Chapter 135
An emergency was declared at the Blois ducal house. It was not only because Nox had drawn his sword, but also because Sia had taken to her sickbed. Seeing his mate who had just gone through his rut with him suffering like this, Nox could think of nothing else.
“She has such a high fever, and you’re saying there isn’t a proper medicine for it?!”
Holding Sia in his arms as she lay on the bed, Nox shouted at the physician, who could not even lift his head.
“Ugh…”
As Sia, who was close to him, frowned in pain, Nox’s body froze stiff. Her face, burning hot against his palm, left him at a loss.
Beastfolk rarely fell ill from disease. Even if they did, it was brief, unless it was a lingering effect from an injury. He had never seen anyone so sick they could not even stay conscious, nor had he experienced it himself, so he did not know what to do.
He pulled her deeper into his arms, then realized this was not the time to be angry at the physician. There was only one option left.
“Cedric!”
“Yes, Master.”
“I will write a letter. Gather the fastest couriers and send them to the temple.”
“Yes, sir.”
It pained him terribly that he had to be separated from Sia even for a moment to write the letter. As Nox looked at her, now asleep again, with unsteady eyes, the physician spoke cautiously.
“Your Grace, when a fever rises due to external injury, there is an ointment used to lower the temperature around the affected area. Would it not be best to apply that as emergency treatment for now?”
“…Marie.”
Marie, who had been standing by just like Cedric, quickly stepped forward.
“Yes, Master.”
“Use the ointment the physician gives you and apply it yourself.”
“Yes, Master.”
Nox could only move after confirming several times that Marie was listening to the physician’s instructions. He hurried to the study and quickly wrote a request for aid from the temple on the prepared paper.
He wrote that the human had been found, but she was currently suffering from an illness of unknown cause.
He requested that a priest with healing abilities be dispatched immediately. After adding a final plea for them to come as quickly as possible, he sealed the letter.
After stamping it with the ducal seal to indicate urgency, he handed it to Cedric and left the study without hesitation.
He had neither the mind to ask about work nor the desire to see anyone’s face except Sia’s. Anger and resentment that he had thought did not matter surged up all at once.
He wished the entire world would disappear, leaving only him and Sia behind. Then no one would be able to interfere with them.
When he returned to her, he could not calm down as he examined the red heat rash blooming across her fevered skin. He knew that at times like this he needed to steady himself and remain by his female’s side, yet he was so afraid he felt like he might die.
Those who had come to know happiness could not help but become weak when faced with the possibility of losing it.
“Sia, please, please wake up…”
Sia, drenched in sweat, reached out with her eyes still closed, as if she had heard his voice. Nox quickly caught her searching hand and pressed it against his cheek, pleading.
“Please, at least tell me what you want to eat.”
Sia kept vomiting everything she put into her mouth, and it was driving him mad. If there was anything she wanted, he was ready to obtain it no matter what.
Unlike his desperation, Sia, even while feeling like she might die, thought calmly.
Ah, this damn flu. It really hit hard.
* * *
Declan first announced, as Louis had reported, that the human had been found within the Pelles Empire. At the same time, he delivered the condition she had given. Her statement that she would meet only those with the same black hair as hers left everyone bewildered.
Meanwhile, the priest who quickly received Nox’s letter reported the matter to the High Priest, who personally set out for the Blois territory.
The rumor quickly spread beyond the border regions to other countries. James and Aesir, who had secretly been planning a kidnapping, regretted that the human’s existence had been revealed first, but at the same time felt relieved.
“She wants only black hair. How ridiculous.”
Aesir burst into laughter and ran a hand through his black hair.
“I never imagined the human would also have black hair. But of all places, why would she appear in a cat tribe nation where black hair is viewed so negatively?”
At Marcel’s words, Aesir replied, still laughing.
“Perhaps that is exactly why God sent her there.”
“Why would that be?”
“…Hmm, it isn’t a pleasant thought, but if God intended to help the cat tribe, it would make sense.”
“Ah, could it be…”
“Sometimes, the child who has suffered alone is the one that draws the most attention.”
Aesir may have correctly grasped God’s true intention, but he had no intention of changing his plan. Though it was an irreverent thought toward God, he sincerely hoped they would also spare a thought for their other children.
“Still, I meet the human’s condition, so she will forgive the kidnapping. All we have to do is bring her and treat her with the utmost care.”
“We will make sure there are no problems with what you have prepared, Your Excellency.”
“Good. It would be best if Duke Blois does not learn of our existence, so… we will have to make use of something else.”
Aesir ordered his subordinates to manage the cat tribe villagers from Vera whom they had captured. They were the most important pieces in this plan.
“Hm, I hope the promised day comes quickly.”
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