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CHAPTER 79………………..
Kaiyen sprang up from his seat and followed Etisha, while Valdefram, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, let out a sigh.
Soon the papers, pens, and even the desk will all be destroyed.
Valdefram stroked the desk in the office with a pitying expression. It was a solid oak desk that had been procured with great effort, and the thought of having to part with it soon was truly regrettable.
While searching for a cure for Guama disease, perhaps I should also develop tear-proof paper, unbreakable pen holders, and a desk that can withstand any impact.
Bidding his last farewell to the desk, Valdefram’s gaze fell upon the documents lying on it.
It was a report on the treatment of Guama disease.
Despite mobilizing all the power and wealth of the Wintel family, the conclusion was that no proper solution had yet been found.
No matter how many skilled doctors were recruited from all over, whenever they heard the name of the disease, they only showed troubled expressions.
Sigh…
Valdefram closed the report with another sigh.
Even though he pretended not to, every time Kaiyen read the stagnant reports, he grew more and more anxious.
I don’t know why His Grace has suddenly taken such an interest in Guama disease. He keeps Rayen Wintel locked away and ignored…
Only Kaiyen knew about Etisha’s illness. Even Valdefram, his most loyal aide, was unaware of the secret shared only between the two of them.
It can’t be that His Grace himself, a magic user, has contracted Guama disease. Well, surely he has his reasons. Still, it’s Lady Etisha who worries me more right now.
A nearby lovers’ quarrel was more concerning than a faraway illness.
Valdefram prayed earnestly that Etisha would not refuse but accept the Angel’s Heart.
Only then would the documents, the pens, the desk, and even Valdefram’s own safety all remain intact.
What he wished for was nothing but peace in Wintel.
If only Lady Etisha would give His Grace even a light kiss…
Kaiyen thought his heart would twist apart when he saw Etisha running out of the office as if fleeing.
It felt as though she might vanish far away and never return.
As if she might leave his side and fall into irreversible death.
Even just watching her back as she left the office made his mind burn and his chest tighten fiercely.
“My lady!”
In a single breath, Kaiyen caught up and blocked her path.
Unable to stop her momentum, Etisha collided into his arms as though she had leapt into them.
“Ah…!”
She shut her eyes tightly, bracing for the impact.
But she felt no pain.
Kaiyen had pulled her into his embrace with swift, quiet movements, like a beast, making sure she wouldn’t be hurt.
Breathless from running with all her strength, Etisha panted in his arms. Her legs felt as though they had lost their strength.
Silence filled the empty corridor, broken only by Etisha’s ragged breathing.
Kaiyen, despite having run the same distance even faster, wasn’t out of breath at all.
“…Forgive me for being rough, my lady. I lost my composure for a moment.”
“No, it’s fine, Kaiyen. I was the one barging into your office so suddenly.”
“That doesn’t matter. You may come to my office whenever and at any time, if you wish.”
When her breathing calmed somewhat, Etisha hastily pulled away from his embrace.
Kaiyen hesitated as if unwilling to let her go, but complied without resistance.
“Was there something wrong with the hairpin? If there was something you disliked and I failed to notice, then that was my mistake.”
“No, it’s not that, Kaiyen. It’s just that…”
“Yes, my lady?”
Etisha spoke in a strained voice, revealing her hesitation.
“It’s overwhelming.”
“…”
“It’s the Angel’s Heart. And not just one or two—it’s already the fifth one…”
“…”
Kaiyen listened silently, then slowly nodded.
“I understand.”
Whatever the reason, if Etisha disliked it, then she disliked it.
The meaning behind the jewel wasn’t important to him. He couldn’t force something upon her. All he wanted was her happiness.
“I didn’t realize. Thank you for telling me. Let us consider the Angel’s Heart as if it never happened.”
“Yes… as if it never happened…”
Etisha lowered her head with a bitter expression.
Kaiyen couldn’t begin to grasp her feelings.
He had said he would undo it because the gift felt burdensome to her, yet afterward her expression had only grown worse.
This is maddening.
Etisha already had little time left.
The search for a cure to Guama disease remained uncertain, and in the worst case, she might truly die as expected.
Though Kaiyen was doing everything in his power to save her, no one could predict the future.
He didn’t want to waste the time she had left.
While seeking a cure, he spent every moment agonizing over how he might bring her joy.
Those merchants who told me a woman would like the Angel’s Heart—I won’t forgive them.
He ground his teeth in frustration.
Seeing the sorrow in her eyes and the fragile arch of her brows made his chest ache. He only wished to see Etisha smile at him.
What should I do? I don’t know the way…
His dark eyes sank heavily.
Though called the Sword of the North and a monster on the battlefield, the Grand Duke of Wintel knew far too little of women.
He neither understood a woman’s heart nor how to bring her joy.
Many women had fallen for him, but his own focus had always been on his sword, his work, and vengeance, rather than women.
Did I make her sad? Then should I comfort her? Hah, this is driving me mad.
He floundered like a man facing an unsolvable riddle.
Meanwhile, Etisha hid her aching feelings and raised her head.
“…Kaiyen.”
She called him softly, and he, catching even the faintest breath of hers, answered immediately.
“Yes.”
“I feel like I’ve taken up too much of your time. Shouldn’t you return to your office? You were in the middle of work.”
She tried to send him back. But Kaiyen remained firmly by her side.
“No. It’s fine.”
“Pardon?”
“Valdefram can handle the remaining matters well enough.”
In truth, that wasn’t so—there were still documents that required his personal approval.
But there was no way he could leave Etisha, not when she looked so sorrowful. He had no desire to.
“But still…”
Blinking, Etisha studied his expression. Kaiyen deliberately spoke with resolve.
“I will stay with you.”
“…What?”
“You said you were here, did you not? Then please stay with me.”
“…”
“And we still have that unfinished walk to take.”
“…”
“And… I need some rest.”
Kaiyen grasped at any excuse.
It was a flimsy pretext, but his face concealed every oddity.
With features like a sculpted ice statue—cold, grave, and impenetrable—no one could guess his true intentions.
His chilling black eyes, his firmly pressed lips—this was Kaiyen Wintel himself.
“Kaiyen…”
Etisha looked up at him with wavering eyes.
Then she met his gaze directly and held it for a long time.
The moment their eyes locked, Kaiyen felt a familiar urge.
Whenever he faced Etisha like this, he always wanted to kiss her.
Her clear blue eyes, her long thick lashes, the graceful line of her nose, her small moist lips—everything about her stirred him.
“…”
Slowly, Kaiyen began to lean toward her.
But then, Etisha reached out first.
Not with a kiss, of course—but she placed her hand on his forehead.
“Kaiyen, are you… feeling unwell?”
“…What?”
She pressed her palm to his forehead, checking his temperature.
Kaiyen froze in place, spellbound by the soft warmth of her hand.
“You say you don’t want to return to your office, that you need rest, and your words sound a little strange…”
“…”
“Oh, you do feel a little warm.”
Kaiyen exhaled a heated breath.
It wasn’t illness—just his desire for her, his racing heart, his fevered head.
He was about to explain that he wasn’t sick, but when her gentle hand traced across his forehead, cheek, and neck, he fell silent as if enchanted.
Like down feathers, her touch glided across him.
The ice statue melted.
His face flushed faintly, his heart pounding against his ribs.
“Kaiyen, what should we do? You really look unwell.”
In a low, subdued voice, he replied slowly:
“…Yes. I suppose I am sick. My heart beats strangely.”
“Really? Then let’s get you to bed right away. Can you walk?”
“…If you hold my hand, that will help.”
“Ah, of course. Please, take it.”
“…May I put my arm around your waist as well?”
“Of course, lean on me.”
Kaiyen clasped her hand and wrapped his other arm around her waist.
Given his great height and build, it seemed less like she was supporting him, and more like she was being held tightly in his embrace.
He deliberately walked slowly toward the bedchamber, not even realizing he was feigning illness.
In truth, his temperature was higher than usual, and his heart was indeed racing abnormally fast.
Love-sickness was a serious illness, and in that sense, he truly was unwell.
“Kaiyen, lie down here. I’ll call for the doctor right away.”
She laid him on the bed and was about to rise, but he instinctively caught her hand.
“Don’t go.”
“What? But…”
“I want to be with you. Please, don’t leave my side.”
His black eyes fixed on her with heavy intensity.
Caught in his gaze, Etisha felt as though bewitched, unable to disobey his plea.
“…Alright. I’ll stay here.”
“Thank you.”
