2.
“Let me check your temperature.”
I placed the back of my hand against the man’s forehead, then pulled away and asked,
“You don’t seem to have much of a fever. How’s your stomach? Do you think you can eat something?”
It was already time to get off work, but I was willing to at least make him some simple soup. The man, who had been staring at me, only managed to speak after a long pause.
“I thought it was a dream.”
“What? That you’re still alive?”
I added that his injuries had been quite severe, then brought over the medicine box from the shelf and sat on the edge of the bed.
“Do you think you can move?”
The man groaned and shifted his body. I told him there was no need to force himself if it was too hard, but without replying, he pushed himself up anyway. Stubborn, I thought as I opened the medicine container. Honestly, it was easier for me if he stayed sitting while I changed the bandages.
“You said not to call a doctor, right? So I treated you myself as best as I could.”
I tried making conversation while applying ointment and wrapping fresh bandages, but once again, he didn’t respond. He just kept staring at me. He didn’t seem particularly friendly.
“What would you like to do about your meal?”
Only after I asked again did he finally say he would eat. But when I brought the food, he struggled to pick up the utensils. It looked like it would take him forever, so I took them from his hand and fed him the soup myself.
He clearly felt awkward, but he didn’t refuse the kindness. Later, as I picked up the empty dishes and turned to leave, he asked,
“What’s your name?”
“Call me El.”
“El…”
He softly repeated the name I gave him, then asked another question.
“Aren’t you curious about my name?”
Not really. He wasn’t from this village, and he’d probably leave soon anyway. There was no reason for me to know. But I had enough sense not to say that out loud. Pretending interest when there is none is part of social life, after all.
“What is it, then?”
The man lowered his eyes briefly before meeting mine again.
“Felix. Call me Fel.”
Felix had been staying at the inn for ten days now. Looking much lighter on his feet, he came outside and greeted me.
“Morning, El.”
“Good morning, Fel.”
Unlike his first impression, he had started talking to me quite often. He gestured toward the basket of firewood and asked,
“Want me to carry that for you?”
“It’s okay.”
The inn chores were my responsibility to begin with, and more importantly, he was still a patient. Just because he looked fine didn’t mean he was fully recovered. When I refused, saying he should focus on resting, he didn’t insist—but instead trailed behind me.
Normally, I wouldn’t think much of it. Travelers staying for a while often do meaningless things out of boredom—starting temporary romances or taking interest in things they normally wouldn’t.
But this time was different. I had used divine power to treat him, and that made me uneasy. What if he had noticed something and was trying to get closer to test me?
If I was going to be this anxious, I shouldn’t have used my power in the first place. I could almost hear my master mocking me. Still, I told myself I had simply done what any decent person should.
As I placed firewood into the fireplace in the hall, Felix stood quietly behind me. His gaze felt unusually uncomfortable, as if it were pressing into my back, making my shoulders tense.
Should I just ask what he wants and send him away? But from experience, naive responses often give the other person an opening. And if I end up not minding it, that’s when I start getting swept along.
Lost in thought as I fed the fire, I eventually emptied the basket. Warmth slowly spread through the air. As I stood up and turned around, our eyes met immediately—he had been staring the whole time.
“You seem to be recovering faster than most people, but shouldn’t you still rest in bed a bit longer?”
I disguised my discomfort as concern. Felix rolled his eyes slightly, then smirked.
“As I said, I recover quickly. I’m past the stage where lying down helps. Moving around a bit is better now. From experience.”
“I see.”
I responded flatly and walked off. Once again, he followed behind me, and I decided to ignore him. If I didn’t react, he’d eventually stop.
When I did chores, he stayed a few steps behind. When I cooked or served, he sat at the bar and watched. Somehow, he managed not to get in the way—something many others had failed to do. Compared to them, he was fairly tolerable.
Eventually, it was Felix who broke the silence.
“You’re used to this, huh?”
As I wrapped a scarf around my neck and glanced at him, he crossed his arms and spoke with a hint of dissatisfaction.
“A guy trailing after you all day.”
“Yes, somewhat.”
I was used to it. It meant I was seen as an easy target for wandering men. But Felix seemed to take it as some kind of confidence issue, pouting slightly.
“So you’re not completely naive. Then the fact you’re not reacting… does that mean I’m not your type?”
That wasn’t it. Just like those wanderers, I was bored with this life too. If it weren’t for the issue with my divine power, I might have taken him up on it without hesitation. A temporary relationship was perfect for killing time.
It had been years since I got married, but I had never once shared a bed with my husband, the count. He likely wanted to keep me pure in case it affected the summoning ritual. Even after partial success, it stayed the same—both because it wasn’t a complete success and because I was considered property of a god.
But after being cast out, I deliberately discarded that “purity,” engaging in casual relationships and one-night encounters. Whether it started as self-destruction or rebellion, I wasn’t sure. Back then, I just felt like it. Now, I found a different kind of enjoyment in it.
My master was using my body to spread his influence throughout this world. When the time came, his followers would be born through those seeds—adapted to this world. Through them, he would weaken the authority of the main god before the war.
For that, only my body was needed. As long as I didn’t leave the designated area, I could do as I pleased. Life here was far better than in the castle—especially because I wasn’t forced to remain pure.
But this time, I needed to think carefully. It was better to avoid risky paths.
“You’re still a patient.”
I said with a smile. Felix looked dumbfounded.
“Do I look that weak to you?”
“It’s more about my conscience.”
No matter what, it wouldn’t sit right with me to jump on someone who had been seriously injured. At my shameless remark, his expression grew even more incredulous. It was partly to hide my true thoughts—and partly because I expected this reaction. Seeing it play out exactly as I imagined made me feel oddly amused, and I let a small smile show.
“Then have a good night, Fel.”
Leaving him speechless, I turned and walked out of the inn. Snow was beginning to fall. It was going to be a cold night.
How long do I have to stay here? I hated the cold. Snowy scenery reminded me too much of the northern castle—far more tedious than this place.
I looked up at the sky, wishing my master would send me somewhere warmer soon, when suddenly the door burst open.
“El.”
It was Felix. His voice sounded urgent as he strode toward me, closing the distance. The sudden warmth of another person rushing in made something inside me jolt—whether from surprise or vague anticipation.
A large hand cupped my face and pulled me closer. Our gazes locked briefly, a flicker of inspection passing between us. Then he lowered his eyes and pressed his lips against mine.
His tongue pushed in without hesitation, heavy and insistent as it tangled with mine.
