Julion stared at the portrait of Rohiriel, speechless.
Zenid asked with curiosity as Julion stiffened like stone.
“Your Highness, is something wrong?”
Still not taking his eyes off the portrait, Julion inquired,
“Was Rohiriel’s hair originally like the color of water?”
“Oh, Your Highness, you might not know. Yes, it’s true. While treating Lady Shahadna, her hair suddenly turned white, perhaps due to the influence of the poison.”
Zenid’s calm words were tinged with unending pain.
Julion swallowed hard and took a deep breath.
Approaching the portrait a bit more, he carefully examined the young Rohiriel.
The more he looked, the more it matched the girl in his memories.
He could also see the current Rohiriel.
Instead of her current expressionless face and occasional smiles, she was beaming with happiness.
‘After all, from the beginning…’
It was Rohiriel.
The benefactor who discreetly looked after him, fearing that she might attract the attention of those who might want to use him.
He had almost given up, but when Rohiriel saw the scars not long ago and told him they belonged to Yalon, he decided to try again.
He wanted to express his gratitude somehow.
‘I didn’t realize you were right there with me all this time.’
As he recalled Rohiriel contemplating his scars, a smile naturally formed on his face.
She didn’t recognize the stitches as her own and spoke of them as if they were someone else’s.
While Julion was scrutinizing the portrait,
The door suddenly swung open, revealing the face he had just been studying in the portrait.
No, to be more precise, it was a much more mature face.
“There you are, Julion.”
How could he not have recognized her when she was just right there? Just because her hair color was slightly different?
Even if he had only caught a glimpse of her sleeping, Julion felt foolish for not making the connection.
Moreover, the girl he had met was once again rescuing him from the darkness.
The Empress, the Emperor, and himself.
And on top of that, she was sacrificing herself for the sake of the people.
Rohiriel was puzzled by Julion’s bewildered look at her. But she shrugged it off and told him her purpose for seeking him out.
“I was wondering if you could come with me for a moment; I could use a little help.”
A request for help from Rohiriel’s lips was quite rare, so Julion responded promptly, stepping forward.
“Of course. What can I do for you?”
Julion asked in a serious voice as he stepped out into the hallway ahead of Rohiriel.
Rohiriel, noticing a subtle difference in Julion’s demeanor, tilted her head curiously.
“What’s the matter?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you seem a bit…..”
She stammered and tilted her head again.
Julion had to resist the urge to wrap his arms around Rohiriel and hug her tightly.
And he wanted to ask.
Does she remember the child buried in the snow in the past?
That she had saved his life a long time ago.
But he didn’t have the courage to ask. It would be hurtful if she didn’t remember.
Maybe he was just another one of her patients.
He didn’t want to confront that possibility just yet.
‘I want to enjoy this feeling just a little longer.’
He wanted to cherish it.
When it was certain that Rohiriel remembered him, he would share the story slowly.
‘Her eyes will probably widen in surprise.’
With her white hair, if she squinted, she’d look like a snow bunny.
Lost in his imagination, Julion chuckled, and Rohiriel stared at him with an odd look.
Regaining his composure, Julion cleared his throat and said,
“There’s nothing different; let’s go.”
“Um… okay.”
Rohiriel gave a somewhat hesitant reply and headed towards the apothecary room.
The apothecary room was not far from her room.
As they entered, Rohiriel immediately pointed to the top shelf.
“Can you get that out for me? I can’t reach it. I tried to stand on a chair to reach it, but it kept spinning. I didn’t want to risk it, and also, the box is heavy.”
Following Rohiriel’s finger, Julion shifted his gaze upward.
The box placed on the top shelf of the bookcase, containing items that were seldom used, looked visibly heavy.
Julion approached with a slight smile and effortlessly reached the box as he raised his arm.
He smoothly pulled out the box and placed it on the table. He looked back at Rohiriel and asked,
“Is this what you needed?”
“Yes, it’s enough. Thank you, Julion!”
“You can always ask for something else…….”
Julion said hesitantly, and Rohiriel smiled broadly.
“Yes, thank you.”
However, despite her words, she didn’t request anything else.
Julion circled the room in disappointment, then sat down on the couch across from Rohiriel.
Recalling her earlier request not to come in due to the mess, he hesitated before taking a seat.
But instead, she was busy opening boxes and pulling things out.
“Wow, this is all here.”
“What’s that?”
“Goodness. How could this be…”
She muttered to herself and continued to check the contents.
This time, she picked up a notebook and silently read through it, seemingly absorbed in its contents.
Julion sat still and watched Rohiriel’s face.
Her eyebrows occasionally twitched; her eyelashes were fluttering; beneath them, her eyes were shimmering; and below her gently sloping nose, her full lips silently sprouted several times.
As time passed, the moon tilted, and the box became lighter.
Finally, Julion spoke to Rohiriel.
“Why don’t you get some rest? I think we’re way past our bedtime.”
“I’ll finish this and then I’ll rest.”
Julion sighed inwardly as he watched Rohiriel give a cursory reply, her eyes fixed on the notes.
Suddenly, Rohiriel looked up, surprised, and glanced at Julion sitting on the sofa.
“Come to think of it, how long have you been there?”
What an odd question.
Julion blinked, not hiding his bewilderment.
“You asked me for help earlier. I’ve been waiting in case you need more assistance.”
Rohiriel finally realized she had been too absorbed in her work and chuckled awkwardly.
“I’m sorry, I got lost in reminiscing; I should stop…”
“No problem. Have you found the information you needed?”
“Sort of, but it’s still not enough; I think I need to look more.”
“But it’s also true that you need to rest.”
At the firmness in Julion’s voice, Rohiriel finally closed the notes.
“I understand; I’m getting sleepy myself.”
With that, Rohiriel attempted to rise from her seat.
However, after a moment, she sat back down on the sofa.
When Julion looked at her questioningly, she smirked and scratched the bridge of her nose.
“Well, it seems like I have a cramp in my leg.”
“…It’s natural when you sit in the same position for so long.”
Julion, who had stood up first, approached Rohiriel and gently grabbed her hand.
Then, with a gentle yet firm grip, he massaged Rohiriel’s hand.
“Ouch, it’s fine.”
“Just hold still. You’ll feel better soon enough.”
Rohiriel was aware of this fact, but she felt awkward for some reason and didn’t say anything.
Nevertheless, Julion persistently continued to massage her hand and slowly helped her stand.
“Now you should be able to stand.”
“Yes, thank y─”
At that moment, Rohiriel stood up, relying on Julion’s arm.
Rohiriel paused mid-sentence, biting her lower lip.
Although her leg felt better, a tingling sensation spread throughout her body this time.
“Rohiriel?”
Julion called, but Rohiriel didn’t have time to answer.
The tingling was followed by other symptoms.
‘Of all times, why do side effects have to appear now?’
Ping. The sound was fading away and she lost her sense of balance.
Soon after, she felt a splitting headache, as if her head were being split in half.
Afraid of causing more concern for Julion, Rohiriel quickly tried to explain the situation.
“Julion, don’t misunderstand. I’m not feeling well right now, but it’s temporary─”
Unfortunately, she couldn’t finish her sentence again.
A sudden surge of blood gushed out, dripping from her mouth.
At the same time, her vision went black.
“Rohiriel? Rohiriel, are you all right?”
“……ugh.”
“Is there anyone out there? Get a physician now!”
“No, that’s not it; it’s just a symptom that’s coming back…… ugh.”
“Don’t talk. Why on earth do you live your life without recognizing your own weakness?”
In her fading consciousness, Rohiriel made a promise to herself while listening to Julion’s scolding.
When she recovered, she would clearly explain this time. That she was almost completely healed now, so there was no need to worry.
