The following day, an opera performance was held in the Imperial Theatre at Granada Palace as part of the daytime events.

As if to showcase the empire’s grandeur, the piece performed for the guests was a new work by a celebrated playwright that had not yet been released. Some of the most celebrated opera singers on the continent performed the lead roles, leaving Isabel overwhelmed with excitement.

“This alone makes coming to the imperial palace worth it.”

My frail and uncooperative body had developed a fever from something as simple as getting caught in the rain.

But everyone else was so excited! I didn’t want to spoil the moment, though.

So, I quietly took the paracetamol I had brought with me, forced a smile, and pretended that nothing was wrong. I knew that if I admitted to not feeling well, both Jeremy and Isabel would abandon the opera without hesitation just to stay by my side.

Because I knew that, I couldn’t bring myself to burden them.

By the time we arrived at the theatre, the Estantian Republic delegation was already seated.

“I don’t see Helares.”

It stung that I was the only one being cautious and on guard, but if he wasn’t here, that was a relief.

I let out a quiet breath and took my assigned seat.

“After the performance, I’m going to ask the actors for their autographs.”

Unlike Isabel, whose eyes sparkled with excitement, I had never been particularly fond of opera.

Soon, the theatre dimmed and the performance began, the orchestra’s rich melodies interweaving seamlessly with the singers’ voices.

Even someone like me, who had little appreciation for such things, could see that it was extraordinary.

The stage was breathtaking. The costumes were dazzling. The music filled the entire theatre, soft and mesmerizing.

When I glanced to the side, I saw that both Jeremy and Isabel were completely absorbed in the performance.

‘I’m sleepy…’

But the fever — and the medicine — began to wear me down. My eyelids kept drooping.

I tried to stay awake, if only to avoid being rude or disturbing the others, but I couldn’t fight the drowsiness.

Before I knew it, my head was tilting to the side, ready to rest against Jeremy’s shoulder.

And then, a soft touch brushed past my ear, stopping me just in time.

A familiar scent lingered at the tip of my nose.

Startled, I turned around.

A dark blue sleeve filled my vision.

Panic surged through me. I shook the hand off as if it were dust, snapping my head away.

‘What kind of stunt is this…’

“Shh.”

He raised a finger to his lips, silencing me.

I glared at him.

What ridiculous game was he playing now?

Was he really going to follow me around like an obsessive husband watching his cheating wife?

I lifted my hand, ready to signal to Jeremy.

“Ah…”

He gently pressed his large hand against my forehead.

My skin was warm with fever, but his hand felt like ice in comparison.

I frowned deeply and tried to push him away again.

“Are you unwell?”

His voice was little more than a whisper, yet I could still hear it in my ears.

Why should he care whether I was ill?

Even when I was bleeding from my nose or coughing up blood, he had simply left me alone before.

I glanced around.

Everyone was completely absorbed in the opera, yet I had the unsettling feeling that if there were to be the slightest disturbance, all eyes would turn to me.

I straightened my posture, shifted away from him subtly and fixed my gaze on the stage, as though I were fully immersed in the performance.

Not a single moment of it reached me.

But at least the drowsiness had vanished.

Time passed with my nerves on edge and the back of my neck burning under an unseen gaze until the opera finally ended.

Thunderous applause filled the theatre as the performers stepped forward for their curtain call.

“Jeremy. Heleras is right behind us.”

“…What? Without a single sound? He really is a creep.”

Isabel recoiled in disgust, voicing exactly what I was thinking.

“Commander Linzer.”

This time, Heleras addressed Jeremy, offering a greeting befitting a member of the imperial family — not me. His posture was impeccable, as was his composure.

“Commander Heleras. Do you still have business with me?”

Jeremy’s tone sharpened as he subtly moved me behind him, shielding me.

“You’re being overly wary. What exactly have I done?”

With a faint smirk, Heleras raised both hands in a gesture of harmlessness and took a few steps back.

“I simply wished to offer a bit of advice.”

His cold gaze—pale and piercing like a winter moon—settled on me as one corner of his lips curled upward.

“The Saint you claim to love so dearly.”

It was unmistakable mockery.

“She doesn’t seem to be in good condition.”

So he had noticed.

The petty satisfaction in his words—trying to assert dominance over Jeremy by pointing it out first—was almost laughable.

“You might want to take better care of her.”

“You’re unwell?”

Jeremy’s voice was filled with alarm.

I shook my head, but in truth, cold sweat was already gathering along my back.

He pressed a hand to my forehead and frowned.

“You have a fever. You should’ve said something earlier. We’re going back to the palace—I’ll call a physician immediately.”

“It’s not that serious—”

“It seems Your Highness doesn’t know much about the woman he claims to love.”

Heleras threw back Jeremy’s own words from the Trieste incident—then passed by us without another glance.

“…Ah. So this is what it feels like. To be made a fool of.”

Jeremy let out a strained laugh, his face flushing with embarrassment.

I tried to reassure him again, insisting that I was fine. But at that exact moment, blood suddenly started streaming from my nose.

It fell in heavy drops onto the floor.

Jeremy’s face turned pale instantly.

Without hesitating, he called for a doctor and we were rushed back to the annexe.

After taking the prescribed medicine, my fever quickly subsided and my body finally began to relax.

“Sienna, take this. Eat well and rest—you need to recover quickly.”

“Thank you, Jeremy. It’s not like I was sick enough to worry you.”

Having missed a meal during my treatment, Jeremy kindly brought me some food and put it on the table next to my bed.

I didn’t have much of an appetite, but I couldn’t ignore his kindness. Slowly, I pushed myself up and took a spoonful of the bisque, followed by another.

An unusually heavy, uncomfortable silence fell between us.

Sensing that something was wrong, I stopped eating and looked at him.

His expression, tinged with quiet frustration, met my gaze.

“I’ve known you longer than Heleras has… and yet I didn’t even notice you were sick.”

“…Jeremy.”

“He noticed at a glance. Knowing how you are, I should’ve looked more carefully.”

“No. You’ve already done more than enough for me.”

“It just… makes me feel like I’m not good enough. I wish you would rely on me more.”

That was exactly why we had remained just friends.

Jeremy added softly.

“Jeremy… it’s not your fault. You’ve already been more than good to me.”

Ah…

I hated seeing someone get hurt because of me.

If he felt this way now, what would happen after I was gone?

“I’m sorry… I just hide too much.”

I’m sorry for everything I’m still hiding from you.
I’m sorry I’m dying.
And I’m sorry… I don’t want to keep extending my life anymore.

“I guess I acted like a child again, didn’t I? I always end up like this when I’m with you. It’s embarrassing.”

He smiled awkwardly, but there was something hollow in it.

I placed a hand on his shoulder—wordlessly telling him he had done nothing wrong—and gently changed the subject.

“…It seems like Heleras knows who I am, doesn’t it?”

After today, what had only been a suspicion finally felt certain.

“Yeah… but how did he figure it out again? Your husband is seriously relentless. I can’t deal with him.”

We both shook our heads, letting out a quiet, self-deprecating laugh.

“Let’s just stay here tonight. You’re sick—you even had a nosebleed. That should be enough of an excuse to skip the ball.”

“Alright. I’ll start preparing for our return to the Holy Kingdom. Let’s leave as soon as possible.”

Ultimately, the Imperial Forces escorted me safely through the border checkpoint and back to the Holy Kingdom.

As for him—was just a delegate from another country—had no authority or right to stop me.

Once again, all he could do was watch me walk away.

This strange, unsettling feeling would pass soon enough. It was nothing more than fleeting confusion, something that time would quietly smooth over.

Clinging to that thought, I tried to steady myself.