Chapter 15 – Part 4

“Why are you here again today?”

Ignoring Ailon’s cold words, Anne placed her hand on his forehead. Without a mercury thermometer, which wasn’t used in the empire, she had to rely on the touch of her hand to measure his fever.

As Anne concentrated, Ailon grabbed her wrist and spoke.

“Didn’t you hear me?”

“Yes.”

“I told you not to stand by the emperor’s side, especially near me and the Duke of Davis, didn’t I?”

“Oh, that?”

Anne responded in a tone that implied she thought he was being overly dramatic, causing Ailon to speak in disbelief.

“If this is some half-hearted sense of duty, just give it up. It’s the only way to keep yourself safe.”

“Your Highness, you’re really better now? The fever’s gone, your complexion is good, and even though I don’t see any servants around, you’re eating well. Just rest a bit more.”

Anne chatted away without even looking at Ailon.

“……”

Ailon stared intently at her. He hadn’t noticed before, but today Anne didn’t look well. When she swayed slightly, Ailon caught her and shouted.

“Are you crazy?”

“Oh. That was a mistake…”

No, it wasn’t. No one sweats like that from a mere mistake.

Ailon sat her down on a chair and carefully touched her forehead.

Her skin radiated heat.

“You should have taken care of yourself before tending to me.”

“Oh, do I have a fever? Then you must still have a fever too, Your Highness.”

It was natural that touching a hot forehead with a hot hand would make the fever feel less intense.

“Come here.”

“I can’t…”

Ailon swiftly lifted her by the waist and laid her on the bed, holding her shoulders.

“Please, stay still.”

He rang the bell to summon other servants.

But despite ringing it several times, no one came. The fear of the epidemic had driven the servants out of the palace.

Ailon, worried, stepped out of the room.

But even the duke, who usually seemed to be waiting outside, was absent. Of all times…

“Sorry for keeping you waiting, Herren.”

It was then.

“Lady Davis?”

He saw Lady Davis and her maid coming out of the study next to his bedroom.

Though they hadn’t exchanged many words, he was glad to see her.

“Prince Ailon. I just came to find my brother. Please understand.”

“No.”

“Pardon?”

“Can you help me? It might be contagious, but…”

Ailon hesitated, worried Yvonne might get infected too. But Yvonne nodded.

There were few who could refuse a request from the prince.

Of course, Yvonne had the position and resolve to refuse with a smile.

However, she was curious why the prince, usually proud and stubborn, had become so meek.

Following him, she found the prince’s room in a state that barely resembled a prince’s quarters.

Whether outside or inside the palace, it was a ruin.

For a moment, Yvonne was stunned. Over Ailon’s shoulder, she saw Anne peeking out from under a pile of blankets.

Anne looked extremely unwell.

‘Why is my sister-in-law there?’

“Lady Vanessa?”

“…My Lady, I’m sorry. I should be getting up now.”

“No, it’s alright. More importantly, in your condition…”

As Anne tried to rise with an embarrassed expression, Ailon held her shoulder and shook his head.

“Don’t try to get up.”

“Your Highness, you should rest too.”

Yvonne, who had been watching them, sighed and rubbed her forehead.

They now had something to do before the appointment with the imperial physician in three hours.

“Both of you need to rest, it seems.”

Herren, who was nearby, also kept an eye on their surroundings and nodded.

Yvonne felt a bitter taste in her mouth.

She had already marked her as a sister-in-law, but instead of caring for her brother, she had been taking care of Ailon and ended up bedridden.

If Evan found out later, it would be a huge problem.

“Your Highness, please lie down on that sofa.”

“Lady, that’s not necessary…”

Yvonne sent a sharp glance without a word.

“Just for three hours.”

“Alright.”

Ailon, recognizing the charisma of the lady he hadn’t seen before, obediently lay down on the sofa, placing his hands on his abdomen.

* * *

Yvonne glanced at the clock and sighed in relief as she saw Anne and the Crown Prince sleeping peacefully.

They couldn’t delay their appointment with the imperial physician any longer. Yvonne and Herren quietly tiptoed out of the room.

However, the creaking sound that inevitably escaped woke Ailon from his sleep.

Not fully awake, he looked around with a dazed mind.

A shabby, old room. It felt familiar yet strange.

Is this another nightmare?

Ailon unknowingly nodded. The scenery was utterly unfamiliar to someone who had only seen luxurious things his entire life.

He heard a rustling sound from somewhere. Even in his confused state, his eyes were drawn to it.

On the bed was the person he wanted to see just once more in his dreams.

Aaron. It’s Aaron.

Ailon’s eyes momentarily filled with joy. His previously dim red eyes brightened with delight and gratitude.

He got up from the sofa and approached the bed. Though his body was still weak and he staggered, he didn’t care at all.

“Ah.”

But as he got closer to the bed, his bright red eyes lost their light again.

Standing in front of the bed, Ailon silently looked at the sleeping Anne Vanessa.

She seemed to be having a happy dream, with a slight smile on her lips. She looked healthier than before.

Ailon gently touched her cheek with the back of his hand.

Her soft cheek was still warm with lingering fever.

It was ridiculous. No matter how much he missed Aaron, how could he confuse Aaron with a woman like this?

But her sleeping figure, breathing quietly, resembled Aaron quite a bit. No, if he looked closely, even her plump, pink lips did.

‘This is dangerous.’

Ailon broke off his deepening thoughts with a smirk.

Quickly withdrawing his hand, he sat in the chair beside her bed. It was a comfort he hadn’t felt in a long time. Crossing his arms, he leaned back and listened to her breathing.

He remembered the days he stood guard, watching Aaron and Ferrell Klein sleep soundly while camping.

As the sun set, the room gradually turned red. The face of Ailon, sitting with his back to the window, grew darker.

Anne was still sleeping deeply. Her breathing never left Ailon’s ears.

Even in the shadows, his red eyes grew sharper.

‘I want that breath.’ The breath of a living person. The sound of laughter. The sound of talking. He began to covet everything.

Ailon got up and approached the bed. Anne frowned at the light coming through the window.

He blocked the sunlight and sat on the edge of the bed. Her reddish hair spread out on the sheet dyed with the color of sunset. With trembling hands, excited by a strange thrill, Ailon wrapped Anne’s hair around his fingers.

Though there was no hint of lust in his gestures, Ailon was clearly desiring Anne.

* * *

Time passed.

Anne calmed her heart, running her hands through the hair that Suen had styled.

The end-of-war talks would begin in two hours.

Looking in the mirror, Anne tried to smile, but it didn’t work as she wished.

“My Lady… don’t worry too much.”

“Of course.”

“It doesn’t seem like only a select few are gathering. The preparations seem quite extensive.”

“Really?”

Anne sipped the warm tea Suen had poured and pondered.

As Suen had said, many noble families were participating in the peace negotiations. However, the daughters of these families had no role in the proceedings, nor should they.

But Anne had other worries. Evan had left right before the peace negotiations.

‘He said he would be there for the peace negotiations, so don’t worry.’

That was what Yvonne had said.

No one knew why he had to leave the imperial palace so urgently. Even his sister, who knew everything about the situation, remained silent.

“Lady Anne Vanessa, it’s time to come out.”

When someone from the imperial palace called from outside, Suen quickly secured Anne’s hair ornament once more.

“My Lady, I’m always rooting for you.”

Anne smiled brightly.

“Your support always gives me strength, Suen.”

Dressed in formal attire, Anne carefully stepped forward. Suen’s hand, supporting Anne, was tense.

Suen worried that this meeting might be an attempt to use Anne or bring up the incident at the banquet.

“My Lady…”

“There won’t be any danger. Trust me. So, there’s no need to be anxious, alright?”

Suen nodded and slowly walked with Anne into the hallway. There, the prepared attendants from the imperial palace were waiting.

“Lady Anne Vanessa, we will escort you to the conference room.”

Anne was attending on behalf of Terossa, so the imperial palace staff treated her with the utmost respect.

As they exited the palace, numerous nobles were waiting outside. Among them were Carly and Kyle.

Carly’s faint voice echoed behind her.

“Anne, we’ll be waiting here.”

With a small bow of her head, Anne slowly entered the conference room.

The Emperor of Terossa sat arrogantly, and numerous nobles, who exuded a sense of entitlement, were present.

Sharp eyes scrutinized Anne from head to toe.

Feeling a chill run down her spine, Anne sat in the designated seat.

Yvonne Davis was seated at the far right of the conference room. Anne gave her a slight nod.

After some time, the Emperor’s cracked voice resounded.

“Let the peace negotiations begin.”