Chapter 42

Crisis (3)

Has she ever felt something this warm? She always thought that this kind of thing was something that didn’t concern her. What she once could not have no matter how much she stretched out her hand, she didn’t dare expect now.

Her stomach felt hot and itchy. It wasn’t the same suffocating heat she felt earlier. She didn’t know what to do. When the pain inside her head disappeared, what remained was trembling. As she raised her head gently, a golden aura wrapped around her.

“Why……”

She was choked up and couldn’t continue her words. And soon she realized that she had taken his blood and drank it. She’s done it again in a trance.

At the same time, her sense of stability arose, and guilt pressured her mind, strangling her mind.

Then a soft sensation tickled the corners of her mouth. As if that was nothing.

The soft touch that wiped the blood from her mouth was very comforting. She felt like she was about to cry. It was a grown-up hand as if it were treating a child. He whispered in a voice that could melt the ice of the Far North.

“You’re clumsy.”

She wonders if she can refuse this kind of thing. Can she accept this unfamiliar feeling? It’s so sweet, it’s like honey that the tip of her tongue hurts.

Too many emotions swirled around. It’s too much to take in full. So Christa closed her eyes.

Can she throw away what she once knew? Can she never look for it again and not look forward to it?

A worm that falls into honey eventually suffocates slowly. However, even at the moment of death, she may feel happy in a sweet dream.

***

Prince Elio, upon hearing the plan for the first time today, opposed it. The woman named Christa Palmaril had to be placed entirely under his jurisdiction. However, when he heard the details of the operation that Mage Aquilio laid out, his heart was moved.

“It’s not easy to see a woman being eaten alive by a demon beast.”

Aquilio was fully acquainted with the Crown Prince’s taste. The kind of situation he’ll be excited about.

He got goosebumps automatically. Would that quiet woman cry like everyone else in front of a house-sized beast? Will there be a shadow of despair in her vacant, calm eyes? To imagine such a thing, he automatically smiled widely.

So the situation that he’s looking at now is rather surprising. There were two Sebek. He was just looking forward to seeing the scene of her being helpless. He thought it was that much of a play.

He asked the mage for a stealth magic for him to be able to watch the scene.

Christa Palmaril did not give up. Whether it was because of her abilities that made her think she has the upper hand, she was definitely not at an advantageous position. All she had in her hand was a thin dagger.

Elio trembled with joy as soon as he saw her blocking the demon’s attack at the expense of her own hand. His fingertips trembled with joy.

That woman must really want to die.

It’s the feeling of watching a bug jump in even though it knows it is fire. A laugh of joy came out of his throat without him realizing it. He naturally covered his mouth with his fist in admiration.

This was Elio’s favorite emotion and the only moment he loved humans. The last time the spark of life is extinguished. He loved the moment. The shift at the end, the silence, the beauty. Every moment is beautiful, even the calm emptiness that comes at the end.

However, seeing Ragnar, who came soon after, made his face distorted. He thought he’d get his hands on that crazy woman. He decided to keep her.

She is the only one who can understand him. So he had to take her away.

He wanted to see what kind of face Ragnar would look like then. Also, he was looking forward to seeing his eyes filled with despair by then.

Elio breathed heavily and put his thumb and index finger on his neck. He felt joy at the pressure that pressed against his throat. He doesn’t intend to reduce his grip’s strength as he coughs. Just a little more, like then. He wanted to strangle her with the force that seemed to kill her right away.

His tongue popped out of his mouth automatically. As he was enjoying a close breath, blood gradually rushed underneath.

(t/n: wow he’s sick)

***

When Christa opened her eyes, it was already after dark. The Duke’s doctor, Kenneth, was seen.

“Madam!”

After that, Christa’s maid Hilda and Annette were seen. Tears welled up around their eyes.

“How long have I been lying down?”

“It hasn’t been long.”

When she woke up unconscious, her habit was to examine her body’s injuries. Christa lay still and examined herself.

She was able to move all of her joints, including her limbs, without any problems. Her left arm was bandaged in a fuss, but she no longer has any wounds or pain. Now that she’s checked her condition, it’s time to get up.

Each of the maids clung together and helped explain the current situation. Both of them were crying and it was hard to understand what they were saying. She only understood that the hunting festival, which was scheduled to last seven days, would be suspended due to the unexpected appearance of the demon beast, and that Ragnar went to deal with it.

Then a maid came in and talked to Christa.

“Well, miss. There’s a guest waiting. He’s been waiting for you to wake up.”

“For me?”

She had no idea, but soon the maid came in with someone. The sky blue hair stood out.

“Ah.”

It was Margrethe. She ran right up to Christa, crying.

“Lady!”

Christa was the one who saved her from the demon beast. It’s a relief that she’s safe.

“You just woke up, so please be careful.”

It was Kenneth who rather cautioned.

“Oh, I, I’m sorry. I was so happy to see you. I’m so glad the lady is safe.”

“I’m all right.”

Christa touched the bandage wrapped around her left hand. The wound has already healed.

“No, miss!”

Despite everyone’s cries, the bandage was released and fell to the floor.

“What?”

She heard a breath of surprise and astonishment.

“You don’t have any scars?”

“You were so badly hurt…….”

It was surprising that a person who was brought in covered in blood and had been lying down for several hours when she came in suddenly became fine.

Christa clenched her left hand a few times and stretched it out. It felt a little strange, but it was fine. It is true that her healing power has increased significantly than before. In the past, it took a week to completely heal this kind of wound. But it got better in less than half a day.

“My ability is healing.”

Hilda muttered with a puzzled look.

“I’ve heard that you’re an Esper, but…….”

“So it’s all right.”

Then suddenly she heard a loud noise.

“It can’t be okay!”

Christa was rather surprised when Margrethe, who was shuffling, shook her shoulders.

“I’m sorry…….”

“What I want to say is…… It’s not okay for anyone to go through something like that.”

“I’m…”

Christa tried to continue her answer, but soon she shut her mouth.

“I’m sorry. This happened because you saved me.”

She grabbed Christa by the collar. Her fingertips were shaking. So she couldn’t resist it more easily.

A maid brought them refreshments.

“You’re safe…… I’m so glad.”

Margrethe looked around.

“Do you mind if we talk for a while?”

“Then let’s talk.”

The servants left. Only then did Margrethe whisper carefully.

“You’re not pregnant, aren’t you?”

Christa blinked in surprise. How did she know?