When Rachel regained consciousness, darkness had already enveloped her surroundings. Moonlight streaming through the window provided the only illumination, casting a soft glow across the room.

Rachel slowly raised herself up. Her entire body ached as though she had been beaten, likely an aftereffect of the recent battle, but it wasn’t unbearable. However, something was hindering her movement—her left hand felt weighed down by something heavy. Instinctively, her gaze shifted toward her left arm.

“…Ryan?”

There he was. Ryan had fallen asleep leaning against the bed while holding her hand between both of his. Evidently, he had dozed off while waiting for her to wake up. The discomfort she felt when trying to rise stemmed from his grip on her hand.

She attempted to withdraw her hand from his grasp, but realized she couldn’t do so without waking him. Eventually, Rachel carefully sat up without releasing her hand from his. During this movement, Ryan stirred slightly, causing Rachel to freeze momentarily in tension. Fortunately, he didn’t wake up.

With a sigh of relief, she quietly gazed down at him. His bright golden hair gleamed in the moonlight. Almost mesmerized, Rachel ran her fingers through his hair. As her fingertips lightly brushed his locks, Ryan’s brow twitched. Just as she was about to withdraw her hand, he slowly lifted his eyelids.

He blinked a few times to orient himself, then raised his head to look at Rachel. His amethyst-like purple eyes focused on her. Finally seeming to regain full awareness, he straightened his upper body.

“You’re awake? How are you feeling?” Ryan asked reflexively. “Please wait a moment. I’ll call for a maid…”

“No, Ryan, wait,” Rachel stopped him as he was about to spring up and summon a maid waiting in the hallway.

Ryan halted immediately at her words. Seeing his concerned gaze, Rachel offered a faint smile.

“Can we just stay like this for a moment?”

Not understanding her meaning, Ryan’s lips parted slightly. Then, returning her smile, he nodded and sat back down, gazing intently at Rachel with eyes full of concern about her condition.

“Are you… feeling alright?” he asked again.

She nodded slowly in affirmation. “I feel a bit stiff, but I’m fine.”

“I’ve contacted the temple. A high priest has been dispatched to the mansion, so just let me know whenever you need them.”

“I will. But may I ask what happened? My memory of the end is a bit hazy.”

At Rachel’s hesitant question, Ryan slowly gathered his thoughts. “How much do you remember?”

“Up until you cut down Ronfellon.”

“Then you remember almost everything,” Ryan replied with a smile. “After Ronfellon disappeared that way, you declared it was over. Then you collapsed from exhaustion. Everything else has been taken care of.”

“What about Duke Bermund?”

“He’s been imprisoned in the imperial underground dungeon. With the incident at the hunting competition included, he’ll likely face execution.”

Only after hearing Ryan’s definitive answer did Rachel exhale in relief. Finally, she felt the reality that everything was truly over.

“That’s such a relief.”

“Yes, it is. All thanks to you, Rachel.”

Ryan caressed the back of her hand with his thumb, his touch so careful it was like handling delicate porcelain.

“But Rachel, there’s something I need to say,” Ryan’s voice turned serious.

Rachel watched him curiously as he lowered his head, staring fixedly at her hand. She could clearly see indescribable emotions taking root in his eyes. After hesitating for a long while, he slowly raised her hand and pressed his lips to the back of it.

The gesture appeared so noble that Rachel couldn’t take her eyes off him for even a moment. Then Ryan gazed at her with tender eyes.

“Would you please promise me not to undertake such reckless actions again?”

“…”

“When I confirmed you had left the imperial palace and headed straight to Duke Bermund’s residence, I was overwhelmed with worry. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust your abilities, but I couldn’t understand why you would willingly put yourself in danger. It was fortunate that Lord Sanchez and Lord Hestein came when they did. Without them, I might have lost you despite my faith in your capabilities.”

Ryan’s tone became subtly emotional. Rachel couldn’t interrupt his words, knowing her actions had indeed been reckless. The concern, regret, and self-blame evident in each of his words made her hesitate.

Rachel looked at Ryan again. Initially, she hadn’t welcomed his attraction to her. It made sense—to her, Ryan belonged to a world far removed from her own. They were too different; she had lived solely focused on reviving Tervan, constantly pushing herself without rest.

Yet somehow, at some point, Ryan’s presence had become natural to her. She had thought maintaining a convenient relationship with him would be beneficial, but that was her arrogance. She never imagined his existence would penetrate so deeply into her life.

“So Rachel, would you rely on me a little more from now on? I want to be someone you can depend on. Just as I depend on you.”

Ryan’s words resonated in Rachel’s heart like magic. Time seemed to flow magically slow. She couldn’t look away from his eyes.

Her heart raced, and the surrounding temperature seemed unusually hot. It felt like being under an enchantment spell. But Ryan couldn’t possibly use magic. Even if he could, Rachel would certainly have detected it. No mage currently existed who could surpass her in magic—at least not in her memory.

Yet this too was magic—the kind that moves hearts and stirs emotions.

Without breaking eye contact with Ryan, Rachel slowly nodded. “Alright. I’ll do that.”

Only after she answered did a smile spread across Ryan’s face. “Thank you for saying that.”

Rachel returned his smile, her own growing deeper.

“Now that you’re feeling better, shouldn’t we call someone in? I think a thorough examination would be good.”

Rachel agreed with Ryan’s concern. “Let’s do that, then.”

“Very well. Please wait a moment.”

Ryan seemed reluctant to let go of Rachel’s hand until he stood up. However, he had to release it to summon someone.

He rang a nearby bell cord. Soon, a knock sounded at the door, followed by the familiar voice of Catrin.

“My lady, it’s Catrin. I’m coming in…”

“Sister!”

Before Catrin could finish speaking, the door burst open and a familiar figure rushed into the bedroom—Rachel’s younger sister, Erika.

With tears streaming down her face, Erika ran to Rachel and threw herself into her arms.

“Sister, I thought you were going to die, I was so scared, because of me, you…”

Erika burst into tears, her words tumbling out incoherently.

Rachel smiled wryly at Erika’s loud sobbing and gently tucked her disheveled hair behind her ear.

“I’m fine. So stop crying!”

“I-I’ll stop!” Erika managed to swallow her tears momentarily, but it didn’t last long.

Rachel had to comfort her crying sister for quite some time. Meanwhile, many people, including Catrin, entered the bedroom.

Not only were Count and Countess Pluret, Rachel’s parents, present, but also Tervan, Edward, and even Viola, who had somehow heard the news and come. The Countess and Viola both had reddened eyes.

They had apparently been worried about Rachel’s condition while she slept, bringing them to tears.

“Erika, come here. Your crying will tire Rachel out,” Count Pluret called to Erika, concerned for Rachel.

Though still sniffling, Erika didn’t want to exhaust Rachel and pulled away from her. Count Pluret bent his knee and lifted Erika into his arms, then looked at Rachel with worried eyes.

“The priest will be here soon. Please wait a little longer.”

“Yes, Father.”

Hearing Count Pluret’s gentle voice gave Rachel a different kind of comfort than she had felt from Ryan’s voice.

As Count Pluret stepped back, the Countess approached Rachel and embraced her tightly.

“Thank you for waking up, Rachel.”

The Countess’s embrace carried a familiar, tender fragrance—precisely the scent Rachel needed after her harsh and dry experiences.