Except for the Duke, everyone had accepted Lina’s death as an established fact. No one at such a height could survive. Moreover,

‘Is it plausible that she’s completely unharmed like this?’

Lawrence, who scrutinized Lina from head to toe, swallowed his sigh. Even if she miraculously survived, there should be at least a few unhealed places.
No, it should be natural for her to still be in bed.

Sensing Lawrence’s gaze, Lina, who was aware of it, shivered, and Velige intervened.

“The doctor has seen her, so let her go upstairs.”

“…Yes, Your Grace.”

However, unlike Lawrence, Philip greeted Lina with an excited voice, delighted that she had returned.

“Hey! Miss, you’re safe! It’s a relief to have you back like this! I didn’t say it during this time, but do you know how our Duke was?”

The problem was that his reaction was a bit intense.

“Philip.”

About to rush to welcome Lina with joy, Philip was forced to stop at the Duke’s chilly tone.

“Ahem. Anyway, it’s good to come back safely like this! No, I really thought the young lady had died as it was.”

“Thank you for welcoming me back. And… I’m sorry for causing concern during this time.”

Lawrence, who had been silently watching Lina, said.

“You’ve come back well.”

“Thank you.”

Unexpectedly, it was Lina who replied to those words with a slight smile. It was suspicious enough for her to be here like this.

“Thank you.”

Lawrence nodded to Lina.

The words he just spoke were sincere. He genuinely felt gratitude for her returning like this to the Duke.

‘For the Duke.’

He remembered the Duke when Lina disappeared. The man who seemed fine on the outside but was rotting inside.

So, for him, she shouldn’t doubt anymore.

Even if Lina’s true identity was beyond his imagination. Everything was for his lord, Velige.

As soon as they entered the room, they began discussing the matters they had postponed.

“The princess is currently staying in the temple.”

“The temple?”

“Yes, it seems like it’s considered dangerous to stay in the palace now that the empress has moved.”

No matter how much it was a royal palace, if Empress Eugenie decided, it wouldn’t be difficult to poison the princess’s food.

Moreover, an assassination in the complicated relationships of the palace, even if it was the saint’s death, couldn’t be ventured outside the temple.

However, if an assassination were to occur in the temple, it would be the same as declaring war on the temple. Therefore, as the empress, she wouldn’t be able to harm the princess in the temple.

Understanding Lawrence’s words, Velige nodded.

“Philip. Go to the temple now. As soon as the day breaks tomorrow, we’ll go to the temple. And, we plan to leave for the empire in three days, so prepare for the princess and report it.”

“Yes, understood.”

They had already delayed too much. If they delayed further, who knows what sinister plan the empress might come up with. They had to move as quickly as possible.

“Well then, I’ll go.”
After showing proper etiquette to the Duke, the two of them stepped outside the room. And a little later, Lina, who had been waiting for them to leave, entered.

“Philip must have arranged the room, tirelessly.”

“I have something to ask. Are you leaving for the empire now?”

“Yes, tomorrow we’ll go to the temple to meet the princess, and three days later, we’ll depart for Balkan to join those who are there.”

Listening to the Duke’s words, Lina recalled Lawrence’s reaction a while ago.

‘I wonder if everyone would be surprised to know that I’m alive…….’

Even in such perfect condition. Lawrence’s reaction towards her was entirely normal. The height was one that an ordinary person could never survive.

Maybe he considered her as a monster. It was a concern.

While gnawing at her nails, Lina was contemplating whether she should pretend to have a broken arm or something when the Duke cautiously embraced her and whispered.

“Don’t worry; nothing will happen.”

This man was likely not one to deceive. Seeing Velige comforting her as if he knew what she was worried about made her concerns vanish like sand being washed away in water.

However, a small doubt arose soon after.

“But…….”

Lina, who had slightly separated from Velige’s embrace, asked cautiously.

“Why don’t you ask anything, Your Grace?”

“About what?”

“How you can be so intact after falling from such a height. And why your body changes……. Aren’t you curious?”

“I am curious.”

Velige stroked Lina’s cheek with his thumb.

“Besides that, why your memory disappeared and came back. I’m curious about why you were here, what kind of life you lived before meeting me.”

“But why…….?”

“Slow down……. We still have plenty of time.”

Then, Velige leaned his forehead against Lina’s forehead and murmured.

“For now, just the fact that you’re by my side is enough.”

Breathing out a satisfied sigh, he hugged her tightly. Then, the sound of the man’s heartbeat resonated in Lina’s ears.

Feeling the powerful heartbeat as if showing off his presence, Lina unconsciously smiled, thinking that it resembled hers.

Holding her in his arms quietly for a while, Velige, who was caressing her back, noticed a familiar medicine bottle placed in one corner of his bedroom.

The medicines showing how painful the days were. Seeing them, Lina frowned and burrowed deeper into the man’s embrace.

So that this man wouldn’t rely on such things ever again.