* * *
“Right now, no one knows this region better than Your Highness. I trust you’ve chosen the best option.”
Lowell, who had been sharp and combative until moments ago, suddenly seemed to yield as if all that tension was an act.
“I thought you’d keep arguing, but this is unexpected.”
“Your Highness chose to trust me, despite your doubts.”
“I never said I trusted you.”
“Then allow me to rephrase: You’ll come to trust me soon enough.”
Their mouths smiled, but their eyes locked in a cold, mutual glare.
Instinctively, they both knew they didn’t get along.
“Once morning comes, I’ll take you to the Count’s estate.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Felix looked like he wanted to argue more about Lowell’s future, but couldn’t come up with a better plan.
“Let’s cross-check the information.”
Lowell, exhausted enough to collapse on the spot, stubbornly pressed on.
He had compiled everything—the novel’s details compared with history books, geography texts, and verified facts.
By dawn, even the Crown Prince had to acknowledge the accuracy of Lowell’s information.
Exhausted and barely having slept, Lowell finally ended up dozing off on horseback this time.
Thanks to that, he half-slept his way to Count Davon’s estate.
“This way.”
Opening the back gate, Count Davon checked whether the prisoners had any tracking magic cast on them and ordered them sent to the dungeon, while politely escorting the rest of the group inside.
“We don’t have time to stay long. Let’s move out immediately without going inside.”
The moment the Crown Prince said that, disappointment swept across Count Davon’s face.
His expression was so easy to read that it was hard to suspect his loyalty.
“Grand Duke, if you’ve got anything to say to him, make it quick.”
Before the Crown Prince even finished speaking, Felix had already helped Lowell down from the horse and was checking him over for injuries.
“If anything dangerous happens, contact me right away. Even if it’s the slightest threat.”
Felix paused for a moment, his ears turning faintly red, before adding softly:
“Even if there’s no danger… you can still call me. No matter what, I’ll answer.”
Lowell gently stroked Felix’s face, even in this situation.
Felix lowered himself slightly, making it easier for Lowell to reach him.
‘How can he say things like that when we don’t know when or how the fighting might break out?’
Using a magic orb would send out a detectable wave of energy.
If they were discovered during an emergency, it could be fatal.
But Lowell didn’t bother to remind Felix of the harsh reality.
“I will. But in return, promise me you’ll come back safely. You remember what you said, right? That I wouldn’t have to lose the one I love to war?”
“Lowell, I can make that promise anytime. But you have to swear you won’t get hurt either.”
“I will.”
“If you so much as have a scratch on you, I won’t let you leave the Tower this time.”
“I guess I’d better not get hurt, even if it’s just for that reason.”
Lowell was amazed—and grateful—that he could genuinely smile, even now.
“Tia, leave those guarding Lowell here with him.”
Felix’s knights were already an elite force, yet he still decided to leave half of them at the Count’s estate.
Some of them clearly wanted to follow Felix, but no one objected.
“I’ll stay as well.”
Lowell looked surprised at Tony, who knelt down to ask permission.
Felix didn’t immediately give his answer.
“Please allow me to repay the favor for saving my life. I will be Lowell’s extra shield.”
Tony lowered himself even further. Felix’s gaze as he looked down at him was cold—almost mechanical.
“This is your last chance.”
Felix’s reluctant approval finally came, and Tony bowed his head deeply.
His clenched fists, pressed to the floor, trembled with belated tension.
“Yes, sir!”
Tony stood, bowed once more, and Felix answered with a simple nod.
“Let’s go.”
“Wait.”
Ignoring the eyes of those around them, Lowell stood on tiptoe and pressed a soft kiss to Felix, who had leaned down slightly.
Felix’s hand clenched tightly at his side.
“Feels like I’m leaving my heart behind.”
“I’ll keep it safe.”
“Good. I’ll entrust my everything to you.”
Clenching his teeth, Felix reluctantly pulled away and mounted his horse.
The Crown Prince, watching the entire scene, curled his lips into a smirk.
“I’ll send a reinforcement, just in case.”
“A reinforcement?”
“You’ll know who it is when they arrive.”
The Crown Prince offered no further explanation as he led Felix and the knights away.
The moment Felix’s figure disappeared into the distance, Lowell’s body crumpled to the ground.
Even as he fell, he instinctively curled up, protecting his stomach.
“Lord Lowell!”
Fortunately, the knights had been completely focused on him, so they caught him before he hit the ground.
“Ugh…”
Pain attacked Lowell’s body all at once—muscle aches, fatigue, and every strain accumulated during the grueling march.
His frail body wasn’t built for such hardship.
He had only endured it by clenching his teeth, knowing Felix wouldn’t leave otherwise.
“Get a priest…! One not affiliated with the capital—bring them here discreetly!”
With those words, Lowell’s consciousness completely sank.
The world of unconsciousness was strangely quiet, yet not entirely so.
The steady drip of water in the room disturbed the stillness, mixing with the faint scent of antiseptic.
It was a familiar smell, though one he hadn’t encountered for some time.
“Eun-oh.”
A small voice echoed faintly near his ear.
“Hmm… No response. Something feels off, but… should I call you Lowell?”
Lowell wanted to open his eyes and respond, but it felt like sleep paralysis; he couldn’t move at all.
“Lowell, can you hear me?”
After struggling for what felt like an eternity, Lowell finally managed to barely part his lips—but by then, the other person’s voice was already fading away.
“I… want my body… back…”
The soft, gentle voice was so blurred that he couldn’t make out the words.
But strangely, as that voice drifted farther away, Lowell’s body became lighter, freer.
By the time he forgot the voice entirely, his eyelids finally lifted.
“Mm…”
It was two full days later that Lowell finally opened his eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling.
‘I didn’t think I could sleep so soundly after all that time on horseback…’
Still groggy, Lowell hadn’t even realized he had been sick.
He simply assumed he had taken a deep, restful sleep.
When he tried to sit up, dizziness swept over him, and as he touched his head, Tia, standing guard, rushed to his side.
“Lord Lowell, are you alright? Your fever hasn’t broken completely. You need to be careful.”
“Yes… Has there been any news from Lord Felix?”
Even with his eyes closed from dizziness, Lowell immediately asked after Felix.
“He’s safely entered the capital. It seems they’ll strike the ritual site before sunrise tomorrow.”
The words instantly sobered Lowell.
It was good news—the plan was progressing smoothly—but Lowell felt disoriented, unable to grasp the flow of time.
“They’ve already arrived?”
“Yes, Lord Lowell. You’ve been quite ill… but it’s been two days since we reached the estate.”
At Tia’s words, Lowell’s jaw dropped. His hand reflexively moved to his stomach.
“Is the baby alright?”
“You don’t need to worry. The healer said the child seems even stronger than you.”
There was an unspoken message behind those words—‘Worry about yourself first.’
Embarrassed, Lowell pressed a hand to his forehead.
‘My hand feels hot… Do I still have a fever? Hard to tell…’
It was only then, feeling the aches all over his body, that Lowell realized just how weak he still was.
Quietly, he lay back down on the bed.
“I’ll bring food.”
Lowell had no appetite, but he forced himself to eat every bite.
* * *
