Chapter 56
“Raymond… just hold on a little longer.”
I whispered quietly, then turned to Melas with a request.
“Melas, could you get me some water, please?”
“You must be thirsty from rushing here. I’ll be right back.”
That wasn’t the real reason—but it made for a good excuse, so I stayed quiet and waited.
Melas left and soon returned with a glass of water.
The glass was filled with clear water.
I lifted it and pretended to drink—but instead of swallowing, I let the water pool in my mouth. Then I slowly poured it back into the glass.
As the water landed back in the cup, it shimmered faintly, glowing as if blessed.
I covered the glass with my hand so it wouldn’t be too noticeable and brought it close to Raymond’s face.
Since his injuries were internal, I figured it’d be better to get the water inside his body rather than applying it on the outside.
Just as I was about to pour it into his mouth, Melas suddenly grabbed my wrist.
“Lady Cowet—what are you doing?”
“Huh? Oh, I just thought the Grand Duke must be thirsty too…”
“Giving water to someone unconscious is extremely dangerous.”
“O-oh… is it?”
Oh no. What now?
I hadn’t expected this problem and panicked inside.
He needed to drink this to heal—and wake up.
I was trying to figure out a believable excuse, but my head was too scrambled to realize Melas was now staring at me with deep suspicion.
“Also… did you just pretend to drink, then spit the water back into the glass?”
Cough. My heart sank.
He… saw that?!
This was a total disaster. What must he think of me?
I froze, not knowing what to say, my brain blanking out like a blown fuse.
Melas’s twisted expression made it obvious what he was thinking—and it wasn’t good.
“W-wait, no. That’s not—”
“I can’t believe you’d do something so unsanitary. What, do you think your saliva is some kind of love potion? Why would you… what are you trying to gain by doing this to someone unconscious?”
He looked at me like I was some creepy stalker or obsessive fan.
“No! That’s not it! You’ve got it all wrong!”
“What exactly is ‘wrong’?”
He crossed his arms and waited, clearly daring me to explain myself—but looking like he’d shoot down any excuse I tried.
What could I say to undo this misunderstanding?
I thought through every possible explanation—but realized there was only one answer.
Tell the truth.
“My… my saliva has healing powers!”
I blurted it out. Maybe too directly.
Melas’s narrowed eyes widened, almost comically.
He probably thought I was lying just to get out of trouble.
Yes, I could read his face. He was one of those people who expressed everything with their expression.
“That’s… nonsense.”
“I know how it sounds. I didn’t believe it at first either. But it’s true.”
He still looked skeptical, but this time instead of outright rejecting me, he turned to the door and called out:
“Eden. Come here.”
Soon after, a soldier named Eden came stiffly into the room.
As he came closer, I noticed he had wounds on his shoulder and arm.
I asked gently, “Did anyone else get hurt?”
“No, just him. He’s… not great at fighting.”
“Haha, yeah. That’s me.”
Eden rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
Without saying much, Melas took the glass of water from me and handed it to Eden.
“Drink this.”
“Huh? Uh, okay.”
Not knowing what it was, Eden obediently drank it down in a few gulps.
“Ahh. Refreshing!”
He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, then looked at Melas, confused.
“Wait, sir… did you just call me in here just to give me water?”
“Focus. Tell me if you feel any changes in your body.”
“In my… body?”
Even though he didn’t understand, Eden did as he was told. He ran his hands over his body—and then let out a surprised noise.
“Whoa? Wait! My wounds— they’re gone!”
“Really?”
Melas stepped forward to check, startled.
Sure enough, the cuts on Eden’s shoulder and arm had completely disappeared. His skin was smooth and even had a healthy shine to it.
Whoa. So drinking it worked way faster than applying it!
While I silently marveled at this new discovery, Melas turned back to me.
“It’s real…”
“See? I told you.”
I lifted my chin proudly.
As Eden continued poking at his own skin in disbelief, Melas quickly ushered him out of the room.
Then he turned to me with a serious expression and bowed deeply.
“Lady Cowet, please forgive me for my rudeness.”
“Oh, no need for that. Honestly, it’s understandable. I would’ve misunderstood too. Hahaha…”
This time it was my turn to laugh awkwardly and rub the back of my head.
“That potion from before—was it also…?”
“Yes, it was.”
“I see. So your saliva really does have healing properties.”
He nodded, clearly amazed.
I told you!
Guess he had to see it to believe it. Better than explaining forever.
Then, after a moment of thought, Melas spoke again.
“This will definitely help His Grace recover. But it’s dangerous to give water to someone unconscious—especially in large amounts.”
“Then what should I do?”
I looked at him anxiously.
He studied my expression, then offered a bold suggestion.
“…How about transferring it mouth-to-mouth?”
“W-What?! Mouth-to-mouth?!”
Kiss?! Did he just say kiss?!
The shock hit me like a lightning bolt. My shoulders and hips twitched from surprise.
Of course, I’ve imagined romantic kisses with my favorite character—but imagining and actually doing it were two very different things.
And doing it while he’s unconscious?! It felt wrong—like I’d be forcing it.
My brain was spinning in chaos.
Melas, seeing my hesitation, tried to reassure me.
“It’s not really a kiss. Think of it like mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. It’s the safest way to deliver something to someone who’s unconscious.”
“Safe…”
“Besides, His Grace needs urgent treatment. You’re the only one who can help him now.”
“Y-you’re right…”
I came all this way to heal him. I couldn’t let personal feelings get in the way now.
I lightly slapped both cheeks with my hands to snap myself out of it.
“Alright. I’ll do it!”
“Well said.”
I clenched my fists and declared it—Melas nodded in relief.
Then he explained the steps carefully.
“Place your tongue gently inside and move his to the side. Let the saliva flow in. Rubbing the tongue slightly will help the saliva form naturally.”
“Okay… got it.”
I listened seriously—like I was learning CPR. I cleared all personal feelings from my mind and focused.
Because honestly, this wasn’t a kiss. It was more like a medical procedure.
After the instructions, I sat down beside the bed.
Raymond was still unconscious, unaware of what I was about to do.
His expression occasionally twisted, probably from the pain.
This is all to save my favorite character.
I calmed myself again and leaned in close.
“Um…”
“Yes, Lady Cowet?”
Before starting, I looked at Melas.
“I feel a little… embarrassed. Could you not look?”
“Of course. I’ll move over there.”
He obediently stepped to the window.
Turning back to Raymond, I gazed at his face.
Even with pain distorting his expression, he looked so handsome.
To think I’m about to kiss those precious lips—my heart raced.
I even swallowed nervously.
God… thanks for this unexpected plot twist.
Not long ago, I was cursing the saliva thing—and now I’m thankful for it. How fickle the human heart is.
To avoid getting in the way, I swept my hair over one shoulder and leaned in to kiss him.
His lips felt soft as they touched mine.
My face burned, but I had to stay focused.
When I gently parted my lips, his parted as well. I slid my tongue into his mouth.
Just as Melas described, stimulating the inside helped saliva form naturally.
At first, Raymond didn’t respond—but then, slowly, he began to move his tongue.
Finally, he swallowed.
He was regaining consciousness.
“Mm! Mm!”
Still kissing him, I made a happy noise.
Melas, hearing me, rushed over and saw Raymond’s fingers twitch.
“He’s healing!”
“Puh!”
I pulled away and finally took a deep breath.
Catching my breath, I asked,
“Pant… Is that enough?”
“Yes, you did great.”
We looked at each other like comrades-in-arms.
Then we waited a little longer.
About five minutes passed.
“Hmmm…”
With a quiet groan, Raymond slowly opened his eyes.
