16: The Words Spoken by the Husband Who Woke Up After a Week

When Kael, covered in blood, came into view, Aella felt as though her heart had stopped.

The butler, Matteo, explained that Kael had been riding with the young princess when she roughly yanked the reins of the horse. Startled, Kael’s beloved horse began to buck wildly, causing him to fall.

Kael, who had shielded the young princess with his body, not only suffered injuries from the fall but was also relentlessly trampled by the horse he cherished so much, leaving him in his current state.

Aella, who had been silently listening to the butler’s explanation, suddenly saw Matteo kneeling before her.

“I know I’m being shameless, my lady. But please, save the Duke. I simply cannot…”

“Hah!”

Kina, who had been listening alongside her, reacted with disbelief, but Aella gently patted her back.

“My lady, surely you’re not…”

“Kina.”

“I know exactly what these people have done to you!”

“If I don’t treat the Duke, then I’ll become a murderer too.”

“My lady…”

“I don’t want to be a murderer. That’s all.”

Aella hugged Kina, who stood with her lips tightly pressed together, and comforted her. Then, she placed her hands on Kael’s battered body, barely holding onto life, and began to channel her power.

The wounds were extensive and severe, and the amount of magic required was overwhelming for Aella.

‘Just a little more…!’

A brilliant light burst forth, enveloping Kael’s body. After several flashes, the light gradually subsided.

“Haa…”

Having never expended such a massive amount of magic before, Aella collapsed weakly onto the floor.

“My lady!”

“I’m fine.”

Reassuring Kina, who had rushed over in a panic, Aella let out a sigh of relief after hearing from the doctor that Kael’s breathing and pulse were now stable.

“My lady, truly… thank you so much.”

“Thank you, my lady.”

Natasha and Matteo expressed their gratitude to Aella. While Kina helped her stand, Aella felt uneasy seeing the couple bow their heads like guilty criminals after Kina muttered that they were shameless.

“My lady, let’s go to your room for now.”

“Alright.”

After entering her room, Aella sat on the bed, holding Charlotte, who had come whining to her as if asking where she had been.

“My lady, are you alright? You’re sweating!”

“I’m fine. I’ll feel better soon. Kina, could you bring me a glass of cold water?”

“Yes!”

Once the door closed, Aella let out a long breath and lay down on the bed.

“Meow~”

“Charlotte.”

Aella stroked Charlotte’s head as the cat stared at her from atop her stomach. Feeling completely drained, she let her arms fall limply to her sides.

“Kael…”

The image of Kael, with not a single uninjured spot from head to toe, flashed through her mind, making her chest tighten.

“If Kael dies… just like the late Duke of Hormons. If Kael dies…”

The mere thought was horrifying, and Aella trembled like a leaf.

“No… I don’t want Kael to die. I don’t want Kael to die.”

Covering her face with both hands, Aella struggled to calm her rising emotions.

Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

It wasn’t Kina who entered but Ian, the captain of the knights. Surprised, Aella sat up.

“What’s the matter?”

“The Duke’s fever is rising.”

“Haa. I understand. Please explain it to Kina for me.”

“Yes.”

As Aella left her room to head to Kael’s, she handed Charlotte to Ian, who had been following her.

“Charlotte, I’ll be back soon, so stay put, okay?”

“Meow~”

“Good girl.”

Walking quickly, Aella arrived at Kael’s room. Outside the door, Natasha appeared flustered, not knowing what to do.

“My lady!”

“Step aside.”

Entering the room, Aella saw Kael lying on the bed, struggling to breathe. His body radiated heat, but she couldn’t identify the cause of the fever.

‘I need to bring down the fever first.’

Spotting a wet cloth nearby, Aella wrung it out and placed it on Kael’s forehead. She gently massaged his body.

‘Kael…’

This was the second time she had seen Kael like this. Ten years ago, after the late Duchess of Hormons, who always greeted her with a smile, passed away in a carriage accident, Kael had fallen ill.

The accident occurred while they were crossing a bridge. The duchess, in order to save her only son, sacrificed herself. She managed to save Kael, but she fell with the overturned carriage into the icy river below, losing her life.

Kael, who was only ten years old at the time, had to watch helplessly as his mother died in front of him. Aella couldn’t even begin to imagine the pain he must have felt.

“Kael…”

Just like back then, Kael was now suffering from a high fever of unknown origin. Seeing him struggle to breathe broke Aella’s heart. Desperately wishing for his pain to end, Aella held his hand in hers for the first time in a long while.

“Kael, please. Just wake up safely, and I won’t ask for anything else. Kael…”

“…la.”

“Kael?!”

“El…la.”

“Ah…”

How long had she waited to hear him say her name? Overcome with emotion, Aella couldn’t hold back her tears.

“Yes, Kael. I’m here. I’m right here by your side. Don’t be in pain, Kael. Please…”

Burying her face in his slightly cold hand, Aella prayed to the heavens. She prayed more earnestly than ever for Kael to wake up safely.

***

The next day, the imperial family visited.

Aella greeted them, and the Emperor expressed his apologies on behalf of his young daughter. The ten-year-old princess, Mai, who was deeply shocked by what had happened to Kael because of her, bowed her head before Aella.

“Your Highness.”

“I-I’m sorry, Aella! Really… I’m so sorry. Because of me, Lord Kael… Sniff… If only I hadn’t pulled the reins like that. Waaah~ I’m so sorry. You can hate me if you want. Waaah~”

As the young princess sobbed uncontrollably, Aella approached her, hugged her, and helped her stand.

“Your Highness, if you cry like this, the Duke won’t be at ease either.”

“Aella…”

“If you pray for the Duke to recover quickly, it will bring him great comfort.”

“Okay! I’ll pray really hard for Lord Kael to wake up.”

“Thank you.”

After gently setting the princess down, the Empress approached Aella. Aella quickly bowed her head.

“Your Majesty.”

“Duchess of Hormons.”

“Yes.”

The Empress, who took Aella’s right hand in hers, was the second Empress who had succeeded the late, frail first Empress. She was also the mother of the young imperial children and the stepmother of the Crown Prince.

Alenoa, a princess from the magical kingdom of Sertia, was highly skilled in magic and would have been the queen of Sertia if she hadn’t become the Empress of this empire.

Aella deeply respected her, as it was thanks to the Empress that her unstable healing abilities had become as strong as they were now.

“You used an excessive amount of magic to heal the Duke.”

“Ah…”

“This will lead to magic depletion.”

“Magic depletion…”

“When magic is depleted, it can harm your body. You could develop an illness, lose the ability to use magic, or, in the worst case, lose your life. You must be very careful.”

Though Aella had heard of magic depletion before, she hadn’t realized how dangerous it could be. She could only nod in response.

“I pray for the Duke’s swift recovery, Duchess.”

“I am deeply grateful, Your Majesty.”

Aella saw the imperial family off as they returned to the palace.

“Aella! No, Duchess! When the Duke wakes up, please let me know first! I want to apologize.”

“I understand, Your Highness.”

Watching the young royals climb into the carriage, Aella waved at them. Then, she stood face-to-face with Elena, the princess of Roden.

“Your Highness.”

“Your skin has become quite rough.”

Aella smiled at the concerned look in Elena’s eyes and felt the warmth of her hands as she held hers.

“You’ll be fine.”

“Of course. Take care.”

When Elena suddenly embraced her, Aella was startled but returned the hug with a smile.

“Duchess.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“….”

Despite the burdensome gaze, Aella maintained her smile as she faced Crown Prince Julius. She could feel the Emperor’s eyes on her from inside the carriage.

“Do you have something to say to me?”

“If you’re struggling, please don’t hesitate to ask for my help.”

“….”

“I will always be willing to help you.”

“I will gratefully accept your kind offer.”

Bowing her head, Aella let out a long breath and watched the Crown Prince climb into the carriage.

As the carriage grew smaller in the distance, Aella thought to herself: ‘There is only one thing I ask of you, Your Highness. Please let go of your feelings for me.’

***

For a week, Aella cared for Kael, who remained unconscious. She soothed Kina, who fumed with anger, asking why Aella insisted on nursing him.

Aella only replied:

“I’m simply doing what I must as his wife.”

Kina, frustrated, ranted about how the Duke had never once treated Aella like a wife since their marriage. When Kina stormed out to get some air, Aella stayed by Kael’s side, looking at him as if he might wake up any moment.

“Kael.”

What would she do if he didn’t wake up? Tears welled in her eyes as she worried. Then, she noticed his brow furrow slightly.

“Ka-Kael?!”

“Ugh… Haa… My head feels like it’s splitting.”

“Ah!”

Aella covered her mouth with both hands, watching as Kael slowly sat up.

Their eyes met.

Thump, thump, thump—

For the first time, Aella wasn’t met with his icy gaze.

Before she could even call his name, Kael spoke words she never expected.

“Who is this lady?”