IFLDMHF | Chapter 117

Episode 117

It was a calm voice, as if stating something obvious.

That made me even more frustrated and angry.

“Why did you do something so reckless?”

You should have just let me fall alone!

The thought that Euclid had put himself in danger because of me was unbearable—it would have been better if I had died instead.

However, instead of expecting gratitude, Euclid firmly responded to my resentful outburst.

“I believe I did the right thing.”

“What exactly did you do right? You should have at least stayed safe, Your Grace!”

“If my wife is in danger, what meaning is there in me being safe alone?”

Euclid’s confident counterargument left me speechless.

Even in the pitch-black darkness where I couldn’t see anything, I had the strange feeling that Euclid was smiling at my silence.

“And to be precise, it wasn’t for your sake—it was for mine.”

“For yours?”

“If I had let you fall like that, I would have been too anxious to do anything. Rather than agonizing in worry, it’s far better to be here with you.”

…Is that so?

I blinked slowly, almost ready to accept his reasoning, but then I quickly shook my head.

I had nearly been persuaded by Euclid’s smooth words.

Euclid, my terrifying favorite!

With just his face alone, he already had both logic and persuasion on his side, and now he was articulate as well—was there anything he lacked?

“……”

Just moments ago, I had been in a state of panic, but now, seeing myself internally fangirling like this, I must have regained some composure.

Although I had lashed out at Euclid, if I had been left alone in this darkness any longer, I might have completely broken down.

And there was something even scarier than death, something I had been trying not to think about.

‘What if I return to my original body…?’

I was terrified of being unable to see Euclid again, with all our memories left behind.

At that moment, I realized something anew.

I could never leave Euclid’s side again.

“Thank you.”

For not leaving me alone…

As I mumbled shyly, Euclid whispered gently.

“Don’t worry about anything. I’ve already sent a signal to the Mage Tower, so we should be able to get out soon. And of course, the knights who saw us fall must be working hard with the guards to rescue us as well.”

I was truly grateful that Euclid had come for me, yet I still felt uncertain about how we would escape.

‘So, Euclid had a plan all along.’

I silently scolded myself for ever thinking, even for a moment, that my favorite character had acted recklessly, and I let my tension ease.

With both the knights and the guards involved, and now the mages as well, I felt reassured.

“By the way, my wife, are you hurt anywhere?”

“Hurt?”

Now that I thought about it, considering the sudden fall, I should have at least some bruises, yet I felt no pain at all.

It was as if I had been wearing the protective artifact bracelet I had used back when I freed Richard.

But today, when Anne suggested that I wear the bracelet since I was going outside the duchy, I had refused, thinking it didn’t match my outfit.

After all, today was the historic day of wearing my first matching couple outfit with Euclid—I wanted to look flawless.

‘Honestly, I never expected something like this to happen.’

If I returned safely, Anne would probably scold me.

Or maybe, before that, I would see her face full of worry and near tears.

‘Wait, that’s not the important part right now.’

The real question was—how was my body perfectly fine despite the impact, without any magical protection?

A sudden thought hit me, making me urgently ask,

“I’m fine. What about you, Your Grace? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine as well.”

“Ah…”

His response came without hesitation, his voice just as calm as ever. I let out a sigh of relief.

At least it seemed that Euclid hadn’t hurt himself while trying to protect me.

“That’s such a relief.”

“Yes, now please relax. It would be good for you to get some rest until the rescue team arrives.”

You didn’t sleep properly last night, after all.

Euclid’s added remark pricked my conscience slightly.

But whether it was because I had finally relaxed or because his gentle pats on my back were too comforting, drowsiness slowly crept over me.

‘No, I shouldn’t…’

Falling asleep in a situation like this and leaving Euclid alone wouldn’t be polite.

Besides, since we had unintentionally ended up alone in this dark space, it might be a good chance to have a conversation we wouldn’t normally have.

‘And if not a conversation… maybe a different kind of interaction…’

“Gasp.”

I jolted awake, swallowing a startled breath.

I had definitely been thinking about something ridiculous just before my vision blurred…

“Did I… fall asleep?”

“…Not for very long.”

So I did sleep after all?

I couldn’t believe I had fallen asleep while leaving Euclid alone.

As I buried my face in my hands, overwhelmed with self-reproach, I carefully asked,

“I didn’t snore, did I?”

“You slept very quietly, so don’t worry.”

“Really? Nothing unusual happened?”

“Yes. By the way, the rescue team should be arriving soon.”

Euclid explained that while I was asleep, he had sensed faint vibrations and heard the sound of rocks and dirt being cleared nearby. It wouldn’t be long before they found us.

That was certainly good news, yet I couldn’t shake the feeling that Euclid had deliberately changed the subject.

He was always so kind—was he lying out of consideration, so I wouldn’t feel embarrassed?

A reasonable doubt crept in, and I narrowed my eyes, looking in Euclid’s direction.

Of course, it was too dark to see anything.

‘Maybe that’s a good thing?’

Normally, I would have been disappointed not to see Euclid’s face, but at least I didn’t have to witness how foolish I must have looked, dozing off so carefreely in this situation.

But no matter how deep underground we were, how was it possible that there was absolutely no light? And yet, the air didn’t feel suffocating…

“Huh?”

“What is it?”

“I think I see something glowing over there.”

I was certain I had seen a faint glimmer when I moved my head.

So, it wasn’t completely pitch-black after all.

I didn’t want to move away from Euclid, but if I could find a light source to illuminate the darkness, it would be worth checking. Slowly, I slipped out of his embrace.

“My wife?”

Perhaps worried that I might hurt myself in the dark, Euclid called out to me in a concerned voice.

I reassured him with a quick, “Just a moment,” then extended both arms in front of me—just like when I used to play hide-and-seek with the children—and cautiously stepped forward.

Soon, my palms touched a cold wall. Pressing closer, I searched for what I had glimpsed earlier.

And finally, I found it—a faint blue light embedded in the wall.

Perhaps it was a result of the ground splitting open earlier.

The stone wall was so brittle that just brushing against it caused small fragments to crumble like pebbles. I carefully used my fingers to dig into it.

I hadn’t even applied much force, yet the blue glow gradually expanded.

It was a mineral, shimmering with a brilliant, almost ethereal radiance.

I wasn’t sure if it was a gemstone or something else, but it was bright enough to dispel some of the darkness.

Then, I suddenly realized—Euclid must have seen this glow too, yet he hadn’t said a word.

Was he too surprised to speak?

I imagined him staring wide-eyed like a rabbit, only to break into his usual gentle smile when our eyes met. With that thought in mind, I turned toward him.

“……!”

And immediately, I froze.

Euclid was biting his lip, suppressing a groan, his face deathly pale.

Sensing my gaze, he slowly lifted his head, and under the dim blue light, the state he had been hiding was revealed.

Beads of cold sweat had formed on his forehead. As he forced a small, awkward smile—one that was both sheepish and apologetic—I rushed toward him in alarm.

With trembling hands, I reached out to check his temperature.

His forehead was burning.

And his sleeve—there were bloodstains on it.

“Hah.”

I let out a short, bitter laugh. I was furious.

At Euclid, for lying so effortlessly about not being hurt?

No. At myself, for being too preoccupied with foolish thoughts—thinking that staying close to my favorite character made me feel warm—when in reality, I had completely failed to notice that Euclid was in pain.

A crushing sense of guilt clawed at my chest.

I had no idea what to say. I could only take deep, shaky breaths, biting down hard on my lips.

Then, with a pained expression, Euclid finally spoke.

“My wife… I’m all right…”

But before he could finish his sentence, his body gave out. His forehead gently fell onto my shoulder as he lost consciousness.