Chapter 24
“You need to rest.”
Tristan’s firm tone shattered Maya’s plan yet again.
“I’ve already used healing power… I’m fine now. Let’s leave right away.”
“No. This time, I’m not yielding an inch.”
As expected of a Grand Duke—stubborn as a rock.
“What you need, Maya, is rest, not more strain.”
He fussed over her as if he were the imperial court physician. The concern felt strangely unfamiliar to Maya.
Since Tristan had already compromised plenty for her sake, she couldn’t easily turn him down.
She needed an excuse. Something to justify leaving right away.
“We have to bring the wyvern too. How do you expect to move it all the way to the cave?”
Tristan sighed and took hold of the rope she was holding.
“Don’t forget that I, too, am of Beiadon blood.”
…So that wouldn’t work either.
Honestly, she was still surprised he possessed such strength.
“What exactly can the bloodline of Beiadon do?”
The Beiadon family had always been shrouded in mystery.
She’d only just learned they had healing powers, and that Tristan’s hearing and eyesight were as sharp as hers.
Come to think of it, they’d rarely had proper conversations about each other’s families.
“I’ve never trained for it, but we have an affinity for magic. If I wanted to, I could probably learn it.”
“Oh, I’m hopeless with magic.”
Their abilities were similar yet different.
So this was what the Beiadon family was like… As they chatted about their family gifts, they returned to the cave.
The wyvern, still bound by the rope, snored away as it was dragged along. It wasn’t discomfort that kept it asleep, but the sheer exhaustion from being pulled around since it woke.
Tristan handed Maya some jerky as soon as she sat down.
Already hungry, Maya happily took it and began counting the minutes.
“Ten minutes. Then we leave immediately.”
Tristan shook his head firmly.
“Two hours.”
Wait—how did thirty minutes turn into two hours?
“No, thirty minutes!”
“Fine.”
“….”
They’d reached an agreement, but why did it feel like she’d just been outmaneuvered?
Something’s off.
Still, Tristan’s thoughtfulness made her happy. Even if he scolded her a little, it was because he was worried about her.
This must be what real life feels like.
Tristan came closer and placed his hand on her forehead again.
“You’re still not fully recovered.”
After handing her the rope, he left briefly and returned with a wet cloth and a water bottle.
“It’d be best if you lay down for a bit.”
“Are you… nursing me?”
“Yes. I never imagined I’d be tending to someone at my age.”
Inside her mind, Maya’s angel and devil began to argue.
Maya, you need to leave right now. And having the Grand Duke nurse you? He’s the man you’re supposed to serve later!
Maya, it doesn’t matter what’s happening right now. You can go get your awakening by getting beaten by the snake monster later. Tristan is your ‘husband’ right now. When else will you get this kind of care?
The devil, with its far more elaborate reasoning, won.
Maya obediently lay down.
I’ve always wanted to be cared for like this.
Even when she was sick as a child, she stayed shut away alone in her room, swallowing her groans and waiting to get better.
She’d grown used to hiding her pain—whether from muscle aches or illness—without showing it.
The cool cloth on her forehead felt wonderful.
“This feels nice.”
“When you get up, drink some water.”
His gentle, low voice was almost like a lullaby.
“Hm, maybe the floor’s too cold.”
Muttering to himself, Tristan lifted her head and placed it on something.
It wasn’t exactly soft—it was… firm? Maya opened her eyes to find herself staring directly into Tristan’s face.
“…Don’t tell me I’m lying on—”
“My thigh.”
“…Excuse me?”
“The cave floor is too cold for someone who’s sick.”
“Well, that’s true… but your thigh isn’t exactly soft either.”
She was blunt about it. She appreciated his kindness, but his thigh was nothing but muscle—not exactly pillow material.
She tried to turn her head slightly to test if it was better in another position, but Tristan gently held her head in place.
“Don’t move any more than that.”
“…What?”
“If you keep shifting around, your headache will get worse.”
Now that he mentioned it, he had a point.
“Feels like you’ve never been wrong about anything, Tristan.”
“That’s not true.”
He chuckled warmly.
“I’m just as human as you, Maya.”
He was putting the two of them in the same category—a sense of belonging Maya had never felt before.
“Before we go, there’s one thing I need to prepare.”
He spoke as if something had just occurred to him. Hearing his request, Maya readily agreed.
After resting, Maya woke feeling lighter and roused the wyvern.
The creature blinked awake, startled at the sight of her sword, then got to its feet.
Maya and Tristan both looped ropes around their bodies and mounted the wyvern—Maya in front, Tristan behind.
With a tug on the reins, the wyvern soared skyward, its mournful cry echoing through the air. Maya chuckled softly at the sound.
“We need to check the mountain peaks.”
As they climbed higher, countless peaks emerged from the mist.
“Let’s start with that one…”
Narrowing their eyes, Maya and Tristan slowed the wyvern and guided it into the fog.
“Let’s descend a little.”
They weaved between trees, searching carefully, when Maya’s expression turned serious.
She glanced back at Tristan.
“There’s a problem.”
As always, Maya realized problems far too late.
Tensing, Tristan asked, “What is it?”
“I… have no sense of direction.”
How could she have forgotten something this important?
“….”
“Sorry. I can’t tell which peaks we’ve already checked, or which way to go in this fog.”
The wyvern let out another sorrowful cry.
“It’s fine. I know where we are.”
She wasn’t sure if she should be relieved it was nothing serious.
Tristan patted her reassuringly and placed his hand over hers on the reins.
Then—
Rustle.
Something moved nearby.
It was a sound Maya could never forget.
She instantly knew the snake monster was close.
The memory of that day came rushing back.
“…I think this is the right peak.”
Her whole body tensed. The lighthearted mood vanished.
Still smiling brightly, Maya said, “Let’s get out of the fog for now.”
Handing the reins to Tristan, she guided the wyvern toward the edge of the mist.
Landing on a tree at the fog’s border, Maya and Tristan dismounted.
She tied the rope around the nearest branch.
“That won’t be enough.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I’ll do it.”
Tristan wrapped the rope around the base of the tree and knotted it tightly.
It would serve as a guide for when he came to find her later—and for her to find her way back.
Still, her lack of direction worried him. After a moment’s thought, he suggested,
“Let’s light a fire.”
“Wouldn’t that lure monsters?”
“I can at least protect myself.”
Fair enough—this was a man who’d lived as a Grand Duke in the monster-infested north.
He’s never lost a battle, she recalled, whether against beasts or humans, ever since the rebellions began.
Who’s really worrying about who here?
Having watched him since he was a boy, she sometimes felt as though she were the protector.
Maya quickly climbed onto the wyvern again.
Gripping the reins, she and the wyvern took off once more, wind whipping her hair in all directions.
The strands looked almost like tree branches swaying in the breeze.
Tristan watched her quietly.
“I’ll be back,” she said.
“Wait.”
He stepped close, brushing the strands from her lips.
“If you could awaken without getting hurt, that would be best.”
His fingers brushed over the back of her hand.
“Come back safe.”
Someone was here to wait for her.
Not just wait—but come find her afterward.
Something in her felt warm and full.
“You stay safe too, Tristan.”
Returning the blessing for his safety, Maya guided the wyvern into the fog.
Tristan felt his body shrinking once more.
Now came the waiting.
