Chapter 42
“Norman, is there a room for His Highness the Prince to stay in?”
“I’ll prepare one immediately.”
“Please do.”
“Yes, my lady.”
When Norman treated Ellia so politely right in front of Noah, Noah’s eyebrow twitched.
“I don’t like you.”
He openly said he disliked her, making Alexis flustered.
“Your Highness, that’s rather harsh.”
“What? I just don’t like this outsider rolling in here.”
Noah had thought Alexis would belong to him alone—because, to Noah, Alexis was nothing short of a hero.
So when he first heard that Alexis had an adopted daughter, it had shocked him.
An adopted daughter, when he wasn’t even married?
He had wanted to object immediately, but since Alexis seemed to like Ellia so much, he held back.
“Your Highness, let me show you to your room.”
Nodding, Noah followed Norman.
Alexis and Ellia trailed after them.
Once in the room, Noah excused himself to rest and shut the door.
Ellia turned, her eyes silently demanding an explanation from Alexis.
“What’s going on?”
“Sorry. His Majesty the Emperor asked me earnestly, and I couldn’t refuse. And I couldn’t keep Prince Noah in the palace any longer.”
“I didn’t know you were close to him.”
“I made a promise—that I would rescue him someday. I wanted to keep it.”
“…I understand. You did the right thing.”
“Thanks for understanding, Ellie.”
Honestly, Ellia had no right to say otherwise.
It was Alexis’s decision, and if he chose to act, that was that. She, as someone not truly family, had no grounds to interfere.
And yet Alexis still sought her understanding, even apologizing for not telling her sooner.
He didn’t have to. He was foolishly… a good man.
Too good, almost unbearably so.
“You must be tired from the journey. You should rest, too, my lord. I’ll take a break as well.”
“All right, Ellie.”
Back in her room, Ellia calmed her unsettled heart.
[You okay?]
Gaji looked at her worriedly.
‘No, I’m not.’
[Figures.]
She hadn’t expected to meet Noah like this.
It was fate, or perhaps misfortune.
She still carried some guilt toward him.
But to meet again like this…
Ellia’s gaze drifted to the calendar.
‘This is earlier than I thought.’
Noah had been sent to House Kartellani when he was twelve. But now—he had arrived two years sooner.
‘Did I change something?’
By helping the duchy, perhaps she had altered the future.
But one thing was certain.
‘This time, I want to protect Prince Noah.’
That was another task Ellia had to take on.
“My lady, the duke asks if you’ll join him for dinner.”
“I’ll go.”
“Yes, my lady.”
A little later, Ellia entered the dining room.
The moment she stepped inside, Noah was glaring at her.
Ignoring his stare, Ellia sat beside Alexis, who greeted her with a warm smile.
“Welcome, Ellie.”
Then Alexis looked at Noah.
“Let me introduce you properly—”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“Hm?”
“I already know who she is.”
“Do you?”
Ellia glanced briefly at Noah.
“Violet eyes mark the imperial bloodline. You’re the First Prince, aren’t you?”
“Uh… yes.”
When she recognized him instantly, Noah narrowed his eyes at her.
“Tch.”
He sneered and began eating first. Clearly, he really didn’t like her.
“Don’t mind him, Ellie. He just hasn’t opened his heart yet.”
“I understand. Please eat, my lord.”
“You too, Ellie—eat plenty.”
Thus began a very uncomfortable meal.
Though in truth, it wasn’t Ellia who felt uncomfortable—it was Noah.
When dinner ended, Alexis said,
“I arranged His Highness’s room right next to yours, Ellie. I hope you two can grow close. Since he’s three years older, call him ‘brother.’”
Ellia nearly gagged. Judging by Noah’s sour expression, he felt the same.
“I’ll retire now.”
With an icy air, Noah slipped away to his room.
Ellia shook her head and turned to Alexis.
“I’ll rest, too.”
“…All right.”
Alexis watched her leave with a worried look, before turning away himself.
He couldn’t help but worry—could the two of them really get along?
Back in her room, Ellia thought of Noah.
He hadn’t eaten much at all.
His face was pale, and he seemed desperate to hide the back of his hand.
‘So, he’s cursed.’
Outwardly, it didn’t look too serious yet—but left unchecked, it could become dangerous.
It had to be the Grand Duchess Christina again, cursing him as always.
‘Stubborn then, stubborn now.’
Noah had always been that way—sharp, sensitive, never willing to bend, even if it killed him.
Still, she pitied him.
That harsh demeanor seemed more like a way of expressing his pain.
Ellia decided she had to face him directly.
That was always the best approach.
She left her room and knocked on Noah’s door.
No answer, even after a while.
“I’m coming in.”
Inside, Noah was collapsed on the floor, writhing in pain.
Ellia rushed to him, checking his condition.
His fists were clenched tight as he endured the agony, veins bulging on his forehead, cold sweat dripping down.
“Your Highness, are you all right?”
“G-Get away!”
Thud!
Noah swung his arm, striking Ellia across the face and sending her tumbling. He was startled, but too overwhelmed by pain to care.
Grimacing as she hit the floor, Ellia quickly stood again, grabbed his arm, and pulled up his sleeve.
A dark crimson, net-like pattern ran up from his hand all the way to his neck.
Ellia immediately called for Gaji.
‘Gaji.’
[What?]
‘Purify him.’
[Got it.]
Ellia clasped Noah’s hand, preparing to purify him—
But Noah shoved her away violently.
“Get out! I said get out!”
Ellia’s patience finally snapped.
“Your Highness, if you don’t get treatment, you’ll die!”
“Leave me! I won’t beg for my life from you!”
“Leave you, you say?”
Ellia tilted her head, eyes narrowing.
“Is it just because you don’t like me?”
“That’s right—I hate you!”
“Then endure it! You still need to live!”
Noah fell silent.
Her words had struck true.
“You’re cursed, Your Highness. And I’m the only one who can undo it.”
“…Who are you supposed to be?”
“Didn’t you hear? I’m the current Guardian of the World Tree.”
“What?”
“Do you not know what that means?”
“…I know. But you?”
“Yes. Me.”
“Lies.”
He couldn’t believe it.
“Ugh—”
Clutching his chest, Noah gasped for air.
Ellia seized his wrist.
“I won’t let you die.”
“You…”
“Haa… haa…”
The curse’s pain seemed to ease, his breathing growing steadier.
But then he shoved her arm away.
“I don’t trust you.”
From birth until now, Noah had never trusted anyone. Everyone he trusted either betrayed him—or disappeared.
So he couldn’t trust anyone.
Ellia had no particular desire to force him. If he rejected her, so be it.
“Seems you’re stable for now, so I’ll leave. But remember this one thing: I’m the only one who can save you.”
“Disgusting.”
“You’re disgusting too, Your Highness.”
“…What did you say?”
Noah looked at her in disbelief.
“Be honest—how did you become the duke’s daughter?”
“Then you don’t know. The duke is my chosen Guardian. You know what that means to a Guardian of the World Tree, don’t you?”
“You—are you using the duke?”
“I’m protecting him. That’s why I’m here.”
“You, protecting the duke?”
“Yes. I’ll do anything to protect House Kartellani.”
Her unwavering gaze made Noah falter.
“…I’ll be watching you. To see what your real purpose is by his side.”
“Do that. But maybe worry about keeping yourself alive first?”
At that, Noah clamped his lips shut.
Ellia turned and left the room.
She had spoken firmly—enough that Noah must know: if he didn’t want to die, he had no choice but to ask her for purification.
