Episode 12
As soon as I opened my eyes, it felt like I had entered heaven.
Sparkling blue eyes, radiant silver-blue hair, and features so perfect that they still shone despite his pale complexion.
If I hadn’t recognized him, I might’ve thought I had died and met an angel.
Castian gently held my hand and whispered softly.
“You’re awake?”
To be greeted with such luxury the moment I open my eyes…
Dear God, I promise to live righteously from now on.
I smiled to myself, silently thanking the heavens, and as I did, a smile as perfect as a painting appeared on Castian’s face as well.
“You must be feeling better now. I was worried.”
Relief passed over his calm smile.
Thinking back to how I must’ve looked before passing out, his reaction made sense—
But hearing that he was worried about me made my heart feel warm and fuzzy.
“I’m sorry for making you worry.”
“It’s my fault for pushing you too hard. I won’t let it happen again.”
“No, I agreed to do it. And I really am fine.”
Castian’s expression dimmed slightly, so I waved my hand and sat up.
Actually, I felt… surprisingly good.
Considering I was on the verge of death from mana exhaustion, this was almost too good.
Even the magic that had completely drained out was now fully restored.
“How long was I asleep?”
“Three days.”
“Three days?!”
Startled, I widened my eyes and Castian slowly nodded.
No wonder my body felt so refreshed.
But I needed to find Marcus and save Castian as soon as possible—how could I have slept for three whole days?
I pulled back the blanket and stepped out of bed, glancing around the unfamiliar room.
“Where are we? And what about Marcus?”
“We’re at an inn in the village where the Wandering Sage resides.”
“So you found Marcus? You met him?”
“Not yet. But now that you’re awake, we can go together. Shall we eat first?”
Castian smiled with a relaxed, upturned gaze.
I almost nodded, enchanted by his dazzling smile—but I quickly gathered my senses.
“Are you serious? We should’ve seen Marcus already! Let’s go!”
I urged him, frustrated, but Castian only chuckled and stayed seated.
Why is this man so calm?
And why is he smiling so much?
He wasn’t the type to laugh this easily.
Now that I think about it… even his gaze feels different.
He used to avoid looking directly at me, guarded even when standing nearby,
but now… this overwhelming kindness—what is going on?
Castian gently swept back my messy hair and spoke in a voice like honey.
“Lydia, your meal comes first.”
Saying “let’s eat” in such a sweet tone should be illegal.
I turned away from Castian’s devastatingly handsome face and gave in with a nod.
“…Alright.”
But even after I surrendered, he still didn’t move.
In fact, he leaned in even closer.
This wasn’t just unfair—it was criminal.
He said we were going to eat, so what was this?
I blinked in confusion, unable to grasp his intentions. Then, with a dreamy look, Castian spoke.
“It’s easier to use necromancy when I’m close.”
“Well, sure, but… you’re already way too close.”
“What about now? Is this better?”
I had a bad feeling about his dangerous-looking smile—and then he kissed the back of my hand.
Startled, I jerked my hand away and scooted back instinctively.
Clutching my hands to my chest and opening my mouth in shock, I was about to say something when Castian burst into actual laughter.
He laughed heartily, as if completely at ease, and murmured something I couldn’t quite catch.
“…Definitely more comfortable now.”
“What… what is?”
“I’ve never felt this at peace since admitting it.”
“Admitting what?!”
I asked again, but he didn’t answer.
Instead, he gazed at me with eyes overflowing with warmth and gently caressed my cheek with the back of his hand.
What is wrong with this guy?!
Just as I flailed in the pool of confusion, the door opened.
Edan entered with his usual grim face—but when our eyes met, his expression completely changed.
“You’re awake!”
He walked over with a bright smile and even asked kindly,
“Lady Lydia, are you feeling better now?”
What is with him?
I couldn’t respond, thrown off by this sudden friendliness, but Castian intervened.
“Edan. Food.”
“Yes, I’ll prepare it immediately. Oh, and the bathwater’s ready as well.”
“Good. Lydia, if you’d prefer to bathe first, that’s fine.”
Castian’s face was still calm and kind.
Behind him, Edan also smiled at me with almost too much cheer.
Forget food or baths—I felt like I should be asking what these two had eaten to change so drastically.
Still, I chose to run away—to the bath.
“I’ll bathe first.”
Castian nodded, and Edan went into the bathroom.
Soon after, I heard the sound of running water. Castian even personally checked the temperature before returning to guide me to the door.
He closed it with a longing look on his face.
I was speechless as I stared at the rose petals floating in the tub.
What in the world happened during those three days I was unconscious?
Why had Mr. Baguette turned into the soft and moist Castella?
Castian aside, Edan was even weirder.
Kind Edan? That was scarier than when he charged at me with a sword.
I shook my head and stepped into the tub.
As the warm water enveloped my body, my doubts and stress melted away.
“Ahhh… this is heaven.”
I was humming with delight when the door creaked open. A young woman, who seemed to be a maid, entered.
“I brought some clothes for you to change into.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“I’ll help with your bath.”
“No, it’s fine. I can wash myself.”
“Please don’t refuse. Your husband told me to take good care of you.”
“My… what?”
“Your husband. He’s been so worried about you.”
“W-Who?”
“Oh… aren’t you married? Then you’re engaged? Ah, that must be why he didn’t undress you himself.”
The maid nodded to herself like everything made perfect sense, then poured fragrant oil onto my hair.
So she’s the one who cleaned me up and changed my blood-soaked clothes.
As I sat frozen from the barrage of “husband” and “wife” and “fiancé,” she continued brushing my hair.
“You two must really love each other. Your fiancé didn’t sleep or eat—he stayed right by your side, holding your hand the whole time.”
She even acted out how Castian held my hand, a dreamy look in her eyes.
Sure, he doesn’t need to eat or sleep, but… holding my hand?
I remembered the face I saw when I woke up.
His smile of relief and the words, I was worried.
It wasn’t just a casual remark. The maid muttered under her breath, almost to herself.
“He looked so heartbroken…”
“Heartbroken? Him?”
Castian… and heartbroken?
That couldn’t be right.
But the maid nodded with a sympathetic look.
“Yes, my lady. Even I felt sorry seeing him like that. It’s a miracle you woke up safely.”
“Y-Yeah… it is.”
I gave a vague answer, and she didn’t say anything more.
As I continued my bath with her help, I thought things through.
It was hard to imagine Castian looking pitiful, but thinking back, it wasn’t impossible.
I had really almost died.
If he had come just a little later, I wouldn’t have died from mana exhaustion—I would’ve bled out.
Thanks to my endurance, Castian didn’t die either. So I guess he was grateful.
Even if he’s a rude necromancer, gratitude is only natural.
If that’s why Castian and Edan were acting differently now… well, it wasn’t a bad thing.
Actually, no—it was a good thing.
Castian may be a bit snarky, but he clearly knew how to show basic human decency.
He was being overly kind for someone who was just thankful, but hey, better too warm than too cold.
With that thought, my mind settled down.
By the time I finished my bath, I could smell something delicious outside the door.
I got dressed and headed back to the room—only to find a feast laid out on the table, piled so high with meat that the legs looked ready to snap.
“What… is all this?”
“Beef, Lady Lydia.”
Indeed, it was a glorious spread of beef—grilled, boiled, stir-fried, and even deep-fried, from every part of the cow.
Suddenly, the hunger of the past three days hit me like a wave.
I turned to Castian, wiping the drool from the corner of my mouth. He pulled out my chair and smiled.
“You said you wanted to eat, didn’t you?”
Did I?
Maybe I did mention meat before passing out.
Then again, I was so dizzy from blood loss, I barely remember anything.
Excited, I grabbed my fork. Castian even sliced the meat for me and placed it on my plate.
As I happily shoved the meat into my mouth, I noticed Castian still hadn’t touched his food.
I felt a little guilty.
“I’m sorry I’m the only one eating.”
As I hesitated, Castian reached toward me.
Not knowing what he was about to do, I froze—
Then, he wiped a bit of sauce from the corner of my mouth with his finger.
And… he licked it off.
“There. Now you don’t need to feel sorry.”
Castella-with-a-sense-of-gratitude said, smiling like a sinner who thought he’d just redeemed himself.
