Chapter 68
“They use small amounts of Kukera as an anesthetic. That’s why you feel pain and cold—it’s the antidote’s reaction. You’ll be fine. Soon, you’ll be fine…”
Tessarion’s voice trembled as he held my hand, blowing warm breath onto my fingertips.
“So don’t die, Roy.”
My once-bright vision blurred and went black. The pounding rain roared like waves. I sank into the darkness.
Roy, Roy!
Something shook me back and forth.
My whole body burned. My insides shrank painfully as I coughed up black ash. Something warm and soft brushed through my fingers. A dark beast nipped lightly at my fingertips with sharp teeth, looking down at me.
Its blazing yellow eyes quivered.
Blink—
My hand grazed its lips before I closed my eyes again. Everything was unbearably heavy.
“Haa… hh… nghh…”
What was this?
I couldn’t breathe. My chest was tight, weighed down. In the swirl of formless pain, lips pressed against mine, hot breath spreading. Trembling teeth bit down on my chin. A pale groan slipped out.
He murmured softly, almost like a prayer, near my ear and down my neck.
What did he say? A prayer?
Blink—
I stared blankly at the still-pouring rain, then stroked the beast holding me down. It flinched, lifting its head. Its eyes were red and twisted.
“Roy.”
Blink.
I gasped, clutching his arm. My bitten neck and fingertips tingled. Tessarion… is he trying to eat me? I need to push him away. If this keeps up, I’m in real trouble…
But he cupped my face with his large hand and pressed his lips against mine. Even through the haze of consciousness, a sharp sense of danger jolted me. I gripped his wet shirt, tugging—did I push him? I wasn’t sure.
His mouth explored mine.
“Mmhh—haa—ahh—mmph!”
If this was supposed to be mouth-to-mouth, the patient would already be dead.
I was swept helplessly along. Heat tangled, and a faint sweetness lingered on my tongue. When he finally pulled back, he brushed my lips and cheek with his fingers, voice low.
“Roy, I think…”
He cut himself off, frowning as if hesitating. I stared at his brightly glowing face—his flushed cheeks, his lips. So even Tessarion’s hard face can turn this color…
He swallowed hard, turning his head.
Blink—
The rain and thunder filled the silence. I released his arm. My body trembled again, going limp.
His eyes widened as he gasped.
My heavy eyelids slid shut once more.
And I sank again, like a buoy in a storm without an anchor.
Rocking… drifting…
His fingers entwined with mine. I tilted my head back, lifting my waist.
“Does it hurt?”
His deep voice echoed in my head. I frowned with my eyes closed, then shook my head. My lower body already felt burned away—there was no pain left.
But when he moved, a sharp shiver ran up my spine, like my soles were being pierced. My breath hitched, caught at the edge of my throat.
Crack—rumble!
Lightning split the darkness, thunder shaking the earth. I grabbed at him desperately.
“Haa… Rion…”
The flash left white afterimages, blinking slowly in my vision.
“Haah!”
Blink—
When I came to again, the rain was gone—only rough breaths floated around me.
At some point, I was on a narrow cot instead of Tessarion’s arms. Warmth radiated from a lit fireplace. I looked once at the burning logs, then up at Tessarion.
He knelt over my waist, wiping his lips, tying his damp hair back. With his hair pulled up, his silhouette was clear—strong neck, arms and shoulders covered in scars, broad chest glowing in the firelight.
I blinked blankly.
A dream…?
But the heat in my legs proved it wasn’t. Too vivid to be unreal. I didn’t even know when either of us had undressed.
I touched the musty bedding against my cheek, trying to sit up.
“Ugh.”
Pain throbbed in my head. The damp, cold air pressed down mercilessly. I gripped the sheet and lifted my head.
“Your Grace, I… When did I…?”
This isn’t right. It should’ve been the heroine, not me.
Everything was melting into a messy blur.
“Hm?”
He paused, then gave a small laugh.
“Good. You came to your senses before we did it.”
…What?
I panted, propped on my elbow. Tessarion braced a hand on the bed, leaning in close until our foreheads touched.
Blink.
In that gaze, fire lit in his eyes—burning, searing through me.
“Your fever seems gone.”
Yeah. Now you’re the one burning.
“How’s your leg?”
“…”
I followed his gaze downward. My trousers were unbuttoned, the area around my wound dark with blood, soaked through belt and scarf.
I curled and stretched my toes. The dull numbness had lessened; painful, yes, but bearable.
I tugged my trousers back up. My heart pounded. Had he… undressed me? Did he see? My face burned.
I pulled the sheet over my knees, unable to meet his eyes under the weight of his gaze.
Sniffling, I whispered,
“Th-they’re better, I think.”
Tessarion rested his forehead on my shoulder with a long sigh. Relieved, he turned, burying his nose in my neck, pressing kisses along my skin. I flinched at the strange contact.
Then he murmured:
“Then help me now.”
“…?”
“I can’t walk like this…”
Before I could ask what he meant, he leaned in and kissed me.
Soft, smothering warmth.
Muffled sounds and low moans filled the silence.
Creaaak—
The bed frame groaned. Goosebumps pricked my skin. I pushed against his chest. He scowled at the shallow kiss, grabbed my wrist, and pinned my hand down roughly.
The holy sword’s glow spilled between our fingers, casting sharp light over his chest and abdomen.
My elbow gave way. He gripped my chin, lifting it, and kissed me deeply.
“…! Nnghh.”
A deep kiss.
And then—an even more startling advance. I froze, eyes wide, shoulders stiff.
W-wait. Hold on! What is happening?!
He shifted, trailing his tongue along my flushed cheek and temple, pressing a kiss.
“…!”
I stiffened completely.
I couldn’t believe what Tessarion was doing. I couldn’t even confirm it—just stared straight ahead, panting, rigid in shock.
