“Still, for someone self-taught, I think this is quite impressive.”
Lexion smiled as if he had painted the expression onto his face, using his good looks to an almost irritating degree.
As a child, he had always exuded a bleak and cynical aura. But as he grew, he learned how to wield his striking appearance to achieve many things.
Just that one smile of his could make noblewomen swoon.
Hector raised his hands in surrender.
“Yes, yes. Our young master is truly exceptional.”
Hector, the head physician directly under the duke and a mage affiliated with the ducal family, had once helped Lexion in his self-study.
When Lexion had his first seizure before his coming-of-age ceremony, it was Hector who had saved him by foolishly pouring holy water into his mouth. That moment had created a bond between them, breaking the previous distance in their relationship.
Although Lexion had no memory of the seizure, he still felt gratitude toward Hector, who had saved his life. In return, Hector had subtly taught him how to control his mana. That relationship had lasted for over ten years.
Though they were not officially master and disciple, Hector was one of the few people Lexion trusted and followed. In other words, Hector knew the true nature of Lexion better than most.
“So? My wife has divine power, and I had no idea?”
“She probably doesn’t know either. If the owner is unaware of its existence, the dormant power remains hidden.”
“You’re making it sound like it’s alive.”
“Doesn’t your mana growl as if it’s alive? Mana naturally follows the temperament of its master.”
It was a roundabout way of saying, “You have a terrible temper.” But Lexion didn’t even snort at the remark.
Watching his indifferent face, Hector continued.
“It seems like it only recently awakened. Most ordinary people have such minuscule amounts of mana that they go their whole lives without noticing it. But that unusual white mana—someone like me could recognize it. Most mages wouldn’t even notice it if they saw it.”
Hector ran a bony hand over his face.
If even he hadn’t noticed it until now, then surely Duke Calion wouldn’t have been aware of it either.
It was already shocking enough that the child possessed his brother’s mana, but now his wife also had divine power? And not just divine power—mana mixed with divine energy?
It all seemed too convenient for Lexion.
“But how is that even possible?”
“Who knows.”
A shadow crossed the middle-aged man’s previously playful expression.
Though neither of them spoke, they both had their suspicions.
It was the dim light of dawn.
Someone was gripping her hand tightly, increasing the pressure.
Milena, who had dozed off from exhaustion, noticed the touch caressing her hand and slowly opened her eyes.
Through the faint darkness, she met a pair of shimmering red eyes.
“…Lexion?”
Kneeling beside the bed, he held her hand in a reverent posture.
Her groggy mind stalled.
‘What on earth is this man doing?’
Her gaze shifted to his bandaged torso, barely visible beneath his white tunic shirt.
At least the rough-looking physician seemed to have treated him properly. His complexion had improved as well.
His well-defined features, framed by shadows, remained expressionless. Yet, the slight daze in his gaze exuded an oddly decadent aura.
“Why aren’t you sleeping?”
Without answering, he simply fidgeted with her hand—the same boundary of touch she had drawn for him.
‘Should I praise him for listening well?’
She had told him not to grab her hand so thoughtlessly, and though he was still holding it, he hadn’t gone further.
Even though he had sneaked into her bedroom and sat by her bedside, she still trusted him.
A cramped inn. A single bed. Alone in a room with a man.
And yet, she didn’t feel the slightest danger.
Perhaps that trust stemmed from the way he showed his affection.
He never held her without permission. He never embraced her without seeking her consent.
His respect for her wishes was unwaveringly courteous.
That was probably why she felt safe, convinced that he would never cross the line recklessly.
Releasing a hand from his grasp, she gently spoke, half-lidded eyes soft.
“Did you come because you were anxious?”
For a moment, he seemed just like Ashid.
If she had known what was on his mind, she never would have thought that.
Lexion was barely restraining himself from pulling her into his arms and laying her down on the bed.
“Even when you were unconscious, you clung to my hand. When Ashid is scared while sleeping, he does the same.”
“Ha.”
Being treated like a child at his age…
Still gripping her hand, he rested his cheek against it.
Whatever treatment he received, it didn’t matter.
She ran her fingers through his tousled silver hair, her touch delicate yet kind.
Breathing in the peace that her presence provided, he finally understood.
‘Divine power, huh.’
Now it made sense.
The white energy flowing from her gave him a sense of tranquility.
Hector had told him to stop looking and just feel it. Now, he finally understood what he meant.
“And the child?”
“Ashid is with Gerard. He insisted on sleeping with me, but Gerard took him so I could rest properly.”
Her quiet voice whispered through the room, and he lifted his eyes.
Turning completely toward him, she met his gaze as he cautiously asked,
“Is the child precious to you?”
Perhaps the only one.
The only family in the world she considered irreplaceable.
She swallowed her words and smiled, a warmth of affection in her expression.
Lexion hesitated, unable to speak.
—
“My lord’s condition has worsened.”
“Can the child’s mana be extracted?”
“We’ll need to conduct further research, but in the worst-case scenario… the child’s heart may be necessary.”
“That would mean sacrificing the child’s life…”
“I will do my best to transfer my lord’s mana. But if the worst comes to pass… you must make a choice.”
“……”
Whose life was he supposed to choose?
If something happened to the child, would she hate him?
Would she resent him?
The thought of seeing sorrow and loathing in those vibrant green eyes was unbearable.
Just imagining it made his chest tighten painfully, his breath catching in his throat.
Without realizing it, he had begun to gauge her emotions.
“Why do you ask?”
“No reason.”
He didn’t even recognize his own state of mind.
The Lexion of old would have chosen his brother without hesitation, regardless of what happened to the child.
And yet, his actions now were entirely different.
“Sweetheart.”
“…Yes?”
“Can I sleep here?”
“Stop joking.”
“I’m serious.”
“……Fine, sleep.”
“Huh?”
She lifted the blanket, making space for him.
“Get on the bed. Why are you kneeling there?”
“Wait, aren’t you trusting me too much?”
He blurted the words in shock.
This woman—wasn’t she being too careless?
Lexion had been with many women in his life, but it had all been an act. He had never truly been intimate with anyone.
Even when sharing a bed, he had always slept separately.
Though he casually threw out flirtatious words, he was surprisingly reserved.
“Lexion.”
Her steady voice cut through his thoughts.
“Do you really think you’re capable of making a move with that injured body?”
“…Honey, we still haven’t had our wedding night.”
“Exactly. Because someone ran off to fight instead of staying with his wife.”
“…I lost.”
Face down, he collapsed onto the bed in defeat.
She simply ran her fingers through his soft hair.
‘Tsk, she really does treat me like a child. I’m older, you know.’
When he looked up, she was smiling victoriously.
He had planned to tease her, but that gentle smile left him speechless.
And so, he simply held her closer, whispering,
“Thank you.”
For coming into my life.
“And… I’m sorry.”
For what, she wondered.
But he said nothing more.
