Chapter 23
Perhaps it was thanks to Rubiana’s encouragement that the staff member regained his momentum.
He began jabbering away again, this time about the exceptional qualities of the Scoby Hotel, but neither Elion nor Rubiana really registered a single word.
Their minds were entirely focused on the sensation of mana flowing in and out.
“This is the room with the best view in Scoby Hotel. Please, make yourself comfortable. If you need anything, just pull the bell cord at any time.”
After the staff member finished showing them the room and left, Elion gently set Rubiana down on the bed.
Seeing her pale face regain its natural color, Elion let out a sigh of relief.
Her forehead, dotted with cold sweat, and her silver-white eyebrows, previously furrowed tightly, had returned to their normal state.
Elion looked at her sitting calmly against the headboard and asked,
“Now it’s your turn to choose. How would you like to receive the mana?”
“Ah…”
Rubiana’s cheeks instantly turned crimson.
I’m hurt, you know?
I almost collapsed coughing up blood!
I barely managed to endure nearly losing consciousness!
Couldn’t he just recharge my mana automatically without asking me what I wanted?
She shot a sly glare at Elion’s deep blue eyes, which were fixed on her.
Unable to answer immediately, she just moved her lips slightly. Elion let out a quiet chuckle.
“I think I got your answer.”
And in the next moment, Elion’s lips covered Rubiana’s.
Mana-deprived to the point of pain, Rubiana gratefully and happily drank in the mana he offered.
She hugged his neck with strength in her arms, a will that refused to let go of him.
Elion’s large hands that cupped her face held her just as firmly, treating his “remedy” with utmost care.
Haah… haah… Their breaths grew increasingly heavy.
The first deep kiss had been difficult, but after that, it became easier.
This time, Rubiana’s tongue brushed against Elion’s lips first.
Startled by her mischievous motion, Elion’s previously sharp eyes softened immediately.
He eagerly accepted her hesitant tongue and held her tightly.
They forgot even to inhale and exhale, focusing entirely on exchanging mana.
Rubiana refused to let go of his lips.
Elion shivered as he pulled on her tongue.
Exhausted, Rubiana gently pushed him away with her shoulder.
Thanks to keeping her wits about her, Elion immediately understood her signal and leaned back slightly.
Haah… haah…
Through the small gap between their lips came a burst of warm breath.
Unaware, Rubiana had partially reclined while Elion remained above her.
Naturally, their gazes met.
The face they had just shared a passionate kiss with was still somewhat unfamiliar, and a wave of embarrassment rushed over them.
Elion rolled over beside Rubiana to hide his flushed face.
Haah…
Lying side by side, their chests rose and fell in sync as they looked at the ceiling.
Elion, having recovered his breath first, asked,
“But why did your condition suddenly worsen? We exchanged mana properly yesterday, didn’t we?”
“…I don’t know. My day was normal, just like any other. I felt fine in the morning. But then the pain started all of a sudden.”
“…You must’ve been really scared.”
“Thank you for coming, Your Highness. I didn’t want to collapse coughing up blood on the street. You saved me. But how did you know I was there and get here so fast?”
“Well, thanks to this.”
Elion raised the wrist with his communication bracelet and smiled.
“It’s top-tier, so it includes a teleportation function.”
“Oh, I see!”
“You can teleport between the two people wearing the bracelets. There might be a limit to the number of uses, though.”
Perhaps feeling embarrassed, Elion credited the bracelet for today’s success.
“Thank you too, communication bracelet.”
“Top-tier, indeed.”
“Yes, thank you, top-tier communication bracelet.”
“…Alright.”
Rubiana chuckled as she repeated Elion’s correction.
Seeing her smile comfortably, it seemed she had genuinely recovered.
“But were you alone? Was there a maid attending you?”
“No. I was alone. I went out with my mother, but she returned first, leaving me behind. I like wandering alone sometimes, though not often.”
“You shouldn’t go out alone.”
“…Yes.”
Rubiana nodded quietly.
Even though she felt okay after receiving mana from Elion, clearly, she wasn’t entirely fine.
It was as if the gods were ringing a warning: nothing had truly gone according to her wishes yet.
They were planning to see Omar for a check-up tomorrow, but Elion continued questioning her.
“What were you planning to do alone?”
“Go to the bookstore, have some delicious desserts… that’s it. Nothing special.”
“…I see.”
Silence followed, growing slightly awkward.
‘I can’t miss this opportunity.’
Rubiana decided to address the most important matter before the silence dragged on further.
It was time to execute the plan she had prepared from last night until this morning.
She turned her head to look at Elion.
Even his profile was handsome.
His prominent nose and moderately full lips harmonized perfectly—a pleasing sight.
Had they not met under circumstances of heroine and antagonist, she would have likely fallen for him.
‘Ah, no distractions at an important moment.’
Rubiana focused on her goal, mustering her mental strength.
“Do you have to leave again, Your Highness?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Good. Then… if you have the time, would you stay with me?”
Taken aback by the unexpected question, Elion furrowed his brows deeply and turned to look at Rubiana.
“I originally planned to wander around alone, but I was afraid I might collapse again like earlier.”
She lowered her eyes, trying to look as pitiful as possible.
The furrow between his brows deepened before he finally answered in a low voice,
“…Alright.”
Oh, yes!
Rubiana silently cheered inwardly.
Though the sudden pain had startled her, it had serendipitously allowed her to summon Elion.
Rubiana’s eyes widened when she saw Elion rising from the bed.
“Your clothes… Your Highness.”
“Ah…”
Only then did Elion glance down at his outfit.
He was wearing armor, stained in places with monster blood.
Rubiana, standing, smiled warmly.
“Then… shall we start with shopping first?”
“…I suppose we should.”
Elion nodded at her suggestion.
Rubiana headed to the boutique with Elion.
However, she quickly regretted her decision.
All the attention from people clinging to Elion made her uneasy.
Young ladies stared at him as if enchanted.
“Oh my! Look at that man… he’s incredibly handsome!”
“But who is he? I’ve never seen anyone that good-looking in high society before.”
“Exactly. A man like that would be unforgettable after just one glance… but I’ve never seen him before.”
Rubiana and Elion could hear every whispered word clearly.
Wanting to leave quickly, they walked briskly.
But now, the whispers were about Rubiana.
“Who’s the girl beside him?”
“Wait… isn’t she Rubiana Fayson?”
“I’ve never heard that she has a boyfriend. She said she was sick—could she really have a new lover?”
Rubiana’s face went pale instantly.
People admired Elion’s handsome face but had no idea who he was.
He had grown up in a provincial territory, spent the last five years on battlefields, and had rarely appeared in the capital or high society. Few knew what he looked like.
Though his portrait appeared in newspapers during his victories, a portrait is always different from reality.
Rubiana’s situation, however, was different.
Her main stage in life was the capital, Batra.
She had been born and raised there, and was somewhat active in high society.
Even strangers often knew her face and name.
‘Ah… I completely misjudged this. I knew Elion was handsome, but I didn’t expect him to attract this much attention.’
Just walking down the street, and yet all this attention!
‘It’s like… in a past life, a famous celebrity walking by and everyone staring and whispering.’
Nervous from the unexpected attention, Rubiana swallowed dryly.
‘This will probably end up in tomorrow’s gossip column about some romantic vibe. Now I can’t just turn back. What should I do?’
