IMLM 10

Chapter : 10

“My goodness….”

I rubbed my eyes again and again at the unbelievable sight.

Could this be a dream? I even pinched my cheek, but the result was the same.

…This is real?

“My lips are back to normal….”

Until last night, before I went to sleep, they’d been bluish, but now they were a vivid, healthy red.

Even when I touched them, there was no pain at all—as if nothing had ever happened.

Had I underestimated the blessing of the gods? There was no other way to explain it.

How else could such a severe injury heal after just one night’s sleep?

“This is seriously amazing, isn’t it?”

The original story never mentioned it, so I didn’t know, but injuries like this must be nothing for other races.

All hail the gods’ blessing! From now on, I’ll be a devout believer!

“…Thank goodness.”

A deep sense of relief I hadn’t even realized I was carrying washed over me like a wave.

Maybe I’d been more upset than I thought.

“Miss, Young Master Zen already woke up ear—”

Mary, who had come in as usual to wake me, froze mid-sentence.

The items she’d brought to help me dress slipped from her hands and scattered across the floor.

But she didn’t even seem to notice.

“Miss… your lips….”

Mary covered her mouth with both hands. Tears that hadn’t quite fallen yet gathered at the corners of her eyes.

It was a different kind of trembling than yesterday. Grateful for that reaction, I smiled softly.

“Good morning, Mary.”

After hugging the tearful Mary, I hummed lightly as I left the room.

For some reason, it felt like today was off to a good start. I hadn’t realized the world could look this beautiful.

The morning meal at the Amelio Count’s estate, which I’d grown fairly used to by now, tasted especially good today.

Just as I was thinking of asking for another bowl, Zen—who was sitting across from me—suddenly spoke.

“You look happy.”

As usual, he was clearly trying to meet my eyes.

“Yeah, is it that obvious?”

“Very. You’ve been smiling nonstop.”

“Have I?”

Even as I said it, I couldn’t suppress my grin. Honestly, it was unavoidable. I felt too good.

My pretty face, which had nearly been ruined, had miraculously returned—being this happy was only natural.

“Did you see my lips? They’re completely healed.”

“…Yeah.”

Zen answered shortly and quickly lowered his head toward his empty bowl.

Judging by how flustered he seemed, he was surprised too that my lips had healed so fast.

Which made sense. Where else would Zen have ever seen something like this? Aside from the male lead, I was the only other-race person in this world.

Seriously, no matter how I think about it, it’s incredible.

“I think someone with incredible power knew what was going on and helped me.”

“Why do you think that?”

“You know those old stories—like how the god of life cured the incurable illness of a kind-hearted human?”

“……”

“What if the god of life really did help me?”

At that moment, Zen suddenly started coughing as if he’d swallowed something the wrong way.

Hmm… maybe that was a bit too far-fetched? Come to think of it, that was basically me calling myself kind-hearted.

…That’s a little embarrassing.

“Sorry. I know it doesn’t sound realistic. I know it’s because of the gods’ blessing—it just feels too perfect.”

Especially since magic no longer existed in this era.

After Isabel—the last person to wield magic—cast her curse on Leonard 300 years ago, no one had been born with magical power.

‘They said she did it because she couldn’t stand that Emperor Khalid, whom she loved unrequitedly, had a child with another woman.’

Isabel must have known too—that once she died, there would be no one left to lift Leonard’s curse.

That was why Leonard suffered for so long.

And why, thirty years later—when the original story begins—Celia had to appear before him as the female lead.

She was the only person born with magic after Isabel.

As if she’d been created specifically to save the cursed Leonard.

At that point, you had to admit—the salvation arc was perfectly crafted. Truly a romance fantasy’s male and female leads.

As I briefly imagined Celia and Leonard together, I frowned slightly.

I couldn’t picture Celia at all.

‘Well, of course I can’t. I don’t know what she looks like.’

Unfortunately, the original story never described Celia’s appearance. Probably because of Leonard’s curse.

<Crucia> was told entirely from Leonard’s perspective.

‘Still, they could’ve mentioned something. Like her hair color, at least.’

Honestly, it was pretty unfriendly.

That said, it was never hard to immerse myself in the story. Leonard’s emotions were written so vividly it felt like watching him from right beside him.

It was frustrating that the novel wasn’t finished yet—I couldn’t even read the next volume.

Well, as long as I avoid the dead ending and survive, I can just see it all myself.

“…I wonder.”

Where was Leonard now? Was he still somewhere in the empire?

“…Loryna.”

Wherever he was, the rebellion wasn’t far off, so he was probably training hard.

“Loreina!”

Oh—startled, I looked up to see Zen staring right at me.

“Sorry. I was lost in thought. What is it?”

“…If someone really did help you, what would you do?”

“Well…”

If someone really had helped me…

“Honestly, I think I’d grab them by the face and give them a kiss.”

“…What?”

Zen’s face, which had looked thoughtful a moment ago, turned bright red as if it had been burned.

Getting this flustered over just a kiss. Sometimes Zen really is such a kid.

‘Though to be fair, I haven’t exactly had time for romance myself.’

And this life looks like it’s headed the same way, thanks to the terminal diagnosis. Wait—thinking about it now, that’s ridiculously unfair.

‘I’m born like this and I can’t do anything?’

…Just you wait. Once I survive this near-death ordeal, I’m going to date as much as I want when the story starts.

“Miss!”

Just as I was about to tease the still-blushing Zen, Mary came running toward me from afar, calling my name.

She was running so fast she almost tripped. Judging by that, it had to be urgent.

“What is it, Mary?”

Mary bent forward slightly, catching her breath, then spoke.

And just as I expected, it was serious news.

“Lord Enoch has woken up!”

Since we were almost done eating anyway, I immediately stood up and headed toward Enoch’s room.

I asked Zen if he wanted to come, but he refused flatly.

I wasn’t sure why, but it seemed Enoch had left quite an impression on him.

“May I come in?”

When I asked at the door, the knight standing guard nodded.

He looked like he hadn’t slept much. Now that Enoch was awake, at least he could rest.

“Yes, but he’s not fully lucid yet, so he may say some incoherent things.”

“That’s fine. It’s only natural with the medicine still in his system. Thank you for telling me.”

After giving a small bow, I stepped inside. The door was just about to close when—

“…Didn’t I tell you? She’s the perfect match for His Highness.”

“Well, she came out of concern even now.”

“Did you see her suck out the poison yesterday? No hesitation at all. She was incredible. I don’t think we could’ve done that.”

“And her lips look completely fine again. She’s really something.”

…I appreciate the praise, but could you at least check that the door’s closed first?

Not thick-skinned enough to keep listening, I quietly shut the door.

After it closed, silence filled the room—despite how noisily I’d entered.

They said Enoch was awake… or was he?

“Your Highness.”

“……”

“Your Highness?”

Even after calling out loudly, there was no response from the bed where Enoch was lying.

Strange. The knight said he’d opened his eyes. He didn’t pass out again, did he?

“Excuse me for a moment…”

Murmuring softly, I approached the bedside. If he’d lost consciousness again, that would be serious.

As I drew closer, I saw silver hair spread messily over the pillow.

Enoch lay neatly in the center of the wide bed, eyes closed.

“Is he asleep?”

Just in case, I lightly placed a finger beneath his nose. I could feel steady breathing against my skin.

He really was asleep. I almost panicked for nothing.

‘Then I should come back later—’

Just as I turned to leave, a faint groan sounded behind me.

“Mmgh…”

“Your Highness?”

His eyelids fluttered, and Enoch slowly opened his eyes.

Green eyes, like fresh grass, remained unfocused for a moment before turning toward me.

After a brief pause, something unbelievable slipped from his lips.

“…Fairy?”

…Pardon?

Stunned, I stared at him.

After a moment, life slowly returned to Enoch’s gaze. His already large eyes widened.

Judging by his expression, he realized what he’d just said.

“…No, that is—I mean…”

“……”

“…I’m sorry.”

Enoch rubbed his face repeatedly as he apologized. Really, he should stop—he’d rub his face raw.

“It’s okay. It’s not an unpleasant thing to hear.”

“Still, you must’ve been startled. Before I collapsed, I was thinking about words that would suit you, so it must have slipped out unconsciously.”

By “words that suit me,” he probably meant something to replace a mythical creature. So he hadn’t given up after all.

I said it was fine, really.

“It’s truly fine, Your Highness. Who would be offended by being called a fairy?”

I shrugged casually, and Enoch’s face burst into red.

Feeling the heat rise, he covered his face and bowed his head deeply.

As he did, his sleeve slipped down slightly, revealing the bandage wrapped around his wrist.

“C-Could you… not say that word?”

“What word? Fairy?”

Ah. I’d spoken too carelessly.

As expected, Enoch flinched at my words.

After hesitating, he nodded silently, still hiding his flushed face.

Though it didn’t help much—his ears were bright red.

“Yes… it’s embarrassing.”

“……”

I might need to seriously reconsider whether the crown prince should really be treated like a little brother.

“I don’t know if the knights told you, but the doctor said you shouldn’t move around much for a while.”

When I smoothly changed the subject, Enoch finally lifted his head.

He really looked like a typical teenager—unlike Zen, who seemed younger yet oddly mature.

“Yes, I heard. Light walks are fine.”

“Really?”

I glanced again at his bandaged wrist. It wasn’t his leg, after all—just his right wrist. A short walk might be okay.

“Then, Your Highness, would you like to take a look around the garden with me? There’s nothing special, but I can show you the estate.”

“Nothing special? Just looking out the window, I could tell how well kept the garden is. It’s clear a lot of care went into it.”

Enoch glanced out the window, smiling gently. Sunlight streamed into the room, making his fine silver hair shimmer.

How could someone look so good and speak so beautifully?

“Shall we go, then?”

I playfully held out my arm like a gentleman escorting a lady at a ball.

After widening his eyes in surprise, Enoch chuckled and placed his hand on my arm.

The warmth of his hand was pleasantly reassuring.

“I won’t refuse. I am a patient, after all.”

“Of course.”

His cheeky response made me laugh again.

Ah, I really might have a talent for taking care of kids. Smiling the whole time, I led Enoch into the garden.

The walking path wasn’t long. The garden itself wasn’t very large to begin with.

Though the walk ended, instead of returning to the estate, I chose to sit and rest on a bench in the corner of the garden.

Enoch’s complexion had worsened—it seemed even that much walking had been a strain.

‘If I hadn’t suggested sitting down, he would’ve endured it without saying anything.’

Sure enough, Enoch only sat beside me after seeing me take a seat first.

Once I made sure he was settled and catching his breath, I spoke.

“Come to think of it, Your Highness, this must be frustrating.”

“Huh? Why?”

“You’ll have to stay here for a while. You even wrote on the wish tree that you wanted to return to the palace as soon as possible.”

“Ah…”

Enoch, who’d been answering so earnestly, trailed off. He scratched the back of his head quietly, clearly embarrassed again.

After a moment, he let out a small laugh and slowly met my eyes.

“It’s okay. It doesn’t matter anymore.”