NMBTD 36

Chapter 36

Alesia grasped Franz’s hand. The moment she touched him, a chilling coldness, like being engulfed by ice, swept over her.

“Huff…”

She bit her lower lip hard at the familiar sensation of mana.

Each time she had to neutralize Franz’s mana, she was forced to endure this dreadful cold.

And within that cold, she had to struggle to draw out the fire deep within her own body.

Neutralization was a grueling task—like trying to light a fire with wet twigs in a snowfield.

“Franz. Look at me.”

Alesia called out to him in a trembling voice. Her breath came out in white puffs.

Though they were in a warm banquet hall, it felt as if she stood in the middle of a blizzard.

Even when she called his name, Franz’s expression remained frozen. It was like he was trapped in an ice prison.

“Franz!”

She called him again, more forcefully.

Then Franz’s body gave a small reaction, and finally, his eyes regained focus.

‘Good.’

Relieved, Alesia sighed inwardly as Franz came to his senses.

Mana neutralization wasn’t something that could be done with effort alone. The minds of the neutralizer and the one being neutralized had to connect.

Alesia turned fully to face Franz and grasped both of his hands with her trembling ones.

Her eyes contorted slightly as she looked down at his hands.

‘To think I have to do this again.’

She was doing this because it was the Empress’s command—but she couldn’t shake her unease.

Even when mana was stable, neutralization was painful. And in a state like this, right before a mana rampage, the pain would be several times worse.

But she couldn’t use fear of pain as an excuse to avoid it—not with the royal family watching.

Alesia had to prove her worth to them.

Only then would she not be dismissed as she had been in her past life.

She swallowed dryly and closed her eyes. She focused all her senses as if there was no one else around, just her and Franz.

Over time, the soft warmth of mana that had spread through her body began to stir.

Alesia gathered her strength and directed the mana to where she was connected with Franz.

Through their clasped hands, the warm flame mana began to flow into Franz. His frozen mana slowly started to melt, and the air in the banquet hall, which had been frigid, gradually returned to its normal temperature.

‘It hurts.’

As the neutralization truly began, pain like needles pricking her heart stabbed through her.

But Alesia kept her expression composed.

She was used to the pain of neutralization. And she was used to enduring pain.

Golden threads of light began to form around their joined hands. A mysterious glow, mixed with Alesia’s red hue, surrounded the two.

Even the attendants standing nearby held their breath and watched the scene unfold.

The Empress, with a dry gaze, observed Alesia neutralizing the mana—judging whether she was a fitting match for the Second Prince.

“Huff…”

“It is done.”

As Alesia’s eyes wavered, the Empress quietly gave the order. The moment she did, Alesia let go of Franz’s hands.

“That should be enough.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Alesia answered with a heavy breath and massaged her numb hands. She felt as if every cell in her body had frozen—her mind in a haze.

“I’m sorry.”

Franz, having regained his composure, apologized softly. But Alesia didn’t even look at him, focusing only on massaging her hands.

While rubbing her fingers, she suddenly froze.

Her expression paled.

“Alesia, are you alright?”

Franz reached out his hand to her, but Alesia quickly rose from her seat. The sound of the chair scraping across the marble floor echoed through the hall.

Even the indifferent Glenna showed a look of surprise.

“What’s the matter, Second Princess Consort?”

“Your Majesty, what… will happen to me now?”

Alesia ignored Glenna’s question and urgently asked the Empress. She was still trembling as if the cold hadn’t left her body.

The Empress gently stroked her chin and scrutinized Alesia.

Her face had gone pale, and she clutched her right wrist with her other hand. The anxious sight made the Empress slightly furrow her brow.

“It seems you’ll need to stay at the Second Prince’s palace for a while.”

“Pardon? But…”

Alesia was about to protest, but her jaw trembled, and she fell silent.

As she tightened her grip on her wrist, the Empress spoke with a troubled expression.

“To react like this from a single neutralization—this is something you’ll have to do for life. It’s too much for you, isn’t it? For now, stay by the Second Prince’s side and stabilize the mana together.”

“I… I’m fine, Your Majesty. I can handle it. You saw it yourself.”

“It’s because of what I just saw that I’m making this decision. I’m very concerned about you, Second Princess Consort.”

“But… I…”

“Your Majesty, if the Second Princess Consort says she’s alright, isn’t that enough? Neutralization only needs to happen once a month. She doesn’t have to stay at the Second Prince’s palace.”

Glenna muttered unhappily, clearly displeased with the direction of the conversation.

But the Empress ignored her and continued.

“This is for the Second Princess Consort’s sake. She’s now part of the royal family under my responsibility. It would be cruel to leave her in a separate palace and only call her for neutralizations—especially when they’re this painful. If the Second Prince’s residence is too small, I can have it expanded.”

“No.”

Alesia shook her head hastily. Even if the palace was expanded, it wouldn’t change the fact she’d have to stay with Franz.

She would leave the palace in two years anyway. There was no need to stir up more trouble.

“I’ll follow Your Majesty’s wishes.”

“A wise choice. Let’s end the banquet here.”

The Empress smiled lightly and stood. As she did, Glenna and Crayton followed.

Glenna shot a sharp look at Alesia before leaving. But Alesia couldn’t afford to care.

Her focus was entirely on her right wrist.

Once all the attendants had withdrawn, Alesia gently uncovered her wrist. She looked down at it with dim eyes.

A sharp wound, as if cut by a blade, had formed on her slender wrist. Her pupils trembled as she stared at the red wound.

‘Why is this already happening?’

Normally, it should be safe until at least six neutralizations. Why was it happening so soon?

Something was going wrong.

“I’m sorry, Alesia. You’re still not well, and I forced you…”

“Don’t touch me.”

As Franz approached, Alesia reflexively shook off his hand.

Clutching her wrist, she rose from her seat. The chair toppled over with a crash.

Franz stared blankly at the fallen chair before looking back at Alesia.

“This is all… my fault.”

He fumbled for words.

“When you said you wanted to leave me, I lost control of my emotions. I… I just couldn’t bear to let you go.”

“So, how does it feel?”

“What…?”

Alesia let out a cold laugh at his stunned expression.

“Must be nice for you. In the end, you got everything you wanted—I’m staying at the Second Prince’s palace and neutralizing your mana. You got exactly what you wanted.”

“I didn’t do it on purpose.”

Franz reached out again, but Alesia desperately avoided him.

“You think saying it wasn’t intentional makes everything okay? That makes it hurt less?”

Her voice cracked as she lashed out.

“You probably never even thought about how hard neutralization is. Or how I felt being tested in front of the Empress and the First Prince and Princess Consort. No—maybe you did think about it, but just didn’t care. Because neutralizing your mana is my job. That’s why you married me—to use me when you need me. Isn’t that right?”

“…Lesa.”

“Don’t call me that.”

Alesia gritted her teeth. She clutched her wrist so tightly it seemed it might snap, glaring at Franz.

“Lesa? Since when were you ever that kind to me? You caused all this chaos because you were afraid I wouldn’t neutralize your mana.”

“That’s not true. It’s not.”

“Then what?”

Her lips twisted, and her vision blurred.

“If not that, then what other reason do you have for needing me?”

Tears welled in Alesia’s eyes. Franz’s face became a blur.

As hot tears rolled down her cheeks, he stepped closer.

He gently cupped her face, wiping her reddened eyes. He whispered softly:

“You’re someone I need—just as you are.”