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Chapter 13
Lewin caught Shabiyan as he collapsed into his arms.
Silver hair glinted in the scattered sunlight, thick lashes lay delicately over his closed eyes, and a beautifully sculpted nose stood out.
‘No doubt about it—this is Shabiyan.’
A perfect mix of beauty and handsomeness—exactly half of each.
A being only describable in text, proving that this world was indeed fictional.
‘The author really cared about Shabiyan.’
If the author could see him now, they’d be giving a standing ovation. Not that they could, but Rosaline would applaud on their behalf.
“Haah.”
My thoughts scattered at the sound of Shabiyan’s labored breathing.
Right, now isn’t the time for this.
I had rescued the protagonist somehow… but I looked up at the cloudless, blazing sky.
‘Why are you doing this to me?’
If Rosaline knew, she’d probably have a meltdown. Her script, revised thirty-five times, was already thrown off from the start.
“Let’s see for a moment.”
Still, Shabiyan’s safety came first.
I silently asked for his understanding and, carefully,
Shiiik-
slightly tore the side seam of his pants, having noticed how badly he limped.
“Ah!”
I touched his leg gently, and Shabiyan let out a reflexive moan.
His leg was severely swollen. Judging by the shape of the wound, it looked like he had tumbled down somewhere.
‘I need to find somewhere safe from the heat.’
His shallow breathing, high body temperature, and rapid heartbeat made it clear—if he got overheated, it would be serious.
Holding the warm Shabiyan, I paused to consider where to go.
The treaty negotiations weren’t over yet, and taking him to the castle would be considered a kidnapping rather than a rescue.
“…”
I glanced at Kellian’s fallen subordinates and the scattered capture tools.
Hmm. Seeing that, I definitely couldn’t send him to Kellian.
“Enough.”
I gave a sharp look to the dark mage who was playing with Kellian’s subordinates. If they woke up, it’d be a headache.
Hee-ing-
The annoyed dark mage snorted, but seemed to understand, moving more carefully.
“Ugh.”
After calming the horse, I placed Shabiyan on the saddle. He moaned naturally, and
Ihi-ing-
the well-bred horse lowered itself as if urging him to ride.
Why is it behaving like this?
Normally arrogant and wild, it would kick anyone besides me…
‘Ah, he’s loved by the gods,’
I remembered. That’s why Shabiyan’s creatures loved him, why he got hurt less, why he didn’t die easily.
‘But Kellian managed to do it.’
He broke his leg, injured him, made it impossible to escape… I shook my head in disbelief.
“Hold on just a bit longer.”
I adjusted Shabiyan so he could rest against me.
Shabiyan was taller than expected, making riding difficult, but the intelligent horse instinctively began retracing its path.
Soon.
‘There!’
At the edge of the desert, where the plain met the border of the small settlement, a worn-down hut stood atop a gentle hill—probably abandoned because of the war.
Creeeak-
I opened the door, carrying Shabiyan inside. It was a narrow interior, enough for one person to stay.
Rough, but at least it had a bed.
“Haah-ugh.”
As I laid Shabiyan on the bed, his harsh moan escaped him. His sweat-soaked face radiated heat wherever it touched.
“This might hurt a bit.”
Setting bones was nothing compared to war experience; I could do this kind of emergency care with my eyes closed.
I removed my gauntlets and set them on the small table. Then,
“Ah!”
I grabbed Shabiyan’s leg and pressed firmly. Through his screams, the sound of bones snapping into place came clearly.
Shabiyan’s upper body jerked reflexively from the pain.
“Shh. It’s alright. You’ll be fine soon.”
I soothed his body and placed my hand on his hot forehead. Gradually, his breathing calmed.
Ah.
‘Could it be… the aura?’
I looked at my bare hands.
‘The mana that powers the aura is based on natural life force.’
A Swordmaster’s strength and endurance come from mana. I had trained to constantly accumulate mana in my body, so it was always abundant.
Perhaps some of that mana had subconsciously leaked out as aura, helping to heal Shabiyan.
“Ugh.”
I looked down at him trembling in pain.
Taking him to a healer would be too much for his body right now. And with Kellian still tracking us, I couldn’t leave the spot.
I decided to trust in the possibility.
Hoo.
I exhaled deeply and wrapped my hands in aura.
Light emitted from my hands as I brushed Shabiyan’s head and forehead. Shabiyan pressed his head into my touch, as if seeking it.
“Forgive my rudeness, but I’m trying to save Your Highness.”
Not according to Rosaline’s plan, but Shabiyan was too dazed to remember anyway.
I climbed onto the bed and positioned myself behind him.
“This might feel cold.”
Shabiyan, too weak to resist, rested his head on my shoulder. His beautiful face dropped right by my ear.
I shouldn’t have removed my helmet. Full armor. Protect him.
Hoo.
I focused.
Like layering a sword with spiritual energy, I enveloped my armor with aura. The aura that had only risen in my hands spread across my entire body.
Soon, a silver aura with a chill radiated over the armor.
Shabiyan, moaning from pain, surprisingly calmed.
‘It works.’
Sitting behind him, my whole body shielding him, listening to his steady breathing…
‘I’m sleepy.’
So sleepy it was insane. Why? I usually have insomnia.
Ever since the first battle, I hadn’t slept properly. Naps here and there were all I’d had for years…
Yet holding Shabiyan, my eyelids felt heavy.
And eventually, I fell into a deep sleep.
After a while.
I woke up, unable to move a hand, too stunned.
“Ha… haah.”
Shabiyan was nestled against me, panting.
Because I slept, the aura disappeared, and he began moaning again from the pain.
Normally, I never slept this deeply—but why now?
Clink-
The armor’s metal joint rattled under his movements. Goosebumps rose on my neck.
He appears like a man because of dark magic, but I’m not…
I’m a woman hiding a huge secret.
‘He won’t easily find out…’
Still, I was shocked to be so defenseless while asleep.
I looked down at Shabiyan, panting.
“Haah… hngh.”
The darkened sky faintly illuminated his pale leg through the torn pants.
“Hot.”
He pressed his body against the armor, cooling himself with the metal.
‘Calm down. Calm down.’
I’m a Swordmaster. I’ve faced worse on the battlefield.
Even though the situation is… a little obscene.
I’ve fought alongside men on the battlefield as a woman in disguise, so I can handle this…
‘But this is too lewd!’
I’m not used to this. Deep breath. Focus.
I muttered to myself, trying to reignite my aura. Furrowing my brow, I concentrated.
“…Cold.”
Yes! The silver aura spread over the armor like a shimmering mist. Before I could rejoice,
“…Haah. …Good.”
His hands wandered more boldly over me. Understandable—he’s in pain, feverish, can’t see properly.
‘I’m extremely flustered.’
Could you back off a little?
Shabiyan, acting like a broken automaton, moved over me.
Despite my wishes, he wasn’t in his right mind.
With blurred eyes, he lifted my arm to let me hold him.
“More… more.”
Flustered, I went along with his movements, still worried. Should I resist? He’s hurt. Maybe I should let it be. But what if he remembers later? Will he think I’m a pervert?
No. This is healing, right?
“Your Highness. Let’s stop with this position…”
I tried to suggest changing positions, but Shabiyan’s advance blocked me.
With a seductive lift of his legs, he moved on top of me.
His disheveled, beautiful face was close.
“Hold me… please hold me.”
Shabiyan buried his face in my shoulder. His soft breathing and fevered moans tickled my ear.
I went insane…
‘I need to go all out.’
Even if I collapse!
I closed my eyes, focusing as intensely as possible, releasing mana.
The aura flared brighter around me.
Along with the intensified aura, I felt my stamina drop sharply. Sleepiness came along with the draining mana.
‘I can’t fall asleep. I mustn’t.’
I pressed my nails into my palms and endured with sheer will.
It was a long, long night.
Shabiyan opened his eyes.
A worn wooden ceiling, unfamiliar dust, and the cool dawn air.
‘Why am I here…?’
He recalled faintly passing out in the arms of the Duke of Berwen.
The Duke in black armor, standing firmly.
And the gentle voice.
‘Shh. It’s alright. You’ll be fine soon.’
The cool touch on his forehead, the voice he wanted to hear again—all came back.
Where was he? Blinking, Shabiyan looked around.
‘A small hut, it seems.’
Moonlight shone through the small window, lighting up the sparse interior. Scanning it, he spotted the Duke.
“Duke?”
He saw him sitting by the door, head lowered, looking exhausted.
Before fainting, he had been in extreme pain… yet now, none.
Strange.
Though Shabiyan often survived dangerous situations better than others, this was unusually fast.
‘Could it be… the Duke healed me?’
At that moment, he remembered.
“…Haah. …Good.”
