SWER 66

chapter 66

“Priscilla, are you feeling any discomfort?”

Her pupils trembled slightly.

“Y-… yes?”

“You came here without even getting examined by a physician. Of course, Count Arsen must have treated you well, but still—since you’ve awakened, you should immediately…”

“Y-Your Highness, before that, I have something to tell you…”

“Is something urgent?”

“Yes. It’s just that…”

“Speak, Priscilla.”

“…”

He asked her, but she couldn’t bring herself to continue.

Priscilla thought:

Something is strange.

Her mind was too consumed with what lay ahead, making it difficult to think clearly.

Because of that, she didn’t immediately realize how naturally he had spoken her name.

But even so, something about him felt different from the past. That faint, unfamiliar atmosphere made it hard for her to continue.

When she didn’t answer, Blake stepped closer.

“Priscilla? Are you feeling ill somewhere—”

“—!”

There was a hint of worry in those normally calm eyes.

Before she could stop him, his hand gently brushed against her cheek.

“Your complexion is poor. You should rest longer.”

“N-No…”

“You’re sweating through your forehead like this… Priscilla, you should see a physician at once.”

His slow fingertips brushed her cheek, and his face leaned closer and closer. She sucked in a breath.

When their breath nearly touched—

—thwack!

Priscilla pushed him hard by the shoulders.

“Priscilla…?”

“!”

Blake, who had been pushed away, looked genuinely bewildered. Even she was shocked by how forcefully she had shoved him.

“Your Highness, you must have been waiting. When Priscilla awoke, I stayed to hear what happened from Chelsea…”

“…Was something the matter between you two?”

Just then, Duke Cygnus re-entered, having heard the rough outline from Chelsea.

Even at a glance, the atmosphere between them was awkward.

Priscilla frantically waved her hands.

“N-No, Father! There was no problem at all!”

“Is that so? Then… Priscilla, it’s fortunate you woke. But you look unwell and should rest. Go back to your room. I’ll have Camilla accompany you.”

“Father.”

“The physician has arrived and is waiting in your room. I also sent Chelsea to rest and—”

“Father!”

Perhaps out of worry for his daughter, the Duke—who rarely spoke this much—continued talking.

Seeing the situation slipping in a direction she didn’t want, Priscilla hurriedly cut him off.

“Priscilla? Do you have something to say?”

“Yes. I do.”

Her voice dropped heavy—almost solemn.

Both men exchanged puzzled looks.

“Before that, Your Highness.”

“What is it, Priscilla?”

“Ahem… Your Highness, when do you plan to return to the border?”

Blake tilted his head slightly before answering.

“The border? Well… I’m not sure yet.”

“But didn’t you say before that you’d leave as soon as the Spring Atwar festival ended?”

“I did. But with the current situation, it will be difficult to depart immediately.”

He glanced at her complexion.

“You won’t be able to leave right away either, so—”

“I can leave immediately.”

“…What?”

“Priscilla?”

Both men stared at her, confused.

She said it like she was talking about taking a light stroll.

Maybe they misheard—but then:

“I can go to the border right now. I must go.”

Her insistence became clearer.

Cygnus frowned.

“Priscilla, what are you saying? It has only been two days since you were healed by the Saint.”

“I’m fine. As you know, Count Arsen healed me himself.”

“And after seeing your complexion, you want me to believe you’re fine?”

Priscilla had been carried out by the Grand Duke, covered in blood.

Thankfully, the Saint waiting outside the forest healed her immediately. Every injury should have been restored.

And yet… she looked extremely unwell.

Cold sweat across her forehead, pale skin, dark shadows beneath her eyes, lips drained of color.

He hadn’t noticed earlier, but seeing her up close—it was obvious she was a patient.

“You need to see the physician immediately. We will—”

“Father. I’m healthy. And more importantly, I have to go to the border.”

Despite everything, she insisted.

Cygnus felt both frustration and bewilderment.

Anyone could see she was sick—yet she insisted she wasn’t?

And why the sudden urgency to go to the border?

Before he could ask, someone else spoke first.

The Grand Duke’s voice was low and cutting.

“The young lady will not go to the border.”

“…Your Highness?”

“I will wait until the matter of Count Arsen’s domain is resolved. Until then, monster subjugation will be halted.”

“W-What do you mean, Your Highness?”

Priscilla’s voice trembled.

Maybe it was just her imagination, but she looked even paler than before.

Even so, Blake’s voice stayed cold.

“I will go with Count Arsen. You will remain in the duchy and focus on recovering your health.”

His firm declaration filled the room.

He turned away from her and spoke to the Duke.

“Duke Cygnus. You can ensure the young lady rests properly, yes?”

“You honor us with such consideration. But… is this truly acceptable for you?”

“In a situation like this, leaving the lady behind is better. It’s faster if Count Arsen’s issue is resolved. Even if the subjugation must pause—”

“That will not do.”

They had practically finished deciding her fate already, but Priscilla’s voice cut sharply through the discussion.

“I must go. I have to leave immediately.”

Her voice was trembling clearly now.

Cygnus grew more suspicious of his daughter’s strange behavior.

The Grand Duke glared sharply.

“…Did you not hear me? You are in no condition to travel.”

“I am healthy.”

“Even if you say so, I will not take you.”

“…If a physician confirms that I’m healthy—will you take me?”

“No.”

“Your Highness, why?!”

“ENOUGH!”

He roared.

Uncontrolled fury surged through his voice. On a man known for his icy calm expression, his face was twisted with rage.

The intensity made Priscilla flinch.

“I will not let you face monsters again.”

“…”

“I will not allow even the slightest possibility of danger to reach you ever again, Priscilla.”

His voice sank, deep and trembling.

The room fell silent.

Cygnus watched quietly, saying nothing.

After a long stillness, a fragile voice broke the air.

“You… promised you would protect me.”

“…”

“You protected me again this time.”

“If you don’t go, you won’t be in danger in the first place.”

“…Then I’ll go alone.”

“…What?”

Blake stared as if he misheard.

“I will go to the border alone if I must.”

“What are you—!”

“Please wait, Your Highness. Both of you need to calm down.”

Just as his voice was rising again, Cygnus finally stepped between them.

“Priscilla. What are you saying?”

“…”

“From the start, something has been strange. You look gravely ill, yet keep saying you’re fine…”

“Father, I really am fine.”

“And you look desperate.”

“…”

Priscilla’s face went even paler.

The Duke had been watching his daughter carefully—every tremble, every forced breath.

Thanks to the Grand Duke’s outburst, he could remain calm enough to observe clearly.

…I don’t know why His Highness is so worked up over my daughter, but…

It was surprising to see the usually indifferent Grand Duke act this way. Still, as a father, he agreed with him.

How could he not be relieved that his daughter wouldn’t return to that dangerous land?

“Speak, Priscilla. What is going on with you?”

Even so, she refused the Grand Duke’s orders. She insisted she had to go.

Realizing his daughter was hiding something, Cygnus demanded an answer.

Priscilla’s expression was filled with anguish. Slowly, she opened her mouth.

“I… if I don’t go to the border…”

She hesitated, as if the words themselves were hard to say. Then, closing her eyes, she forced them out.

“…I will die.”

“!”

“What?”

Both men froze.

—creak.

At that moment, the drawing room doors opened again.

Someone stood behind them.

“…What did you just say, Sister?”

Edwin Lockhart stared at her with hollow, disbelieving eyes.