Chapter 110. Just for Tonight

The light flowing from the mirror engulfed my vision. Startled by the unusual phenomenon, I shrank back. Normally, when I tried to glimpse someone else’s future, a scene would unfold before me like a large canvas. I would stand outside that canvas, merely observing the flowing future.

But now, I found myself ‘inside’ a certain future.

My body was translucent, as if walking in a dream. I was initially shocked to see people passing through me but soon calmed down.

Naturally, people in the future couldn’t see or touch me.

“Anyway, the occupation of Erinter is necessary.”

A serious voice was heard. I walked slowly towards it. This spacious room appeared to be a conference hall, where five people were seated around a round table, engaged in conversation.

“Erinter cannot be swayed by appeasement. Hasn’t it been a Freuden ally for over a thousand years? No matter what national interests we promise, they won’t join our side.”

‘Erinter…?’

Erinter was an island nation located in the North Sea of Freuden, geographically very close to Rheinfelden.
It was also the biggest obstacle preventing Atreos from advancing to the continent of Almaira across the North Sea.

“As long as the people of Erinter block the North Sea route, Atreos will remain isolated forever. But it’s too soon to engage in a full-scale war with Freuden like last time.”

“Yes, so it makes sense to occupy Erinter, which blocks the North Sea. I agree with that opinion. However… if we attack Erinter, will its ally Freuden stand by and do nothing?”

At that moment, someone who had been quietly bowing their head slowly raised their hand. It was clearly a gesture to call for silence.

The room fell silent instantly. In the heavy atmosphere of silence, the man slowly lifted his head. The light from the ceiling reflected off his reddish-brown irises, making them appear a strange red color.

I immediately recognized who he was.

Navaroa.

Those blood-red eyes were unforgettable.

‘…His hair is white.’

Pure white, like snow. And his appearance was somehow inhuman. It was a perfectly sculpted face, beautiful yet indescribably strange and alien.

Navaroa looked around the room and spoke in a soft, leisurely, and elegant voice.

“Erinter is not in a good situation right now. With Crown Prince Ioren’s illness worsening, their internal affairs are in chaos.”

“…..”

“If Freuden has Grand Duke Bayern, Erinter has Crown Prince Ioren, who is highly regarded in that country. As everyone knows, Erinter has repelled our invasions multiple times thanks to his excellent strategies and combat skills.”

“…..”

“Now, with Crown Prince Ioren on his deathbed, I believe this is the perfect time to seize Erinter. And.”

Navaroa’s long fingers pointed to a spot on the map spread out on the round table.

It was Ceres, an ally of Atreos adjacent to the Grand Duchy of Bayern’s Rheinfelden.

“We have Ceres. If Ceres strikes Rheinfelden, we can tie down Grand Duke Bayern’s forces while we occupy Erinter.”

“But… will Ceres actively cooperate? Although they are our ally, they hate suffering losses more than death.”

“Once we secure the North Sea and open the door to advance to Almaira, we can promise Ceres trade rights. Like us, Ceres cannot trade with Katar due to interference from Freuden, Asir, and Erinter.”

A meaningful smile spread across Navaroa’s pale lips. At the same time, the world of foresight began to shake.

Everything shattered like fragments and collapsed. Navaroa’s voice echoed distantly.

“We are already well-prepared. We just need to decide when to invade Erinter….”

Soon, the fragmented future pieces gathered at one point as if being sucked in. The collected fragments reformed into the shape of a mirror.

Back in reality, I stumbled and grabbed the edge of the bathtub. My head spun, and blood gushed from my mouth. A sharp pain, as if needles were pricking my abdomen and heart, pierced me.

“Ugh….”

I stood still for a moment, catching my breath, then hurriedly cleaned up.

I hand-washed the blood-stained gown, washed away the blood in the bathroom, and sprinkled perfume here and there to mask the smell of blood.

‘I must inform Enoch of the future I saw.’

My steps were filled with urgency as I headed out.

“Why do you look so pale?”

Startled by the question that greeted me, I licked my dry lips. I should have put on some makeup. I thought I looked okay when I checked in the mirror…

“Why are you so pale? Are you sick?”

Enoch reached out and touched my cheek. I shook my head and forced a smile. I just hoped my smile didn’t look awkward.

“Maybe it’s just anemia. It’s a common ailment for women.”

“What? Anemia? Why are you so weak?”

Though his tone was scolding, I could sense his concern. His tender care for me, like a mirage. Hiding my aching heart, I held his hand with both of mine.

“I’ll be fine with proper nutrition. More importantly… I have something important to tell you.”

“What is it?”

Enoch looked at me expectantly. Holding his hand tightly, I took a deep breath and spoke.

“…It’s about the future of Atreos.”

As soon as I finished speaking, Enoch’s expression turned cold. The air around him seemed to grow frigid in an instant.

It was clear how wary he was of Atreos.

“…Tell me.”

“…..”

Nodding in the heavy atmosphere, I swallowed hard and spoke again.

“In the future I saw, Navaroa….”

* * *

Since hearing my foresight, Enoch had become extremely busy, to the point where it was hard to see him except at night.

I learned that the letter he received from King Henry two nights ago was a report on Atreos’s suspicious activities.

As I suspected… King Henry must have been keeping a close watch and was warning Enoch because Atreos was acting suspiciously.

“Ugh!”

I coughed dryly during my meal, covering my mouth with a napkin.

Despite eating only a little, my throat burned as if stomach acid was rising.

“Your Highness, are you alright?”

“…I’m fine, Jasmine. Could you bring me some digestive medicine and antacids?”

“Yes, please wait a moment!”

When Jasmine hurried out of sight, I put down my utensils and sighed softly.

Perhaps because I had glimpsed a significant event that would shape world history, my health had deteriorated noticeably. Violating the taboo of foresight always shortened my lifespan, affecting my health.

In the past, I recovered with enough rest, but this time felt different. It was as if I had committed the ultimate taboo. The bitterness on my lips tasted like poison.

‘Still, it’s better than having Freuden and its allies thrown into chaos by a sudden invasion from Atreos and Ceres.’

I didn’t want to imitate a great prophet or saint. I simply didn’t want such a cruel future to come…

If war broke out, Enoch and Penelope would join the battle… Just thinking about it made my heart sink.

Enoch was the man I loved, and Penelope was my friend. I didn’t want either of them to get hurt… So, even if the future was unavoidable, I hoped to minimize the damage by preparing in advance. I sincerely wished for that.

Three days later at night.

I woke up in bed, feeling someone’s persistent touch.

A large hand had slipped inside my loosened nightgown, caressing my chest. Only one person would do such a thing.

Golden eyes gleamed in the dark.

Those eyes always made my heart flutter and, at the same time, made me sad.

“…Enoch.”

“You’re awake?”

There was no sign of apology for waking me. As expected, he was shameless. Smiling faintly, I wrapped my arms around his neck. He paused briefly, then chuckled and lowered his head to kiss me.

“Are you still very busy these days…?”

“Yes. Did you miss me?”

“Not really. I see you every night.”

“You know you’re quite annoying, right?”

“So, do you dislike it?”

“No, it’s cute.”

He peppered my face with kisses. Despite being busy preparing for war, he still had the energy to do this every night. His stamina was truly remarkable.

“I heard you ate more today? Are you feeling better?”

“Yes, I’m fine now.”

“That’s a relief… Take good care of yourself, Ellen. Even when I’m not around.”

…Even when I’m not around?

I stared at him blankly, my expression hardening. A bitter smile spread across Enoch’s lips as he looked down at me.

“A naval battle broke out near the North Sea. Erinter’s marines clashed with Atreos’s magic troops.”

“…..”

“Unless a miracle happens, those Atreos bastards will push through the marines and land on Erinter’s west coast. My soldiers and I will go to stop them from trampling Erinter’s territory.”

I felt suffocated. I didn’t know what to say.

I just asked the first question that came to mind.

“…What about Ceres? Will they attack Rheinfelden…?”

“That’s taken care of. I’ve made arrangements.”

“…..”

I didn’t know what arrangements he had made, but since Enoch was confident, I decided to trust him. If things went as he planned, Ceres wouldn’t attack Rheinfelden.

“…You stay here, in my castle.”

“…..”

“Stay safe under my knights’ protection. Stay healthy and wait for me. I’ll sweep them away and return as quickly as possible.”

He brushed my hair back and kissed my forehead. I felt a surge of hot emotion and hugged him tightly.

My heart pounded anxiously. He was an extraordinary man, so he would surely be safe… but still… I couldn’t help but worry.

“…I’ll pray for your safety.”

“To whom? You don’t believe in God.”

“…Even if I don’t believe in the God of the monotheistic religion, there might be some divine being in this universe.”

“Well, if such a being exists, they probably think of humans as insignificant as ants. Just as humans think of ants.”

“…..”

I couldn’t argue with him. Shaking my head, I lifted my upper body slightly and cautiously kissed his lips.

Enoch sighed into the kiss, then deepened it. Our saliva mixed, and our tongues intertwined. As if caught up in rising excitement, he eagerly sucked my lips, explored my mouth, and slid his hand down.

When his hand touched the sensitive nub of my p*ssy, I flinched and swallowed a moan.

His ragged breath tickled the skin of my neck. After sucking my skin sharply, he lifted his head slightly and looked at me with clouded eyes.

“How much do you think you can take?”

“…I don’t know.”

“Thinking about being apart for a while makes me feel like no amount of holding you will be enough.”

So, whether I fainted or fell asleep from exhaustion, he demanded in a growling voice that I endure as long as possible.

I answered by hugging him tightly. No matter how much he wore me out, I could take it. Just for tonight.