Chapter : 104
I’m doomed.
Dayna swallowed hard, clutching the child tightly in her arms.
A moment ago, a pillar had collapsed and blocked the door, and now the fire surrounded them on all sides. No matter how she looked around, there was nowhere else to go.
“…….”
Red flames raged wildly from every direction. Holding her breath, all that filled the air was the sound of burning wood.
What should I do?
“Cough, cough!”
The thickening smoke made the child start coughing. Dayna herself was starting to struggle to breathe from the overwhelming heat and acrid smoke.
She took out a handkerchief from her chest and pressed it against the child’s face.
It wasn’t wet, but at least it was something…
“Hoo…”
Perhaps because of the continuous inhalation of dense smoke, her vision suddenly blurred and her head started spinning.
No, this won’t do. I have to find a way out…
At that moment, Dayna’s knees gave way. She had thought she was walking straight forward, but her vision flipped backward, and pain shot through her body.
“Ugh!”
Instinctively hugging the child in her arms, Dayna fell to the ground, coughing violently as she tried to lift her upper body.
“Cough, hic, cough!”
Ah… dizzy…
Dayna forced her narrowing eyes to focus and tried to move her legs again.
But her strength was failing, and her body, holding the child, could not stand straight. She kept collapsing back to the ground.
“Just… a little… longer… cough!”
Dayna furrowed her brows and coughed once more.
The child in her arms was gasping for breath, unable to cry.
Ah… I just wanted to save the child…
“Dayna.”
At that moment, Nox’s low voice echoed in her ears. Thinking of his gentle tone, tears welled up in her eyes.
Still, he must have escaped the mansion safely, right?
The thought that he was safe brought relief, but the memory of him suffering because of fire again made her heart ache.
I need to get out of here…
“……Haa.”
Her mind was growing increasingly hazy.
Even in that state, she saw a pile of collapsing wood falling straight toward her.
Will everything collapse like this?
‘Stella…’
Dayna slowly blinked her eyes.
If I’m not here, can our Lady Stella make it through the trial?
This time, I really wanted to defeat Painstein…
At that instant, flames leapt from the side and engulfed Dayna. She mustered her final strength, clutching the child tightly against her chest and closing her eyes.
She thought it would feel hot—but there was no sensation at all.
“Dayna!”
Then, she seemed to hear Nox’s voice from somewhere.
Maybe it was because it was the end, but she could hear things that weren’t really there…
“Dayna!”
Huddled against the heat, she heard his voice again.
It might be a hallucination, but if it were real, she should lift herself and shout, “I’m here!” Yet her body refused to obey.
Like cotton soaked in water, an indescribable weight pressed down on her entire body, making it impossible to move. Her head ached as though it would split apart.
“Dayna!”
Was it real? She kept hearing it…
His voice continued, sometimes seeming very close, then suddenly distant.
Clutching the child in her arms, Dayna lost consciousness.
“…Big… a bit… late…”
What is he saying?
It sounded like it echoed through thick walls, and she couldn’t hear clearly.
She tried to open her eyes, furrowing her brows, but her body wouldn’t move.
“…I… need to… quickly…!”
Even though it was hard to hear, she could tell that the owner of that booming voice was Cleon.
His voice was three times louder than anyone else’s. Somehow, it made her feel relieved and even gave her a small laugh despite the situation.
Cleon… so he’s safe too. But why can’t I move…?
“……”
After a while, Cleon’s voice, which had been echoing loudly, faded. The surroundings instantly became quiet.
Is everyone gone?
Where am I? Am I alive? Could this be heaven?
Panicked, Dayna focused all her attention, trying to lift her eyelids, but she still couldn’t move.
At that moment, she felt something warm on the back of her right hand. That sensation slowly revived the nerves throughout her body.
‘Ah… it hurts!’
As her nerves came back to life, she realized that no part of her body was unscathed.
Her head spun, her neck throbbed painfully, and her arms, back, and legs ached.
At least… this isn’t heaven.
Dayna felt both relief and worry as she relaxed slightly.
“Haah…”
Then, she heard a deep sigh.
She immediately recognized whose it was. Nox was beside her.
Slowly opening her eyes, she saw a small light attached to the white ceiling.
‘Smell of disinfectant…’
The simple interior and unfamiliar smell filled the space. It must be a hospital.
As her vision gradually widened, her senses became sharper. Just as she tried to turn her head, she felt her right hand being held, warm and damp.
‘Huh…?’
Startled, Dayna slowly turned her head.
Sitting in a chair next to the bed, Nox held her right hand and buried his face against it.
She wanted to call out, “My Duke,” but no sound came out.
Frustrated, Dayna furrowed her brows and gently moved the hand he was holding.
At that small movement, Nox slowly lifted his head. His golden eyes, damp with moisture, looked down at her hand and saw it move.
“……Dayna?”
He spoke with a voice full of disbelief—and he was crying.
She wanted to ask, “Are you crying from shock?” but no sound came out. She could only gape like a goldfish, and sadness showed on Nox’s face.
“Dayna, are you awake?”
He moved his face closer and asked. Dayna nodded.
Seeing that she was conscious, Nox jumped up from his chair. His tear-soaked face didn’t even have time to be cleaned as he grabbed the jacket hanging over the chair.
“I’ll call a doctor.”
Dayna grabbed him.
She didn’t have much strength, so she held him lightly, but Nox turned to look at her, caught.
“Why? Are you hurt somewhere?”
Dayna shook her head.
Just…
“……Don’t go.”
Her hoarse, thin voice was pitiful, yet Nox immediately returned to her side.
He held her right hand with both of his and brought it to his lips.
“I won’t go. I’ll stay here.”
Dayna took back her hand from him and placed it on his face. Slowly, she moved it to wipe away his tears.
“Crybaby.”
At her soft voice, Nox let out a relieved laugh.
“Yes, I am a crybaby. I thought I had lost you, Dayna.”
He pressed his face into her hand as he spoke. Seeing his handsome face slightly bruised hurt her heart.
“Where could I possibly go, leaving my Duke behind?”
Nox pressed his lips to her palm, giving a small kiss. When she flinched from the ticklish sensation, he held her wrist to stop her.
Feeling shy, Dayna slightly wiggled her lips, then slowly spoke.
“What happened? Did you save me, Duke?”
Nox didn’t answer but just stared at her.
Huh, maybe not…?
She had thought she’d heard his voice at the end, but he had a severe trauma from fire. He definitely couldn’t have gone in to save her—but if she asked, it might complicate things…
“Oh, no. It must have been Sir Hertas…”
“When I saw you collapsed, I thought my heart stopped.”
“Huh?”
“I thought you had vanished in the flames. I was too late.”
Dayna blinked her eyes upon hearing Nox’s words.
So… he really did come to save me?
