The Impact of the Author’s Intervention on a Blank Page - Chapter 60

[Of course, it’s not yet perfected so the success rate isn’t 100%. But there’s a world of difference between a low probability due to imperfection and impossibility.]

His fully grown but still young brother’s breath was hot, and his wheezing breaths were faster than usual. His occasional waking to speak deliriously must also be because death was near. A black reaper stood at the head of the bed, scythe in hand. It wouldn’t be strange if he quietly drew his last breath right now, as if falling into a peaceful sleep.

If he were to succumb to his illness now, closing his eyes forever and ceasing to breathe…

All his efforts to bring him here and tenderly care for him, extending his life, would have been in vain.

‘Brother…’

So… if this child was dying, he would have to split open his chest before death claimed him. He would have to grasp that heart, hotter than his fever.

Like an afterimage, his voice lingered in his ears—repeatedly confessing his love and affection even while deliriously feverish.

He knew Raijin loved him, but it didn’t surprise him.

It was only natural that he would come to love only his brother, having been made to live a life where he couldn’t meet anyone else, couldn’t form attachments to anything, could only live on his bed and wait desperately for his sibling.

The Grand Duke undid the buttons and placed his hand on the thin chest’s skin. Even lost in unconsciousness from pain, he would eventually open his eyes when cold metal touched his skin and blood began to bead. Then he could whisper, asking if he didn’t trust his brother. That there was nothing to worry about. That it would hurt, but to endure it just a little.

To let him have his heart.

Raijin would quietly surrender his body even to such an act by his brother. Though his expression might show confusion and pain, he would die without resistance.

[You must feed him this medicine and extract the heart while he’s still alive, before death comes.]

He broke the seal of the vial in his hand and held the liquid in his mouth. The black, viscous liquid tasted so bitter and revolting it numbed his tongue.

The Grand Duke rose from his chair, bent over his sleeping brother, and cradled his head in his hand. Holding his limp, thin body felt like embracing a bundle of straw.

He lowered his head, bringing his lips close to Raijin’s. Raijin’s lips, exhaling feverish breaths, were hotter than before due to his rising temperature.

He pressed his lips firmly against Raijin’s and let the medicine he held flow into the parted mouth. He pressed his tongue against Raijin’s to make the liquid flow past his throat.

“Hnng, ugh…”

Even unconscious, a moan escaped his throat as the bitter medicine entered his mouth and his tongue was pressed down. His thin, limp hands flailed and grasped his brother’s back. His fingers crumpled the clothing between them.

Raijin’s furrowed eyes trembled before opening slightly to reveal his pupils. His wet, hazy eyes showed no focus. It seemed his consciousness had been forcefully dragged up.

As soon as his eyes focused, his narrowed gaze curved. He seemed to recognize who was invading his mouth and forcing him to drink something. Appearing relieved, he closed his eyes again and obediently swallowed the liquid his brother fed him, despite his struggle. Only small, wet swallowing sounds filled the quiet room.

Since much of the medicine remained in the vial, he repeated this act for over ten minutes until the bottle was empty.

***

Perhaps because it was an illness caused by the penalty, sensations throughout his body ran wild. He felt both cold and hot, while simultaneously feeling submerged in water.

Ja-hyun opened his eyes, blinking. Bubbles of air released from his mouth clustered together and broke apart as they rose upward in groups. As he lifted his head to follow them, white sunlight shattered on the water’s surface above. But the shallow light couldn’t reach the deep, dark waters where he was, and gradually faded away.

Ja-hyun was aware that this wasn’t reality. Whether it was a dream or his mind creating its own mental landscape, he wasn’t sure, but he knew that much.