Chapter 82

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 82

Chapter Title: Fragmented Words

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It was merely a few fragmented words.

Just a voice that seemed on the verge of fading away.

Yet Arpad flinched as if burned by fire.

His heart felt like it was tumbling to the floor.

So he asked even more cautiously.

"…Hilia?"

I hate you.

She'd said it while calling his name, no less.

Arpad felt like he had a burning coal in his mouth.

What had he done to deserve hearing such words?

But in the next moment, Arpad realized.

He faintly saw the thin, crack-like scar left on Hilia's pale, slender neck.

…Ah, right. This is from when I cut her during our first meeting.

It was a scar from the blade he'd pressed against her.

Realizing it anew like this.

As he traced the pinkish mark of the scar, Arpad thought.

Is she perhaps dreaming of that time?

If so, and she's suffering like this… she must see those memories as a nightmare.

Anyone would dread the moment a blade pierced them, after all.

Soon, Arpad shook his head.

No. This woman is different from ordinary people.

She'd emerged unscathed even between him and the Emperor, both inheritors of dragon blood.

Even as he justified it that way, Arpad was critically reflecting on his actions from back then.

Was pressing the blade to her throat… too much?

This was a feeling Arpad had never experienced before.

So he didn't even realize it was close to 'regret.'

He was a man who had never once regretted anything since birth.

Arpad called the woman's—no, his wife's—name with the utmost care once more.

"Hilia?"

"…Mm."

Hilia was still unconscious.

Her body was hot, slick with sweat.

A faint whimper like that of a young beast slipped out.

Arpad suddenly recalled Hilia's weight.

The moment she had collapsed in front of the Ivory Bedroom.

He was the first to scoop her up and carry her to this bed.

She was so thin and light.

And now, she must be even lighter.

Though he'd been trickling water, medicine, and porridge into her mouth for three straight days, she hadn't eaten properly.

She'd only lost more weight; there was no way she'd gained any.

Of course, he had no intention of lifting her up to check the weight of someone suffering so terribly.

No, he couldn't even bring himself to try.

She seemed like she'd melt away into the air and vanish if he picked her up again.

Arpad's cautious hand gently stroked the disheveled pink hair on the bed.

Strands like cherry blossom petals scattered on spring water.

So delicate a color. As if a mere breeze might whisk them away.

To think she endured all that chaos with a body like this.

The events Hilia had faced over the past month or so were anything but light.

Nor were her accomplishments.

She had dropped from the sky out of nowhere.

"Please abduct me."

Those were her first words upon meeting him.

And she'd sought him out in a secret location not even his closest aides knew about.

Whether it involved Agrippina's Tear or something to soothe his mania or not, the old Arpad would have cut her down the instant she spouted such nonsense.

He never trusted those who spoke honeyed words.

And yet.

Yet he'd abducted this woman who prattled on with unbelievable words and laid her in this bed.

He realized it anew.

He'd accepted her because it was this woman.

In that instant, something pricked Arpad's heart with a sharp poke.

A tiny, insignificant sensation, like a needle.

But an attack that pierced the most intimate, vulnerable place nothing else could touch.

"…Mm."

My body felt as heavy as wet cotton.

"Mm…"

Who was making such an awful noise? It took me a moment to realize.

It was my voice.

The rasp was so bad I didn't recognize it at first.

Then my lips, mouth, tongue, and throat all cracked like parched earth in a drought.

"…Ugh."

I'd clearly said "water," but the sound came out so hoarse.

No one would hear that and give me any.

And I'd wither away like a dried-up corncob.

In that moment, cool, sweet water touched my lips.

I gulped it down desperately. Only after draining two full cups did I realize.

The man skillfully feeding me the water.

"…Arpad?"

He was holding me.

Supporting my head steadily against his torso, making it easy for me to drink.

His surprisingly soft voice brushed my ear.

"All done? Want more?"

I nodded.

A motion that could be taken as an answer to either question.

Arpad understood like a ghost.

He held another half cup to my lips.

After drinking it down like a child, I could finally breathe a sigh.

"Ah, I'm dying."

Then came Arpad's voice, sounding oddly uncomfortable.

"Your first words after barely waking up are 'I'm dying'? Isn't that a bit much?"

I was a little surprised.

There was genuine reproach in his tone.

So that's why I defended myself first.

"Ah, no, that's not literally 'I'm dying.' It's just an exclamation for how rough it was."

I might have half a Korean soul, but Arpad had no way of knowing that.

Still fuzzy-headed, I looked around.

The Ivory Bedroom.

I remembered losing consciousness right in front of it after the banquet ended.

"What a shame."

"…What?"

"If I'd made it inside before collapsing, it would've been a perfect finish."

Arpad's voice sounded lower and stranger than usual as he asked.

"You think collapsing inside would've been better?"

"Yes. Right?"

I nodded emphatically.

Not many people had seen me collapse, but I wanted perfection.

There was little risk now of the Empress or Evangeline's spies catching wind.

But among the Crown Prince Palace maids, some must have witnessed it.

I don't want to show weakness.

I could show my vulnerable side to Annie or Sir Beltein, but not the palace maids. I couldn't trust them all.

I didn't voice that thought.

"……."

A strange, ominous silence dragged on.

Puzzled, I rolled my eyes.

I didn't have the strength to turn my head.

Fortunately, Arpad was right up against me, so I could see his face immediately.

"……."

Seeing his expression made me shrink back a bit.

What's this? Why does he look so… upset?

Had something happened while I was out?

Like someone guilty, I checked his mood and asked.

"How long was I out?"

Arpad fell silent for a moment before answering.

"It's the morning of the fifth day since the banquet ended."

"…What?"

I must have misheard. That couldn't be right.

"I think I heard wrong."

Arpad delivered the confirmation kill.

"You've been sick for five days. Not sleeping."

Lightning struck in my head.

I bolted upright, forcing strength into my body.

"Oh no, what do I do! At a time like this!"

Arpad's voice held a hint of fluster as he asked.

"Hilia? Do you understand? You've been ill for five days."

I whipped my head around to meet Arpad's eyes.

And said it sincerely.

"I'm sorry!"

I never expected to see him make such a dumbfounded face.

…What's going on with him?