Chapter 19
Like someone desperately trying to reach something, she rested her head gently against him, letting her cheek slide down to his wrist.
Then, she lowered the hand covering her nose and mouth slightly and began to take deep breaths.
It was purely instinctual. The divine power radiating from him seemed to carve out little paths through the suffocating air, making it easier to breathe. Naturally, she was drawn closer to him.
It felt as if a clear breeze was parting a suffocating black curtain, and she couldn’t bring herself to move away.
If she could, she wanted to stay like this. But she felt Raphael’s arm flinch in surprise at her closeness, and that snapped her back to her senses.
“…I’m sorry, just give me a moment.”
Louisa began to fumble through the blood-stained hem of her dress.
Raphael, realizing she was searching for something, finally came to and pulled out his handkerchief with his right hand.
He carefully handed it to her, and asked in a strained voice:
“What do I need to do? Is there medicine?”
“Thank you. Yes, there is.”
Louisa took the handkerchief in one hand and pulled out a small vial from her pocket.
As the warmth from Raphael’s body faded, her pale complexion became more apparent. His gaze didn’t leave her face for even a second.
Her long lashes fluttered like petals in the wind, revealing violet eyes that shimmered as if dewed.
Despite being darker from the tears, her calm eyes still held their composure.
Raphael silently watched Louisa as she opened the cork on the vial and slowly began to drink.
When the bottle finally left her lips, he asked softly:
“That… is that holy water?”
Louisa’s startled gaze snapped to Raphael.
As if weighing whether or not to answer, she lowered her eyes for a moment, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. Then, slowly, she nodded.
“…Do you always carry it with you?”
“Yes. When I drink it, it helps settle my condition.”
She spoke as if describing a regular digestive tonic. Raphael’s brow furrowed immediately.
He had given her the holy water before to help stabilize her, but he hadn’t expected her to need it again so soon. And again after vomiting blood.
“Holy water, you say? May I ask what your diagnosis is?”
“Um… they haven’t figured it out yet…”
Last time, they said it was from a corset and found nothing wrong.
Hearing her hazy, murmured voice, Raphael’s jaw clenched and veins stood out on his neck.
“You’re drinking holy water without even knowing what the illness is? No matter how beneficial it may be, indiscriminate use is not wise.”
His voice was low and tense.
“I know. I do… but when I drink it, I feel noticeably better. Look, even now, I’m starting to feel okay again. Hoo…”
But Louisa, unaware of the severity in his tone, simply took a deep breath and looked visibly relieved.
Her face had brightened so noticeably that he couldn’t bring himself to press further. Raphael’s mouth opened, then shut again in silence.
“Anyway, is everything okay outside? I don’t think I can go to the restaurant like this…”
She broke the silence just then, and Raphael came to his senses.
A blast that large should have sent him immediately into action, assessing the situation—but somehow, all his attention had been solely on Louisa.
That realization stunned him. But what stunned him more was that, even now, his feet weren’t moving.
‘What if she collapses again while I’m gone? She vomited so much blood, there’s no way she’s really fine…’
How could anyone leave someone this unwell behind? He convinced himself that anyone would react this way.
“…It seems things have quieted down. I believe the threat has been subdued. For now, you should return home and see your personal physician.”
“Ah, yes. And Your Highness? Shouldn’t you check in on the scene?”
“I…”
Raphael started to help Louisa stand from the carriage and trailed off. There was a subtle hesitation in his voice.
Just as Louisa’s eyes turned toward him curiously—
Knock knock.
A knock came at the carriage door.
“Are you alright?”
The door opened quickly, and a man with wide black eyes appeared.
“Commander? Gasp—what’s going on here?”
It was Andy White, Vice Captain of the Holy Knights. He glanced inside the carriage and, upon seeing Louisa, looked completely shocked.
“Was the order given for the knights to assemble nearby?”
“Yes, sir. The Vice Commander issued an emergency call. Only those nearby have arrived so far.”
Andy answered earnestly, though his curious eyes fell to the bloody carriage floor.
“Get a cloak and summon another carriage.”
“…Should we call a doctor as well?”
When Raphael didn’t seem inclined to explain anything, Andy cautiously asked—and Louisa answered instead.
“I’m just a bit hurt. It’s fine. I’ll get checked once I return to the duchy, so please just arrange the carriage, Sir Andy.”
“Ah, yes. I’ll be right back.”
It was obviously not just “a bit,” but Andy didn’t press further. He bowed politely and closed the door.
As he stepped away, his expression twisted with confusion.
“…This is nothing like the rumors.”
Louisa, known for being prickly, was composed and polite. And Raphael, supposedly disgusted by his fiancée, showed none of the coldness the rumors described.
Would someone who despised another look at them with such concern?
Andy, who had served closely under Raphael, had never seen him wear such an expression.
“No… he’s not the type to show concern or affection for anyone, let alone look at them like that…”
Andy walked briskly away, his mind more shaken by the scene inside the carriage than by the actual explosion.
***
Less than two hours after heading out for lunch, they were back at the duke’s estate. Cloaked in black, Louisa stepped out of the carriage with Raphael’s help.
“Would you consider seeing a royal physician?”
“It’s okay. I’ll just have the duchy’s doctor take a look.”
“But you said they still haven’t identified the illness.”
“…Yes, that’s true, but I really am fine.”
Even though he had asked before departure and again upon arrival, Raphael didn’t seem convinced. Louisa had to insist at least three more times.
Her eyes dimmed with helplessness. She understood why he didn’t trust her—this was the second time he’d seen her in such a state. Still, it felt a bit unfair.
‘I really am fine. The holy water works instantly…’
She had a bad feeling that this might keep happening.
At least she hadn’t lost consciousness like the first time. But the truth was, she was forcing herself to appear okay—she’d lost so much blood that she now felt dizzy.
What good was purifying the demonic energy if she was going to die from blood loss anyway?
‘Ugh, my fate. It’d be fine if I coughed up blood while alone, but why does it always happen in front of people…?’
Her head already ached. Sure, she could send Raphael off for now, but he would likely keep asking questions next time.
But how could she say, “I’m vomiting blood because my body is purifying dark energy”?
Louisa let out a quiet, troubled sigh. Then, a new thought struck her, and she furrowed her brow.
‘Wait… maybe it’s because there isn’t any dark energy around when I’m alone. Which means… the presence of others brings it out?’
Still, it was happening too frequently. She didn’t recall the original Louisa coughing up blood this often in the story.
Maybe the area was just that saturated with dark energy.
And if that were true, it was no small issue.
The original female lead’s appearance was supposed to trigger the purification process—but if Louisa couldn’t last until then, no amount of wealth would matter. She’d just end up with a well-funded funeral.
“Miss! Are you alright?”
A trembling voice snapped her out of her thoughts. Her blank stare finally regained focus.
“Ah… Mary.”
“Miss! That blood—what happened?!”
Mary, pale with panic, ran up to her.
She’d just come out to greet her mistress, surprised by the early return—only to find her dressed in a blood-stained gown. It was enough to send her heart plummeting.
Before Mary could unleash her panic, Louisa cut her off, addressing Raphael.
“I’ve kept you too long, Your Highness. Thank you for escorting me. That will be all…”
Leaning on Mary, Louisa subtly gestured toward her hand, still held by Raphael.
“Your Highness? My hand…”
“Oh.”
Apparently unaware he was still holding it, Raphael startled and let go.
His blue eyes blinked a few times in flustered surprise before he quickly looked away, unable to meet her violet gaze.
Louisa stared at him for a moment, then gave a small curtsey and turned away.
No reply came from behind her. Her back prickled slightly with the sensation of his gaze, but she said nothing and walked steadily into the mansion.
