The dreams of Karsten being injured continued to plague Breti for several days. Though he had promised to return quickly, more than two weeks had passed beyond the expected date, and still there was no word.

“No… he will return soon.”

Breti shook her head as she repeated the words to herself once more.

She rose from the bed and dressed quickly. Once ready, she made her way to Meliover’s room. The weather had grown noticeably colder, and perhaps because of the sudden change in temperature, Meliover’s condition had worsened sharply.

Standing before her mother’s door, Breti forced her lips into a smile.

‘I must smile. I can’t let her see me struggling.’

Meliover was already in poor health, and the recent lack of news from Karsten had only served to exacerbate her concerns. Breti had to care for her and avoid burdening her further with her own sorrow.

Smiling, Breti knocked gently on the door.

“Mother.”

“Yes. Come in, dear.”

From the sound of her voice, Meliover seemed better today. Breti entered with a lighter heart.

She found her mother reclining against the headboard, sipping a cup of tea.

“You’re here, my dear?”

Seeing that her complexion was better than yesterday, Breti managed a more genuine smile.

“Have you still heard nothing today?”

No sooner had Breti sat in the chair by the bedside than Meliover asked anxiously for news of Karsten.

Bretti’s lips trembled.

“Well…”

Her words faltered.

“My dear.”

Meliover’s hand touched Breti’s cheek.

“There is still no word from my brother today, Mother.”

Breti’s eyes slowly filled with tears. She had promised herself at the door that she would not cry, but it was no use. All the sorrow she had held back came crashing down at once.

At last, a single tear slid down her cheek.

Meliover stroked Breti’s cheek with a look of sorrow.

“My dear, don’t worry too much.”

“Mother…”

“It’s Karsten, after all.”

Breti had meant to comfort her mother, yet instead she was the one being comforted. The thought made her heart ache all the more. Wiping away her tears, she forced a smile.

“How are you feeling today, Mother?”

“I believe I’m a little better.”

“Mother, the sunlight is beautiful today.”

“Is it now?”

“Why don’t we go out for a short walk? Just for a while.”

At Breti’s suggestion, Meliover smiled softly and nodded.

“Yes, let’s do that.”

The two of them quickly prepared and stepped outside, walking where the path was free of shade. Having been confined to bed for so long, Meliover’s expression seemed brighter for the outing. Yet her complexion was still so pale that Breti’s heart remained heavy with worry.

“Mother, let me fasten your cloak more tightly.”

As Breti adjusted her mother’s clothing, the sound of drums began to echo faintly in the distance.

“My dear…”

Startled by the sound, Meliover gripped Breti’s hand. Holding their trembling hearts in check, they hurried toward the direction of the noise.

“Ah…”

And soon, the sight they had longed for came into view—Karsten.

But…

‘Why…?’

Why did his face look so ashen?

Breti’s heart clenched in fear. Karsten’s pallor was unmistakable.

When he spotted the two waiting for him, Karsten dismounted and came toward them. Taking Meliover’s hand, he said softly,

“Mother.”

“Karsten…”

Tears spilled from Meliover’s eyes as Karsten drew her into his arms, holding her shoulders tenderly.

“I’ve returned, Mother.”

“Yes… you’ve come home. You’ve come back.”

After a brief embrace, he moved towards Breti. There was something strange about the way he walked, though — hesitant and uneven. Already unnerved by how pale he looked, Breti felt her heart pound furiously.

When Karsten wrapped his arms around her, tears welled in her eyes.

“Where are you hurt?”

A soft, fleeting laugh brushed past her ear.

“You’re quick to notice.”

Karsten whispered quietly against her ear.

“I’m back, Breti.”

💙💙💙 💙💙💙

Following Meliover’s instructions, Karsten headed straight for his bedchamber, with Breti close behind.

“Laterna, you stay. The rest of you, leave us.”

The moment he entered, Karsten dismissed the attendants with a low command. Soon only he and Breti remained in the room.

“Breti.”

Karsten reached out and brushed his hand against Breti’s cheek. However, she quickly turned her face away and slipped out of his grasp.

“Show me the wound first.”

At her firm words, Karsten looked visibly troubled.

“I told you, I’m fine now.”

Despite his attempts to dissuade her, it was clear that Breti did not believe him. Surrendering to her persistence, Karsten lifted his shirt to reveal the injury on his left side.

The colour drained from her face.

“H–how could…”

“It’s not as bad as it looks.”

“Not as bad? How can you say that when it’s like this?!”

Her voice rose, trembling with distress. In response, Karsten leaned forward and kissed her briefly on the cheek.

The flood of sorrow that had been building up inside her finally burst forth, and Breti’s voice wavered as tears spilled from her eyes.

“You’re too cruel…”

“Don’t cry.”

“Truly…”

Karsten gently wiped away the tears streaming down her cheeks, time and again. When it became clear that they would not stop easily, he took something out of his br*ast pocket.

“Breti.”

He had intended to use it to comfort her, but the moment she received it, she began to cry even harder.

“Why… why is it so clean?”

What he handed her was the small pouch she had given him before his departure.

Breti clutched it, her expression crumpling.

“Of course I kept it clean. I had to bring it back just as it was.”

Not a drop of blood nor a speck of dust marked it; the pouch was exactly as it had been the day she pressed it into his hands. That simple truth made Breti’s tears flow anew.

Karsten stroked her hair and spoke softly.

“It was from you. How could I not keep it safe?”

“But, Your Highness… you were hurt.”

“I’m all right.”

At last, Breti lifted her tear-stained eyes to meet his. Wanting to reassure her further, Karsten reached out to her. However, the movement caused his wound to ache, prompting a soft groan.

“Your Highness!”

“Come closer.”

His face contorted with pain, but he still managed to speak. Breti said nothing more and moved closer. Perching lightly on the edge of the bed, she leaned in and brushed a quick kiss across his lips.

“…Your Highness.”

But one kiss was not enough. Another followed, and then another. By the time Karsten pulled away, Breti’s cheeks were bright red.

A faint smile touched his lips.

“Your face is burning.”

“…”

“It seems you’re the one in pain, not me.”

His teasing voice was full of mischief. In retaliation, Breti pressed a fingertip deliberately against his wound.

Karsten groaned faintly in pain, but Breti ignored his reaction and spoke firmly.

“How could you act like this in the middle of being treated?”

“Because… it’s been too long since I last saw you.”

Before she knew it, Karsten had reverted to type, his hand brushing tenderly against her cheek as he spoke. Breti forced herself to ignore his touch, focusing instead on tending to his wound.

Fortunately, thanks to the emergency care he had received earlier, the injury was already healing well. Breti carefully placed herbs over the wound to prevent scarring, then wrapped it neatly in bandages.

“Breti.”

As she worked, she felt his breath brush against her ear. Her heart thudded wildly; it was impossible to hide. She tried to steady herself, focusing on tying the bandage around his waist.

Just then, the soft patter of rain began outside, tapping against the windows. Glancing towards it, Breti’s worry deepened as she tied the final knot firmly.

“Please, rest well tonight.”

“…”

“And don’t even think about moving around.”

With the rain falling, she was worried that the wound might become infected more easily. She decided to return at dawn to change the bandage and got to her feet.

“Breti.”

Just as she turned to leave, his voice called her back. She stopped, glancing over her shoulder.

“Are you in pain somewhere?”

Her concern sharpened, and she stepped closer, checking his body here and there with anxious eyes.

“Breti.”

Karsten repeated her name as though that alone would be enough. Whether or not he understood her rising panic, he offered no explanation.

Confused, Breti looked up at him, and was shocked by what she saw.

“S–surely not…!”