The healer, who had been silently looking down at her, carefully opened her mouth.

“His Grace remained by Your Highness's side the entire time, but after receiving word that raiders had appeared outside the walls, he hurried out.”

At those unexpected words, Talia froze.

She did not even have time to feel embarrassed at having her thoughts exposed.

Springing upright, she grabbed the hem of the healer's robe. A sharp pain flared beneath her ribs from the sudden movement, but at that moment she paid it no mind.

“R-raiders? When? When did that happen?”

“About four hours ago.”

The healer answered calmly.

Talia pressed anxiously.

“How many appeared? Is the situation dangerous? How many soldiers—”

She fired questions one after another, then suddenly felt her vision turn white. Biting her lip, she swayed forward before she could even realize it.

Had the sun-darkened, sturdy hand not caught her shoulder, she would have toppled straight out of bed.

With cold sweat beading her face, Talia looked up at the healer. The woman firmly pressed her back down.

“I'll cast a recovery spell, so please calm yourself first.”

“Varkas...”

“His Grace will be fine. There are only several dozen raiders at most, and His Grace commands the strongest mounted warriors in the East.”

Only after hearing the healer's composed reply did her reason finally return.

Steadying her ragged breathing, Talia gazed at the brightly lit window.

If he had left two hours ago, he might already have finished suppressing them by now.

That's right. Even during the large-scale extermination campaign before, hadn't he returned in half a day as though nothing had happened?

There was no need to panic.

As she repeated that to herself, trying to suppress her unease, a thin, callused hand settled over the back of hers. Warmth soon flowed through her body.

“I have also cast healing magic, but magic does not work well on injuries inside the body. Please refrain from strenuous activity for some time.”

Instead of replying, Talia quietly closed her eyes.

After silently examining her condition for a while, the healer quietly left the room.

Not long afterward, the nanny returned carrying a tray of food.

Unable to withstand her fussing, Talia barely managed to swallow several spoonfuls of vegetable porridge. The moment food entered her stomach, it stung as though she had swallowed needles.

She tossed and turned in bed for a long time, finally falling asleep only as the sun was setting.

She regained consciousness again when deep darkness had begun to descend over the surroundings.

Awakening with a burning thirst, Talia discovered a large shadow cast before the fireplace and instinctively shrank back.

At some point, Varkas had returned. Dressed only in a thin shirt, he stood by the window.

Fortunately, he did not appear to be injured.

Letting out a long sigh of relief, Talia suddenly stopped breathing.

Eyes as silent as a frozen lake were staring straight at her.

There was nothing outwardly different from usual, yet she had no idea why her heart sank.

The man stood motionless for a long while before slowly approaching. Talia unconsciously swallowed.

After regarding her with strangely quiet eyes, he turned toward the shelf and picked up the kettle from the tray, pouring her a cup of water.

“How are you feeling?”

“I'm fine.”

Accepting the cup awkwardly, Talia deliberately answered in a composed voice.

Originally, she had intended to scold him thoroughly.

See? What did I tell you? I said I didn't want to take that medicine. You forced me to drink it, and this happened.

All the words she had wanted to pour out scattered inside her mouth.

Sneaking glances at him, noticing how much more subdued than usual he seemed, Talia carefully added,

“It's nothing serious. They just said my stomach is a little damaged.”

Something flashed across Varkas's face like lightning.

A fierce look entered his eyes as he snapped sharply,

“It is not merely a little damaged. You were in such a serious state that you coughed up blood.”

Startled by the sharp reaction, Talia stared blankly.

Grabbing her shoulders, Varkas continued harshly,

“If I had found you even a little later, your airway could have become blocked and you might have suffocated. Why did you not tell me sooner that you were unwell?”

“Well... I always feel sick, so I didn't know it was that serious.”

The excuse-like answer only made his expression harden further.

Clenching his jaw as though enduring something, Varkas walked to the window and inhaled the cold air.

After a long while, his voice emerged, much calmer.

“For the time being, we will remain in this castle while you recover.”

“What about the inspection tour?”

“We have already visited all the major cities.”

Rubbing his temple with his forefinger, he answered bluntly.

“Your Highness need only focus on restoring your health.”

Talia reluctantly nodded.

His overbearing tone irritated her, but she had no desire to quarrel with someone who looked so exhausted.

Speaking in a somewhat dejected voice, she muttered,

“I understand, so stop being angry. I'm already having a hard time as it is.”

Varkas's lips parted as though he wanted to say something, only to close again.

The wavering firelight greedily licked across his weary face.

Rubbing the back of his neck with one hand, he sat on the edge of the bed.

“Stop just holding it and drink. You lost a great deal of blood. Even if your stomach hurts, you must continue taking fluids.”

Relaxing at his gentler tone, Talia emptied the cup.

The sudden stimulus caused her stomach to constrict painfully, sending sharp pain through her, but she concealed it and buried herself beneath the blanket.

Then she felt warmth behind her.

Talia's body stiffened.

Lying down behind her, Varkas naturally pulled her closer.

With one hand, he gently rubbed the tightly knotted pain beneath her ribs.

His tender touch made her eyes sting.

Was this born of pity?

As always, Talia instinctively searched for hidden meaning behind his actions, but soon stopped herself.

She no longer wanted to torment herself with self-destructive thoughts.

She simply wanted to accept this warmth as it was.

Blinking in the darkness, Talia turned over and nestled into his embrace.

Varkas wrapped an arm around her back.

Through the thin shirt, she could hear the heavy beat of his heart.

Listening to its steady, powerful rhythm, Talia carefully wrapped her arms around his waist.

* * *

The castle, which had been as quiet as a grave, had become noisy.

Stepping into the hall, Lucas frowned at the kitchen crowded with merchants. Familiar faces could be seen among those bringing various ingredients.

He strode into the chaotic room.

“What are you doing in a place like this?”

“Ah, Young Master Lucas.”

Daren, who had been bargaining with several merchants, waved cheerfully.

“Have you finished everything His Grace entrusted to you with?”

“I finished all of it.”

Lucas answered sharply.

“I attended morning training without skipping, took care of the horses, and polished Brother's armor and weapons until they shone.”

“Well done.”

Daren ruffled his hair approvingly.

Swatting the hand away roughly, Lucas asked grumpily,

“So what exactly is this mess?”

“These are ingredients specially brought for Her Grace. It seems there are not many Eastern dishes she can eat. We had no choice but to purchase ingredients from merchants from the central regions.”

Lucas frowned at the sacks filling the dining hall.

How much could that tiny woman possibly eat to warrant buying this much?

Surely they weren't planning to spend an entire season here?

Looking up at Daren with serious eyes, he asked,

“Is her condition really that bad?”

“According to the healer, her stomach is practically ruined.”

Daren replied with a troubled expression.