IFLDMHF | Chapter 119

Episode 119

Of course, Euclid knew that his actions were not honorable.

He had only acted that way because he was somewhat convinced that the emotions he felt from Evgenia were not a mere illusion.

He earnestly wished for the day when he could receive confirmation from the Tower Master, confess everything honestly, and apologize…

That was why he had told her not to apologize—because he was the one who should seek forgiveness—yet Evgenia’s face became clouded.

Or perhaps it was his own vision that had blurred.

In his feverish state, Euclid slowly opened his mouth again.

***

“Wife.”

“Yes.”

“Please don’t be sad… That would only make my heart ache more.”

His golden eyes, slightly unfocused due to the high fever, soon disappeared from sight.

“Duke…?”

I called out to Euclid softly, just in case.

But the delicate eyelashes that had been trembling moments ago remained still.

Realizing that Euclid had fallen asleep again, I finally let out a faint sigh and relaxed my tense body.

Then, touching my flushed ears, I murmured,

“Was it… just a misunderstanding?”

Euclid had never explicitly said, “I like you.”

But when he said that my sadness pained him, it felt as if… as if I were someone truly precious to him.

Not just because I was his wife by arrangement, but because he genuinely cared for me.

At that moment, despite not having a fever like Euclid, my face grew noticeably warm.

But unfortunately, Euclid was too kind—so kind it was almost criminal—making it impossible for me to be certain.

‘He wasn’t even in his right mind when he said it.’

I wanted to wake him up and confirm it properly, but as I looked at Euclid, drenched in cold sweat from his fever, my excitement and impatience quickly faded.

If only he would groan in pain out loud, it would have been better. But seeing him press his lips tightly together, not even letting out a single moan, made my heart ache even more.

“You told me not to apologize.”

I pressed my lips together before slowly parting them again.

“But still… I feel so guilty, and I’m really sorry.”

At first, I hadn’t thought the accident was my fault.

I simply believed I had been caught up in an unfortunate incident.

But not long after Euclid lost consciousness and was rescued—

— As soon as the accident occurred, His Grace shielded you without hesitation and fell with you. I sincerely apologize, Madam.

Hearing Gressel’s words, his face full of guilt, made me feel as if everything was my fault.

The fact that I was unharmed while Euclid was injured.

The fact that Euclid hid his pain and lied that he was fine just to reassure me.

Everything.

“I’m really sorry.”

As I wiped the sweat from Euclid’s face with a cold towel, a bitter smile spread across my lips.

No matter how I thought about it, I should never have gone there.

If I hadn’t, the accident wouldn’t have happened, and Euclid wouldn’t be lying here in pain.

Perhaps if Delano heard me say this, he would cry out, “Please, don’t say such things, Madam!”

His excessive loyalty to Euclid made such a reaction inevitable.

But there was a reason for it.

Not only was Euclid’s condition not as dire as it could have been—

— It’s a magic stone! A magic stone! Oh, heavens. Truly, how could you, Madam…!

Shockingly, the blue-glowing mineral I had discovered turned out to be a magic stone.

Even though the duchy’s finances had stabilized significantly, the lingering habits from its past poverty seemed hard to shake off.

Hearing the news of the magic stone mine, Delano was so overwhelmed that he could barely form a coherent sentence.

After all, who would have imagined that magic stones—so rare that they were only available through the Mage Tower—were buried deep in the northern Sephlik Mountains?

It was an even greater jackpot than discovering a gold or diamond mine.

But thinking about Euclid’s injury, I felt no joy at all.

Even if it meant never discovering the magic stone, I would give anything to turn back time and prevent Euclid from getting hurt.

‘Money can be earned in other ways.’

Compared to Euclid, money wasn’t even worth considering.

The thought that I was the one who had caused his pain made me bite my lip as I carefully cupped his cheek.

Seeing Euclid lying still with his eyes closed brought back memories of our wedding night.

Back then, I had only felt joy and excitement, but now, all I felt was sorrow and frustration.

Knock, knock.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

“Come in.”

It was already well past midnight.

I had a feeling I knew who it was, so I answered right away, and the door opened quietly.

“…Madam.”

Anne, who had entered cautiously, hesitated when she saw me resting my hand on Euclid’s face.

I ignored it and asked,

“Why?”

“Well, I was wondering if you might want to get some rest. You must be exhausted…”

“I’m fine. I’m not that tired.”

At my indifferent response, Anne’s face darkened.

Well, it was understandable. After all, I had spent the entire day outside on an inspection schedule, got caught in an accident, and barely managed to return. Of course, she would be worried.

But I truly didn’t feel tired at all.

Was it because I had been sleeping soundly, completely unaware that Euclid was in pain?

“…I’m really fine.”

My voice trembled faintly at the end, pierced by the guilt in my chest.

Quickly suppressing my turmoil, I continued speaking.

“I’ll be here all night, so you should go and get some rest, Anne.”

Knowing full well why Euclid was lying here like this, Anne couldn’t bring herself to argue with me.

“Shall I bring you some strong tea?”

But it seemed she had no intention of resting comfortably on her own, even if I insisted.

I knew she would just keep worrying and feeling uneasy even if I forced her to give in, so I nodded.

At that, Anne’s expression brightened, and she stepped back.

Once the door closed and I absentmindedly turned my head, I suddenly realized that this was my first time in Euclid’s room.

‘I didn’t want to come here like this.’

I had always assumed that if I ever entered this room, it would be for a romantic reason.

A bitter smile formed on my lips as I gently brushed his sweat-dampened blonde hair.

“Just hold on a little longer. I’ll make sure you get better soon.”

The person was about to arrive.

When I first heard they were coming, I wasn’t exactly thrilled. But now, I was waiting for them more than anyone else.

Even though this was the same person who, at the wedding, had uttered that absurd remark about me atoning to the bride.

“…No matter how much you dislike me, surely the High Priest, renowned for his compassion, wouldn’t ignore a patient, right?”

The sun had yet to rise, and in the early dawn, a carriage came to an abrupt stop by the roadside.

Shortly after, the carriage door opened, and a man dressed in a white robe stepped out.

“What’s the matter?”

His voice was clear, showing no signs of drowsiness, but it was lowered, likely in consideration of his companions still asleep inside the carriage.

Removing his hood, Damien revealed a face so angelic it could have come straight out of a sacred painting. He turned to the dazed coachman and asked again,

“Is there a problem with the carriage?”

“N-No, that’s not it. It’s just… we’ve been in the North for quite some time now, but something feels a little off…”

“This is the North?”

A knight escorting the carriage widened his eyes and interrupted.

The North was notorious for its harsh environment and brutal weather.

Even those eagerly waiting for their temple service assignments had fled the moment they heard they were being sent to the North.

Of course, part of it was due to the need to stay on the Emperor’s good side, but the main reason was undeniably the treacherous climate.

Yet, despite it being the early hours before sunrise, there was no biting wind—only mild air—and not a single trace of snow on the ground.

“That’s exactly what I’m saying!”

Finally able to articulate his reason for stopping so abruptly, the coachman nodded vigorously.

He had been worried that he had mistakenly taken a wrong turn while transporting such an important guest.

However—

“This is definitely the North. Look, you can see the Rudion Ducal Castle over there. But still, this is just…”

“That is Rudion Castle?”

Damien, gazing at the distant fortress, asked.

The coachman nodded.

“Yes, sir. The temple we’re headed to is further inside…”

“Good. Let’s visit the ducal estate first.”

“…Pardon?”

“Since we’re in the North, shouldn’t we first pay our respects to the Duke of Rudion?”

Was that so? But on previous temple service missions, they had never stopped at a lord’s castle before.

The knight escort looked confused, but Damien didn’t take his eyes off the castle.

A peculiar light flickered through his blue eyes.