The Savior Who Bites My Neck (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 13

That’s…

Sinclair, his face rigid, murmured in a low voice.

The object inside the box seemed utterly unrelated to Elaina’s past life.

A ring, elaborately but precisely adorned, opulently yet finely decorated, with a large sapphire embedded like a cherry on top of a cake, asserting its presence.

Moreover, on the inner band of the ring, made of platinum, a small seal had been stamped…

“It doesn’t suit me at all, does it?”

Sinclair gave no answer.

“It was a gift from long ago. I just couldn’t bring myself to throw it away.”

“…Maybe you’ll need to sell it someday?”

Perhaps he was right. Even though she lived a life where she had given up almost everything, people’s hearts could change at any moment.

Money was the most essential thing needed to escape the Asweld family. She would need hush money to pay the coachman to turn a blind eye to her flight.

Moreover, to leave Edenbell, she would need passage money, and even after successfully escaping, she would surely need at least enough funds to settle somewhere.

“No.”

But Elaina gave an answer entirely different from his expectation.

“It was a long time ago, but it was a gift from the person I cherished most.”

There was not a trace of warmth on Elaina’s face as she spoke. She displayed the same cold, cynical demeanor Sinclair had shown before others.

[It’s my mother’s keepsake.]

“I was foolish.”

[Even if we suddenly part, if you keep this ring, I’ll recognize you. I’ll find my way back to you. I promise.]

“And also, naive.”

[No matter how much you change. Or where you are. It doesn’t matter at all…]

“It’s become useless now.”

“…”

“Well, I hope your curiosity has been satisfied.”

If Sinclair were to ask further who had given her the ring, she had nothing to say.

Elaina knew only two things about that boy.

His name: Len.

And that he had very much wanted to escape his own family.

But then again, one never knew. The simple name “Len” could have been a false alias invented to deceive her, and Elaina didn’t even know which family he wished to escape.

So, even if he had tried to continue speaking about the ring, Elaina had no reply at all.

But, contrary to her worry, Sinclair offered no answer—no word at all.

And as he stared blankly at the ring, his expression seemed strangely unfamiliar.

“…Your Highness?”

“…”

“Oh, no. Sinclair…?”

Growing increasingly uncomfortable, Elaina showed a hint of fluster. She pondered briefly what might be causing this inexplicable silence, but found no answer.

Elaina finally decided to change the subject.

“When will our meal be served, Sinclair?”

As if suddenly coming to his senses, Sinclair hesitated, tore his gaze from the ring, and faced her.

“I’m just curious. I was wondering if there’s anything I should prepare.”

“Nothing. You don’t need to prepare anything.”

Sinclair continued in a voice slightly cracked.

“The banquet will be held next week. It’s sudden, but I plan to return home today and inform the Emperor. He’ll be pleased, so don’t worry.”

The memory of Sinclair’s words flashed through her mind: how the Emperor had acted like a dog when he heard Sinclair wished to marry the Asweld family’s penniless, crippled girl.

“Schuler will bring dresses and jewelry. Try them on one by one and choose whichever you like.”

“Yes.”

“And after the banquet, you will live not here, but in the Imperial Palace. More precisely, in the Prince’s Palace where I reside.”

Of course. Elaina nodded quietly.

“Life in the Imperial Palace won’t be easy or smooth, but you just need to stay still. You can remain confined within the Prince’s Palace if you wish.”

Sinclair was right. Elaina could easily foresee it.

The moment word spread that the reckless Sinclair, returned from war, had requested marriage from the Emperor, attention would pour down upon her.

Especially since she was neither a noblewoman from a renowned house, nor a cripple, nor a penniless girl who had lived in disgrace—Elaina Asweld had nothing at all to offer.

“No, I won’t do that.”

But Elaina answered firmly.

“Although our relationship is contractual, I am still becoming your wife, aren’t I?”

“…”

“And so, while I am your wife, I wish to do the things a wife should do. Of course, I may not be of much help, but at least I could hear rumors concerning the Emperor or Prince Hester in social circles. You know, Sinclair, the social circles are the fastest channels of gossip in Edenbell.”

“What?”

“Ironically, everyone in the social circles is already focused on me. If I can use that, it might actually be advantageous for me.”

“…”

“Why?”

Sinclair asked with a stern face.

“Why go to such lengths? Even without doing this, I will release you in a year, as promised. I will help you leave Edenbell safely, and give you enough money to spend extravagantly until you die. So why…?”

“Because you helped me, Sinclair. You helped me take revenge.”

Sinclair froze.

“Of course, I also wanted to remove Duke Hank, but that doesn’t erase the fact that you helped me. I’m not doing this for any reward. I simply wish to repay a debt.”

Elaina’s blue eyes shimmered as she looked directly at Sinclair. Sinclair met her gaze silently, then replied in a voice so faint it was barely audible.

“It’s better not to do pointless things.”

“…”

“You only need to keep your position as Crown Princess. I expect nothing more from you.”

“…”

“I should go now. As I said earlier, I need to see the Emperor.”

With that, Sinclair suddenly rose from his seat. Elaina looked slightly puzzled by his abrupt action, but she didn’t try to stop him.

As Sinclair trudged away, he suddenly stopped and turned back.

His gaze fixed precisely on Elaina’s crippled leg.

“Your leg…”

“…”

“Is it truly beyond repair?”

Being called a crippled penniless girl was, ironically, the very condition Sinclair claimed would best deceive the Emperor. So Elaina didn’t understand why he was asking.

Was he worried?

No, that couldn’t be. Perhaps he was merely curious. And Sinclair’s gaze, fixed on her leg, didn’t show concern.

Rather, it somehow felt like guilt…

Was she imagining it?

Elaina hesitated briefly, then slowly spoke.

“Yes.”

“…No matter what method?”

“I was told it’s hopeless. Moreover, since I’m now an adult, it’s even harder to reverse.”

That was it.

That’s how it was.

Sinclair murmured in a voice so quiet it could barely be heard, then left the villa without another word.

Leaving Elaina behind, still wearing a look of utter confusion.

[This is the timeline separator]

Night had fallen. The sun had set, the twilight faded, and the moon had risen.

“…”

Sinclair untied the rope where he had tethered his horse outside the villa. He was about to mount it when, suddenly, he glanced back at the villa, faintly lit by lanterns.

And he replayed Elaina’s words in his mind.

…Repay a debt?

To me? Of all people?

You?

“…”

Sinclair, standing there foolishly, bit his lips with all his strength.

It felt as though he tasted blood. He kept gnawing his lips, as if committing self-harm—or as if desperately suppressing a rising fury.

Perhaps it was all three.

“You’re such a foolish girl…”

Elaina was right. The person she cherished most was gone from this world. Not merely dead.

Literally gone. Forever vanished.

[If you keep this ring, I’ll recognize you. I’ll find my way back to you. I promise. No matter how much you change. Or where you are. It doesn’t matter at all…]

It was all a lie. Even without the ring, Sinclair could have recognized Elaina anywhere.

That small, unremarkable little girl had never once left him—she had relentlessly gnawed at his heart, haunting him like a ghost, whispering over and over again.

Why did you abandon me?

Why did you leave me to break apart?

You ruined my life.

If only you hadn’t existed, I wouldn’t be living this life!

It’s all your fault!

Of course, Sinclair knew well—he knew perfectly well—that the innocent Elaina had never actually said those things.

So those miserable words were merely curses born from the guilt he had created himself…

“Yes. You were foolish enough. Naive enough.”

Sinclair spat the words in a low voice.

“Then don’t become any more foolish, Elaina Asweld.”

…I didn’t come to you this time for that reason.

Sinclair’s golden eyes, filled with the villa, shattered helplessly like the setting sun.

He stood there for a long while, then swiftly mounted his horse and began riding toward the Imperial Palace.

Still gritting his teeth.