Chapter 37
An uncomfortable tension lingered between Ethan and me.
I was slumped on the ground, and Ethan was kneeling on one knee in front of me.
Considering our usual relationship, the sight was undeniably awkward.
Yet, it seemed I was the only one feeling awkward. Ethan’s expression was as indifferent as ever.
“Yunice.”
At Ethan’s calm voice, I lifted my head to see him standing up, extending his hand toward me.
Perhaps it was the unfortunate timing of my wandering thoughts, but instinctively, I shivered at his touch, as if it could drag me straight to hell.
As expected, my madman seemed entirely unconcerned with my feelings, gazing at me with that strange, intense look.
“Stop thinking unnecessary thoughts and get up.”
“Huh?”
“Are you planning to sit here forever? I won’t stop you if you want, though.”
Only then did I glance around. True to Ethan’s words, there wasn’t anywhere suitable to linger.
Feeling slightly embarrassed for letting him see my inner thoughts again today, I took his hand.
“Ugh… ughh.”
As I forced my stiffened body to move, a series of small cries escaped me from various joints and muscles.
Still, I had no choice but to rise, as staying here helplessly was out of the question.
“Ahh!”
The moment I forced myself to stand, my vision briefly blacked out and my strength drained.
‘Ah… my magic again…’
Sometimes, after magic surged uncontrollably, this would happen—but today it felt worse than usual.
I staggered, unable to keep my balance, and instinctively closed my eyes, expecting to greet the familiar cold ground.
But it wasn’t the cold, hard floor that welcomed me.
“…?”
I opened my eyes in shock, my mind conjuring a sharp pain, only to see Ethan’s figure.
“You fool. What are you thinking, closing your eyes at a dangerous moment?”
“…Ah?”
As my blurred vision cleared, Ethan came fully into focus.
“…It’s really you, Ethan?”
“What are you talking about now?”
“No… someone as harsh as Ethan wouldn’t… hold me so gently…”
“More nonsense.”
I called his name, slightly puzzled, and unconsciously lowered my gaze.
I saw Ethan’s steady hand supporting my wobbling body—normally, the mere thought of touching me would have terrified him.
Realizing the situation, I almost fell backward in surprise.
“Ah, ahh! S-sorry!”
Panicked, I tried to pull away from Ethan’s embrace, knowing how averse he was to contact with others.
“…Ah?”
But instead of breaking free, I ended up burrowing closer into his arms.
“Ethan?”
“Stay still. You can’t even hold your body properly.”
He tightened his grip as he held me.
What was going on?
Why was this madman unusually gentle today…?
“I told you not to move recklessly while your magic is drained. Have you forgotten already? What do you think you can do with an exhausted body?”
“…Huh?”
“Don’t wander around and make things troublesome.”
…Impossible. Absolutely impossible.
I accepted Ethan’s sharp rebuke with familiarity and lightly pressed my hand to my forehead.
‘Yeah, it must be bothersome for him too. Even the great Theodore complained about handling the mess I caused.’
I dared not ask why Ethan went to such lengths to help me, intimidated by his cold tone.
Supported by Ethan, I slowly stood and looked around.
The forest at night was eerily ominous, and the cliff we had fallen from seemed dizzyingly high.
I was just grateful that my injuries were limited to mere muscle aches.
“…Did you use magic, Ethan?”
Ethan didn’t answer. But seeing the subtle disruption in his magical flow, it was clear he, too, had exerted himself desperately.
I murmured toward him, “You must have worked hard,” and quietly looked up at the cliff.
Ignoring me lightly, Ethan stood beside me, gazing in the same direction.
“So… how do we get up from here?”
I was already drained, and Ethan seemed quite fatigued as well.
Noticing my rough thoughts and anxious gaze, Ethan let out a short sigh.
“It’s dangerous to move now. We’ll wait until sunrise.”
Without hesitation, he turned away from me.
Why was he doing that in such a creepy, eerie place? I tilted my head in confusion.
When I saw where he was headed, I understood and let out a low exclamation.
‘When did he even find that place?’
There was a small cave, which seemed much cozier than our current spot.
I grumbled quietly at Ethan as he darted ahead without me, following him.
“C-come along! So unfair, going in there by yourself…”
Ethan turned silently, his red eyes fixed on me, challenging me to continue complaining.
“…Fine. But remember who should be kneeling right now.”
I muttered defiantly, but once again, I couldn’t match Ethan’s authority and meekly stepped back.
“Even drained of magic, that mouth of yours won’t stop, huh.”
“…Yeah, seems so. Unfortunately.”
“When will that mouth of yours ever quiet down?”
“Hmm… I don’t know either. Theodore says I’ll keep floating my mouth even if I fall in water. He even suggested throwing me in just to see it firsthand.”
“…Just imagining that is horrible. The Magic Tower Master really does have it tough, as always.”
Because of you.
Ethan teased me, but he waited for me to catch up.
‘Seems the madman’s changed a little.’
If he had ignored me coldly as usual, I would have grumbled more freely.
But since he was being unusually considerate, I found myself subtly unsettled.
I followed his lead, scratching my face awkwardly, and muttered,
“Hmm… Ethan, are you still mad?”
“…”
“Shall I… take a punishment then?”
Would that lighten your mood? Just saying.
It was idle muttering, so I moved forward without waiting for his reply.
But when Ethan’s red eyes flickered dangerously, I realized something was wrong.
“Yes.”
“…Huh?”
“Take a punishment.”
By the time I realized it, it was already too late.
A calm silence settled between Ethan and me.
No one spoke, and I was the first to break the heavy quiet.
“…How long are we going to stay like this?”
My voice trembled slightly as I asked.
Ethan glanced at me briefly, then let out a low chuckle—a sound that seemed genuinely pleased.
“Until I feel better.”
Hearing the hopeless answer, I stared at him despairingly.
Yet Ethan showed no pity, only watching me struggle silently, leaning lightly against the wall.
‘Will Ethan’s fierce heart ever soften?’
I shook my head firmly.
It wouldn’t. The only time Ethan’s temper eased was when facing the original heroine—and now, she was gone. No one could stop him.
‘Where did that original heroine go, leaving this madman behind?’
I gave up pleading for mercy and bowed my head in disappointment.
A tingling sensation spread through my arms.
“…You told me not to move recklessly when my magic was drained.”
“You insist on taking a punishment for me—why should I stop you?”
“…If you stopped me, I wouldn’t have refused.”
“That wouldn’t be fun. Ah, there. Raise your hands properly, Yunice.”
Ethan had clearly found amusement in teasing me, smiling mischievously while urging me in an unusually gentle voice.
Knowing his hidden intentions, I silently complied.
“Ugh… it hurts…”
“You look very uncomfortable.”
As soon as I groaned softly, Ethan spoke in that infuriating tone.
Finally, I gave in and confessed my pent-up thoughts to him.
“…So I can’t even lower my arms, can I, sir?”
“That ‘sir’ again.”
“But… ugh.”
My voice trembled again. My arms, held stiffly for the punishment, were tingling, and now my voice was shaking too.
Ethan noticed and teased me further.
“Ah… seeing my fiancée struggle like this pains me.”
Normally, I would have grumbled at his teasing, but now, I had no strength to do so.
“…Then now.”
Seizing the opportunity, I looked at Ethan with bright, hopeful eyes, wishing for the answer I wanted.
“I won’t forgive you.”
Of course, Ethan wasn’t about to fulfill that wish.
