Chapter 21

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: Unrequited Love is a Habit (2)

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I hate you so much, Shane.

I know.

I hate you...

I knew it.

There's no way I wouldn't.

But ever since Edelaine vanished, Shane felt like he was surviving by swallowing hot sand instead of air. Every moment, every second, the realization that she was gone squeezed his heart so tightly he could barely endure it.

The irreversible finality lingered in his mind, sometimes making it nearly impossible to resist his impulses. Even if he kept living, the one person he loved wasn't here. She left without ever telling him how he could possibly find happiness...

I hate you. For abandoning me.

For showing me how horrific a world without you truly is.

That's why I can't let you go. Even if you cry.

Even if you hate me.

He hunched his shoulders and pulled Edelaine, lost in sleep, tightly into his arms by her waist.

Only when her warm skin and hot breath touched his did his breathing finally ease.

You're alive.

You're alive and here... Edelaine.

Shane fell into a deep sleep.

He dismissed some of the mansion's staff.

Those who had served since the late duke's time had already returned to the territory, leaving only recent hires, so it wasn't difficult. Lloyd handled the selection.

Shane had always been irked by the boy Edelaine had chosen, but regardless of his personal feelings, he had to admit the kid was incredibly useful.

It took Lloyd less than two days to investigate the past actions and tendencies of everyone working in the mansion. He weeded out those who might leak unnecessary information outside, those weak to monetary temptations, and those with many vulnerabilities.

Then, as if he didn't want to face Shane, he left a list on the desk in Shane's study and went out to carry out Edelaine's orders.

'He must hate me.'

I hate him too.

Back then, he'd genuinely threatened a kid who was barely half his height. It was a memory even Shane couldn't face squarely.

He knew it was petty jealousy.

But whenever he saw the boy stuck to Edelaine's side, that jealousy inevitably boiled up. And even in moments like this.

"Lloyd... water..."

Her voice, rough and scratched raw, weakly called another man's name.

Her hand shot out from the bed, groping the air before stopping. She must have remembered he'd sent her attendant away. Unable to resist, Shane grabbed her hand. If she had any strength, she would have shaken him off immediately, but her warm hand stiffened slightly before going limp.

This didn't mean she wasn't rejecting him.

Still, Shane couldn't help but feel a spark of joy as he covered her hot forehead with his palm. Edelaine drew in a dry breath.

"Your fever isn't breaking."

"Ugh..."

Edelaine muttered, her flushed face tinged with frustration, as if wondering what kind of mess this was.

"You were exhausted. It makes sense you'd collapse. And there were plenty of annoying things too."

"Who's the one to blame for that?"

"Me."

Shane admitted it readily.

"That's why I said I'd take responsibility."

"Then would you leave? Seeing you makes my fever spike higher."

Even to her brutally cold words, Shane didn't bat an eye.

"You need more medicine."

"I said leave..."

"Taking it on an empty stomach might upset you, so how about some simple soup?"

"I'll puke."

Edelaine declared. She was trying to act composed, but her dazed eyes made it clear she was struggling to stay lucid.

"What do you want to eat?"

"I said nothing..."

"Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Telling you to get out won't work anyway, so why keep asking...?"

"You know me well."

"If only you could take a hint..."

Edelaine, about to scold him, clamped her mouth shut and grimaced. Nausea was rising; her face grew even paler. Shane pulled a chair close to the bedside.

Edelaine inched away.

"Stay back. You'll catch it."

"I've never had a cold in my life."

"...You're jinxing it..."

"That's why it's fine. I'm more useful than your attendant."

"You..."

She stared at him pitifully, as if wondering how he could be so confident when he'd probably never nursed anyone before.

"Why are you seriously competing with a kid?"

"..."

"Lloyd is so... cute..."

As long as Edelaine doted on Lloyd, there would never be a day when she and Shane got along. Even without that, their personalities were simply incompatible.

Shane decided it was better to fetch medicine than drag out a conversation with a sick person.

"Wait a moment. I'll get more medicine."

Edelaine couldn't respond.

'Her fever's rising again.'

The cough wasn't severe, but the fever was high and her body aches intense.

The Blancard family physician didn't stock much cold medicine.

No one had fallen ill every season like the long-deceased duchess.

The doctor, unaccustomed to tending to a frail superior after so long, panicked and brought every type of medicine available, but he still hadn't found the perfect one for Edelaine. Giving too much at once was risky, so they were testing small doses and monitoring her condition.

As Shane moved to stand, Edelaine gripped his hand tightly.

"..."

Shane closed his eyes briefly, gazing at the half-asleep Edelaine and her clutching hand.

"Edelaine. I need to get your medicine."

No response from Edelaine.

Her nose scrunched up, eyes still shut—she seemed to be fighting to hide her weakness before succumbing to sleep.

Her grip was as frail as a feather.

A light shake would dislodge it. Yet Shane sat back down carefully, ensuring her curved fingers didn't slip from his, not jostling her even a little.

He spent the whole night just watching the sleeping Edelaine.

After the second attack, Edwin interrogated the culprits and then went to see Genevieve.

"Where's the Saintess? Resting?"

"Yes, but she's locked herself away without eating. She seems really shaken."

"That's new. For such a spirited girl."

Edwin glanced back casually.

The Saintess's husband, her guard knight Harrison, wore a worried expression. Noticing the look, he blushed.

"Won't her husband let her in?"

"I-I'm still on duty."

"What's that matter? I'll give you leave starting now—go comfort our treasure."

Even to the light tease, Harrison's cheeks burned bright red, as if set aflame.

The knight from Greenwinter's western regions had joined the Imperial Guard through sheer skill, without a prominent family or wealth.

It was common for noble second sons or below, unable to inherit titles, to become knights or officials—for their own advancement or family honor.

Among those, assignment to the Guard was a great honor, especially without backing; it was an incredibly tough position.

Proximity to the Emperor or Crown Prince was a measure of power.

Serving the merit-based Crown Prince was Harrison's good fortune at the right time.

"Show off that younger-man charm that melted the Saintess's heart."

"...No matter how much you tease, I won't get dragged in. I'm used to it now."

"Oh? You've grown."

"Even a dullard like me can tell jokes from truths after spending all day with Your Highness."

"Impressive. Good for you."

Such vows meant little with his face flushed crimson.

Harrison was a towering giant, a head taller than the tall Edwin, with a trunk-like body that made him look like a living shield. Beside him, the delicate Saintess resembled a cicada clinging to an ancient tree.

His face was handsome enough, but his massive build gave a fierce first impression.

Yet surprisingly, he was three years younger than Genevieve—a shy type who blushed silently when she teased him.

Edwin often joked about what charm had stolen the Saintess's heart, but strictly speaking, it wasn't stolen; she had taken his.

The marriage had been her decision.

'Though I think Harrison confessed first.'

Harrison had said he never dreamed of becoming the Saintess's husband, that knowing her feelings was enough.

"If I can just stay by your side, that's all I want. But since I'm a man too, I might lose to desire in a moment, so please keep your distance and stay wary of me. So, like now, don't get too close—urk, Saintess, please step back...!"

"You like me, right, Harrison?"

"Yes."

"Then let's get married."

"Pardon?!"

"Let's marry. Sounds good? I like it too."

Genevieve had grabbed Harrison's hand and declared to Edwin that they were getting married.

'It felt a bit like she offhandedly snatched him up while shopping for a husband...'

Still, what a bold proposal.

Harrison pressed close to Genevieve's door, murmuring softly, "Jenny, it's me. May I come in?"

Despite their time together, he still seemed like a man in love with her from afar. After a few more hesitant words to the door, it finally creaked open.

Edwin clapped Harrison on the shoulder encouragingly, like a brother-in-law cheering on the couple.

For the record, he hadn't visited his actual little sister in months.

Watching Harrison slip through the door that never opened for him, Edwin twisted his lips.

When he and Genevieve had first met, there had clearly been some emotional tension between them.

But even if it was just for show, Edwin had a fiancée then, and from the day she learned that, Genevieve showed no feelings whatsoever.

No regrets. But seeing her treat Harrison like a proper husband sometimes stirred a petty spite.

Edwin tilted his head. The Saintess's powers had suddenly grown stronger...

"Is it thanks to marriage? Maybe I should give it a try."

Or perhaps because she'd reunited with Edelaine.