Chapter 213
The elderly doctor delivered her verdict.
“You two overdid it. Pushing your body too hard all at once can take a real toll.”
“Is it normal for a simple fever to get this high?”
“If someone’s delicate, it can happen. Judging by the look of her, your bride’s been raised like a princess. Don’t let yourself get carried away just because you’re happy—try to be a little more gentle with her.”
“…Understood.”
Payne was shocked.
He couldn’t believe it—Ashtel had really come down with a fever from having too much… energetic s*x.
For Payne, who’d only ever been with Ashtel, a former succubus, this was a painful reminder of human limitations.
‘I should’ve held back.’
He blamed his own lack of restraint, but what hurt more than giving in to lust (one of the seven deadly sins) was the fact that Ashtel was suffering because of a single, careless mistake.
“Ashtel, can you sit up for a moment?”
“Mmm…”
The cottage felt all the more silent now that the doctor had left, save for Ashtel’s ragged breathing that only made Payne more anxious.
He gently lifted her head to help her take the medicine, but seeing that she was still half-conscious made his heart sink.
‘This is my fault.’
Ashtel had never even had a cold before. For her to be this out of it was serious.
He suddenly remembered how she’d pleaded for him to stop, over and over again, in the middle of the night. Guilt struck his heart.
He’d let his desire blind him and ended up hurting the person most precious to him.
‘…What if she hates me now?’
A vague dread crept over him. Maybe back when she’d been a demon, wild passion had been a joy, but now Ashtel was human. She might have hated how overwhelming it was—and she might hate him for it, too.
‘There’s nothing I can do. If Ashtel really feels that way, I’ll have to accept it. It’s my fault, even if it was because of the heat.’
While he was wallowing in guilt, Ashtel’s eyelids began to flutter. As her consciousness returned, Payne quickly brought the medicine to her lips.
“Ashtel, are you alright? Are you with me?”
“…Payne.”
“Drink this.”
“Mm.”
Even though she was barely awake, Ashtel obediently swallowed the medicine he gave her, then let out a faint sigh.
“My head hurts.”
“Would you like a cold towel for your forehead?”
“…Will that help?”
It occurred to Payne that this was probably the first time Ashtel had ever been sick. He hesitated, then nodded.
“It should help a little. It’ll cool you down, at least for now.”
He wrung out a towel and laid it gently on her forehead.
She whimpered softly, then reached up, fumbling until her hand landed on Payne’s chest.
“…What are you doing?”
“My head’s spinning.”
“Then why are you touching my chest?”
“I need Payne’s healing…”
Payne hesitated, then took her hand and infused it with a little divine power. He hadn’t prayed much since leaving Medialle, but he could at least give her some of his strength.
As the divine energy flowed into her, Ashtel’s eyes widened in wonder and she looked up at him.
“Wow, is this the power of Katzel?”
“Yes. It’s the divine power of an honest and fair god.”
“That’s amazing. Humans get to have things like this…”
“You had magic, didn’t you?”
“Well, that’s true, but… ugh…”
The moment the divine energy faded, her dizziness returned. Ashtel lay back, limp as a wet rag. When Payne started to leave the room, she called out urgently.
“Payne, where are you going?”
“I’m going to make you some porridge.”
“Can’t you make it here?”
“I have to use the stove—it’s in the kitchen.”
“…Mmm…”
It was her first time ever being sick, and Ashtel simply couldn’t endure it without a bit of whining.
As chills set in, her head felt heavy and her vision blurred. And now, even Payne was about to leave her side.
Blinking in a daze, Ashtel’s eyes suddenly filled with tears.
“Ashtel!”
“Pa-Payne…”
“Are you in more pain? Is your fever worse?”
Payne anxiously felt her neck and forehead, but Ashtel shook her head, clutching at his sleeve.
“Can’t you just stay with me?”
“…You want me here?”
“Mm.”
Did he really have to ask? Ashtel pouted and tugged him closer.
“I feel safer when you’re here.”
Her dark eyes, deep as the universe, blinked a couple of times before she looked up at him with soft affection.
“If that’s what you want.”
He’d been so afraid she’d hate him…
But maybe he’d worried for nothing.
Payne gently brushed Ashtel’s cheek, then, when she drifted off again, held her hand in his until she slept peacefully.
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