IMTVD| Chapter 24

Episode 24

Emilia glanced around to see if anyone was watching.

Aside from Edwin’s knights, there was no one.

Relieved, she pushed him away.

“Emilia.”

He slowly let himself be pushed back.

Her heart had wavered at the sad way he said her name—more than once—but she bit her lip and held it together.

Finally steadying herself, she curved her lips into a faint smile and looked him in the eye.

“You’re not acting like yourself. Why are you showing such weakness?”

This Edwin felt foreign to her.

He’d always been on top of the world someone who shone like a beacon for others.

Cold, calculating, willing to do anything to achieve his goals, but never crossing the final line. A man who kept to his

convictions.

Now, that solid, unshakable man was nowhere to be seen.

It was ironic she’d never once seen him like this while they were married, and yet here he was, looking defeated.

“Come back with me, Emilia.”

She still couldn’t be sure what his true intentions were.

Was he really here to apologize… or just sweet-talk her into returning to the capital?

What if, once they arrived, he suddenly changed back like nothing had happened?

Keeping her expression calm, she looked right at him.

“It’s humble here, but please, come inside, Your Grace.”

She gave him the utmost courtesy she could muster.

Her overly formal tone made his eyes waver, but she had no intention of softening it.

She’d been slowly erasing the days she’d spent with him.

But now that he’d reappeared, the memories and feelings were clawing their way back. Part of her wanted to just give

in and take his hand…

But the wounds from before were too deep. She’d only just begun to heal, to find a little hope again—she couldn’t go

back to the capital now.

That place had always been full of people eager to tear her apart.

I can’t trust you, and I can’t trust myself.

What would really change if she went back?

She had no reason to believe it would be any better than before.

Life had been bleak when she tried and failed over and over again. But here, she’d found a new life—and it was so

bright it was almost frightening.

Everything was new. Everything was simple. And because of that, she could finally breathe.

Inside her home, the two of them fell silent. The knights stayed outside.

Emilia quickly fetched a first-aid kit.

“You don’t need to do all this it’ll heal fast enough.”

“In the Grand Forest, some weeds have a bit of poison in them. It’s not dangerous, but… better safe than sorry.”

She could’ve just told him that and left it at that he had knights with top-grade medicine, after all.

But she wanted to treat him herself. Just as he had once healed her heart, she wanted to at least give him something

back.

He looked down at her hands. Once soft and flawless, they were now streaked with dirt, dotted with tiny cuts and

scars. His expression tightened.

Unaware, she stayed focused on treating his hand.

“You should go back to the capital soon.”

“I can’t just leave you here.”

“You didn’t even come here for me.”

She assumed he was in the village for some other reason—Edwin wouldn’t come to a place like this for something so personal.

“You’re right the reason I came here was different. But… I’ve spent the last year looking for you.”

“Why? I’m useless to you.”

“Don’t say that.”

He suddenly grabbed her hand, his grip firm—like he had no intention of letting go.

“I haven’t forgotten you for a single day this past year.”

Even while resting, even while trying to sleep, even while eating—it had always been thoughts of her.

What was she doing?

Where was she living?

Was she starving? Was she cold? Or worse—had she met someone else and fallen in love?

He’d worried about everything.

Finally finding her… he’d never forget what that felt like.

Edwin gently brushed her long hair between his fingers. She looked up at him.

She remembered the day she left the estate.

His eyes now were completely different from the way they’d been back then.

“Why now?”

She bit her lip.

It was a bad habit—one she’d nearly gotten rid of, but it had come back the moment she saw him.

He frowned at the sight, and she instinctively shut her eyes.

For a second, she was afraid he’d scold her or glare at her. But he didn’t.

“…Edwin.”

“I regret it.”

Then his lips were on hers.

It was so sudden that her eyes flew open.

He, on the other hand, tasted the faint tang of blood.

After a year apart, their kiss was bittersweet.

It ended when he pulled back.

“I regret not showing you my feelings.”

“I still can’t forget the first day we met.”

She couldn’t either. That meeting was the reason she’d never been able to truly forget him, no matter how hard she

tried.

“I’m sorry.”

“Emilia.”

“I… still haven’t sorted out my feelings.”

His sudden change in attitude left her reeling.

She’d thought he hated her never imagined he’d be the one to kiss her. And yet here he was, nothing like the man

she’d known: cold, calculating, and terrifying.

“J-just go, please.”

In her confusion, she pushed him toward the door.

He looked reluctant, but decided to give her space and stepped out.

Alone, she took a deep breath.

“Edwin… why…”

When she first moved here, she’d mourned the end of their bond. Now she just felt suffocated, unsure of what to do

next.

“Were you really looking for me?”

She’d been afraid he might suddenly turn cold again—but after what had just happened, she could barely believe it.

She touched her lips, still feeling the warmth.

“What am I supposed to do…”

She’d tried to forget him.

She’d told herself he loved Diana, not her.

She’d only just started to let go—until he came back and lit the fire in her heart all over again.

Her pulse was racing, her cheeks hot.

No… I can’t… I can’t let myself feel this way.

“Pay up already!”

“I’ll pay soon. Please, just give me some time”

“You’ve been saying that for how long now? You take the money and blow it at the gambling den every time.”

“I don’t care if you used to be some big-shot noble you’re nothing now. At least keep up with the interest.”

Henry bowed his head in humiliation.

Henry Herman.

The Herman family had never matched the Caspers, but they’d been wealthy and influential in their own right. Even

nobles from rival factions had tread carefully around them.

Henry had basked in those looks of deference, counting the days until he could take over from his father.

Why the hell am I being treated like this now?!

But everything had gone to ruin.

He’d lost it all because of a single person.

The family was wiped out. The marquis and every relative except him were dead.

All he had left was his life… and a pathetic attachment to his past as a noble.

“This is your last chance. Pay up—with interest—or you know what’ll happen.”

“Now that you’re in the Grand Forest, you follow our rules.”

Running here had been the only way to avoid a death sentence.

But Henry still couldn’t let go of his noble lifestyle. He’d borrowed from loan sharks… and now he was buried in debt.

If that no-name prince hadn’t shown up and ruined my plan…

He’d tried to use Emilia to pay off his debts, but that had failed spectacularly—and now he was paying for it.

But soon, he’d be free of this mess.

A few days ago, he’d seen Leo boarding a train. Which meant Emilia would be all alone.