Her whole body felt light. It was so light that it seemed nonexistent. Everything was warm and soft, and it endlessly stretched downward.

It would be nice to just continue sleeping like this, into a deeper slumber.

“Rue. No, wake up.”

No, just a little later. Rue wanted to ignore that call.

“Please, I beg you.”

The voice calling her was annoying, and it irritated her, but at the same time, she couldn’t ignore it because it was soaked with concern.

“If you’ve done this much to me, I should wake up quickly. Why are you doing this to me?”

Resentment was mixed in. It was annoying, but Rue couldn’t ignore it anymore. It was too warm and comfortable now, and she didn’t know when she would be able to sleep so deeply again, but for now, she had to wake up. She had to wake up and console.

Rue struggled to regain consciousness and shook off the sleep. Then she opened her eyes.

“… What time is it?”

And where is this? Light seeped through the slightly opened curtains, enough to distinguish the surroundings. The rest of the curtains were pulled down to block out the light. The bed was very wide, and thick dark blue curtains were dense. This wasn’t Rue’s familiar bedroom.

“Rue?”

As Rue’s green eyes slowly moved in response to the calling voice, rather than seeing the person calling her, the person who entered her sight and wrapped her cheeks was faster. Disheveled auburn hair, beneath it, a delicately beautiful face that had turned pale. It was Hayden.

“Rue, are you waking up? Can you hear my voice?”

Of course, she could hear it. Hayden, who quickly noticed her nodding head gently held in his large hands, urgently gave an order.

“Summon the physician.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Lady Freya, the Chief Healer, hurriedly replied and the sound of her leaving was heard.

“Look at me. Do you remember? Can you see me?”

Rue stared blankly at Hayden, who was looking at her with concern, ignoring the rushing doctor and the maids bringing warm water and towels.

“… What happened?”

This was ridiculous. Everyone was treating her as if she were seriously ill.

“Is there any pain or discomfort?”

She just wanted to wash up and go about her daily life, but Rue had to undergo an examination without getting up from her seat. And beside her was Hayden, who was sitting with fiery eyes. Wasn’t he busy? Shouldn’t he be going to work?

“None at all.”

She answered, looking puzzled at Hayden.

“How about your throat?”

Throat? Why? Rue absentmindedly put her hand on her throat and felt something wrapped around it. What is this? Trying to scratch it, Hayden grabbed her wrist.

“Doesn’t it hurt?”

Rue shook her head, glancing between the doctor and Hayden. Then the door opened again, and someone rushed into the room.

“Rue! You finally woke up.”

Even her dad, who ran to her, swept her chest and hugged her.

Rue looked at Hayden with a truly clueless expression. What on earth had happened?
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Rue could barely hear how long she had been asleep after dealing with diluted food, eating, washing up, and causing a commotion.

“For six days?”

“Don’t say that. Your throat is injured.”

Hayden blocked Rue with a disgusted expression, but she still wanted to ask. Six days?

“You slept for six days?”

“It’s not sleeping; I was unconscious.”

“For six days?”

“Yes, for six days.”

After all the chaos, the doctor advised Rue to be careful when speaking, even though her throat was almost healed. Busy as her dad was, he took the time to look after Rue for a while, but eventually, he had to leave for work. However, Hayden, who hadn’t left the bedroom until now, patiently answered her questions.

“I don’t feel like it at all…”

Strange. It wasn’t that difficult, and her body felt much lighter than she thought.

“That’s enough. Stop talking.”

“Is your throat no longer hurting?”

Though Carlos had pressed her throat hard, it seemed to have healed during the six days Rue lay there. Rue, with a completely fine face, tried to express, ‘I’m all better,’ but Hayden, with slightly narrowed eyes, closed the gap instantly.

“How can I get you to listen?”

He muttered heavily as he came so close that their breaths mixed. Now familiar with his scent, Rue was engulfed by Hayden. He gazed down at Rue’s lips, just a little more, and he would touch them.

“Uh, well, I have to report to you.”

Being a knight, it was natural for Hayden to report after being captured by Emperor Carlos and returning. With a knightly tone, he coldly asked Hayden, “Shall I get closer? I don’t mind kissing you like this.”

Nowhere to retreat, Rue quickly covered her lips. Green eyes rolled, avoiding him.

Hayden looked at her for a moment, then kissed her forehead through her hair. Rue grabbed the quilt tightly, lowered her gaze, and blushed instantly. His serious gray eyes never left her.

“Nod your head. Can you see the curse?”

Rue shook her head.

“Right.”

She shook her head again, more hurriedly this time.

“Huh?”

Hayden, pressing his forehead against hers, looked into her eyes.

“Just don’t talk.”

Rue reluctantly stayed silent, only pursing her lips.

“Do you feel it?”