IWBCAS 52

Chapter 52

“I’m sorry for taking your bed. I’ll repay you before I leave.”

“It’s fine. I wasn’t using it anyway, and an extra spoon at our table is nothing.”

Hendel seemed very kind. Even though she had warned her son not to go near that land, she still brought us in and took care of us. Without her, I might have had to sit for hours waiting for Killian to wake up.

“Still, I won’t forget your kindness.”

“Don’t call it kindness. That feels too heavy. Shane, take some soup upstairs for him.”

“Always making me do things. Ever since you started staying home, I get stuck with all the chores.”

Shane grumbled but went upstairs with soup for Killian.

While he was gone, Hendel rubbed her knee, which was wrapped in a brace. I suddenly remembered she had limped earlier.

“Is your leg hurt?”

“It’s just an old problem from age.”

“How does it hurt?”

“Like everyone else’s—hurts on stairs, swells. I just live with it.”

She spoke lightly, but it must have been uncomfortable.

I leaned closer and whispered, “Maybe I can give you a reward that won’t feel like a burden.”

She looked at me strangely. I carefully removed her knee brace and placed my hand on her knee. I was nervous—it had been a while since I used my ability. If her pain was only from aging, it might not work.

But slowly, I felt my power flow into her. When I pulled my hand away, I said, “Try moving it.”

Hendel tested her leg, then gasped.

“Are you… the Lady?”

She had guessed right. My healing powers and her sudden recovery made it clear who I was.

“I’m so sorry! I didn’t realize—”

“Please, don’t bow. Treat me normally. I prefer it.”

“But you even healed me. I’m so lucky today.”

“No, I’m the lucky one. If you hadn’t helped us, I’d still be stuck out there.”

“But… should someone like me, not a noble, really receive this gift?”

“What do you mean?”

“I heard commoners aren’t allowed into the healing center. Only nobles. Some even traveled from Tulin to see you, but were turned away.”

So that was it. The rumors. People had thought I was the one refusing commoners. My hands shook with anger. No wonder so many had turned against me.

Trying to stay calm, I put on a serious expression.

“There were… rumors like that?”

I pretended to cry and explained, “I was locked inside the healing center. I never knew who came to see me. I only used my power all day and collapsed from exhaustion. I truly believed my gift was helping everyone equally… but to think they rejected people based on status—I’m shocked. Ahh!”

I bowed my head, trembling. Hendel patted my back.

“Oh, that’s awful! It must have been the guards’ fault. Don’t worry, my Lady. In Tulin, I won’t let anyone say such things about you!”

“Thank you, Hendel,” I thought, wiping fake tears.

Just then, footsteps sounded on the stairs. They stopped for a moment, then quickly came closer.

‘Who is it?’

Suddenly, my chin was lifted. Startled, I found myself looking straight at Killian.

“…Who made Lydia cry?”

“You’re awake?”

“Tell me—who upset you?”

His face was tense. I worried Hendel or Shane might get blamed, so I quickly said, “It was because of you, Killian.”

“…What?” His grip loosened. Clearly, he hadn’t expected that answer.

But I had no excuse prepared.

“…Did I… kiss you in my sleep?” he asked.

“…What?”

The word kiss echoed in my head. Killian’s ears were red, and he couldn’t meet my eyes.

‘Why kiss? Did he dream of Yelena or something?’

When I didn’t answer, he covered his face with his hand, sighed, and whispered, “If not that… then did I maybe… Lydia, did I…?”

“Stop! Enough!” I cut him off, panicking. Hendel slipped away quietly to the kitchen, leaving us alone.

‘What on earth did he dream about?’

Killian looked down and said, “Then why were you crying? You wouldn’t even look at me…”

“Not true. I was just shocked when you collapsed. I felt guilty, since it was because of me we came here. That’s all.”

That part was true—I had been terrified when he fainted.

Killian studied me, then asked in a quiet voice:

“Lydia… this may not be the right time, but… can I hold you for a while?”