CHAPTER 26
“Ugh…”
Creteth clutched his chest.
Cold sweat soaked the bedcovers, and his groans of pain showed no signs of stopping.
It had only been two days since Asilia stopped coming to his room.
It was fine that she had shut herself away in the library, claiming she wanted to investigate Isaiah’s condition. But the problem now was Creteth’s body.
“Your Majesty, perhaps we should summon Her Majesty the Empress. If you continue like this, your health will only worsen.”
Despite Hymos’s concerned voice, Creteth remained silent.
She was someone who had found purpose and was acting on it.
How could he stop someone like that?
Instead of replying, he pulled the blanket over himself, signaling refusal. Hymos sighed deeply.
“Your Majesty, your symptoms worsen by the day. If Her Majesty were by your side, at least she could suppress the seizures.”
“…”
“Your Majesty!”
“…You’re noisy. Leave.”
Creteth turned away as if he couldn’t bear to listen anymore. Whatever Hymos said, he had no intention of listening.
With a heavy sigh, Hymos gently pulled the blanket down.
“Understood. I’ll stop nagging. But Priestess Runoa is waiting outside.”
“Why is she here?”
“Why else? With Your Majesty in this state, she needs to check your condition.”
“And what will that accomplish?”
Creteth scowled, clearly irritated. His whole body was in pain, and the last thing he wanted was more fussing from Hymos.
But regardless of Creteth’s grimace or irritation, Hymos carried on unbothered.
“Last time, you said there was no point without the Empress and refused to show yourself.”
“…”
“But now Her Majesty is here…”
“All right, all right. That’s enough. Be quiet.”
Eventually, Creteth had no choice but to allow Runoa into the room.
Showing proper etiquette, Runoa carefully approached the emperor.
“Excuse me.”
“Make it quick.”
At his command, she nodded and reached for his arm. A blue light shimmered, forming a radiant glow.
The light lingered over Creteth’s body for a while before being absorbed back into Runoa.
After a long silence, Runoa finally spoke with a stern expression.
“Your Majesty, don’t tell me you’re still—”
“Quiet.”
“You know full well that without sharing a bed with Her Majesty, your life is at risk!”
Creteth frowned. Waving her off without a word, he signaled for her to leave. But Runoa persisted.
“I believe no one understands your condition better than you do, Your Majesty. So you know, don’t you? If you don’t restore balance to your body, eventually you won’t be able to remain here.”
“…”
“And you don’t even have the sacred relic right now. If you push your body too far in this condition and lose the ability to move…”
She trailed off, unable to even imagine such a scenario.
Her voice trembled with desperation, and Creteth closed his eyes tightly.
Whenever Runoa started lecturing like this, he’d be stuck listening for at least two hours.
“You must share a bed with Her Majesty before the end of this month. I’ve told you—only she, born with the blessing of the Goddess of Life, can stabilize your twisted energy.”
“I know.”
“If you know—!”
Runoa, holding back her rising emotions, reached out to him.
Creteth was still sweating coldly, his brow furrowed in pain.
When she gripped his pale, cold hand tightly, he glared at her, then silently pulled his hand away.
“If you’re done nagging, leave.”
“…”
“Now.”
“…Is Her Majesty refusing to sleep with you?”
Runoa finally spoke, as though making a bold decision.
The one who was most taken aback wasn’t Creteth—but Hymos.
This was an intimate matter between the imperial couple. No matter how close Runoa was as his personal physician, it wasn’t something she should ask.
“Runoa, that’s—”
Hymos tried to stop her.
“If Her Majesty refuses, I’ll do it.”
The atmosphere turned icy.
Creteth’s golden eyes sharpened, and Hymos pressed his forehead to the wall in defeat.
But Runoa didn’t stop.
“Even if I was blessed by the Goddess of Life, it wasn’t a strong blessing. I may not be much help, but at the very least I can serve as a temporary measure—”
“Runoa.”
“…”
“If you say something like that again…”
Creteth’s voice was a growl.
If eyes could kill, his gaze would have torn her apart.
“You’ll never set foot in the Temple of Judgment in Moria again.”
“…”
“In recognition of your past service, I’ll pretend I didn’t hear what you just said.”
Runoa clenched her fists.
She had only spoken out of concern—but all she received in return was cold dismissal.
“Leave. Now.”
In the end, Runoa could only stand slowly and exit the room.
“What were you thinking, saying something like that?” Hymos followed her out with exasperation.
Everyone in the palace knew how much Creteth cherished Asilia.
To say something like “I’ll take her place” in front of the man who held her so dear—who wouldn’t be enraged?
“Aren’t you worried at all? If this continues, His Majesty’s body could collapse at any moment!”
“Even so, saying you’ll take Her Majesty’s place crossed the line.”
“Hymos!”
“The best course now is to convince the Empress. It would be ideal if their relationship could deepen quickly, but…”
Hymos sighed deeply, glancing back toward the room.
A stubborn emperor and an unreadable empress—the only one burning with stress was the loyal attendant caught between them.
“I just… can’t accept it. There’s a clear solution, so why—!”
“Because this is the master we serve. We have to accept it.”
Despite Hymos’s words, Runoa continued to fume, unwilling to be convinced.
But her face didn’t reflect the concern of someone worried for the empire or its ruler. After a moment of thought, Hymos spoke quietly.
“Runoa, I said this a long time ago, but it seems it bears repeating.”
“…”
“Do not stand before His Majesty with a personal agenda.”
It was a warning.
And with that, Hymos gave her a calm, polite smile—as if nothing had happened.
“I won’t be escorting you back. It’s already dark—please return safely.”
Runoa grit her teeth and glared at him, but she eventually turned and walked away.
Watching her back as she disappeared, Hymos let out a sigh deep enough to crack the floor.
“Judging by that reaction… it’s worse than I thought.”
Knowing Creteth, he would never force himself on Asilia.
And Asilia, too, wouldn’t allow anything unless she had fully opened her heart.
“How did I end up with such a master?”
Muttering to himself, Hymos opened the door slightly and looked at Creteth lying in bed.
The weakened figure of his master was beyond pitiful—it defied words.
“Karma. It’s just karma.”
That night, the only sound that filled the room was Creteth’s stifled groans.
Asilia opened her eyes and blinked several times in surprise.
Just yesterday, it felt like someone was stabbing her temples with needles—but now, the pain had completely vanished, as if by magic.
She slowly sat up, touched her head in wonder, then turned to her side.
“Your Majesty?”
Creteth was still asleep.
Until now, he had always woken up before her and left the room.
“Was he that tired…?”
Putting Isaiah to sleep and suppressing her brainwashing—of course it was exhausting.
Maybe she should let him sleep a bit longer.
Wouldn’t Hymos come looking for him?
Asilia stared at his face in thought and noticed something odd.
Unlike his usual peaceful sleep, his brow was furrowed like he was in pain.
“…Your Majesty?”
Worried, she called out to him. She reached out to touch his forehead—
Slap!
Startled, Creteth’s eyes flew open, and he quickly grabbed her wrist.
He was sweating and seemed to be breathing heavily.
“…Your Majesty?”
