Chapter 111
Aiden eventually stopped crying and spoke up. “I’m sorry… I should have hurried more…”
Raylenne remained silent.
“Just thinking about the fear you must have felt… it breaks my heart.”
His eyes were still red. Seeing Aiden filled with guilt stirred a mix of emotions in Raylenne: pity, gratitude, and regret. But she decided to set those feelings aside and smile to reassure him.
“It’s okay, Aiden. If it weren’t for you, I would be dead.”
Aiden looked down silently, seemingly unable to find solace in that fact. How should she handle this loyal hound?
Raylenne pondered for a moment before a question came to mind. “How did you find me?”
Aiden responded in a subdued voice. “…With the power of the Awakener.”
Raylenne’s eyes widened. “Is that even possible?”
“My senses became so acute that I could smell you from far away. It was the first time I experienced something like that.”
Truly like a hunting dog… No, even a hunting dog couldn’t do that. She had been quite far away, and the party was filled with various scents from perfumes and food.
“How did you stop the bleeding?”
“I used my power to temporarily halt it.”
“I see…”
Despite all he had done, he still blamed himself. Raylenne realized anew how many times Aiden had saved her. When the wooden scaffold had fallen during the wall repairs, when the assassin attacked, when the previous Duke of Ergen had tried to kill her, and now this time.
He had saved her three times.
Of course, she had saved Aiden as well. She had looked after him while being cautious of the Ergen family and had helped him escape when the previous Duke tried to kill him.
‘Although he didn’t end up escaping…’
They were indispensable to each other. If they hadn’t met, neither would be here now.
Raylenne looked up at Aiden and asked, “So, Aiden, can you control your power properly now?”
Finding and saving her using the power of the Awakener indicated he had gained mastery over his abilities. Aiden looked down at his hands. An aura appeared and then quickly disappeared. It was clearly different from before when he had struggled to control it.
“Yes… I think I’ve gotten used to it now.”
“That’s great!”
Raylenne was genuinely happy, but Aiden’s expression remained somber. “I need to return to the Bedeusian family.”
“…”
“Now that I’ve mastered my powers, there’s no reason to stay here…”
Raylenne’s smile froze.
‘Ah… That’s right.’
Aiden had learned to control his power and now could use it properly. Although the two months Caverion mentioned had not yet passed, he was ready to return to the Bedeusian family. The reason for staying here was to master his power, and that goal was achieved.
“Don’t look like that,” Aiden said, noticing her expression.
Only then did Raylenne realize the look on her face. The thought of not seeing Aiden for a while made her face darken.
“As I said, I will return after accomplishing everything within a year.”
Despite Aiden’s reassurance, Raylenne’s gloomy expression didn’t fade. A year was not a short time. The Ergen duchy and the Bedeusian duchy were far apart, making visits difficult. Even letters would take days to arrive. Once Aiden returned, he would be busy, making it hard to see him for a year.
Seeing Raylenne’s unchanged expression, Aiden took her hand. He lightly kissed the back of it and spoke in a soft voice.
“I don’t think I can bear not seeing you for so long either… So I will try to return as soon as possible.”
His eyes were filled with earnestness. Raylenne looked into them and nodded.
“…Okay.”
Aiden’s tense expression relaxed a bit. Silence fell between them, but this time it was much more comfortable.
Raylenne spoke first. “Aiden… Don’t take on too many dangerous tasks. I don’t want you to get hurt anymore.”
A faint smile appeared on Aiden’s face. It was barely there, but seeing it made Raylenne feel like she was being healed.
“Don’t worry about me. I’m more concerned about not being by your side.”
“What could happen here? My brother is here, too.”
Most of the threats had been removed. Helis, the previous Duke of Ergen, and Harbian. Harbian would be imprisoned for his past crimes. Being royalty, it was uncertain what punishment he would receive, but given the severity of his crimes, he would likely face a sentence similar to that of the previous Duke of Ergen.
“At times like this, I’m grateful someone like Caverion is close to you.”
Although Aiden’s tone was somewhat cold, it was clear from the earlier atmosphere that their relationship was changing. Raylenne had always been troubled by their strained relationship. Considering the past, it was hard for them to get along.
‘But they are both important to me.’
So, Aiden’s words made her happy.
Raylenne smiled reassuringly. “My brother cares for me as much as you do.”
Aiden frowned slightly, displeased at the comparison with Caverion.
Raylenne quietly watched him. She loved every expression Aiden made, whether he was frowning, smiling, or crying. Perhaps that was why the thought of not seeing him for a while made her heart ache again.
‘I need to imprint these memories deep in my mind,’ she thought, hiding her rising emotions and silently gazing at Aiden. He seemed a bit flustered by her intense stare, his long eyelashes fluttering slightly.
“…Why are you looking at me like that?”
Flustered Aiden…! In the past, he would often get embarrassed by her smallest actions, but over time, he had become more composed and rarely showed such reactions. Seeing him flustered now brought Raylenne joy.
A sudden playful idea popped into her head. Raylenne, with a mischievous expression, beckoned Aiden closer.
“Aiden… come here for a moment.”
“What is it?” Aiden seemed wary of her sudden request.
“It looks like you have something on your face.”
“I’ll go check in the mirror.” Sensing potential danger, Aiden was extremely cautious.
‘That won’t do.’
Raylenne hadn’t wanted to resort to this, but she decided to use her own tactic. She lowered her eyes and clasped her bandaged hand, feigning pain.
“Ow…”
Startled, Aiden immediately brought his face closer. “Are you okay…?”
At that moment, Raylenne lightly kissed his cheek. Aiden froze at the unexpected kiss. His reaction was more extreme than she had anticipated.
‘Anyone would think he got ambushed.’
Soon, Aiden’s face turned bright red. While Raylenne was glad to see his face flush after so long, the intensity worried her a bit. It was just a kiss, after all. Maybe it was because this was the first time she initiated physical contact.
His extreme embarrassment made her feel embarrassed too. Raylenne looked at Aiden again, who still hadn’t moved an inch.
‘Since I’ve already started…’
This time, she kissed Aiden on the lips. Feeling the heat rise to her neck, Raylenne suppressed her embarrassment. As she watched Aiden turn his head slowly to face her, his Adam’s apple bobbing, he said, “You’ve provoked me, Raylenne.”
What did he mean by that…? Before Raylenne could fully process his words, Aiden kissed her. His kiss was passionate, yet careful not to hurt her. Raylenne lost herself in the kiss, forgetting her condition. Unlike before, now that she acknowledged her feelings, she could fully embrace and accept Aiden, and her mind went blank.
As she responded eagerly, Aiden’s movements grew more intense. When pain shot through her side, Raylenne couldn’t help but let out a groan.
“Ugh…”
Alarmed, Aiden quickly pulled away. His gray eyes searched her face with concern. “Are you okay?”
“…It’s your fault.”
Embarrassed, Raylenne chided him, but Aiden seemed to be slipping into self-reproach again.
“I’m sorry… It’s my fault.”
Moments ago, he was kissing her passionately, and now he looked like a guilty criminal. Feeling bad, Raylenne reached out to him.
“It’s fine. Could you help me lie down?”
As Aiden leaned closer to assist her, Raylenne wrapped her arms around his neck. Supporting her back, Aiden gently laid her down on the bed. As he tried to straighten up, Raylenne patted the spot next to her.
“Aiden, lie down here with me.”
“…I can’t.”
Aiden flatly refused her bold request.
“I’m cold.”
It was a weak excuse, but seeing him hesitate at her second plea, Raylenne added another reason.
“Aiden, we don’t have much time left together.”
Her soft words made Aiden lower his gaze. The gray eyes peeking through his lashes held a troubled look, likely reflecting her own feelings.
“…Just for a moment.”
Eventually, Aiden lay beside her. ‘Caverion would have a fit if he saw this, but he’s not here…’ Raylenne thought as she looked at Aiden. At first, he seemed awkward, staring off elsewhere, but eventually, he met her gaze.
They lay there, watching each other. It was a precious, peaceful moment, too beautiful to let slip away.
