Chapter 115
“Then what do I need to do for you to fully recover, Mary?”
“As I said before, you have to protect me from harm. And I need a space.”
“A space?”
“A cozy place where I can recover my strength. Something like a wardrobe. It can’t be a whole room or land—just about the size of a bed.”
“And if we make that space?”
“Then, like before, I’ll use it to heal. You’ll keep moving me into that space so I can regain my strength.”
Marilyn took out a small bottle filled with golden liquid from her pocket.
“This is holy water made from the sap and flowers of Yggdrasil. If I sprinkle it in the space I choose, I just have to stay there until I’m fully healed. But I need to use it within a week.”
“…Then I need to create a resting space for you. But isn’t it a bit too small?”
“This is the most we could make. The World Tree’s flowers don’t bloom easily.”
Marilyn added with a smile.
“And honestly, I still like small, cozy places like wardrobes.”
“…I’ll give the order right away. I’ll put it in our room. I promise I won’t go past a week. Anything else?”
“Hmm… oh! When my horn fully grows back, that means I’ve completely recovered. You’ll be able to tell by looking at it. And this time…”
Ah, maybe I shouldn’t say this.
Marilyn hesitated. She didn’t want to make Dedrick anxious by telling him this was her last chance.
As Marilyn trailed off, Dedrick gently pleaded with her.
“Mary, please don’t hide anything. I’m begging you.”
“…If the space I choose gets destroyed again, I won’t be able to return. Ever.”
“And?”
“…That’s it.”
Her big eyes rolled nervously. Dedrick firmly called her name.
“Mary.”
With a guilty look, she nervously fidgeted and whispered.
“…My soul will disappear completely.”
“…What?”
“S-So just protect me well, okay? You’re a Swordmaster, you’re really strong!”
“…I will. Of course I’ll protect you.”
He couldn’t lose her again.
It was different from before—they were no longer children. Dedrick had the strength now.
If he had to, he’d destroy everything and run away with Marilyn.
“Then I’ll go give the order to make your recovery space right now.”
He was about to stand up when Marilyn quickly stopped him.
“Wait! It’s still dawn. Let’s stay like this a bit longer.”
“But…”
“There’s still time. Don’t worry so much. You didn’t sleep well either. Let’s just stay close and sleep together today.”
As she hugged him, Dedrick nodded and lifted her gently into his arms.
“Let’s go to our room.”
“What if someone sees us? They can see when we touch! Put me down!”
“It’s fine. I’m here. I don’t care if anyone sees us now. I won’t hide you anymore.”
He carried her out of the room effortlessly.
“Why were you in this room and not yours?”
“…Because my room doesn’t have a wardrobe.”
“You could just buy one.”
“I don’t want anything else in there.”
“…Silly. You’re such a fool.”
Marilyn’s face turned red like a rose. Dedrick kissed her cheek gently.
“I’ll make your space comfortable. After we wake up.”
“Okay.”
They lay in bed, wrapped in each other’s arms, and closed their eyes.
Marilyn gently patted his back.
“Sleep well, Didi. Dream of me.”
“…Yeah. You too, Mary.”
Her soothing pats slowly stopped as soft breathing filled the room.
That’s when Dedrick opened his eyes and stared intensely at the sleeping Marilyn beside him.
‘It’s not a dream.’
She was really alive and in his arms. His trembling hand touched her pale cheek and carefully studied her.
Her silvery gray hair, skin as soft as flour, plump lips…
As he gently caressed her adorable face, he saw the broken horn and was suddenly filled with rage.
Marilyn flinched, and he quickly pulled back his killing intent.
“Sorry…”
But she didn’t answer. She was fast asleep.
Instead, Dedrick held her closer.
She hadn’t told him what had happened with Somerset and Delani. But he had seen the underground scene where it all happened.
He knew she kept it from him on purpose.
For her to hide it, when she couldn’t even handle pain well, meant it was unimaginably cruel.
With guilt for not protecting her and relief that she had returned, he couldn’t sleep all night.
He feared that if he did, she might vanish by morning.
***
A soft touch on my cheek woke me. I blinked slowly and saw a broad chest.
I tried to understand what was going on—then I remembered.
Ah, I left the sanctuary and slept with Didi!
I opened my eyes wide, and a soft laugh came from above. He gently kissed me and asked sweetly,
“Did you sleep well?”
“I did. But you…”
I grabbed his cheeks with a frown.
“You didn’t sleep, did you?”
“No.”
“Don’t lie.”
He tried not to laugh.
I gently pressed the shadows under his eyes and his puffy eyelids.
He cried again, didn’t he?
“Why didn’t you sleep?”
“…I was afraid you’d disappear if I did.”
“I told you I won’t. Handsome men need sleep. But how is your skin still so smooth like a peeled egg?”
Even without sleep.
Is this what it means to be a blessed handsome man?
I stopped nagging and poked at his soft skin instead.
“So you don’t need sleep?”
“What? Of course I do.”
“I can’t sleep alone. You know I have insomnia.”
“Should we see a doctor?”
“There’s one solution.”
“What is it?”
“…If I sleep with you, I think I’ll fall asleep.”
“But we were together, and you still didn’t sleep.”
“That was because I was scared you’d leave… I’m not anymore. You’re warm. It feels nice.”
He pulled me close and rubbed his face against my head.
“Then let’s sleep together from now on. But when your private space is built, it might be too small for both of us. What then?”
Should I put Didi to sleep first and then go back into my space?
“Don’t worry. It’s morning now. First, we eat. Then I’ll make your space. I’ll draw the blueprint myself.”
“You’ll draw it yourself?”
“Yeah.”
“You already have a design in mind?”
He nodded softly and held my hand, pulling me off the bed.
“Shall we wash up?”
“Nope. I’m always clean even without a bath. You know why?”
“Didn’t ask, but why?”
He pulled me close by the waist. Because of the height difference, I had to crane my neck.
“Because I’m a fairy.”
“Ah, a fairy. Right, you said that at dawn.”
“I even look like one.”
“So lovely.”
He didn’t hold back.
But I didn’t mind. I smiled back.
“You go wash first.”
“Want to watch me?”
“What the—!”
As I yelled, he laughed out loud.
“Haha!”
“…Maybe just a peek?”
“Mary, I’ll do anything you want.”
“Never mind. I’ll save that for later.”
Catching the hint, Dedrick gently lifted my chin and bit my earlobe playfully.
“Okay. I’ll make sure you’re not disappointed later.”
“Alright. Go wash.”
He smiled and headed to the bathroom, but came back quickly.
“Why?”
“…Can you keep talking to me?”
He was still scared.
Seeing his anxious blue eyes, I nodded.
“Want me to sing?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay.”
The door shut, and I cleared my throat.
“Ahem, ahem.”
I heard his deep chuckle from inside and started to sing seriously.
“Three little bears in one house, Daddy bear… oh!”
“Mary?”
“There’s something I forgot to tell you. The one who brought me to the World Tree was your dad.”
“…”
He stayed quiet, and I went on to tell him everything I’d left out.
How Amelia and I knew each other. That the real Duke Carlos had died. And that the divine being who entered that body was Dedrick’s real father.
I explained why he couldn’t act openly.
“But you’re still the real Duke’s blood. It’s still his body.”
“…He saved you.”
“Yep!”
“…Do you want me to forgive him?”
“That’s your choice, Didi. Just know your mother knew everything when she said those words to you.”
“…”
“Whatever you decide, I’m on your side.”
Just then, water dripped on my head. I looked up.
Dedrick stood above me, wearing only pants and a towel on his head, looking down.
