Chapter 44
“Agh, no. It’s hot! Stop!”
Lea, who had briefly lost consciousness, woke up screaming.
“Huk… hic…”
“Lady Haisley, are you coming to your senses?”
“Ugh… it hurts…”
“There’s painkiller here. Just a moment, I’ll get some water…”
Lea thrashed in pain. But the pain didn’t start from where the arrow had struck, nor from the burn. It came from the ghosts of the past that still haunted her.
Whenever even the slightest pain was triggered, the memories of the torture she endured before death would come flooding back.
“Stop! I was wrong…”
“My lady?”
“Ah—!”
Crimson eyes, colder than midwinter, looked like they could pierce flesh. Lea couldn’t forget the look in his eyes as he watched her in the torture chamber—his expression even more pained than her own.
She had wanted to throw herself at his feet and beg, Please forgive me. I’ll never torment you again.
She had realized too late that she had done it out of love.
Her entire body trembled uncontrollably. As she struggled to stay conscious, Rose grabbed both of her arms and shouted firmly.
“Lady Haisley!”
“…Huh?”
Still unable to open her eyes, Lea’s tears kept streaming down until finally her eyelids lifted.
“Why am I here…”
“Are you feeling a bit more aware now?”
“Mhm…”
“It looked like you were having a nightmare, so I took the liberty of holding your arms. I’m sorry.”
“…It’s all right.”
“Let me help you sit up.”
“Okay…”
Rose skillfully propped Lea up against the headboard of the bed, then brought a glass of water to her lips.
“Drink some water first, then take the painkiller.”
“Got it…”
Though it wasn’t said to be a deep wound, the flesh pierced by metal burned hot. And the burn hadn’t fully healed either, making her condition seem more severe.
Only after swallowing the painkiller did she finally let out a breath. As she slumped, Rose caught her and helped her sit upright again.
“You mustn’t lie down like this. You haven’t eaten anything in two days since you lost consciousness. If your energy drops, that’s dangerous. While you’re awake, you need to eat something.”
“You must have taken care of a sick younger sibling a lot. You’re good at this.”
“…Yes, something like that.”
“Okay, then. I’ll take something easy to swallow, please.”
“Yes, right away. Just a moment.”
With a relieved expression, Rose quickly left the palace. Left alone, Lea shuddered as she recalled Calix’s eyes from her dream.
She must have been mistaken for a moment—thinking that a little help could somehow erase what had happened in the past.
Even if that past was now gone, the dream had judged her, reminding her not to forget her sins.
Hands trembling instinctively, Lea clasped them together and waited for Rose to return.
But someone else arrived before Rose did.
“Pardon my intrusion, Lady Haisley.”
“…Sir Zion?”
“Yes, it’s me.”
Zion entered her palace and looked around the chilly space. No matter how well-guarded the Imperial Palace was, it made no sense that there wasn’t a single knight stationed at her door.
Feeling regretful over her situation, he silently rebuked himself for only now noticing.
“I didn’t see your lady-in-waiting, so please forgive me for entering without permission.”
“Oh, Rose stepped out on an errand. It’s all right. Please, come in.”
Her friendly gesture brought to mind the last time he had been rejected by that same hand.
That was why he had intentionally chosen this moment—when there were no interruptions—to visit her. He believed that if they were alone, she wouldn’t push him away.
“It’s nothing serious, but Her Majesty the Empress has summoned you. I’ve come to escort you.”
After delivering the message, he studied her condition before continuing.
“If you feel it’s still too much, you can refuse. I’ll explain on your behalf.”
“No. Please don’t do that, Sir Zion.”
Lea knew Bianca’s temperament all too well, and she quickly stopped him. If he spoke on her behalf, Bianca might grow suspicious about the nature of their relationship.
Lea couldn’t afford to draw the Empress’s suspicion, not when she hadn’t secured anything yet.
As Zion approached, she reached out and took his hand.
“Don’t refuse my mother’s summons. I…”
Lea had intended to say more, to give a proper warning, but stopped when she felt the grip of his hand tighten around hers.
“I understand what you’re trying to say, Lady Haisley. But above all, your health must come first.”
She understood his concern and why he said that, but she couldn’t stop the strange feeling growing inside her.
Had anyone ever truly cared for her health or safety?
Not even her own mother had spared a thought for her, so why would anyone else?
More than that, hadn’t she been the one to push everyone away all along?
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.