Chapter 43
“You lost so much because of me. I feel really sorry…”
“I chose to do it. Since it’s your first night staying here, I wanted to make it special.”
“It’s already more than enough.”
“If I had known earlier, I could’ve prepared even better. What a shame.”
(He looked like he’d redo the whole place if he really prepared.)
“Anyway… do you still have the liquor the Duke gave you?”
“Yes. I haven’t opened it yet.”
“They say it’s rare. Should we drink it?”
Killian thought for a moment, then called Jeff—more like summoned him. Jeff appeared holding neatly folded blankets, looking a bit annoyed.
“Did you call me?”
“Do you still have the liquor from the Duke?”
“I’ll bring it.”
Jeff sighed, disappeared, then reappeared with a bottle and two glasses, and sighed again before vanishing to continue his chores.
The liquor must be good if even the Duke, who knows drinks well, said so. But as I poured it, the Duke’s sly smile popped into my head. Maybe he tampered with it.
So, I only filled my own glass.
“I’ll try it first.”
I drank it in one go.
Killian’s face turned pale—he snatched the glass away.
“Lydia!”
“Looks like nothing’s wrong. No tricks in this drink.”
“You suspected it, and still drank it?”
“Oh—sorry, did I scare you? But drugs don’t affect me anyway…”
Killian sighed, running his hand roughly through his hair. He looked upset but also relieved.
Honestly, part of me hoped the liquor was poisoned, so we could expose the Duke and drag him to trial. But seeing how worried Killian was, I regretted testing it like that.
“I’m sorry. I just couldn’t let it hurt you.”
“I’d rather be the one hurt. Please, never do that again.”
“Yes, sir.”
I replied without thinking, but he made sure to warn me two more times.
The liquor’s only problem? It was too delicious. Sweet at first, then a bitter note, finishing sweet again—it was addictive.
I ended up drinking half the bottle myself and got very drunk.
“You should stop now.”
“Why? There’s still more left. I’ll finish it tonight.”
When I reached for the bottle, Killian grabbed it first—and drank the rest straight from the bottle. His Adam’s apple moved up and down as he swallowed, and before I knew it, the bottle was empty.
“Wait… you finished it already?”
“Yes. All gone.”
“Then let’s get another—”
But before I could finish, my body collapsed. That drink was stronger than it tasted.
Killian caught me and laid me down gently with cushions.
“The room is ready now.”
“Are you kicking me out? I’ve been too much trouble, right?”
“No, that’s not it—”
“You said you’d support me. Then we should stay together.”
He laughed at my drunken words and carried me himself, instead of using magic. I stayed quiet, breathing softly against him.
His face looked dark, weighed down by something. Even though I told myself to stay silent, words slipped out:
“I’m sorry about earlier… I thought they wouldn’t let me go, so I panicked.”
I’d already tried twice to get disowned, but the noble council always rejected it. They were strict because too many families had abused adoption and disowning before.
The Duke wouldn’t let me go as long as he still found me useful—especially now that Killian was in my life.
So I acted recklessly, desperate.
“If there’s any way I can help you, I will. Just tell me.”
“I don’t want to keep burdening you. Please… don’t treat me too well.”
Otherwise, I might get used to it, like swallowing sweet but dangerous liquor.
Killian stopped walking. Silence hung heavy, until he finally spoke:
“I haven’t even treated you as well as I’d like yet. If you ran away because it was too much, I couldn’t bear it.”
I wanted to ask what he meant, but I was too drowsy.
When we finally reached the room, he laid me down.
“Why doesn’t the drink affect you?”
“It wasn’t strong for me.”
“Oh, right… But I can’t sleep. Will you stay with me for a bit?”
“…Just until you fall asleep.”
Soon, sleep pulled me under. Before I drifted away completely, I heard his voice—low, heavy with pain:
“If I fail to protect you again… then maybe this life isn’t worth living.”
His words made my chest ache, even as sleep claimed me.
Later, when Killian returned to his room, Zeno was waiting with a sulky face.
“Why did you even buy this useless hotel? Managing it is such a pain!”
“Sorry. But I had no choice. I need to stay near Lydia.”
“You could just come and go from the lair.”
“That would look strange. If she learns my real identity… she might leave me.”
“You always think like that. She might even like it. These days, everyone wants to meet a dragon.”
“Or she might find it terrifying. To know an immortal being waited for her for centuries…”
He spoke bitterly, remembering what Lydia once told him in his past life.
all i keep thinking when he mentions tidbits about past lydia is wow she was kind of cruel mean qween feels …of course maybe he shouldnt have told her who he was asap when he meets her every time but … idk boohoo qq //yaknow?!