Chapter 73
From then on, Bjorn’s body was in the worst condition it had ever been. Even at the temple, they closely watched his abnormal state. His divine power, influenced by his swamp-like emotions, raged and constantly sought a chance to dominate him. Allen and Todd told him more than a dozen times that his complexion looked bad, yet there was nothing he could do.
To recover, he needed Leila. The comfort and stability he had unconsciously received from her were desperately necessary. If he could see her even briefly, he could endure for several more days. Thinking of the face he missed so much, a sharp pain struck his solar plexus and his eyes reddened.
It was hard to believe that, just a few months ago, he could meet her without any restriction. It was equally hard to accept that now he could not even see her from afar.
He truly was the fool who realized value only after losing it. Now that the affection that had existed like air was gone, he felt he might suffocate and die.
So even if every day ended in vain, he had no choice but to wait for Leila in front of the count’s residence. He did not want to miss even the smallest chance. To hold onto his mind that was collapsing day by day, Bjorn had to go there. He needed to confirm that she, who now felt like a mirage, truly existed in this world.
That day was similar. Arriving late to the count’s residence due to unavoidable Knight Corps duties, Bjorn happened to overhear the guards chatting.
They were talking about the destination of the carriage Leila had taken today and the person she would meet.
“Looks like the eldest miss will finally get married this time. Seeing that she moved back into the main house.”
“So it didn’t work out with that paladin after all? She’s getting older, so if she misses this match she won’t get another chance.”
At the word ‘married’, his mind went blank. He had been off-guard due to the lack of news. He remembered Leila’s final appearance when she told him she was thinking of marriage, and the anxiety he had nurtured in his chest grew enormous.
Knowing it was irrational, he walked toward her appointment place like a madman. And he saw Leila facing an unfamiliar man across the street. In that moment Bjorn realized there was an abyss deeper than the despair he knew.
He watched her hurriedly board the carriage and disappear without even breathing. While foolish thoughts of throwing himself before the moving carriage crossed his mind, fortunately, Leila returned. Yet his heart did not ease at all.
It was because of her noticeably changed appearance and attire. That day, for some reason, Leila was not wearing the glasses she had worn her entire life. Seeing her in a simple dress, light makeup, and beautifully styled hair, Bjorn felt his soul fall into a bottomless pit.
Why she looked different, for what purpose she dressed this way, whether it was all for that man. He wanted to ask each question in detail, yet he had no right to.
Even so, there was one question he could not help asking.
“Are you… going to marry that man?”
The answer that returned was firm.
“I will forget you and live well. So please, you must also live happily.”
Somewhere, thunder roared. It was the sound of Bjorn’s reason shattering. The moment he completely collapsed, his divine power seized his mind as if it had been waiting.
He did not know how he returned to the temple. His memory was gone. He left that place stubbornly for only one reason, in case he might hurt Leila after losing control.
His overworked body and mental shock caused overload. His own divine power overwhelmed him in the end. In faint awareness, he felt his rampaging power being subdued by the other paladins.
The pain burned both mind and body, yet Bjorn thought this was better. It was far more bearable than the pain of Leila leaving him.
If he could endure this hardship and win her back, if that were possible, he could endure even eternity with hope.
But Leila departed forever beyond his reach, and Bjorn, having lost his will, sank into the sea of unconsciousness.
Discussion
0 CommentsReactions
No comments yet.