Chapter 120
The blank sheet of paper between Diana and Harold was now covered—every corner filled with Harold’s neat handwriting. When their eyes met, Diana gave a small nod of understanding.
Harold, in turn, put down the pen, picked up the paper, and without hesitation, crumpled it and swallowed it whole.
Diana blinked, then tried to hold back a laugh that bubbled up in her chest. But the joy couldn’t be completely hidden, and despite herself, her lips curved into a helpless grin. The tension in her chest loosened, and for a moment, everything felt light. It felt like things would turn out fine—that soon they would return to their peaceful lives.
Still, she kept her laughter quiet, not wanting anyone outside to hear.
At that moment, Harold swallowed hard, his throat bobbing noticeably. He looked at her steadily and moved his lips.
“Diana. Don’t ever act like this again.”
His voice was calm but serious, almost stern.
“…Mmm.”
Diana didn’t agree or promise. She just made a vague noise and hesitated, her lips slightly parted as if unsure how to reply.
“I know how you feel,” she said finally. “I know you didn’t want me to come here.”
She had always known. Harold had never liked her putting herself in danger. He was the type to take every burden on his own shoulders if it meant she could be kept safe behind sturdy walls.
“But if I were given the choice again, I’d still come. I’d make the same decision. Over and over again.”
Just like Harold didn’t want even a strand of her hair to be harmed, she too couldn’t bear to let him suffer—not even a scratch.
If he chose to walk through thorns to protect her, then she would gladly walk beside him, through the same painful path.
And if danger came for Harold, she wouldn’t hesitate. She’d throw herself into the fire for him.
Harold narrowed his eyes, letting out a soft sigh.
“My wife is truly impossible to control,” he muttered, half frustrated, half amused.
His lashes cast shadows across his eyes, giving his sharp gaze an intense, almost sinful charm.
“Diana… promise me you won’t do anything reckless.”
“Only if you promise you won’t get hurt. Not even a little.”
“You promise first, and then I will.”
“Alright. I promise I won’t be reckless,” Diana said without delay. “Now it’s your turn. Promise you won’t get hurt either.”
Harold smiled faintly at how quickly she agreed. He glanced at the wall, checking the time.
“There’s not much time left.”
“Oh!” Diana gasped. “You’re right.”
Her divine power was going to disappear soon. If they were going to trick the emperor, the timing had to be perfect. They had to act now.
“I’ll go call them.”
Since Harold was chained and couldn’t move, Diana stepped over to the door and knocked.
A small crack opened in the door, and she saw Jeina’s familiar face peeking through. Diana spoke clearly.
“I’m ready to give you what you wanted. But I need you to bring His Majesty immediately.”
Jeina’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.
“So it worked, then? You convinced him?”
“Yes. But please, hurry. Before Harold changes his mind.”
Jeina chuckled softly. “As long as you’re here, I doubt he will. But of course—I’ll go right away. His Majesty has been waiting anxiously for this moment, after all.”
She disappeared, promising to return soon.
It wasn’t long before the heavy door of the interrogation room opened again. The emperor entered, followed closely by Jeina. The knights and attendants remained outside.
The moment the emperor laid eyes on Harold, he froze in shock.
“…The wounds…!”
His expression twisted in disbelief. Every injury on Harold’s body had healed completely.
In just a short time, the man who had been bruised and wounded looked healthy again.
Unable to believe what he was seeing, the emperor stepped closer and pressed his hand against Harold’s arm, inspecting the skin with his own fingers.
“…It’s real.”
His voice trembled with awe.
Then his expression shifted—excitement, greed, and obsession all mixing in his eyes. He stared between Diana and Harold with a wild grin.
“How?! Tell me! Diana, did you know the method all along? Who has the power? Speak, either of you!”
Harold calmly answered, his voice steady.
“I can show you. But I’ll need a dagger. May I borrow one?”
The emperor blinked. “What for?”
“I want to show exactly how I was healed. I’m chained, and Diana has no weapons. Even if we had a dagger, we’re in no position to hurt anyone. Please don’t worry, Your Majesty.”
The emperor hesitated. His gaze flicked toward Harold’s shackled ankles. Even so, he looked reluctant.
After a moment, he pulled a sword from his belt with a soft shring of metal.
“If it’s a wound you need… allow me.”
Without hesitation, the emperor stepped forward and slashed Harold’s arm with the blade.
A thin red line opened across Harold’s pale skin, blood welling up and trickling down.
“Now. Show me. Let me see the method with my own eyes.”
Harold didn’t flinch. Instead, he locked eyes with Diana.
She took a breath and removed her gloves.
Yes, the cut was long, but it wasn’t deep or dangerous. As Harold had predicted, the emperor hadn’t gone too far. That was exactly why Harold had insisted this approach could work, even if they didn’t get a weapon of their own.
‘I can heal this before my powers disappear.’
Diana stepped close and gently took Harold’s hand.
The divine energy flowed instantly—warm, golden light trickled from her palm into his skin.
The wound began to close. The bleeding stopped. New skin formed over the wound, which was smooth and flawless.
She let go of his hand, then pulled out a handkerchief to wipe away the remaining blood.
As she did, a strange feeling washed over her.
It was gone.
Her power—she could feel its absence like a door quietly shutting inside her soul.
‘The time has come.’
She turned toward the emperor and Jeina.
Both were staring at her, their eyes wide and filled with a feverish gleam.
Then, suddenly—
“Ha… hahaha! AHAHAHAHA!”
The emperor erupted in laughter, wild and unhinged. His eyes shone with madness, reflecting a man who had just discovered the key to eternal life.
“…So it was you, Duchess. You were the reason Harold was healed. What is this power? Magic? I’ve searched countless old texts and found no record of a spell that can heal wounds just through touch. But still… it must be magic. There’s no other explanation!”
He was trembling with excitement.
Diana took a step forward and calmly spoke.
“Your Majesty. I must tell you… there’s a limitation to my ability.”
“A limitation?”
“I can only use my power when I feel affection toward the person I’m healing.”
“…What?”
The emperor’s smile faltered.
“I beg your forgiveness, but it’s true. My power only works when I care for the person. That’s why Harold was healed.”
The emperor scowled.
“You lie. There’s no such rule in any magical text! Magic doesn’t require emotions!”
“That’s true… if it were ordinary magic. But how can you be so sure my power is magic? And even if it is, hundreds of years have passed since the last magician. Who’s to say the rules haven’t changed?”
“…”
The emperor was speechless. He couldn’t deny it—not confidently.
Magic had become a legend. There were no living mages. No one had seen powers like hers before.
Right now, Diana’s words were the only guide they had.
“At first, Harold didn’t recover either,” she added. “He only started healing after our marriage. Isn’t that right, Harold?”
Harold smiled faintly. “That’s correct. Back then, she hadn’t fallen for me yet.”
The emperor’s face darkened.
If what they were saying was true, then it would be impossible for him to use Diana’s power. He was not someone she could love.
“…This is absurd. You expect me to believe such a condition? Prove it.”
“I’d be happy to,” Diana replied without hesitation.
“Jeina.”
At the emperor’s nod, Jeina took out a small dagger and sliced her own hand without a blink of hesitation.
Diana moved forward and took Jeina’s hand in hers.
But this time—nothing happened.
No glow. No warmth. No healing.
Blood continued to drip from Jeina’s skin.
“You may check,” Diana said.
Jeina inspected her wound and shook her head.
“…The injury is still there.”
Diana looked directly at the emperor.
“Now do you believe me?”
The emperor and Jeina fell silent.
Just moments ago, their faces had been lit with excitement. Now they were grim and tense.
They understood.
And Diana delivered her final blow.
“Also, I must tell you—I feel a great deal of anger toward Your Majesty. For what you’ve done to the Baisen family, and to Harold.”
Her voice was steady, her expression cool.
The emperor realized he’d been outplayed. As long as her powers were bound to affection, and she held none for him, he could never use her.
And for now, at least, that meant he couldn’t force her to heal him—or anyone else.
Harold and Diana had won the first round.
Girl i was afraid of your future, what if the emperor decide to torture you?!
Oh flawless plan. I was worried 😮💨
He’ll keep her there til she “falls” for him~
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