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chapter 23
Perhaps it was thanks to Rubiana’s encouragement.
The staff member started babbling again.
It was about the excellent qualities of the Skoby Hotel, but to Elion and Rubiana, none of the words really registered.
Their minds were entirely focused on the sensation of magical energy flowing in and out.
“This is the room with the best view in Skoby Hotel. Please rest comfortably. If you need anything, pull the bell cord at any time.”
After the staff finished the guidance and left, Elion gently laid Rubiana on the bed.
Seeing her pale face regain its natural color, Elion swallowed a sigh of relief.
The sweat that had beaded on her forehead and her crumpled silver-white eyebrows had returned to their original state.
Sitting calmly against the headboard, she looked at him, and Elion asked:
“Now it’s your turn, my lady. How would you like to receive the magic this time?”
“Ah…”
For a moment, Rubiana’s cheeks flushed red.
“Wasn’t that painful? I almost collapsed while vomiting blood! I barely held on to consciousness! Can’t we just have the magic replenished automatically without asking me?”
She glared at Elion’s blue eyes, which were calmly watching her, with a mix of annoyance and frustration.
Elion chuckled softly as he watched her fidget without answering.
“I think I’ve heard your answer.”
And in the next moment, Elion’s lips covered Rubiana’s.
Having been deprived of magic to the point of pain, Rubiana gratefully and eagerly absorbed the energy he provided.
Her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, infused with a will to never let him go.
Elion’s large hands, which cradled her face, held her just as firmly.
They treated each other as if handling something precious.
Haah… haah… their breaths became increasingly ragged.
A deep, passionate kiss is difficult only the first time; from the second time onward, it wasn’t so hard.
This time, Rubiana’s tongue lightly touched Elion’s lips first.
His eyes, briefly widened by the bold move, softened immediately.
He swiftly accepted her hesitant tongue and held her tightly.
Forgetting even to inhale and exhale properly, they focused solely on exchanging magic.
Rubiana didn’t let go of his lips.
Elion shivered as he drew her tongue closer.
Exhausted, Rubiana lightly pushed against his shoulder.
Because he was paying attention and maintaining his composure, Elion immediately recognized her signal and moved back slightly.
Haah… haah…
Hot breath escaped from the lips that had reluctantly parted.
Without noticing, Rubiana was half-lying down with Elion above her.
Naturally, their eyes met.
Though it was the face they had just shared a deep kiss with, it still felt unfamiliar.
Embarrassment suddenly washed over them.
Elion rolled to lie next to Rubiana to hide his flushed face.
Haah…
Their chests rose and fell in unison as they lay side by side, staring at the ceiling.
Elion, having calmed his breathing first, asked:
“But why did your condition suddenly worsen? We exchanged magic properly yesterday too.”
“I… I don’t know. My schedule was normal, just like any other day. I even felt quite well in the morning. But then the pain suddenly started.”
“…You must have been quite shocked.”
“Thank you for coming, Your Highness. I didn’t want to collapse on the street while vomiting blood. You saved me. But how did you know I was there and come so quickly?”
“Well, thanks to this.”
Elion raised the wrist with his communication bracelet and smiled.
“It’s top-of-the-line, so it has a teleportation function.”
“Oh, I see!”
“It allows teleportation between the two people wearing the bracelets. Ah, though there seems to be a limit on usage.”
Perhaps feeling embarrassed, Elion gave credit to the communication bracelet for today’s success.
“Thank you too, communication bracelet.”
“Top-of-the-line.”
“Yes, thank you, top-of-the-line communication bracelet.”
“…Alright.”
Rubiana repeated his correction with a chuckle.
Seeing her smile comfortably, he realized she truly felt better.
“Were you alone? Any attending maid?”
“No. I was alone. I came out with my mother, but she went back first, leaving me behind. I like wandering alone sometimes, though not often.”
“It’s better not to go out alone.”
“…Yes.”
Rubiana nodded quietly.
Receiving magic from Elion had made her feel better, but apparently, it wasn’t enough.
It seemed the gods were warning her that nothing had yet gone according to her will.
She planned to see Omar for a check-up tomorrow, and Elion’s questions continued.
“What were you planning to do alone?”
“Go to the bookstore, have some delicious dessert… nothing special.”
“…I see.”
As silence followed, the atmosphere grew slightly awkward.
I shouldn’t miss this opportunity.
Rubiana decided to bring up the most important point before the silence stretched any longer.
It was time to put the plan she had thought of since last night into action.
She turned her head to look at Elion.
Even his side profile was handsome.
His sharp nose and moderately full lips formed a perfect harmony, pleasing to look at.
Had they not met as a heroine and the hidden villain, she might have fallen for him.
Ah, no distractions at such a crucial moment.
Focusing on today’s goal, Rubiana concentrated.
“Do you have to leave soon, Your Highness?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Good. Then… if you have time, would you stay with me?”
Elion’s brows furrowed deeply at the unexpected question.
He turned to look at Rubiana.
“I was originally planning to wander alone, but I’m afraid I might collapse again like earlier.”
She drooped her eyes, trying to look as pitiful as possible.
The wrinkle between his eyebrows deepened for a moment, then he replied in a calm voice:
“…Alright.”
Oh, good!
Rubiana inwardly cheered.
Though startled by the sudden pain, she was lucky it naturally gave her a chance to call Elion.
Seeing Elion rise from the bed, Rubiana’s eyes widened.
“But Your Highness… your clothes…”
“Ah…”
Only then did Elion look down to check his clothes.
He wore light armor, but patches of monster blood were visible.
Rubiana, standing, smiled brightly:
“Then… shall we start with some shopping first?”
“…Yes, that’s a good idea.”
Elion nodded at her suggestion.
Rubiana headed to the clothing store with Elion.
But soon, she regretted her choice.
It was because of the intense gazes of people following Elion.
Young ladies looked at him as if hypnotized.
“Oh my, look at him! He’s so handsome!”
“But who is he? I’ve never seen such a handsome man in society.”
“Exactly. A man like that would be unforgettable at first sight… but I’ve never seen him.”
The whispers were clearly audible to both Rubiana and Elion.
Eager to leave quickly, they hurried along.
But then, Rubiana heard whispers about herself.
“Who’s the woman beside him?”
“Wait… isn’t she Rubiana Payson?”
“I haven’t heard she has a lover. They said she was sick… could she have a new boyfriend already?”
Rubiana’s face turned pale.
People admired Elion’s handsome face but didn’t know who he was.
He grew up in a provincial territory as a child and spent the last five years traveling battlefields as an adult.
He had barely shown his face in the capital or society, so very few people had seen him.
Even when his portraits appeared in newspapers during his victories, a portrait is different from the real person.
But Rubiana’s situation was different.
Her main life stage had been in the capital, Batra.
She was born and raised there, actively participating in society.
Even without personal connections, many people knew her face and name.
Ah… I really messed up. I knew Elion was handsome, but I didn’t expect this much attention.
Even just walking down the street, they were receiving so much intense attention!
It’s like… in a past life, it would be like a famous celebrity passing by and everyone openly staring and whispering.
Nervous from the unexpected attention, Rubiana swallowed hard.
This is going to end up in tomorrow’s gossip column with some pink-tinged romance speculation… There’s no turning back now. What should I do?
