But does Idrish not sleep? He must be more tired than me since he fought in battle. There shouldn’t be any injured areas… But even with such concerns, right now, I just wanted to act like a child and be spoiled.

All of this was because Idrish’s voice and touch were too gentle.

Like a quiet puppy, I closed my eyes and followed his refreshing touch.

All day… I really missed you. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to see you again. I believed you would come to find me, but…

The thoughts faded away without continuing for long.
I fell back into a deep sleep.

Bandages were wrapped from Vita’s left shoulder to his fingertips as he sat slanted in the study. The torn area was wider than expected. However, what suffered more than that was his pride.

He was defeated in the attack and in the fight with Idrish Artigra. Vita slammed the desk. The wooden desk creaked and cracked deeply.

“That’s how you ended up breaking it.”

The man who had just entered and opened the door spoke coldly. Vita raised his bloodshot eyes.

Ozarr walked casually and sat neatly on the sofa. The gazes of the two clashed in mid-air. Neither backed down.

“I told you not to act like that.”

“Shut up.”

“Do you not have a thinking head?”

One corner of Ozarr’s mouth went up. It took the form of a smile, but the emotion he emitted was clearly serene anger.

“Shut up. Even if the information about a surprise attack didn’t leak.”

“But it did.”

Ozarr calmly interrupted Vita’s words. Vita’s clenched fist trembled. Ozarr lit a cigarette. Hazy smoke flowed down from his mouth.

“Do you still not realize? You alone can never handle them, Vita Agila. You are several steps below them.”

“What? Who do you think you are? What makes you so confident when you haven’t done anything but boast about nothing?”

“If you didn’t act like this, I would have already used my hands long ago.”

“Anyone could say that.”

Vita was ready to rush at Ozarr as if to do it right away.

“Do you still think it’s just words?”

Ozarr laughed heartily, then abruptly stopped laughing.

“Because of your foolish and pathetic attacks, their morale has risen. Other supernatural beings have begun to trust Idrish Artigra sincerely, and even those who didn’t cooperate reached out to them. On the other hand, what about you? Now, all the supernatural beings of De Lord no longer look down on Agila. It’s not even worth thinking about why you joined hands with them at this point.”

Vita bit his tongue to suppress words. And he was well aware of the recent situation.

“So, if you don’t want to break like this again, listen to me now. It’s a word to never disobey me again. Then, I’ll do what’s left now, so that you don’t get stripped away.”

Ozarr took a final drag of the cigarette, and with the smoke, he stood up from his seat.

“What you need to do is take care of Idrish Artigra’s forces and restore them to their original state. Wait like a well-trained dog, and when Serbien has everything ready, then go out and fight.”

“You arrogant little snake…!”

“Lie down flat and watch carefully. How I do it. You won’t be able to escape easily either.”

The morning sunlight streamed into the room.

“Eek.”

I jumped up and sat on the bed. Due to tossing and turning all night with a fever, my body felt like a rusty robot. Then, I blinked like a dazed person.

Where is reality, and where is the dream?

Idrish nursing me all night… Reality. The attack on Skitas yesterday, reality. Idrish coming to rescue me, also reality. Then, the kiss from Idrish…

A maid approached slowly.

“Have you woken up? I will call Idrish.”

“No, no! It’s okay. I want to be alone for a moment.”

I waved her away with both hands. I needed some time alone to organize my thoughts.

“Never leave my side again.”

Yes, this is also reality.

The kiss that followed those words was undoubtedly different.

Idrish’s intense touch as he embraced me, a kiss full of emotions.

Idrish’s gaze was desperate and earnest.

At that moment, I was sure that the same feelings passed between Idrish and me.

But now that today has come…

Ugh.

I clutched my forehead.

I was sure. I was, but now, it feels like that certainty has reset to zero.

Once again, expecting and then not getting it?

Knowing that expecting less reduces pain, I was afraid to readily embrace hope. Is there something more certain?

“But Idrish said to tell him right away when he wakes up… He was very worried last night too.”

“Really?”

“Yes, he never left for a moment. He didn’t sleep and even did tasks that the servants and I should have done. Only after the fever subsided in the morning did he go out because he was looking for you so desperately.”

“Why would he go to such lengths?”

“Why wouldn’t he? I understand.”

The maid chuckled with closed eyes.

So, does Idrish seem to others as if he likes me?

My heart thumped. If it’s not just my imagination, can I dare to hope this time?

Okay. I’ll check. Confirm one last time, and if it’s not this time, I’ll really give up. The end!