Chapter 48
Reina’s gaze remained fixed on Kaiden throughout.
It was to capture a bit more of the face she would never see again for the rest of her life.
Kaiden felt stifled inside. There were too many things omitted from what she said.
He asked back.
“What do you mean?”
“The condition for my ability to manifest is losing my eyes.”
“What?”
“Once the fever subsides, I won’t be able to see anymore.”
At that moment, a crack appeared on Kaiden’s face. It was because something clicked.
“By any chance, can aura make a blind person see too?”
The question she had suddenly asked last night came to mind.
At the time, he had lightly dismissed it, thinking there was a blind person among the people around her.
Strength entered the arm holding Reina.
He looked down at her and asked.
“Did you know about this too?”
“I’m sorry for not saying it from the beginning. I kept trying to say it, but I couldn’t muster the courage.”
“Ha.”
Kaiden let out a low sigh.
Her judgment was accurate.
If she had explained from the beginning that she would go blind, he would have hesitated to bring her to the north.
But not now.
To Kaiden, Reina was no longer a transaction partner.
She was more than that.
She was an irreplaceable existence.
It was even more complicated since he had already realized his feelings after last night’s events.
He regretted running away.
He couldn’t even fathom the anxiety and unease she must have felt in the meantime.
“What on earth are you…….”
Unable to continue his words, he moved his lips for a while.
He turned his steps and began to go back the way they came.
When Reina made a puzzled expression, he said.
“There’s something I haven’t properly explained to you either.”
“Huh?”
“You asked if aura can make a blind person see, right?”
“……Yes. But you said there’s no such method…….”
“No. There is a way.”
“!”
At Kaiden’s affirmation, Reina’s heart began to beat rapidly.
“I-Is that true?”
She had inwardly resigned herself. Whenever greed arose, she consoled herself that it was enough to live a new life.
Unlike the past, she could now freely go anywhere.
But to say there is a way.
Seeing Reina’s arm trembling slightly, he said.
“There are two types of oaths. If the oath between Mernie and Crencia in the past was a one-sided contract, what we’re about to do is mutual.”
“Mutual means…….”
“With this, your eyes can continue to see.”
“Ah…….”
Reina let out a low sigh at the words that her eyes could see.
Seeing her expectant eyes, Kaiden continued.
“Instead, my life will also be in your hands. It’s a kind of contract that binds souls together.”
“I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
“Of course. This is an oath that can only be done once in a lifetime, to only one person. It’s a secret method passed down only to the heads of Crencia.”
“!”
Reina’s eyes widened at the words that it was a unique contract.
That meant it couldn’t be undone once done.
Because a contract engraved on the soul lasts until death.
Moreover, for his life to be in her hands.
That was far too dangerous.
Reina refused with a serious expression.
“No. Don’t do it.”
But Kaiden didn’t back down either.
“I don’t want to.”
“Kaiden.”
“I don’t listen to others anyway. You know that, right?”
Kaiden stubbornly replied and quickened his pace.
Whether Reina refused or not, he intended to proceed.
She was confused. His decision was far too reckless.
It was an undeserved treatment for her, who was merely in a contract marriage.
His firmly closed lips looked unyielding, as if there was no further compromise.
Reina hesitated, unable to add any more words.
Two thoughts kept clashing. The hope that her eyes could see and the feeling that she couldn’t be a burden to Kaiden fought.
If the emperor ever found out about this, she would become his weakness.
“No, Kaiden. You can’t…….”
Reina repeatedly pleaded, but Kaiden didn’t listen. Instead, he lightly added.
“You need to lean on me a bit more.”
“…….”
“Do you think I can’t protect even you?”
“…….”
“It’ll be a secret only the two of us know anyway. Even Aiden doesn’t know about this. So there’s no risk of it being discovered outside.”
His words made sense.
Nevertheless, the hesitation continued because of the worst-case scenario that might happen.
She always moved assuming the worst, so she couldn’t help but be even more anxious.
Reina lowered her head deeply and revealed her true hidden feelings.
“……I’m scared of becoming a burden to you.”
How could she waste the opportunity she had regained.
She was afraid that because of her, Kaiden might lose everything again.
As Reina was about to fall into a deep pit alone, Kaiden said lightly.
“Good grief. Is there such a light burden?”
“…….”
“Then I’ll gladly carry it.”
The moment Reina looked up in surprise, Kaiden grinned.
Seeing that smile, Reina couldn’t say no anymore.
She just entrusted her body to Kaiden and held her breath, swallowing her tears.
She had nothing more to wish for.
Shortly after, they arrived at a place with a large tree standing alone.
Standing in front of the tree exuding a sacred aura, Kaiden carefully set Reina down.
This must be the place to perform the oath.
Kaiden looked up at the tree and said.
“This tree is the sacred tree where the great dragon Crencia and his wife are buried. When you’re ready, place your hand on the tree.”
When Kaiden placed his hand on the tree first, Reina hesitated.
He looked at her puzzled and asked.
“Are you still hesitating?”
“Are you really okay? You might regret wasting an oath that can only be done once in a lifetime on someone like me.”
“You need to fix that habit of belittling yourself like that.”
“Huh?”
“What do you mean someone like you?”
“Well…….”
Reina couldn’t continue her words easily.
It was because whatever she said seemed like it would anger Kaiden.
Seeing this, Kaiden muttered lowly.
He was burning inside because of her constant hesitation.
“It was an oath I had no use for in my life anyway. Rather, it’s fortunate that it has a purpose now.”
Kaiden was sincere.
To him, who had no intention of marrying in the first place, this oath was as good as nonexistent.
When Reina still hesitated, Kaiden continued to persuade her.
“You said it. That you’d help me.”
“…….”
“Then don’t hesitate in front of an opportunity. This is a good choice for both you and me.”
He waited silently until she was ready.
In fact, what he just said was merely nicely packaged.
He couldn’t say there was no impure intention in deciding on this oath.
This oath was literally a contract that bound them to each other. In other words, it was also called ‘imprinting.’
A pledge of loyalty with a single companion.
A token of trust and a restrictive act that the possessive Crencia performed on his companion.
The dragon Crencia loved only one human until death.
And when that human’s breath stopped, the immortal dragon fell asleep with his companion.
And the tree that grew where the two slept was the sacred tree right in front of them.
In fact, now it was only passed down orally among the heads, and no duchess had actually performed the imprinting.
Because it was an oath no longer needed from the moment the dragon became human.
So this oath was purely due to his selfish heart.
In exchange for Reina gaining her eyes, it was as good as him gaining Reina.
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By Anna 💓
