Chapter 5

I nodded. "Okay."

The furrow between Felicia's eyes didn't ease up, seemingly because of how pale I looked. "I was a little too harsh with my words yesterday, so don't take it to heart. It's just that Samuel is innocent in all this, and you shouldn't have gotten him involved in our matters. Don't go tattling to my parents about him again, got it?"

My heart cracked a little at her words, but instead of pitifully trying to explain like I had in my previous life, I simply smiled.

"Got it. There won't be a next time."

Felicia tucked the blanket in around me tighter.

"I wasn't able to go watch the shooting star with you last night, so how about I visit your hometown with you? I remember you liked Jacaston, right? Let's go to Jacaston together after visiting your parents' graves."

I was briefly stunned, but then I smiled faintly and replied, "No need. You don't have to pay me back for what I did last night. I saved Mr. Gardner of my own volition."

Felicia was silent for a moment, a storm of emotions raging in her eyes. Then, she said, "I've already arranged for a carriage to take us out of the city in five days. Once you've recovered, we'll depart."

I didn't bother speaking again, merely quietly watched her.

She picked up a bowl of oatmeal, her right hand trembling badly. That was the arm that had been hurt when she saved me from the bandits back then. The tendons had been injured, so every time the weather was rainy or damp, her hand would hurt. Not just that, but even simple daily motions like picking up a fork took effort.

My nose tingled at the sight, and my heart ached for her. I asked, "Do you regret saving me? You became like this only because of me."

Her tone was calm as she replied, "There's nothing to regret. If it had been anyone else, I would've stepped in to rescue them too."

At that, my eyes darkened, but I continued with another question, my voice softer than before. "Then, what about the time you climbed that steep cliff to find me that herb to cure my illness? Would you have done the same for anyone else?"

"Yes."

As I expected, I wasn't anyone special to her.

Tears welled in my eyes, but I still forced my lips to curve into a smile.

"Felicia, thank you for saving me again and again. I lost my parents when I was still very young, so I've always desperately wanted a family. That's why I forced you to marry me. However, my impulsive and rash behavior must have caused you so much frustration and suffering, huh?"

From today on, though, that would change.

She would no longer need to abandon the man she loved and be forced to marry me. We wouldn't spend the next ten years torturing each other, and, more importantly, she wouldn't die at the young age of 30 for my sake. In this life, she would get to live a happy and long life.

I thought I saw a hint of panic flash across her face, and she opened her mouth as though to say something.

However, she was interrupted by an attendant, who urgently reported, "Lady Felicia, Mr. Gardner has awoken and is anxiously searching for you. He absolutely refuses to eat anything! Please hurry over to him!"

Immediately, a smile lit up Felicia's pretty face. Before leaving, she threw me one last glance, saying, "Wait for me to return."

"Felicia," I called out with a gentle smile, "I'm sorry, and also, I wish you a long, trouble-free life."

My choice of words confused Felicia, even as an inexplicable sense of unease spread through her. "Why are you saying such things out of the blue? I'm just going to check on Samuel and will be back very soon. Eat something first while you wait for me to return. I have something to say to you."

With that, she turned and left.

I was scheduled to leave the city at ten o'clock, which was creeping ever closer, so I got out of bed.

When the doctor came to examine me, he also prescribed me some medicine.

I shot him a grateful smile and said, "I'll be sure to take the medicine on time. Thank you so much, doctor. Also, could you help me pass on a message to Lady Felicia? Tell her that I've gone to Jacaston and that I hope she'll take good care of herself. Besides that, tell her that she shouldn't miss me."

…

After Felicia finished checking up on Samuel, she rushed back toward the room I had been in, only to find it empty.

Hailing an attendant, she asked, "He still hasn't fully recovered yet, so where has he gone?"

Before the attendant could reply, a guard dashed over anxiously.

"Lady Felicia, bad news! Bandits overtook the road leading away from the city and assaulted anyone who passed by. All the citizens involved are injured but alive, all except Mr. Sommerson, who died from too much blood loss, especially after having his heart's blood drained away just recently."