As soon as he finished speaking, white magic gathered in his hand. Warm energy spread throughout her body from the place his hand touched.
"Ah..."
The throbbing and stinging pain gradually subsided. The position in which she was held by him was a little awkward, but since she was only receiving treatment and could not move due to muscle pain anyway, Karina quietly relaxed her body. His healing magic relieved about half of the pain from the muscle pain. Karina's body sagged as if leaning against Mikhail.
"Thank you. I feel like I can live better now."
Mikhail smiled softly as if he was glad at her words that she seemed to be alive.
"I'm so glad you're safe."
He stroked the back of Karina's head affectionately. His embrace was gentle and warm. A clear and cool body scent wafted faintly. Her body felt relaxed and sleepy.
Suddenly.
'Come to think of it.'
Karina recalled the memory of being alone with Jeremiah in the bedroom before she went to sleep last night. She raised her head slightly and looked across from where he had been. Of course, Jeremiah was not there.
'Well, I guess I should just go out because I'm so shocked that I fell asleep.'
Even she thought to herself that it was amazing that she could sleep well in that situation.
"What are you thinking?"
Mikhail's voice pulled Karina out of her deep thoughts.
"Oh, it's nothing."
Despite Karina's denial, Mikhail had a look of annoyance on his face as if he knew full well that she was thinking of something else.
"You didn't want to see me?"
There was a hint of complaint in his voice. He sounded like he would really get upset if she told him she didn't want to see him.
"Of course, I wanted to see you."
Although Karina hoped he wouldn't be upset, it was also true that she was very happy to see him after such a long time.
"But when did you come? Did you finish your work?"
Mikhail answered without releasing his embrace.
"I came here as soon as I heard that Karina was in danger, even though I couldn't help."
Karina quickly denied his follow-up remark, which was added in a reproachful tone.
"It wasn't much help. I was able to get through that dangerous moment thanks to the ring you gave me."
Karina thanked him, recalling the protective shield of the ring that had stopped the monster that had attacked her.
"I don't know how many times my life was saved thanks to you. To repay your kindness, I need to buy you a few mansions in the capital."
Karina said with a playful smile.
"I don't need a mansion or anything, so don't worry me anymore."
Mikhail buried his face in Karina's nape and gently stroked her back.
"If you keep doing this, I'm really going to lose my heart."
Karina made excuses, saying that anyone in her situation would have been helpless.
"This time it really was an accident."
"That's why I feel even more uneasy."
She wanted to reassure Mikhail.
"It's really okay. When I was captured by the monsters, His Highness the Crown Prince was with me, and... His Highness the Grand Duke and the search party came, and I was able to escape safely."
Karina hesitated a bit when telling Jeremiah's story, but she reassured him that everything was okay.
"..."
When the story of the Crown Prince and Jeremiah came up, Mikhail's eyebrows furrowed in displeasure. However, Karina, who could not see his expression, did not notice this and continued talking.
"I went to the doctor and he said that I'm fine except for a little lack of energy. I was captured by a monster and went all the way to the Cursed Forest, so this is a miracle. So don't worry too much."
Karina's voice was light as she spoke as if nothing had happened. No, rather than that, it would be more appropriate to say that she felt so weak that she almost collapsed. At that, Mikhail raised his head in anger and met Karina's eyes.
"How can I not worry? If I take my eyes off you for even a moment, you're in danger? Don't you know what it means to say that it's a miracle that you're okay?"
Mikhail got angry without answering.
"No, that's... That's not what I meant..."
"How can you not care when you are burning my heart like this!"
"..."
Karina, who didn't know he would get angry, just blinked with a bewildered expression. The silver hair that seemed to be made of moonlight gently fluttered and tickled Karina's cheek. Even while angry, his red eyes that reflected her appearance were as beautiful as rubies. Karina stared at him blankly for a moment, not knowing what to say.
“Ha.”
Mikhail hugged Karina's body tightly again.
"It's all Karina's fault. Karina keeps driving people crazy."
'No, what did I do... It's definitely not like I want to be in danger?'
Karina protested internally. But after everything she had been through, there was no room for excuses. Suddenly, he kissed Karina on the forehead.
"...?"
A soft, warm feeling, along with a tingling, strange sensation, lingered on her forehead.
"Karina, how about leaving with me right now?"
Mikhail asked seriously, his pretty eyes sparkling.
"Go somewhere where there is no danger. I will protect you."
The sweet voice was as tempting as sweet candy.
"..."
Karina had thought about just running away like he said. But every time she did, practical problems caught up with her. At least she had to get a divorce and leave so that there would be no pursuers looking for her later.
'Jeremiah will remarry a Saintess later. To do that, I will have to get a divorce, so he will come to me someday. That will be difficult.'
Of course, she had intended to live under a fake identity, but if Jeremiah, with his position as the Grand Duke, were to use his powerful public authority to seek her out, it was clear that there would be problems.
'It would also be a problem if my fake identity was exposed.'
It was impossible to be indebted to Mikhail for the rest of her life. The most ideal thing would have been to divorce and leave so that such problems would not have arisen in the first place.
'Also.'
As she had initially planned, she felt like she needed to finish preparing to stand on her own two feet to some extent, and she was leaning toward wrapping up any issues that might cause problems later.
"Michael. Thank you for saying so."
She was glad that he was willing to help her completely.
"But I can't go now."
"Why on earth?"
"There is something I absolutely must do."
Karina answered Mikhail in a soft, soothing voice as if soothing a child.
"You're not developing feelings for the Grand Duke, are you?"
Mikhail asked in a heavy, hushed voice.
"Absolutely not. If that were the case, why would I want a divorce?"
Mikhail's expression, which had been hardened by Karina's firm denial, relaxed a little.
"Okay, but please promise me something instead."
"What?"
"You will never get involved in anything dangerous."
"Yes."
'That's what I wish for too.'
Karina also refused to get involved in any more dangerous matters.
'We need to get a divorce quickly and leave.'
She pushed all her worries aside. Get a divorce and leave. There was no need for useless thoughts for this simple goal.
Karina smiled gently at Mikhail, who smiled at her gently. And then she fell asleep again. No one could have guessed that she would not wake up for three days after falling into such a peaceful sleep.
Meanwhile, the Marquis of Milliner got out of the carriage with a displeased expression. The place he had arrived was the Count of Misenlus. The Marquis was deeply dissatisfied with the fact that he had to come from such a lowly household.
However, the servant who had sent him on an errand had returned with a letter asking him to visit in person, so he had no choice but to get what he wanted.
"Welcome, Marquis."
All the servants of the Misenrus family were waiting at the main gate to welcome the Marquis of Millainer.
"It is an honor to serve you, Marquis Millainer. I hope you had a safe journey."
Even the aging Count Misenlus, over 80 years old, was waiting for him outside, leaning on a cane.
"Well, it's all like that on the way here. What could be different?"
Nevertheless, Marquis Millainer did not hide his discomfort and showed it.
"Yes. You must be tired. Please go in quickly."
Count Misenlus nodded to his butler and quickly led him into the mansion. The Marquis was shown to a large reception room, where he sat down, and the maid immediately brought out tea and refreshments.
"You always work hard for the empire."
The Count of Misenlus, who sat opposite the Marquis, began by asking about the Marquis's well-being and expressing his wishes for the peace of the Empire. This was followed by a series of flattering words praising His Majesty the Emperor's authority.
"Thanks to the grace of His Majesty the Emperor, this empire has prospered to this extent, and thanks to that, aren't the people of the empire also able to enjoy the affluent. lives they have now?"
"..."
The Marquis sipped his tea indifferently as if he didn't even want to fight back. Even so, Count Misenrus did not stop talking.
"I know you are busy, but if you could pay just a little attention to our Count Misenrus family, I think we might be able to provide some small help to Your Grace when he plans a grand undertaking..."
It contained the Count of Misenlus's inner desire to give more power to his family. The Marquis snorted inwardly as if it was a joke.
'It's no good for an old man to be so greedy.'
He could not help but sense the intentions of Count Misenrus, who wanted to use this opportunity to somehow blend in with the central powers of the capital.
"Now that I think about it, I don't see the Princess."
When Marquis Millainer asked, the Count answered quickly.
"The Princess is not in good health and cannot come out to greet you. I have asked her to come down to the reception room. How about Your Grace having a cup of tea and relieving the fatigue of your journey?"
Count Misenrus smiled, trying to please the Marquis. However, the Marquis had no intention of wasting much time here.
"Bring it as soon as possible."
The original reason he came here was because of the Grand Duke.
'If it weren't for the reply telling me to come in person, I wouldn't have come all the way here.'
The Marquis of Milliner clicked his tongue as if he was not pleased. At that time.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting."
Caroline, dressed in a dress of beads and lace and adorned with glittering jewels, appeared in the reception room. She had been told that she was sick and could not meet him, but she did not look sick at all. Even though she had been driven out of the North and had come here, Caroline seemed to have retained her haughty and proud demeanor.
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