145. Hold Me

It was the cusp of spring, yet the sudden chill of the past days came to mind, and Larael defined the strange sensation she felt that way. She rose from her chair to pull Edward’s blanket higher over him.

The closer she drew to his bed, the faster her heart began to pound. A gentle light, soothing for sleep, illuminated Edward. And tonight, he seemed to shine even more. Perhaps it was because his golden hair caught the glow of the lamp, but to her eyes, it looked as though Edward himself was emitting light.

Smiling faintly at the absurd thought, Larael grasped the edge of his blanket to pull it up.

But the moment she leaned closer, she froze—his eyelids were trembling.

Her chest pounded violently, as though struck by a hammer. At the same time, an overwhelming tide of emotion surged within her, forcing her to bite down hard on her lip to keep it contained. The moment stretched endlessly, as if she had been waiting centuries for this day. She had wished for it so desperately that her legs nearly gave way, and she sank onto the edge of his bed. With trembling hands, she caressed Edward’s pale face.

“Ed… ward?”

Her trembling voice brushed against his ear and reached him.

To Edward, her voice felt distant. Yet he clung to it, struggling to escape the darkness of unconsciousness and surface into the light. She was the place where he could breathe. His trembling grew more intense.

“T… Trix!!!”

Larael rang the bell in the chamber and cried out for Trix. Instead, a servant who had been standing by hurried inside.

“Your Highness, if it is urgent, I will summon the chief attendant.”

The servant, mindful that Larael had specifically called for Trix, bowed his head.

“Bring the chief attendant… and call for the physician.”

After giving her orders, Larael grasped Edward’s hand tightly. Whether it was an illusion or not, she thought she felt his fingers move ever so slightly. Joy surged through her heart like a great tide.

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty.”

She called his name again and again, hoping he could hear her. Edward’s trembling eyelids stilled. The strength in Larael’s hand weakened. With anxious eyes, she stared at him, searching desperately for any sign.

“Your Majesty.”

And then, the eyelids that had seemed they would never open lifted—so very slightly, so heavily that she almost doubted her own eyes. Larael’s heart nearly stopped. Her eyes widened, her lips parted in shock, but she quickly gathered herself and clasped Edward’s hand tightly once more.

“Your Majesty! Can you see me?”

She lowered her gaze, trying to catch his still-half-closed eyes with her own. At that instant, Edward’s eyelids lifted halfway, and his deep teal eyes focused on the figure before him—on Larael.

“Your Majesty!!! Do you recognize me?”

Edward’s eyes were open, but his gaze remained dazed, as if his mind had not fully returned. Still, his fingers twitched faintly in Larael’s grasp.

“Your Highness, what has happened?”

Trix rushed in, his clothes hastily thrown on, alarm written on his face. When Larael had summoned him in the middle of the night, he had feared the worst for Edward. But upon seeing Larael’s expression, his racing heart eased slightly, and his gaze shifted to Edward.

Then he froze. The teal eyes that had long remained hidden beneath unmoving lids were open once more. A sound of stunned elation escaped him as he dashed to the bedside.

“Your Majesty!!!”

His voice shook.

The once-unfocused, elegant eyes gradually regained clarity. Soon after, Edward’s other hand lifted slightly—only to drop weakly back onto the bed.

“Your… Majesty?”

The faint movement, willed by Edward himself, sent shivers down Larael’s body. She clung tighter to his other hand, refusing to let go, gazing at him with eyes brimming with awe.

“La…”

His lips moved, and with great effort, a faint word escaped. There was no mistaking what it meant, nor who it was for.

“Your Majesty, I am here.”

Her words seemed to give him strength, for Edward lifted his hand higher than before. Realizing what he was trying to do, Larael quickly lowered her face. His hand fell limply onto the bed.

“Your Majesty, please don’t overexert yourself.”

Instead of letting his trembling hand try again, Larael guided the hand she was holding to her own cheek. Whether it was her sweat or Edward’s, the hand was damp, but through it, his emotions flowed into her. Pressing her cheek against his hand, Larael clenched her teeth.

A surge of emotions swelled up within her, making her nose sting, but she refused to show Edward tears the first time he opened his eyes again. She did not want him to worry.

Edward gazed at Larael for a long time before, as though drained of strength, closing his eyes. His lashes trembled faintly. Though his heart longed to keep them open, to capture at least a glimpse more of Larael before him, his eyelids betrayed him and surrendered. A long sigh escaped him.

Led by Hobbs, the physicians entered the chamber. Seeing Edward conscious, they drew in sharp breaths.

“Since we are the only physicians remaining in the palace, I will personally examine His Majesty,” Hobbs said, stepping forward.

Larael held tightly onto Edward’s hand and shifted slightly aside, perching on the edge of the bed. Hobbs proceeded with a cautious and thorough examination, lingering long over every detail.

“As was the case before, His Majesty’s condition is entirely normal. His muscles have weakened significantly from lying immobile for so long. However, His Majesty had maintained his body consistently in the past, so he should recover his usual condition soon.”

At his words, Larael nodded. Edward slowly turned his head toward her. His dry lips quivered, as though he had something he wished to say.

“Your Majesty, let me moisten your lips first,” Larael said softly.

At once, a servant brought warm water. Larael accepted it and spooned a little into Edward’s mouth. He parted his lips slightly, swallowing with a faint gulp, and Larael’s lips curved into a gentle smile.

‘When would be the right time to tell His Majesty?’

She agonized over when to speak of what she wanted most—about them. And also of the matters concerning Duke Anderman and the Empress Dowager. But now, just as Edward had regained consciousness, would ill tidings not overwhelm him with shock?

At that moment, the High Priest, having returned from the temple and summoned in haste, rushed into the chamber. Upon seeing Edward awake, he fell to his knees and offered fervent prayers of thanksgiving.

Even Larael, who had always harbored doubts about the divine, felt in this moment as though she too wished to kneel and pray alongside him.

When his impassioned prayer ended, the physicians explained Edward’s condition. The High Priest then bestowed divine power upon Edward, praying for his further recovery.

Radiant light enveloped Edward for a long while. The High Priest poured all his strength into the blessing, his face drenched in sweat. At last, when he withdrew the power and staggered back, Edward seemed to move with greater vitality.

“Let… me… sit…”

Edward forced out each word with effort, and Trix immediately rushed to support his shoulders, helping him sit upright against the headboard. Edward inclined his head faintly in gratitude.

Then he beckoned to Larael, gesturing her closer.

“Hug… me.”

For an instant, Larael worried what he might ask. But at those words, she broke into a soft smile and embraced him tightly.

It was the warmth of the living Edward—something she had longed for so desperately. Resting her chin on his shoulder, Larael allowed her heart to swell completely with joy.

“It’s been…?”

“Over a month has passed. Nearly two months now,” Larael answered.