Only Sinclair and Elaina remained in the bedroom, filled with a silence as heavy as lead.

Elaina sat on the edge of the bed, looking at Sinclair lying down, while Sinclair simply remained in place without saying a word, not meeting her gaze.

And after a considerable time had passed, it was Sinclair who first broke the silence.

“You’re completely out of your mind.”

Sinclair said with the most baffled expression in the world, as if reproaching Elaina.

“You could have really died. It’s fortunate that I was the one bitten. Someone like you would have been devoured on the spot. What were you thinking, doing something like that? Did you think you could kill a rampaging, mad lion?”

Especially when you couldn’t even properly hold a sword.

So instead of rushing at the lion with a precious sword to try and help him, Elaina should have immediately fled the scene. Somehow.

Whether Sinclair was torn to shreds by the lion’s fangs or had his entrails ripped out… She should have prioritized her own safety without any concern.

She shouldn’t have done such foolish things, just as she had her entire life.

“Exactly.”

But Elaina’s response was a bit absurd.

“What?”

“You’re completely out of your mind, Sinclair. You could have really died.”

Elaina continued with an incomprehensible expression.

“Did you have some belief that someone like you wouldn’t die even against a lion? When it was rampaging madly, as you said?”

Sinclair faltered.

“Why on earth did you do it?”

“…”

“Why did you block my way? Even to the point of sacrificing your own body?”

Sinclair gave no answer to her sharp question. Now he had even turned his gaze away, keeping his mouth tightly shut like a clam.

She couldn’t understand it at all. Why would Sinclair, of all people.

While desperately wanting to become Emperor, why would he risk his life to protect someone like Elaina, who would become a complete stranger once the one-year period was over?

[I won’t even care about you, nor will I keep you in my heart. But I was worried you might have false hopes.]

Moreover…

[As I’ve said many times, we just need to appear as a perfect couple in front of people. That’s all there is to the contract. I hope you haven’t forgotten that.]

After saying such things so casually multiple times…

“Didn’t I tell you back then? That you’re the most gutter-like person in Edenbell.”

Finally, Sinclair slowly moved his dry lips, speaking in a low voice.

“I have already become your husband, and you have become my wife. There’s no time to look for another woman now. And my reputation would worsen further. There’s nothing to gain from it.”

“…”

“I just didn’t want to do something troublesome again. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t over-interpret things.”

Please, just stop.

Stop acting so foolishly all the time…

Sinclair turned his head and slightly bit his lip.

“…”

Though Sinclair wasn’t looking at her, Elaina’s gaze was still fixed on him.

“Sinclair.”

And Elaina asked him in a monotone voice.

“You called me Elli earlier, didn’t you?”

For a moment, Sinclair flinched slightly.

“Answer me.”

“…You must have misheard me calling your name. Are you certain you didn’t mishear in that chaos?”

Was that really the case? Had she misheard?

Perhaps this time, Sinclair’s words might be true. Elli. There was no way he could know that nickname.

Because the last person who called Elaina ‘Elli’ was that boy alone.

“I wish you’d stop bothering me now. Even without you chattering so noisily, I’m extremely tired and exhausted.”

Elaina couldn’t utter any response to Sinclair’s words, cold as ice.

She could only recall Sinclair’s face from earlier, when he had blocked her way and told her to run away… So different from now, showing clear signs of concern for her…

“It’s Judith.”

And just then, a polite knock was heard.

“May I come in?”

“…Yes.”

As soon as Elaina’s answer fell, the door opened swiftly, as if someone had been waiting.

Judith was holding a small tray in her hands.

It seemed she had quickly brewed the medicine given by the doctor.

“Both of you must drink this. Especially you, Your High… Your Highness.”

Still seeming afraid of Sinclair, Judith spoke carefully with a slightly intimidated face. Even though he was still looking elsewhere.

“…”

Though Sinclair’s attitude remained as cold as ever, Elaina made sure he took the medicine.

After emptying her own portion of medicine as well, Elaina handed the empty bowl to Judith, who quietly bowed and left the bedroom.

And then, Sinclair fell asleep.

Whether he had decided to sleep to avoid talking with her, or if it was really due to the strong medicine as the physician had said… Elaina couldn’t tell.

[This is the timeline separator]

Though it had truly been an exhausting and tiring day, Elaina was still awake.

“…”

Sitting beside the sleeping Sinclair, Elaina simply gazed at him quietly.

And she thought to herself.

…Lies.

Sinclair’s words were all lies.

Even if Elaina had died in this accident and Sinclair brought another woman to be the prince’s consort, there wouldn’t be any problems.

And he didn’t want to lower his reputation further here? With apologies to Sinclair, anyone could see that his reputation in Edenbell was already at rock bottom, with nowhere lower to go. Of course, it might have improved a bit after today’s events, but…

The same went for saying he had no time. Sinclair had the ability to bring in anyone he wanted, whenever he wanted.

If by chance, even after a year had passed, the woman didn’t want to leave him, he could simply kill her. If he did that, there would be nothing to worry about.

You, who have been cast out of the Emperor’s favor and returned alive from the brink of death multiple times, threw yourself in harm’s way for someone like me?

Elaina didn’t believe Sinclair’s story at all.

Then why?

Why are you lying to me?

…Perhaps even your cold attitude towards me isn’t sincere?

Asking questions she couldn’t answer on her own, Elaina slowly reached out her hand.

Then she gently brushed back Sinclair’s golden hair, which was matted to his forehead with cold sweat.

“…I don’t understand at all what you’re thinking.”

Elaina’s faint murmur echoed quietly in the silent bedroom.

“But no matter what questions I ask, you’ll maintain the same attitude. Uttering answers I simply can’t believe. Just like you did earlier.”

And, as you’ve always done until now.

But it was strange.

To you, who have never been kind to me. Not just unkind, but cold as winter frost, why am I so concerned about you?

Why do my eyes see you not as ‘Sinclair the murderous scoundrel’, but as a pitiful person desperately struggling to survive?

Even though this isn’t even what you want.

…Have I really gone mad? After being unfazed by all those numerous events, now of all times?

It was while Elaina was confused by emotions she couldn’t clearly define.

“…”

That Sinclair, lying down, began to let out short groans.

“…Sinclair?”

Startled, Elaina carefully called his name, but Sinclair gave no response. He only continued to emit painful groans.

“Sinclair. Wake up.”

Becoming urgent, Elaina gently shook Sinclair’s uninjured left shoulder and lightly tapped his limp hand, but the result was the same.

‘The physician. I need to call for the physician.’

There might be some problem. The possibility was already more than enough. The wound she had seen on Sinclair earlier was seriously grave.

Just as that thought crossed her mind and Elaina stood up abruptly, about to limp away.

“Hic…”

A voice that sounded like sobbing came from behind her.

Elaina stopped in her tracks as if struck by lightning.

Then she approached Sinclair again and looked down at his face.

Sinclair was truly crying.

And he was shedding tears non-stop.

‘What on earth…’

Elaina couldn’t believe what was happening before her eyes. That Sinclair Butler was crying? And with such a sad face?

“Sinclair!”

Growing anxious, Elaina called his name in an even louder voice than before, but nothing changed.

Sinclair looked exactly like someone suffering from a terrible nightmare.

And it was at that very moment.

“My…”

Between Sinclair’s pale, parched lips, words like a groan flowed out.

“It’s… my fault…”

Sinclair, with closed eyes, murmured in a cracked voice as he shed pitiful tears.

“Never forgive me…”

“…”

“I’m sorry… Elli…”