After Putting the Slayer of the Night to Sleep, I Ran Away - Chapter 65

How much time had passed?

Amidst a faint tremor, Ayla’s darkened vision slowly brightened.

With a high vantage point and the warm body heat enveloping her, she realized she was leaning as if held in someone’s arms.

As she slightly lifted her head, Leo’s handsome jawline came into view.

As if by agreement, when her gaze met his as he looked down, Ayla felt her heart beat rapidly.

“You’re awake.”

Leo’s low voice resonated through her back.

His firm ribcage was palpable.

“What happened to me?”

Startled by her cracking voice, she moistened her lips with her tongue.

Had she lost consciousness?

As she swallowed and cautiously moved her body, his voice was heard.

“You fainted.”

“Fainted?”

“It can happen depending on the severity of the injury. Potions aren’t painkillers, after all.”

A shallow sigh escaped her at Leo’s kind explanation.

She hadn’t wanted to show she was in pain, but to faint.

“How long?”

“About an hour? We’ll be at the capital soon, so hang in there a little longer.”

“Yes. By the way, what about the others?”

She asked, finding it strange that none of the large group were visible. Leo replied nonchalantly.

“I sent them ahead.”

“What?”

“I need to be able to ride at a gallop with a fainted person.”

“Ah!”

Only then did she realize they were moving at a walking pace.

“You can go ahead now, Your Highness.”

“I can’t.”

He refused flatly and added,

“Your wound is deep, and you bled quite a bit. Though I treated it, it’s best to rest for a few days.”

“Yes.”

She nodded, unable to object.

His words about bleeding a lot seemed true, as she felt a slight dizziness.

But then a problem arose.

‘This is too, close.’

From the moment she regained consciousness, every point of contact with him became noticeable.

Things like his ribcage felt through her back, and his firm forearm, extended forward as if to trap her, gripping the reins.

Even when his warm breath brushed her ear, somewhere around her navel tingled.

‘What should I do? This is uncomfortable.’

The thought of having to go all the way to the townhouse in the capital like this made her mind go blank.

It hadn’t felt like this when she rode a horse with Edward before.

She tried to stiffen her body to avoid pressing against him as much as possible, but her body swayed and touched him repeatedly.

“Haa?”

Leo’s exasperated sigh was heard by her ear.

“Are you perhaps doing this on purpose?”

Ayla looked up at him, wondering what he meant.

“No, you wouldn’t. Yes, I know you wouldn’t.”

“……”

“Stop fidgeting. I can’t stand it.”

A blush crept up Ayla’s face.

Slow footsteps echoed along the palace corridors.

As if on a stroll, the owner of the footsteps looked around here and there, sometimes pausing briefly somewhere.

The attendant guarding the Emperor’s study, located deep within, widened his eyes.

Following that, the study door opened, and Alexander, an unexpected guest, stepped inside.

His face was more wrinkled than before, but he still possessed shining golden eyes.

“Brother.”

Friedrich, recognizing him, stood up and approached the desk.

“It’s been a while, Flick.”

Standing face to face, an indescribable emotion passed between the two brothers.

After confirming each other’s well-being with their gazes, they embraced without hesitation.

The hug was brief, but the joy of reunion contained within it was palpable.

“Let’s see. You’ve got wrinkles.”

“You don’t seem to be planning on getting old, Brother.”

“I don’t have to worry about wrinkles, do I?”

“You are blessed.”

“Blessed, indeed. I am only sorry. All these wrinkles should have been mine.”

Guilt was evident in Alexander’s words.

It was guilt that couldn’t be ignored, but Friedrich laughed it off.

“If you’re already old, Brother, would it be right for you to have wrinkles too?”

“My good younger brother has become wicked. Teasing your elder brother now.”

“Haha. This playful banter makes it feel like we’ve gone back in time.”

Friedrich, with a faint smile, lowered and then raised his gaze.

The brothers, once as close as could be, could never return to that time.

“I’m sorry, Flick.”

Alexander’s lips moved.

“I put too heavy a burden on you. Back then…”

His voice choked.

“Back then, I was young too.”

Friedrich calmly raised the corners of his lips.

It felt as if a whirlwind of deep emotion was blocking his throat, but he was seasoned in controlling such feelings.

“We were young. Both you, Brother, and I…”

“Flick…”

“So it’s alright.”

Friedrich raised the corners of his lips.

“Our youth has passed, and haven’t both you and I become adults?”

“That’s right.”

“So, welcome back.”

“Do you think so?”

“Sincerely.”

At Friedrich’s affirmation, Alexander could not speak.

He had always felt immense guilt towards him.

Everything changed after their father, the former Emperor, suddenly passed away from cardiac arrest.

Because the Crown Prince was still young, the strong imperial power weakened in an instant.

The nobles did not miss the opportunity and wanted to share the power, with the Everett family at the center.

They enthroned Prince Friedrich, who had a weak disposition, as Emperor, instead of Crown Prince Alexander, whom the former Emperor had designated.

Alexander retreated without a fight and left the empire as if fleeing.

And now, this person was sincerely telling him he was welcome back.

“I heard there was an accident on your way with the delegation.”

“Ah, yes. A pack of Lycans gave us a welcome.”

“Were you not injured?”

“Nothing serious, but the lady who will marry Leo was slightly injured.”

“The lady who will marry Leo that would be the second daughter of Everett.”

“She was a brave young lady. If it weren’t for her, Edgar would have been severely injured.”

“Edgar?”

“Yes. I regret not being able to greet him properly in the confusion. If you see him, please thank her for me.”

“I will.”

After a brief silence, Friedrich asked.

“Have you met Empress Tatiana?”

“Would it be proper to meet the Empress privately? I only came to see you.”

“Is that so.”

Friedrich, who seemed to be lost in thought for a moment, then suggested to Alex.

“It’s alright, you should go see her.”

“Hmm?”

“It’s a reunion after a long time for both of them, isn’t it? You should catch up.”

Friedrich smiled gently.

Alexander walked slowly down the long corridor of the Empress’s palace, recalling old memories.

As he stepped into a place that had been his home, now as a stranger, a strange sense of alienation and longing arose.

Drawn as if by a spell, he stopped walking, and the inner garden, layered with memories, revealed itself.

There stood the woman he once loved, like a painting.

“Tia.”

At his call, Tatiana slowly turned around.

Her silver hair, as if spun from silver thread, shimmered softly in the light.

“Alexander.”

Her silver eyes, reflecting him, trembled slightly.

Alex felt that her voice, calling him, was too long absent.

Her delicate body, her firm gaze. Everything felt so long absent.

He repeatedly clenched and unclenched his fists, hesitating to approach her.

He could see Tatiana taking shallow breaths.

‘Did I come here for nothing?’

The moment that fleeting regret struck him, he felt like he was plummeting into an abyss.

The reason he had always wanted to return but couldn’t was simple.

Because he missed her.

Because he still couldn’t let go of feelings he shouldn’t harbor.

Shouldn’t he turn back now?

As Alexander pondered this, Tatiana’s tear-filled voice reached his ears.

“I missed you.”

“Tia.”

“I kept missing you, Alex. So much that I resented you for not coming.”

Alex’s gaze dropped.

Why haven’t you forgotten me too?

Even after all this time, we are still hurting.

He suddenly wanted to know.

Whose fault is this?

Whom should I blame?

Support