“What? Why?”

“Because we went straight from winter to summer. In fact, even fall was forcibly added, lasting only 2 weeks. It’s barely enough time to harvest crops.”

I see. Then the north has never experienced a beautiful spring.

“I’ve heard that spring comes every three or four hundred years, but I don’t know exactly when. Maybe we’ll be lucky enough to see it once in our lifetime. Or maybe not.”

While speaking, Edan gently grasped my hair.

“Spring, I’ve never given it much thought.”

One turn, and the ends of my hair were wrapped around Edan’s fingers.

“If you want, I could make an artificial garden.”

“If I want?”

Edan unwound the hair from his fingers and languidly closed and opened his eyes.

“Yes. I can make any flowers you want to see, any garden you desire.”

My face was fully reflected in his clear red eyes.

As soon as I realized this, I felt somehow embarrassed and my body grew hot.

It was fortunate that he was holding my hair and not my hand or neck.

Edan slowly lowered his gaze and kissed the hair he was holding.

“Whether it’s one, two, or ten, if we forcibly create flowers, spring might come someday.”

Edan smiled prettily with his eyes closed.

I nodded vigorously with a flushed face.

“Yes.”

It would be nice if spring came to the north too.

If that spring could come like a miracle during our lifetime.

I could really feel that the extermination of demonic beasts in the north was coming to an end.

Edan stayed at the castle for longer periods and returned early in the mornings.

He still didn’t ask for healing, but I wasn’t upset.

Because I knew it wasn’t because he disliked me or was trying to distance himself from me.

I was on my way to my room to change clothes after putting away the magic book I had brought to read before bed in the secret space.

“Oh? Sir Ruben.”

After a long time, Ruben was standing in front of Edan’s bedroom.

“Lady Latieana.”

I also bowed my head in greeting to Ruben, who was bowing respectfully.

“What brings you here?”

“Ah…”

For some reason, Ruben glanced at the bedroom door with a somewhat anxious look.

“It’s nothing.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Well then.”

Ruben turned around, showing an unusually flustered expression.

As I quietly watched him walk away, Ruben stopped in his tracks.

“…?”

Ruben, who had been quietly looking at me after turning around, came closer again.

“How have you been feeling lately?”

“Good.”

“That’s a relief. You must be very concerned about the Great Saint’s matter… but we’ve taken some measures at the temple, so you don’t have to bear it all alone.”

“Taken measures?”

Ruben pressed his index finger firmly against his forehead.

“The Grand Duke’s spies aren’t only in Maxium. They’re all people we’ve known and trusted for a long time, so you don’t have to worry about anything else.”

“I see. But… what did you ask the temple priests to do? Is it about healing power?”

“No. Well, I did order them to find out such information, but just in case…”

Ruben suddenly stopped speaking.

“More importantly, Lady Latieana.”

He hesitates again. Like someone reluctant to speak.

“It’s alright. Please speak freely.”

Ruben pressed his forehead again and then continued as if he had no choice.

“Would it be difficult for you to use your healing power on the Grand Duke?”

“What?”

What does this mean?

As I looked at him with wide eyes in bewilderment, Ruben quickly added.

“Ah! Not right now, of course.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Well, the number of demonic beasts has decreased now, and in urgent cases, the water or pepper you’ve prepared is fine, but just in case…”

He’s saying this because I haven’t been using my healing power on Edan recently.

From Ruben’s perspective, it was understandable to be worried.

He had heard what I said to Maxium in the secret space about feeling nauseous, and he must know how much Edan cares for me.

It was something Ruben, who was loyal enough to risk his life for Edan, could easily say.

“Of course, Sir Ruben.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

And I added. I had originally intended to say this to Edan first, but since Ruben was so worried.

“I don’t have that feeling with Edan. The nauseous feeling was about other people. So don’t worry.”

Only then did Ruben smile more comfortably.

“That’s a relief. Actually, since the Grand Duke hasn’t been using his ability to fight demonic beasts recently, I thought maybe…”

“Wait a moment!”

Ruben, who had been sheepishly rubbing his nape, stopped and looked down at me.

“What do you mean Edan isn’t using his ability?”

“Huh?”

I was the one surprised, but Ruben’s eyes grew wider.

This is the first time I’m hearing this. I clearly told Edan it was okay, but he’s not using his ability?

“You didn’t know that the Grand Duke has been dealing with demonic beasts with his sword rather than his ability lately…?”

I didn’t know.

“I had no idea.”

I shook my head from side to side.

“Well… I understand. He’s not one to show it. Actually, I thought it was because you were refusing to heal, but I guess not.”

“How could I do that?”

“I’m sorry.”

The tips of my fingers gripping my skirt trembled slightly.

Even though the number of demonic beasts had decreased, the war wasn’t completely over yet, so how could he fight without using his ability?

The fact that Ruben is telling me this surely means that Edan has been injured or suffered some damage.

My mind went blank. How many days has it been?

I tried to recall Edan’s recent behavior, but there was nothing strange anywhere.

Considering the pattern so far, with the current level of demonic beasts, he could have easily alleviated his headaches without direct healing. By using the things I had prepared, as Ruben said.

But why deliberately…

After Ruben left, I headed straight to the kitchen.

As I manifested my power, a fluffy pink light filled the space.

More. Stronger.

Sparkling pearls shimmered like water ripples within the light pink healing power.

I put it into a bottle.

The healing power endlessly seeped into the water I had previously put in the bottle.

After letting it all flow in, the once clear water had turned pink.

The reason I hadn’t been making potions until now was a matter of conscience. Because it was illegal.

But I thought I should make some for Edan, just in case.

Edan, who had been away all day due to many meetings for winter preparations, returned to the castle at sunset.

“Edan.”

I was waiting in front of the library desk and looked at Edan as soon as the portal opened.

“Lati? Why are you here?”

Edan, who lightly scanned me, who was obviously waiting, frowned and tilted his head.

He had clearly been in meetings all day.

Although he was wearing a winter cloak for going out, underneath he was wearing a light tunic and black pants.

“Did something happen? Why…”

Before he could finish speaking, I approached him without hesitation and pulled up his tunic.

As expected, there was a fresh wound mark in the middle of his abs.

“What are you doing.”

It wasn’t a deep wound, but the skin was torn as if cut by something sharp.

“Lati.”

I asked gruffly to Edan, who pushed my hand away and pulled down his tunic as if telling me not to look.

“Why, why aren’t you using your ability?”

Edan clicked his tongue lightly.

“That bastard Ruben.”

“I told you I was okay with the healing issue.”

“I know. Who said anything?”

Edan roughly ruffled his hair and started to undo the buckle of his cloak.

“It’s not because of you. I told you. You’ve prepared things too…”

“Then you should use them.”

Why do you keep coming back injured.

The conclusion I came to while waiting for Edan was one.

Edan’s behavior of distancing himself since the moment I said I was uncomfortable, and using his ability as little as possible.

This is practice. Practice not using his ability.

Even though it’s okay now, he’s definitely trying to reduce it as much as possible because he doesn’t know when he’ll have to use strong abilities again due to demonic beasts. Because if he reduces the burning pain, I won’t have to do direct healing as much.

Then my uncomfortable feelings will be less too.

“You said you’d protect me. You said you’d protect me from going to the temple. Why aren’t you using your ability? If you get hurt like this…”

Edan dropped his cloak with a thud.

“Is that what you’re worried about?”

I didn’t say anything. It wasn’t because of that worry. It was just an excuse.

So it was a plea to please use his ability as much as he needed when fighting demonic beasts, and not to get hurt.

Because an Edan without his ability is just a human who is a bit stronger than others.

Because he’s a person who gets wounded like this and bleeds from demonic beast attacks.

Edan stared at my face silently for a moment, then slowly bent his upper body and brought his face close. The smell of early winter wind mixed with soap wafted over.

“I’ll keep my word.”

“Really?”

Edan pulled up one corner of his mouth at my question asking for confirmation. Along with his now healed smooth lips, his left eye narrowed as if winking.

“Don’t worry. If it comes down to it, I’ll even resort to black magic to protect you.”

Although it was said jokingly, hearing those words made my body stiffen as if all the blood had drained from it.

No. Don’t say such things. This isn’t what I wanted.

“Edan.”

“Yes?”

“Please.”

“What?”

I raised my gaze, which had been fixed on the floor out of guilt, and met Edan’s eyes.

Calm, unwavering red eyes.

“Don’t touch black magic.”

“I was just saying.”

His slightly raised eyes curved prettily.

“Still, it’s a request, so promise me.”

I wish the anxiety would disappear. Absolutely no black magic.

“Tell me you won’t use black magic no matter what happens.”

I continued speaking to Edan, who was silently staring at me.

“If you use such things, you’ll become just like Ivy. Your skin will rot, and you’ll become a monster, not a human. Then…”

The scene of Edan’s death in the original work flashed through my mind.

Edan’s final appearance was not human.