Chapter 87
Intuitively, perhaps Lilium realized that as long as she fulfilled what he wanted, her life would be spared.
“You don’t need to look at me like that. I tend to take good care of creatures who know their place. I’m just saying I’ll help with your errand. Strictly speaking, it’s a favor.”
In other words, if she got out of line, he would destroy her. Lilium carefully placed the fruit she had held in her hand into the pouch that Primrose had handed her, then shook it in front of Cronen, whose entire body was still bound.
“Feed this to Princess Titania.”
“Eh… uh, y-yes?”
“Preferably on the day of the offering.”
“…….”
“It shouldn’t be difficult. The fruit grown in our greenhouse is the sweetest and most delicious in the world.”
Fruit?
That was all it was—just “fruit”?
Primrose slowly untied the ropes that had bound Cronen. While massaging her limbs that had gone numb from being tied up for so long, Cronen slowly took the pouch offered to her.
The red, translucent flesh of the fruit glimmered in the pouch, looking like a tropical pomegranate if one didn’t know better. But Cronen could not forget the shell she had seen crumble into black, ash-like fragments. Something about it was charred to the core…
“An unforgettable taste for life.”
The brightly drawn girl in the picture declared this with certainty.
A clear, bell-like laughter rang out, sharp as glass clinking.
When she woke up, it was yet another unfamiliar ceiling.
…This thought shouldn’t feel normal, but for some reason, I keep thinking it. Is my life really okay like this? No, it doesn’t feel okay. How many times have I nearly died already?
The first time, falling from the second-floor balcony and waking up in a coma, realizing my life was ruined. When saving Vivi. And now this—three times in total? Summer hasn’t even fully passed, yet it’s been unusually eventful. Humans aren’t spinning tops; at this rate, my lifespan will wear down from all this tumbling.
She blinked slowly, checking her body. Her fingers, her legs—everything had strength.
But her body felt heavy, like waterlogged cotton. Her stomach felt particularly tight. When she ran her hands over her waist and stomach, she felt the bandages wrapped tightly around her.
It had hurt so much she hadn’t noticed where the beast’s claws struck—but if she had made a mistake, she might really have died. A chill ran through her.
Still, her body was basically fine. It was fortunate that High Priest Ilian was staying here—thanks to him, she had survived several life-threatening moments. She would definitely have to thank him later.
The room was silent. Everything was dark, but a dim lamp by the bedside gave off a faint light. Night? Early morning? Whatever it was, it wasn’t day.
Unlike when she had woken after rescuing Vivi—where everyone had celebrated, shouting, “The princess is awake!”—she didn’t want that now. The quiet made her hold her breath unconsciously.
The ceiling was unfamiliar, but once her eyes adjusted to the faint light, the furniture and decorations were familiar. This must be a room in the Castrain family villa where she had been staying.
As she tried to pull the blanket covering her chest, she noticed a man dozing in the chair by the bed.
A very familiar back of the head.
No, it shouldn’t feel familiar… but the glossy black hair was unmistakable. Rarely did someone exude so much attractiveness from the back of the head alone. His upper body leaned toward the bed as if to collapse onto it—or perhaps to hold her—an impressive sight…
“…Your back will be pretty stiff when you wake up.”
A deep, hoarse voice leaked out. After several stifled coughs, she gave up on talking to herself and studied his side profile.
Thinking about it, this was the first time she had seen Raymond sleeping.
She had nearly died multiple times in front of the Castrain family, had been saved, passed out, and seen many sides of herself—but Raymond? He was always elegant, authoritative, someone who wouldn’t appear submissive even if he voluntarily knelt before her. She had never seen a flaw in him. It was unimaginable.
Seeing him now, vulnerable, showing her his side profile while asleep, felt surreal. Dark circles under his eyes, hollow cheeks. His sharp jawline made him a striking man even in this exhausted state… but it added a certain ravaged charm.
“….”
She unconsciously reached for the black bangs falling over his forehead, then froze.
Just recently… she had been furious at him. She had planned so much, only for it to be ruined… and had soaked in wounded pride.
She had jumped around thinking she could handle everything, only to fail spectacularly and nearly die. If Raymond hadn’t come to save her, she probably would have died.
Her face burned with shame, and she couldn’t lift her head.
Die, Titania, just die…
She tugged at her hair in self-reproach.
Her reckless plan had put Lisyansh, Debbie, and even Flux in danger. Though they hadn’t fully assessed the enemy and this was part of scouting, she should have been better prepared.
She chewed on her lips nervously, causing them to bleed. At that moment, the man’s shoulder twitched.
She instinctively held her breath. Perhaps it was just a reflex to the smell of blood; the shoulder relaxed again. She exhaled without realizing it.
Huh? Why was she relieved? Because he hadn’t woken up?
“…He’s handsome.”
A foolish voice slipped out. What if he woke up now? She anxiously glanced at him, but he was sound asleep. She relaxed and resumed admiring his face.
Honestly, it was a bit fascinating—being able to observe him so quietly.
If he had been born on Earth in the 21st century, he’d be a global star. But here, born as the responsible eldest son, struggling under the weight of family, he endured. His sharp golden eyes usually prevented such idle thoughts.
Yet seeing him so exhausted, asleep, and vulnerable, she felt pity. And she knew it was largely her fault he was in this state.
If she didn’t feel guilt, she wouldn’t be human…
Strangely, seeing him like this, she felt for the first time that he was about her age—not yet a full adult—and that gave her a strange feeling.
Eyelashes resting under closed eyes, tightly pressed lips. Usually so determined and responsible, today he looked unusually tired and somehow younger.
She couldn’t resist reaching out to sweep the hair from his forehead behind his ear.
This was the first time he looked so weak, and that stirred her emotions.
And it seemed to be because of her.
“….”
It bothered her, realizing how deeply she understood the heart of the young “Titania.”
How satisfying it must have felt to him—to create the safest barrier in the world, to be a family, to pour out love.
She shook her head.
No. This feeling must not be indulged. A beautiful, poisonous mushroom! Pull yourself together, Titania! This man is incredible and admirable, but the embodiment of responsibility!
Even without an ounce of romantic affection, just being the savior of her family’s lives was reason enough to heed him and preserve her life.
He had always shown that desperate face in crises, making hearts flutter! Anyone who saved Vivi would receive the same respect! She wasn’t special!
Remember! Conscious of her past life, she had a more mature mindset. She was an adult! Do not meddle thoughtlessly. Do not misunderstand.
The world doesn’t care about her as much as she thinks. She isn’t as popular as she imagines! Prevent overconfidence, regain a healthy sense of self!
When he was steadfast and unshakable, she wished he wouldn’t stir her so much. She wouldn’t be trapped by the grudges left in young Titania’s heart.
But seeing him exhausted from saving her, she thought, “Ah, now I get why people rescue abandoned animals… but Raymond can’t be compared to a baby animal…”
Perhaps seeing him struggle and tire made him seem more human. He wasn’t someone she could ever claim, so she could view him objectively.
Even if he seemed ordinary, comparing the Castrain heir to a penniless princess one-on-one was always difficult.
“….”
Even without personal bias, he looked tired.
