CH 13

The heat from his arms spread throughout my body. My throat was dry, my mouth was also dry, and my head was heavy. Each time, something cool brushed against my forehead. It felt so good that I reached out and grabbed it. I liked the cold, big hand so much that I kept squeezing it and wouldn’t let go.

Even before I came to this slave’s body, my parents had died and I was used to fending for myself. I didn’t think of it as a disadvantage, I just thought that it was just fate, and I lived each day as hard as I could because of it. I was able to survive my life as a slave because the years of my previous life had given me calluses on my body and mind, calluses that were created by trying to overcome the life that I was entrusted to.

But still, I think sometimes I wished when I was sick, I wished for someone to watch over me. To nurse me back to health, praying that I would get better. To wipe away my tears when I cried. So, even in my daze, I was comforted by the warmth I felt next to me. I loved the feel of his hand quietly in mine, and I wrapped my arms around it and squeezed. I wanted to stay like that for as long as I could, to hold on to that feeling of someone watching over me when I was sick. It was so good, I couldn’t stop smiling even though it hurt.

“Seth.”

It was nice to hear that low voice ring with emotion. I wouldn’t mind hurting more if it made me feel this cozy. In my desperation I couldn’t help but say a silly prayer, wishing I could stay sick like this for a long time.

⚘

“Your Majesty, you can’t keep him in the palace any longer. How long are you going to keep him there?”

It was unusual for the empress to come to the emperor’s office during the day, and the emperor sighed, realizing how important she was taking this matter.

“How many days does Shane say he will stay in the palace?”

“Please don’t let him attend any more of the Princess’ Memorial. It’s ridiculous. I’m not going to stand by and watch.”

“Empress. He is the crown prince of the empire.”

“I doubt he deserves that title, Your Majesty. You said he wouldn’t live long, and you’ve seen him, he only looks healthier.”

“You make it sound like you’re hoping for him to die.”

“No your Majesty.”

“Empress, you’re talking too much.”

The empress’s first child, Shane, exploded with power upon birth, which killed two maids and a midwife. If it weren’t for the priest who came to bless him, the empress herself would not have survived.

From then on, she refused to recognize him as her son. She believed that a monster had been born using her body. It was a terrible thing.

“If he has to stay in the palace, at least let him be tied up. You never know when he might explode. We can’t let him roam the palace like this, Your Majesty. What can I do to get you to listen to me?”

“He’s going back to Einfork soon anyway.”

“Of course he will, but right now, at this very moment, he is in the palace, and even if he were away from us, we would not be safe, just look at our princess alone..!”

She choked up, and then cleared her throat.

“Your Majesty,” she said, “I can’t breathe easy for a moment. I can’t even sit still for fear of what other events might occur.”

“I will discuss the matter with the Pope.”

The Empress was normally a cold person, so showing such weakness made the Emperor feel even more that she was vulnerable. It was both endearing and pathetic to see her like this in front of him. He rose from his chair and eventually hugged the Empress.

“He will be leaving soon, don’t be too hard on yourself.”

“Your Majesty… I am afraid.”

The empress leaned further into his chest. The emperor patted his wife, soothing her weakness.

“With his natural strength, he won’t be able to last long.”

The palace physician, and the priests at the temple said the same thing. They said that no human vessel could endure that kind of power. With each passing day, the pain will only increase. Historically, there are records of imperials who have been driven mad and debilitated by the pain alone, and in some cases, have died before reaching adulthood. Dragon blood made imperials strong, but sometimes that strength exceeded human limits. Shane was also such a case.

‘The reason that he was appointed as the crown prince was because he wouldn’t be able to live long enough to enjoy that title.’

That’s what he calculated when he sent him to Einfork when he was only ten years old. That’s also what convinced the Empress. He wouldn’t live long anyway, so let him die as a crown prince.

But he seemed stronger and healthier every year. Each year he must have suffered more, but he didn’t show any signs of it. Instead, a tale of heroism was born in Einfork, and it spread throughout the empire.

‘Was it a miscalculation, or a punishment.’

The Emperor smiled bitterly as he stroked the Empress’s slender back.

“Your Majesty wishes him dead, too.”

The Emperor could not completely deny what the Empress had said.

⚘

“What are you doing here, I don’t remember inviting you.”

The prince smiled coldly. The guest in his office was none other than the crown prince, Shane. He even thought about turning him away, but it wouldn’t be a good look for the crown prince to barge in on him, so he reluctantly let him in.

Shane entered with slow steps. His gaze skimmed over the scenery of the residence. He didn’t do anything, but his slow movements were intimidating enough. The air was tense, like a beast approaching its prey.

“Just tell me what you want.”

Prince Ethan hated that about him. He would make everyone around him nervous just by being there. He had done it ever since he was very young.

BANG!

The door to his office slammed shut as hard as if it had been blown away by the wind. The prince’s relaxed expression broke for a moment, then returned. The two were now alone in the room, facing each other.

They were from the same family, but there was little about them that resembled each other. Not even the color of their hair. Only their golden eyes were a sign that the same imperial blood flowed through them. Their facial features were very different, as were the auras they exuded.

“Ethan kuh Sharkani.”

The dry name came from the crown prince’s mouth. He tried to look relaxed, but the corners of his lips twitched slightly.

He stood up from his desk in his office, unable to move. He breathed heavily as he struggled to lift a finger, and the muscles in his jaw stiffened, not wanting to show it.

“A demon has recently appeared outside of Einfork. Are you aware?”

Three paces away, Shane stopped walking, and he didn’t look like he was exerting himself or concentrating. But he was the only one in the room who could hold the prince down with such force.

“What are you talking about, now?”

He was trying to sound calm, but sinews sprouted on the prince’s forehead.

“Demons may appear in unexpected places in the future… Ethan.”

The crown prince stared straight into the prince’s eyes. As always, his face was so devoid of emotion that it seemed like a mask.

“So?”

Shane took another step toward him. He could see a single bead of sweat slide down the prince’s temple.

“It means that the safety of the empire is at risk. Do you find my words difficult to understand?”

The prince’s body visibly trembled once more.

“So mind your own business, and focus on doing your duty as a prince.”

Shane took a step back as he said that. Each step causes an echo to loudly reverberate on the floor. He had those emotionless, dry eyes swept the prince up and down for a moment. Then he turned and left the room.

Prince Ethan watched his back and clenched his fists tightly. His nails dug in, causing him pain, but it only made him feel stronger. It was clear that he had come because of the events at the Princess’ memorial.

‘I was waiting for you to die!’

He hated him for getting the title of crown prince, he hated the fact that he was alive and being hailed as a hero when he should have died long ago. He hated the fact that he was bound by such power and acted like he didn’t care about it. He hated the fact that he was in pain and pretended to be nonchalant.

He grew impatient, wanting to erase his existence from the world as soon as possible. His fingers were visibly trembling as he ran them through his shining blond hair.

(T/N: What did he even do to deserve so much hate from you?? Bro grow up!)

⚘

I opened my eyes.

My body felt light, as if I had slept soundly for a long time. No, no. I was dreaming again. I could see the canopy above me. So this is what it feels like to wake up in a bed with a canopy.

I shifted slightly and the fluffy bed wrapped around me. I wonder if this is what it’s like to lie on a cloud. It wraps around my entire body without binding my waist or shoulders. Ah, that’s good. I had long forgotten what a bed should feel like.

“Mmm.”

I hear the sound of water being poured. I turned my head to the side and saw someone pouring water into a cup. Black hair shining black in the sun, tall, broad back. And long fingers. From the back of his head alone, I know it’s the crown prince.

He picks up the cup full of water and turns around, and the water immediately sloshes towards me. I took the cup and passed it down my throat. It was very sweet. The water made my mind move faster.

No, this is not a dream.

My arm grazed the sword and it hurt, and he embraced me.

“Thank you.”

I would have been grateful as a human being, but he tore off his own clothes to bind the wound. I can still see the look on his face as he dropped to one knee and carefully examined the wound. My chest immediately felt tickled.

“Are you, uh, okay?”

“Oh, yes.”

His large hand brushed over my forehead. He didn’t touch me directly, just felt the heat on my forehead with the back of his hand. My heart pounded in my chest.

“No pain.”

“No. I’m fine.”

His golden eyes bore into mine. It was like he was watching me to see if I was lying or not. Honestly, I’d be lying if I said the wound didn’t hurt at all. It was obviously tingling, making its presence known. It was going to be very uncomfortable to work for a while.

Still, the pain was bearable enough.

Compared to the whip before, it wasn’t even close. I was content just to know that he wasn’t trapped in the prince’s scheme, thank goodness.

“Why are you smiling?”

“Oh.”

Was I? I covered my mouth with my hand in embarrassment. I absentmindedly lifted my injured arm and switched to the other one immediately.

“You look like you’re hurting.”

“Oh, no, it’s fine, really.”

He glared at me again. I felt embarrassed to look away, so I looked down at my bandaged arm. My hair brushed down with the movement. I’d always worn my hair in a bun and tucked it under a bandana, but it was flowing down like this, which was strange.

‘Uh…?’

Long fingers reached out and gently squeezed the ends of my hair. I let the hair fall over his hand. He stroked it with his thumb, as if touching something precious.

At first I thought I had gotten something on it, but it didn’t seem to be. It was a very careful gesture that I wouldn’t have realized he was touching my hair if I hadn’t seen it. He didn’t even touch it completely. This time, he was just brushing over it.

When I looked up at his face, his eyes were fixed on my hair with a focused expression.

It was a very aggressive look. My heart aches like it’s been stabbed, but I can’t look away, and I’m about to be mesmerized by those golden eyes all over again. If he liked my hair, I would gladly cut it off and give it to him right away.

He froze for a moment as if caught in a trance. In a slow motion, he pulls his hand away and stares down at his long fingers.

‘Does he not like the feel of my hair? Why was he looking at his hand so suspiciously?’

He raised his gaze and looked at me. I gave him a do you want the hair look? I gave him a look that said, ‘Yes. I could cut it all off, if you want it, anytime.’

(T/N: Hahhaha MC is so cute and funny. Hahaha)

“… Go Rest.”

“Yes? Yes. Thank you.”

The voice sounded muffled. I listened carefully to hear what he was exactly saying, but the moment he said “Rest,” I felt something drain out of me. He took a deep breath, turned around, and walked out of the room.

I found myself staring wistfully at his back, as if I was watching someone leave with a sweet treat. He should have stuck around a little longer. But I was glad he didn’t.

As soon as the hand in my hair turned away, I almost grabbed it and pulled him back. When he said, “Rest,” I almost blurted out the words to ask him to join me.

‘Whoa.’

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. Being in a nice bed, in a nice room, for the first time in a long time must have made me feel like crap. Yeah, that’s probably why.

Seth, get a grip, stop being an imbecile, calm down.

I continued the conversation with myself for a while after that.