IWBCAS 10

Episode 10

“That thief who stole the Holy Grail also healed me, remember? With that ridiculous kiss.”

“…!”

Kahlail looked straight at Reyna and said clearly,

“You must have holy power, Lady Reyna. Did you steal the Holy Grail to hide that?”

Reyna’s face, which had turned red, suddenly went pale.

Even though she didn’t say anything, her expression said it all.

‘I’ve found it. My cure.’

Kahlail leaned back comfortably in the carriage seat, crossed his arms, and looked at Reyna like he was observing her.

Reyna nervously grabbed and released her dress over and over again.

Kahlail waited patiently until she finally opened her mouth.

“…What do you want?”

“I like that you’re getting straight to the point.”

Good, now they could talk seriously.

“What exactly is your power, and how does it work?”

He was most curious about how she could heal his sickness.

Even though it was a simple question, Reyna was very cautious.

“…Before I tell you, I want a promise.”

“A promise?”

“Please… don’t tell anyone my secret.”

Even though it was just the two of them in the carriage, Reyna kept looking around nervously, like someone might hear.

Kahlail frowned, not understanding her behavior.

“Why? A holy woman is someone very important. If people knew, you’d be protected by the temple. You could do so much more.”

He really had no idea.

Reyna wanted to hit her chest in frustration.

‘Your Highness, don’t you know? As long as your nephew is around, holy women like me are just tools for the throne. Then we die!’

But she couldn’t explain all that now.

“…I like my life the way it is.”

She gave a vague answer. Kahlail shook his head.

“They say those chosen by the gods live special lives. I guess not everyone wants to be like Saint Adelaide.”

‘Saint Adelaide…?’

That name didn’t appear in the steamy novel she’d read.

While Reyna was confused, Kahlail kindly explained.

“Saint Adelaide spent her whole life helping the poor. Even after 500 years, people still love and respect her.”

Then he looked at Reyna like he was judging her, asking silently, ‘Why don’t you live like that?’

Reyna’s stomach turned with frustration.

‘I’m not living like this because I want to!’

Helping people sounds nice, sure.

But with Blair around, that kind of life wasn’t possible.

Reyna clenched her teeth.

“Yes, Your Highness. I just want to live a peaceful, selfish life. Alone, thank you very much.”

Her annoyed tone showed clearly in her voice. But Kahlail didn’t seem to care.

‘He’s so full of himself.’

Fine. Then I’ll do things my way, too.

“…So, what about the promise?”

“I promise. I won’t tell anyone.”

Kahlail nodded. Reyna let out a small sigh and spoke honestly.

“I… can heal people’s sickness.”

He already knew that.

“How? Since you kissed me… is it through physical touch?”

Kahlail nodded as if it made sense.

“There are records that Saint Adelaide healed people by touching them too.”

Reyna’s face twisted slightly.

So that saint used hand-holding to heal?

But this novel she was stuck in was full of 19+ scenes, so that wasn’t enough for her power.

‘Why is it always me who ends up like this?’

Nothing ever went smoothly in her life.

Just as Reyna was about to feel emotional, Kahlail interrupted, annoyed.

“Is it skin contact or not?”

She held back her sadness and replied late.

“…Yes and no.”

“What does that mean?”

“It’s not that simple!”

If touching hands worked, why would she have kissed him?

“I… I need to share body fluids for it to work! That’s why I kissed you! I needed to give you saliva!”

Reyna shouted, and Kahlail’s eyes widened in shock.

“Body fluids…? So that’s why you kissed me?”

Reyna was shocked at his reaction.

“Then what did you think the kiss was for?”

“Well… of course…”

‘Of course…?’

“…I thought you were one of the many ladies who admired me. That you kissed me even though touching hands was enough…”

What is wrong with this man?

Reyna stared at him in disbelief. Kahlail looked away and hid his red face.

“There have been noble ladies who threw themselves at me before… though this is the first time one succeeded.”

“You weren’t attacked! You were treated! You were bleeding badly and I had no medicine! That was the only way!”

Reyna desperately tried to explain. Kahlail narrowed his eyes.

“So you’re saying… you don’t have feelings for me?”

“No! Absolutely not! That was purely medical. Holy and sacred.”

She emphasized it twice to be clear.

“Hmm. A medical act, huh.”

Kahlail repeated the words a few times.

‘Why does he suddenly look cold?’

Reyna worried for a moment, but Kahlail nodded like he understood. She felt slightly relieved.

“Do you have any other powers?”

“Other powers…?”

“Saint Adelaide could also end droughts and lift curses, not just heal. That’s in the records.”

Reyna shook her head.

The novel didn’t mention anything like that.

“I… I can only heal wounds or sickness. Just a little.”

Just a little?

Kahlail smiled.

‘That little bit is my last hope.’

“I understand, Lady Reyna. Then please continue that sacred medical act.”

What?

“Continue what?”

“With me.”

“With… you?”

“One kiss a day.”

“One kiss a day…?”

What is he talking about?

“W-What?!”

Reyna blinked in shock and finally screamed.

‘Why is he asking for kisses? Is he crazy?’

She tried to remember the novel’s plot and finally recalled: Kahlail had been poisoned by a rare beast.

‘Stupid book! You should’ve explained this stuff better!’

While she tried to figure out where the poison was hidden, Kahlail dropped an even bigger bomb.

“If you’re okay with it, we can do more. Doesn’t more body fluid mean better results?”

“More…?”

Was he talking about frequency? Or intensity?

With that smirking face, it was probably the second one…

‘No no, that’s not the point!’

“Why should I kiss Your Highness every day?”

Kahlail looked at her and gave a half-laugh.

“Why, you ask…”

He leaned in closer, pressuring her.

“You have plenty of reasons to keep giving me those sacred treatments.”

His sharp gaze lit up.

“If others knew what kind of power you have, it would cause big trouble. That’s why you’re hiding it so hard.”

“That’s…”

True.

“Being able to heal people by sharing body fluids… If people found out, what do you think would happen?”

Gulp.

Reyna swallowed nervously. He wasn’t saying it outright, but his meaning was clear.

‘Is he threatening me?’

Maybe being Blair’s uncle meant they thought the same way.

“Even without that, you’ve done a lot. You hurt a royal, which is a crime. You also stole from the palace, so that’s theft.”

Reyna bit her lip hard and glared at him.

She never expected him to use her situation like this.

Kahlail raised his hands like he was calming her down.

“I’m not saying I’ll report you.”

“…?”

Then what do you want?

‘Will he forgive me or not?’

His unpredictable behavior made Reyna confused. Then Kahlail raised three fingers, then folded one down.

“Three years—no, judging by the effects, maybe two years is enough. Do that, and I’ll protect your secret forever.”

Do what?

He couldn’t mean… the kisses?

‘Is he seriously asking me to give up my lips for two years?!’

While Reyna stared at him in shock, Kahlail casually added,

“Oh, and I’d like the Holy Grail back. It is a sacred item.”

He gently patted Reyna’s stiff shoulder.

“I look forward to working with you, Lady Reyna.”

He smiled sweetly.

He looked way too handsome for someone who just blackmailed her.