chapter 51
“May I ask where you were and what you were doing be
“May I ask where you were and what you were doing before coming here after visiting me? Who were you with? Did you consume any food or drink?”
Elion frowned, irritated by Omar’s continuous questioning.
He was far from pleased with having to reveal every detail of his whereabouts to this quack doctor.
“Your Highness, please…”
Hailey called to him, her voice filled with concern.
Though annoyed, he had no choice.
Elion knew very well that his health was not a matter concerning only his own fate.
His condition was connected to the fates of many others.
It affected the knights of the elite corps, including Fred, and the household staff of the grand duke, including Hailey.
And now, it’s tied to Rubiana as well.
Elion let out a shallow sigh and finally spoke.
“I went to the Grand Temple. To visit the Saint.”
“What did you consume there? Perhaps some kind of medicine—?”
“No. I only drank tea.”
“Perhaps… the tea contained some medicine. Something that could destabilize your mana.”
“What?”
Elion’s face twisted in disbelief.
Was this quack implying that Florencia had poisoned him?
There was no way Florencia, the Empire’s only saint and his long-time friend, would give him some strange medicine.
This quack had not only poor skills but also an imagination that leaned toward the sinister.
Every word Omar uttered felt irritating and unpleasant to hear.
Ah, now that I think about it…
The memory of Florencia offering him tea flashed vividly in his mind.
“I’m sorry. I have to go now.”
“Ah… it’s unfortunate, but I understand.”
“Take care of yourself, and we’ll meet again.”
“Yes… but the tea…”
If not for that remark, Elion would have turned away without a second thought.
But Florencia had mentioned the tea as he was leaving in a hurry, even though he hadn’t finished it.
A trivial moment, but with Omar’s insinuations, it seemed suspicious.
Could it be… is what he’s saying true? That Florencia gave me something to destabilize my mana? Why would she do that? No. It’s impossible.
Elion shook his head firmly.
“There’s no way the Saint would give me such a thing.”
“To what extent do you trust humans, Your Highness?”
Omar’s sudden question left Elion momentarily speechless.
Elion generally did not trust humans.
Seeing Elion hesitate, Omar continued.
“I… tend to think that humans, ultimately, can easily disregard moral standards if it serves their desires.”
“…”
“Do not let your guard down, Your Highness. Especially with food and drink consumed from outside sources, caution is necessary.”
With that, Omar, supported by Hailey, left the mansion.
Elion remained alone, sitting beside the still-unconscious Rubiana, holding her hand.
His mind was tangled with thoughts of Florencia.
A Saint is a holy being with divine power capable of healing the sick.
There was no way such a Saint would give someone a medicine meant to cause harm.
Moreover, she wasn’t just anyone—she had been his friend since childhood.
Though he firmly believed Florencia wouldn’t harm him, Omar’s seed of doubt lingered stubbornly.
He let out a deep sigh, but it did little to ease his frustration.
Elion raised his gaze to Rubiana’s sleeping face.
Her pale features stirred a sense of pity in him.
Suddenly, he wished to see her eyes.
He wanted her to open them quickly and look at him with their bright gaze.
At that moment:
“Ah… ah!”
She began moaning again.
Without hesitation, Elion pressed his lips to hers.
As mana transferred through their connected lips, the moaning fortunately ceased.
“Yo… Your Highness?”
Finally, Rubiana opened her eyes.
Her crimson eyes, filled with curiosity, looked up at Elion.
Finally!
Overjoyed, Elion nearly embraced her, but his reason intervened just in time to prevent an embarrassing scene.
“Why… are you here?”
Rubiana asked, bewildered.
“I heard that Stephanie found you collapsed by the lakeside. I rushed here as soon as I heard, and Omar has been here too.”
“Ah…”
Elion explained Omar’s warnings.
The extreme difference between the mana she received yesterday and today might have stressed her body, or perhaps her mana became unstable from the stress.
Rubiana nodded calmly, as if she understood perfectly.
“Shall we call the physician? Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?”
“No, I’m fine… just…”
Hesitating, Rubiana moved her lips.
Elion waited patiently for her next words.
“…Could you… continue what you were doing earlier?”
She asked timidly. Elion let out a small laugh.
It was the first thing he had said to her when he regained consciousness the last time he had fainted.
The refreshing sensation of losing mana had woken him, and when it vanished upon opening his eyes, he couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
Thinking that the current Rubiana must feel the same way, Elion pressed his lips to hers again before she could say more.
After Rubiana had collapsed and regained consciousness, and after Elion’s mana had been destabilized by someone’s scheme, it was inevitable that their kiss deepened and lengthened.
Their stormy kiss left them breathless, and only once the burning thirst was quenched did they finally part.
Lying side by side on the bed, panting heavily, they both laughed spontaneously.
Initially, kissing and holding hands had been awkward and embarrassing for them.
But now, exchanging mana through their kiss felt as natural as drinking water.
The absurdity and embarrassment of the act made them laugh even more.
As the laughter subsided, Elion spoke gently.
“How about we go on a recuperation trip together?”
“A trip?”
“For a week. And there, just for a week… we can… exchange mana, like yesterday.”
“….”
Both Elion and Rubiana blushed deeply.
“I think a recuperation trip would let us travel safely without raising anyone’s suspicions. What do you think?”
“…You said no. Even so, there are boundaries to respect. You don’t need to push yourself unnecessarily.”
Rubiana avoided his gaze as she spoke.
Elion, who had previously opposed the idea, was now pleased by her willingness.
Yet Rubiana couldn’t help but feel puzzled by his sudden change, knowing his reasons for opposition were reasonable.
“But I can’t risk losing you, can I? You are indispensable to me. We can attempt it, hoping your health fully recovers in a week.”
“….”
“So, what do you think?”
“…Alright.”
Finally, Rubiana nodded, her face turning as red as a ripe apple.
Her heart raced with heat.
She was glad Elion had considered her opinion.
She was also thrilled at the thought of traveling with him, and imagining the hot nights they would spend together made her nervous and embarrassed.
Excitement and anxiety churned within her.
Ah… am I crazy? What do I do!
Her throbbing chest was dangerous.
Her trembling fingertips were dangerous.
Her heart pounded wildly, threatening to give her away.
Holding her breath, Rubiana kept her lips tightly sealed.
“Ah, and about how we address each other…”
Had his deep voice ever sounded this sweet?
With her heart racing and her ears betraying her, Rubiana felt flustered.
Pushing away the dizzying thoughts, she focused on Elion’s voice.
“Since we’re close enough to be engaged, shouldn’t we use more comfortable terms? Especially since we’ll be traveling alone together.”
fore coming here after visiting me? Who were you with? Did you consume any food or drink?”
Elion frowned, irritated by Omar’s continuous questioning.
He was far from pleased with having to reveal every detail of his whereabouts to this quack doctor.
“Your Highness, please…”
Hailey called to him, her voice filled with concern.
Though annoyed, he had no choice.
Elion knew very well that his health was not a matter concerning only his own fate.
His condition was connected to the fates of many others.
It affected the knights of the elite corps, including Fred, and the household staff of the grand duke, including Hailey.
And now, it’s tied to Rubiana as well.
Elion let out a shallow sigh and finally spoke.
“I went to the Grand Temple. To visit the Saint.”
“What did you consume there? Perhaps some kind of medicine—?”
“No. I only drank tea.”
“Perhaps… the tea contained some medicine. Something that could destabilize your mana.”
“What?”
Elion’s face twisted in disbelief.
Was this quack implying that Florencia had poisoned him?
There was no way Florencia, the Empire’s only saint and his long-time friend, would give him some strange medicine.
This quack had not only poor skills but also an imagination that leaned toward the sinister.
Every word Omar uttered felt irritating and unpleasant to hear.
Ah, now that I think about it…
The memory of Florencia offering him tea flashed vividly in his mind.
“I’m sorry. I have to go now.”
“Ah… it’s unfortunate, but I understand.”
“Take care of yourself, and we’ll meet again.”
“Yes… but the tea…”
If not for that remark, Elion would have turned away without a second thought.
But Florencia had mentioned the tea as he was leaving in a hurry, even though he hadn’t finished it.
A trivial moment, but with Omar’s insinuations, it seemed suspicious.
Could it be… is what he’s saying true? That Florencia gave me something to destabilize my mana? Why would she do that? No. It’s impossible.
Elion shook his head firmly.
“There’s no way the Saint would give me such a thing.”
“To what extent do you trust humans, Your Highness?”
Omar’s sudden question left Elion momentarily speechless.
Elion generally did not trust humans.
Seeing Elion hesitate, Omar continued.
“I… tend to think that humans, ultimately, can easily disregard moral standards if it serves their desires.”
“…”
“Do not let your guard down, Your Highness. Especially with food and drink consumed from outside sources, caution is necessary.”
With that, Omar, supported by Hailey, left the mansion.
Elion remained alone, sitting beside the still-unconscious Rubiana, holding her hand.
His mind was tangled with thoughts of Florencia.
A Saint is a holy being with divine power capable of healing the sick.
There was no way such a Saint would give someone a medicine meant to cause harm.
Moreover, she wasn’t just anyone—she had been his friend since childhood.
Though he firmly believed Florencia wouldn’t harm him, Omar’s seed of doubt lingered stubbornly.
He let out a deep sigh, but it did little to ease his frustration.
Elion raised his gaze to Rubiana’s sleeping face.
Her pale features stirred a sense of pity in him.
Suddenly, he wished to see her eyes.
He wanted her to open them quickly and look at him with their bright gaze.
At that moment:
“Ah… ah!”
She began moaning again.
Without hesitation, Elion pressed his lips to hers.
As mana transferred through their connected lips, the moaning fortunately ceased.
“Yo… Your Highness?”
Finally, Rubiana opened her eyes.
Her crimson eyes, filled with curiosity, looked up at Elion.
Finally!
Overjoyed, Elion nearly embraced her, but his reason intervened just in time to prevent an embarrassing scene.
“Why… are you here?”
Rubiana asked, bewildered.
“I heard that Stephanie found you collapsed by the lakeside. I rushed here as soon as I heard, and Omar has been here too.”
“Ah…”
Elion explained Omar’s warnings.
The extreme difference between the mana she received yesterday and today might have stressed her body, or perhaps her mana became unstable from the stress.
Rubiana nodded calmly, as if she understood perfectly.
“Shall we call the physician? Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?”
“No, I’m fine… just…”
Hesitating, Rubiana moved her lips.
Elion waited patiently for her next words.
“…Could you… continue what you were doing earlier?”
She asked timidly. Elion let out a small laugh.
It was the first thing he had said to her when he regained consciousness the last time he had fainted.
The refreshing sensation of losing mana had woken him, and when it vanished upon opening his eyes, he couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
Thinking that the current Rubiana must feel the same way, Elion pressed his lips to hers again before she could say more.
After Rubiana had collapsed and regained consciousness, and after Elion’s mana had been destabilized by someone’s scheme, it was inevitable that their kiss deepened and lengthened.
Their stormy kiss left them breathless, and only once the burning thirst was quenched did they finally part.
Lying side by side on the bed, panting heavily, they both laughed spontaneously.
Initially, kissing and holding hands had been awkward and embarrassing for them.
But now, exchanging mana through their kiss felt as natural as drinking water.
The absurdity and embarrassment of the act made them laugh even more.
As the laughter subsided, Elion spoke gently.
“How about we go on a recuperation trip together?”
“A trip?”
“For a week. And there, just for a week… we can… exchange mana, like yesterday.”
“….”
Both Elion and Rubiana blushed deeply.
“I think a recuperation trip would let us travel safely without raising anyone’s suspicions. What do you think?”
“…You said no. Even so, there are boundaries to respect. You don’t need to push yourself unnecessarily.”
Rubiana avoided his gaze as she spoke.
Elion, who had previously opposed the idea, was now pleased by her willingness.
Yet Rubiana couldn’t help but feel puzzled by his sudden change, knowing his reasons for opposition were reasonable.
“But I can’t risk losing you, can I? You are indispensable to me. We can attempt it, hoping your health fully recovers in a week.”
“….”
“So, what do you think?”
“…Alright.”
Finally, Rubiana nodded, her face turning as red as a ripe apple.
Her heart raced with heat.
She was glad Elion had considered her opinion.
She was also thrilled at the thought of traveling with him, and imagining the hot nights they would spend together made her nervous and embarrassed.
Excitement and anxiety churned within her.
Ah… am I crazy? What do I do!
Her throbbing chest was dangerous.
Her trembling fingertips were dangerous.
Her heart pounded wildly, threatening to give her away.
Holding her breath, Rubiana kept her lips tightly sealed.
“Ah, and about how we address each other…”
Had his deep voice ever sounded this sweet?
With her heart racing and her ears betraying her, Rubiana felt flustered.
Pushing away the dizzying thoughts, she focused on Elion’s voice.
“Since we’re close enough to be engaged, shouldn’t we use more comfortable terms? Especially since we’ll be traveling alone together.”
