!

But Lucian held my hand tighter, instead of loosening it, and said.

Why were you with Kuhn?!

Only then did I realize why he was angry.

I explained calmly.

Lucian. There must have been a misunderstanding, but nothing bad happened. I was with Kuhn because I needed someone to guide me through the forest behind the castle, and Kuhn saved me when I was in danger. That's all.

But Lucian didn't calm down at all.

That's not important.

Kuhn was alone with you. And I can't let that go.

His red eyes, filled with hostility, were twitching as if he was going to kill Kuhn at any moment.

Lucian refused to admit it, but he knew he was secretly jealous.

I thought that was the reason for his reaction.

But

As expected, I should kill him.

I flinched at what he murmured.

'What did Lucian just say?'

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I don't think I heard it wrong.

My face looked confused as Lucian pulled my hand again.

First, let's leave.

What do you mean?

I thought you'd only be with me if you came here. But I was wrong. You still talked to other people, found ways to do your work, and even stayed with another man.

I can't have that anymore. From now on, stay with me. Don't leave me for a minute or even a second.

Only then did I realize that something was wrong.

'What is this man saying?'

I had this thought when I was forced to go to the war zone due to the emperor's blackmail.

'Couldn't he push back his feelings about me and go alone?'

But I tried hard to hide these feelings deep inside.

Because I understood his desire to be with me all the time since he loved me so much. No- Itriedto understand.

But not now.

This went over the line.

I spoke in an angry voice toward Lucian.

Did you bring me all the way here with that in mind?

What?

Did you make this choice to not help with the rebellion because you wanted me to only be with you, throwing away all the work I had done in the capital?

Lucian did not answer. This reaction made me more angry.

I spoke in a trembling voice.

I followed you all the way here because it was hard for you to be away from me! Because I was worried that you might not be able to do your job properly and that you might lose everything you've worked hard on!! . I wouldn't have come this far if I had known it was all because of this selfish and childish possessiveness you have.

Lucian's eyes shook. He held my hands with a mournful face.

It's not like that, Nia. It's just that I love you. Believe me.

His desperate plea moved my heart. But I had to say what I had to say.

That's why it's weird.

We're just dating. It's normal for you to do your job, I do mine, and we can love each other all the while.

Lucian stopped breathing. My heart was not prepared to see his face hardened with anguish.

It was painful to see him hurt. I felt bad for criticizing his love.

But I didn't want this kind of love.

I think we should not see each other for a while.

Lucian looked like a child abandoned by his mother.

He shook his head with a pale face.

N-no.

If we stay together like this, we'll only argue and fight.

Nia!

I looked at Lucian with cold eyes.

If you respect my will, don't follow me.

Those words bounded him like a magical spell.

Lucian couldn't defy me words and froze.

I bit my lips and passed Lucian.

I was so angry that I felt betrayed by him.

* * *

My heart was all mixed up.

It was hard to be near Lucian with this jumbled up ball of feelings.

I needed time to quietly organize my distorted feelings.

'I'll feel better if I return to the capital.'

I tried to tell Lucian to get a carriage for me to return, but it was impossible.

Because I couldn't bear to look at him ever since then.

You said this is the third day we'll be fighting the rebels?

Baron Alicia nodded.

Yes. Previously, Lord Kardien had always carefully chosen when to go into battle. If we just charge into battle, our allies will suffer many losses. We only attacked when our success rate was high, taking in account of the terrain and weather. But since a few days ago, he has been actively attacking the rebels without caring about those things.

Baron Alicia continued, not hiding his respect for Lucian.

When Lord Kardien puts his mind to it, those rebels will be dead in no time. So please wait a little bit. Lord Kadien will surely come back with news of our victory.

But I had no intention of waiting for him here calmly.

I went to find Baroness Alicia.

She spoke with a troubled face when I asked her to lend me a carriage.

May I ask why are you in such a hurry when the war is about to end? Did we perhaps make you uncomfortable? We'll serve you with more care, so please rest assured.

Oh, your hospitality couldn't be any better. I'm going back not because I'm uncomfortable living here. It's for other reasons. So please let me borrow your carriage.

. I'm sorry.

I furrowed my eyebrows at the sight of her bowing her head with a puzzled face.

Did Lucian tell you not to give me a carriage?

The baroness could not deny that she was not, and only fidgeted her finger.

Seeing this, I let out a deep sigh.

No matter how much she likes me, she valued Lucian's words more than my words.

I turned around without asking her any more.

'The baroness will only get in more trouble if I keep asking. I won't get anything from this.'

So it would be better to find another way than to cling to her.

'But what else can I do?'

I could tell just by looking at the baroness' reaction.

Lucian didn't want me to head to the capital alone.