Chapter 23
Even as she reproached the Duke of Partin, Rachel kept a close eye on Elicia.
That delicate body moving busily didn’t look like someone who had taken medicine.
If left alone, it was clear she’d work tirelessly through the night as usual.
Rachel’s brows knit together in disapproval.
Elicia was well aware of Rachel’s persistent gaze.
She tried to ignore it, but only for a moment. Unable to endure the sharp stare, Elicia finally gave in and asked,
“Why…?”
“Young Lady, if you’ve taken your medicine, you should get some sleep.”
Rachel advised her in a polite tone.
“I’m not sleepy.”
Elicia, who was putting on her coat, opened her eyes wide and responded.
It was an answer she could still give because the medicine hadn’t kicked in yet.
“It will be different once the effects of the medicine start.”
Rachel replied in the same courteous tone, her hands folded neatly in front of her.
Despite her polite demeanor, a subtle pressure radiated from Rachel.
“Mm…”
The medicine Rachel had given her was just as effective—and bitter and drowsy—as she said.
Elicia had experienced it a few times before, so she couldn’t flatly deny it.
“You haven’t been sleeping much lately.”
Rachel added with a worried expression.
She sincerely hoped that Elicia would rest today.
Rachel’s firm gaze revealed her determination.
“I think it would be best if you took this opportunity to sleep.”
This isn’t good…
Elicia bit her tongue, unable to explain why.
“I’m only worried.”
Elicia’s complexion, shadowed under her eyes over the past week, looked no different from Aren’s.
She had the face of someone who could collapse at any moment.
“I won’t leave until I see you lying in bed.”
“That’s a bit much…”
Though she said that, Rachel would leave right away if Elicia gave her a stern command to go.
Of course, Elicia wouldn’t do that.
She wasn’t the type to be cold to someone who worried about her.
Rachel knew that well.
“…Fine.”
Seeing Rachel push this hard, Elicia figured her appearance must be truly concerning.
Eventually giving in, Elicia took off her coat, draped it over a chair, and slowly lay down on the bed.
The soft bedding welcomed her, wrapping her gently.
“I’m lying down now. Satisfied?”
She glanced at Rachel still standing at the door and spoke.
Only then did Rachel exhale with a quiet “Phew” and bow her head.
It was her way of saying she’d leave now.
Eden, who had been fast asleep, suddenly opened his eyes.
Inside the spacious annex.
The furniture inside didn’t match the interior of the annex at all.
They stood out, awkward and out of place.
And the most out-of-place of all was Eden.
He looked like a white smudge on walls completely painted black.
Sitting up in bed, Eden’s lifeless eyes wandered aimlessly.
Only the scenery he saw every day entered his view.
“Elicia?”
His body remembered—around this time, Elicia should’ve arrived.
But she wasn’t there.
He was alone in the room.
No matter how many times he looked around, Elicia was nowhere to be found.
His pupils trembled like a mirage, filled with fear.
Judging by the sunlight, it wasn’t that he had woken up late.
He had woken at the usual time when Elicia would come.
So why wasn’t she here?
The fear he had forgotten crushed Eden’s small frame.
Unable to contain his anxiety, Eden clawed at his pants with his nails.
Scratch, stop. Scratch, stop.
The stimulation piled up layer by layer.
She’ll come, right?
The door didn’t open.
She’ll be here soon.
Eden mumbled inwardly.
She’s just a bit late today.
She had promised to come every day, and until now, Elicia had kept that promise.
Every time he woke up, Elicia was there.
Always, at the same time, she would appear and greet him after his nap.
Today? Why not?
Eden tilted his head.
Why wasn’t she here today?
Why? Why isn’t she coming? You promised.
An hour passed like that.
Repeating the same action over and over, Eden’s eyes grew hollow.
His vacant purple eyes were fixed on the tightly shut door.
The annex door gave no sign of opening, as if tormenting Eden.
Elicia… you’re not coming?
From the constant scratching, Eden’s thigh was swollen.
Thankfully, the puffed-up flesh was hidden beneath his pants.
Suddenly, Eden’s hand stopped.
His gaze was still fixed on the door.
In that same state, he awkwardly got off the bed and moved his body.
Thud—
Eden’s unsteady body fell off the bed.
Now his knees and elbows joined the pain from his thighs.
Even so, Eden didn’t make a sound as he crawled on his knees toward the door.
Before long, the shackle pulled tight.
Realizing he couldn’t go any farther, Eden’s breathing grew rapid.
It felt like someone was strangling him.
His mouth slowly opened.
He couldn’t breathe.
He wanted to breathe normally, but the choking sensation made it hard.
“Haah… huu… uuh… ha…”
Ragged breaths scattered in the air.
His mouth was parched.
Frantically, he groped at his neck and felt his fingers snag on the choker.
It was the choker that was strangling him.
Realizing the culprit, Eden slipped his fingers between the choker and his neck and pulled.
“Ugh!”
His desperate struggle was no stronger than a baby bird’s fluttering.
As if mocking his feeble resistance, the tightness in his throat stung sharply.
He couldn’t breathe.
It hurt and he couldn’t breathe.
I—I can’t breathe. It hurts, it hurts!
Tears welled in Eden’s eyes as he pulled desperately at the choker restraining him.
What do I do when it hurts?
He had to find someone to help.
But there was no one to heal Eden. He vaguely understood that.
Elicia, it hurts…!
The only person he could rely on was Elicia.
Eden didn’t know anyone else. He didn’t even realize how unjust his situation was.
Why? Why aren’t you coming?
Curled up, Eden let out a choked sob.
His throat was so tight that even crying properly was impossible.
Unable to scream, he rolled from side to side in pain.
After a while, an image of Elicia’s face from the day before floated through his mind.
Is Elicia sick too…?
Was she in pain like this?
Is that why she couldn’t come?
Eden’s face turned pale.
He knew Elicia was sick.
He didn’t know where or how, but he vaguely sensed it.
He knew, and still pretended he didn’t.
He used her words—“I’m fine”—as an excuse to ignore her pale face.
So she would keep visiting him every day.
It was selfish and cruel.
Eden knew it too. But he thought it was okay as long as Elicia didn’t know how selfish he was.
That was true… until yesterday.
So this is what it feels like to be in pain.
Eden’s eyes slowly closed.
His fluttering lashes looked desperate to rest.
Deprived of oxygen, his brain shut down.
Curled up pitifully, Eden closed his eyes.
Paradoxically, only then did his breathing ease.
If pain feels like this… I hope Elicia isn’t in pain…
That was Eden’s one and only wish before he lost consciousness.
Did I actually fall asleep…?
Feeling her mind clear, Elicia’s eyes snapped open.
The room was dark, the lights off, and the sky outside the window dim.
Realizing the room had grown dark, Elicia jumped up and looked at the clock.
It was too dark to see clearly.
“How long did I sleep…”
Her sunken voice sounded unfamiliar to her ears.
Truthfully, Elicia had intended to get up and head to Eden as soon as Rachel left.
What stopped her was the moment she laid her head on the pillow—her eyelids had closed on their own.
She hadn’t expected to fall asleep, so she was a bit shocked.
Placing her feet on the floor, Elicia strode over and turned on the light.
Once the room brightened, she could finally see the time.
“I can still make it.”
Rubbing her eyes, she put on the coat she had draped over the chair and carefully opened the door.
If she didn’t hurry, Lisbeth might follow her into the annex.
And then she’d get scolded.
The last thing Elicia wanted was Lisbeth’s sharp nagging and watchful eye.
Though she felt rushed, her steps were cautious.
Before entering the hallway, she peeked around the corner to check if anyone was there.
A couple of servants passed by beyond the corner.
Perhaps because it was dinnertime, the halls were relatively empty.
Taking advantage of the gap, Elicia headed straight outside.
The fresh air helped shake off the last remnants of drowsiness.
After a nap, her fatigue felt somewhat eased.
Her steps were lighter than yesterday.
This must be why people say proper sleep and rest are important.
But if it were up to me, I wouldn’t be suffering like this.
Elicia smiled bitterly at her own foolish thought.
Sleeping and resting—
Nothing ever went the way Elicia wanted.
Not as long as she lived in the Duke of Partin’s manor, as his child.
