Swallowing is a motion performed dozens or hundreds of times a day without conscious thought, but for Callion at that moment, it was agonizing enough to kill him.
The inside of his mouth, which he traced with his tongue, was free of any wounds. Nevertheless, Callion was in pain. It felt as if the inside of his mouth was being torn apart, like chewing on a finely honed blade. Everything was so horrific, especially the moment the food went down his throat, that he wanted to lose his mind right then and there.
So Callion clung to Erna, who had kissed him.
The words he could not utter were crushed between their touching lips.
Save me.
It could be helped, even if she laughed at him for being unsightly. Struggling to survive was a life instinct.
He was poisoned again in Hessengard, a place he had believed to be safe for the past 10 years, and on the grounds within the Order of Knights, which he had never doubted was his own territory.
That fact shattered in an instant the faith Callion had built up in everything until now.
No one can be trusted.
He knew. That Cedric had diligently served him. That the Knights, too, had followed him with unwavering loyalty. Nevertheless... Callion realized that he would not be able to easily swallow what they now offered him. If they had handed him a cup at this very moment, he would never have been able to swallow it.
They must have noticed that.
Callion hugged Erna, who had kissed him with trembling hands. She watched Callion swallow what she had passed to his mouth, then reached out and picked up the glass of water placed beside the bedside table. She took a sip of the water and kissed Callion once again.
Unlike the medicine from a moment ago, the water, which still retained its coolness, went down his throat.
He felt a chillingly vivid sensation. The coolness that had traveled down from his throat to his chest seemed to spread through his blood vessels to his fingertips. At the same time, his hazy mind gradually cleared.
Callion hugged Erna like a madman and drank the water she handed him.
Erna did not laugh at him. She simply sniffled and continued to drink water. As their lips parted, the flowing water slid down their chins.
Erna silently wiped the corner of Callion's mouth with the sleeve of her clothes.
Callion accepted her touch and gave a bitter smile.
"I feel like I've become an idiot who can't even drink water by himself."
“...Don’t say that.”
Erna finished wiping his face meticulously, without caring at all that her clothes were wet. She was simply glad to see the life return to Callion's hazy eyes.
Erna, who had gotten out of bed and was pouring water into the cup again, pressed the corners of her mouth and cheeks.
“What’s wrong, Erna?”
As Erna fumbled around her mouth with a strange expression, Callion called out to her in surprise. Erna frowned and replied.
"My mouth is tingling."
"Shit."
At those words, Callion hurriedly stood up from his seat. Stumbling, he approached Erna and quickly brought the cup she was holding to her lips.
"Drink it quickly. You drink the remaining neutralizing agent, too."
At those words, Erna realized that the tingling sensation she was feeling was due to the poison still remaining in Callion's mouth.
To think that she could feel such a tingling sensation just from what remained, even though she had almost completely gotten rid of it with magic and medicine. Erna shook her head after briefly running her tongue all over the inside of her mouth.
"No."
“...?”
Callion was puzzled by Erna's answer.
"Why?"
“I won’t die from something like this... just...”
Erna, who had been hesitating, glanced at him and turned her head away.
“It’s just... I can’t feel the exact same pain... but since I can at least guess where and how it hurts... wouldn’t that be helpful...?”
In other words, she meant that she would stay as she was, thinking that since the same part would hurt, it might help with his treatment. At Erna's words, Callion sighed. He slumped onto the bed and ran both hands over his face.
“You really...”
At his lamenting voice, Erna looked at Callion with an anxious expression. Did he think that I considered his pain worth experiencing at least once?
Callion reached out and hugged Erna, who was hesitating.
“You only pick out the cute things to do, really...”
Even though it was said jokingly, Erna could not push Callion away and tell him not to do such disgusting things as usual. After all, Callion was trembling with his face buried in hers.
The two people remained still, hugging each other for quite a while.
After Callion calmed down a bit, Erna told him what had happened.
“Adelaide is still under detention in her quarters. Since the surroundings have been completely replaced with servants from the Grand Duke’s castle, nothing can be done properly. Although Havand’s delegation has contacted their home country, it will be difficult to exchange opinions properly.”
Erna thought of Adelaide, who was being held captive in her quarters.
On the first day, she made a huge fuss, crying and wailing. She lashed out at the servants coming and going, and even threatened to contact Havand and not let him get away with it. The servants, while serving Adelaide politely, neatly ignored her threats.
Adelaide insisted that she would not eat as a form of protest, and at that, Erna ordered that her wishes be respected.
Sure enough. Adelaide could only hold out for exactly one day with her stubbornness and pride. Having never gone hungry before, Adelaide gritted her teeth and asked for another meal. At that, Erna ordered her to go hungry for another half day.
"You are suffering so much that you can't even swallow water right now, yet she dares to use her refusal to eat as a weapon?"
Erna gritted her teeth as she watched Callion, who was still unconscious and refusing all food.
After receiving food again a day and a half later, Adelaide has been living quietly, keeping a watchful eye on the situation without acting stubbornly for no reason.
Erna stroked Callion's face, which had become gaunt in the meantime, and continued to explain.
“Even if someone comes, it will take some time. And... Ruben’s situation is a bigger problem than Adelaide’s.”
Ruben Ether was very cooperative, unlike Adelaide.
Even while trapped in the Knights' underground, he uttered no particular complaints. On the contrary, he acted as if he were actually more relieved.
“Ruben has arrived...”
"Yeah, to be precise, he applied for asylum, though."
Callion recalled what Ruben looked like when he was young. All the Princes of Ether resembled the King, as if trying to prove their bloodline. It was not a bad thing. After all, the King of Ether was also born with a handsome appearance, ensuring that the efforts of his predecessors to take the most beautiful woman as his Queen would not have been in vain.
Callion was the son who resembled the King the most. That is why the King must have showered him with even more affection, even though he abandoned him in an instant.
“What kind of relationship was it?”
"There wasn't really anything that could be called a relationship. We had different mothers, and since I had been sidelined from the line of succession to the beginning, there wasn't much reason for us to clash."
In fact, he was someone whom Callion had almost forgotten in his mind until Erna mentioned his name. Rather than the feeling of him being a brother, he felt more like a member of royalty whose face he had known.
"Can I trust this person?"
According to Cedric's report, Ruben had no particular requests other than asking if something to read could be brought to him because he was bored. However, Erna ordered him to be monitored even more thoroughly.
"He can use magic, but just as he hid his magic, he might be hiding another talent."
"I can't believe it."
In response to Erna's question, Callion answered flatly.
"He is a man who, knowing from a young age that he could not hold the upper hand in the succession structure, quickly stepped down. However, like all Princes, he was not without ambition for the throne."
Carillon remembers the royal family members who came to visit him after he collapsed from poison.
The first to rush over was the eldest Prince. He was furious, vowing to find and kill those who had shamelessly harmed the royal family, even while being suspected of the crime himself. And the Second Prince, Ruben...
“...He was just watching quietly.”
Ruben just stared silently at the First Prince and Callion, as if it were none of his business.
“When on earth did he learn magic?”
“He said it started after you collapsed. He told me he learned it to survive because he felt his own life was in danger.”
“But what are you talking about regarding asylum?”
"Literally. Ruben Ether requested asylum in Hessengard. He said he could no longer stay in Ether because the First Prince was plotting against his life. And he also claimed that the attempt to kill you was the First Prince's doing."
After moving Callion here, Erna met Vanessa separately. She also heard why she was with Ruben and what they talked about.
Vanessa said that Ruben Ether came to see her early this morning. She also said he applied for asylum. Apparently, during their conversation, he mentioned that the Grand Duke's castle's protective magic had weakened. Ruben claims that the First Prince is responsible.
Erna recalled the sight of Vanessa reporting to her with a stern face. She appeared extremely furious about the situation. However, Vanessa is a seasoned politician. It would not be difficult for her to feign such an expression.
Erna continued to explain to Callion the other matters and things she had found out.
Then, Erna also spoke about the new protective magic she had cast at the Grand Duke's castle.
“I made this in a hurry. I had been thinking for a while that I needed to create something new, so I had actually designed it a few times. That is why I was able to build it right away, but... since it was made temporarily, I have to rebuild it. There are sloppy parts here and there. Most of all, I’ll have to fix the part that prevents anyone other than myself from using magic.”
“Why?”
“Why? What are you supposed to do after I die? I can’t just keep letting no one use magic here forever after that.”
"Who cares?"
Callion buried his face in Erna's shoulder. In between talking, Erna gave him water several times. Thanks to her, he was no longer thirsty.
“I don’t care what happens to Hessengard after you die.”
Still feeling the stinging in his throat, Callion thought it was actually for the best. What would have happened if the poison had targeted Erna? Even if the poison was too weak to be fatal, the pain was terrible.
Erna hates being in pain. Even a slight squeeze leaves a handprint, and the day after sleeping with him, she groans in pain.
If Erna had actually eaten the poison he swallowed, would she have been able to endure it?
Then Erna spoke to him as if scolding him.
“No. Please take care.”
"Why me."
She thought he would be happy, so she wondered why he was looking so serious. However, Callion really couldn't tell what would remain in Hessengard without Erna now.
“That’s it...”
Erna hesitated, then whispered in his ear as if she were shy.
"You and my child have to keep living here."
At those words, Callion hugged Erna.
He thought it was fortunate that he ate it.
It would have been better for him to just get sick again than for Erna to go through this pain.
Ten years ago, the young Grand Dukes who had glared at each other while crying across the bed were now comforting each other while embracing on that very bed.
Thinking how fortunate I am that I can suffer in your place, and thinking how fortunate I am that I can protect you.
The inside of his mouth, which he traced with his tongue, was free of any wounds. Nevertheless, Callion was in pain. It felt as if the inside of his mouth was being torn apart, like chewing on a finely honed blade. Everything was so horrific, especially the moment the food went down his throat, that he wanted to lose his mind right then and there.
So Callion clung to Erna, who had kissed him.
The words he could not utter were crushed between their touching lips.
Save me.
It could be helped, even if she laughed at him for being unsightly. Struggling to survive was a life instinct.
He was poisoned again in Hessengard, a place he had believed to be safe for the past 10 years, and on the grounds within the Order of Knights, which he had never doubted was his own territory.
That fact shattered in an instant the faith Callion had built up in everything until now.
No one can be trusted.
He knew. That Cedric had diligently served him. That the Knights, too, had followed him with unwavering loyalty. Nevertheless... Callion realized that he would not be able to easily swallow what they now offered him. If they had handed him a cup at this very moment, he would never have been able to swallow it.
They must have noticed that.
Callion hugged Erna, who had kissed him with trembling hands. She watched Callion swallow what she had passed to his mouth, then reached out and picked up the glass of water placed beside the bedside table. She took a sip of the water and kissed Callion once again.
Unlike the medicine from a moment ago, the water, which still retained its coolness, went down his throat.
He felt a chillingly vivid sensation. The coolness that had traveled down from his throat to his chest seemed to spread through his blood vessels to his fingertips. At the same time, his hazy mind gradually cleared.
Callion hugged Erna like a madman and drank the water she handed him.
Erna did not laugh at him. She simply sniffled and continued to drink water. As their lips parted, the flowing water slid down their chins.
Erna silently wiped the corner of Callion's mouth with the sleeve of her clothes.
Callion accepted her touch and gave a bitter smile.
"I feel like I've become an idiot who can't even drink water by himself."
“...Don’t say that.”
Erna finished wiping his face meticulously, without caring at all that her clothes were wet. She was simply glad to see the life return to Callion's hazy eyes.
Erna, who had gotten out of bed and was pouring water into the cup again, pressed the corners of her mouth and cheeks.
“What’s wrong, Erna?”
As Erna fumbled around her mouth with a strange expression, Callion called out to her in surprise. Erna frowned and replied.
"My mouth is tingling."
"Shit."
At those words, Callion hurriedly stood up from his seat. Stumbling, he approached Erna and quickly brought the cup she was holding to her lips.
"Drink it quickly. You drink the remaining neutralizing agent, too."
At those words, Erna realized that the tingling sensation she was feeling was due to the poison still remaining in Callion's mouth.
To think that she could feel such a tingling sensation just from what remained, even though she had almost completely gotten rid of it with magic and medicine. Erna shook her head after briefly running her tongue all over the inside of her mouth.
"No."
“...?”
Callion was puzzled by Erna's answer.
"Why?"
“I won’t die from something like this... just...”
Erna, who had been hesitating, glanced at him and turned her head away.
“It’s just... I can’t feel the exact same pain... but since I can at least guess where and how it hurts... wouldn’t that be helpful...?”
In other words, she meant that she would stay as she was, thinking that since the same part would hurt, it might help with his treatment. At Erna's words, Callion sighed. He slumped onto the bed and ran both hands over his face.
“You really...”
At his lamenting voice, Erna looked at Callion with an anxious expression. Did he think that I considered his pain worth experiencing at least once?
Callion reached out and hugged Erna, who was hesitating.
“You only pick out the cute things to do, really...”
Even though it was said jokingly, Erna could not push Callion away and tell him not to do such disgusting things as usual. After all, Callion was trembling with his face buried in hers.
The two people remained still, hugging each other for quite a while.
***
After Callion calmed down a bit, Erna told him what had happened.
“Adelaide is still under detention in her quarters. Since the surroundings have been completely replaced with servants from the Grand Duke’s castle, nothing can be done properly. Although Havand’s delegation has contacted their home country, it will be difficult to exchange opinions properly.”
Erna thought of Adelaide, who was being held captive in her quarters.
On the first day, she made a huge fuss, crying and wailing. She lashed out at the servants coming and going, and even threatened to contact Havand and not let him get away with it. The servants, while serving Adelaide politely, neatly ignored her threats.
Adelaide insisted that she would not eat as a form of protest, and at that, Erna ordered that her wishes be respected.
Sure enough. Adelaide could only hold out for exactly one day with her stubbornness and pride. Having never gone hungry before, Adelaide gritted her teeth and asked for another meal. At that, Erna ordered her to go hungry for another half day.
"You are suffering so much that you can't even swallow water right now, yet she dares to use her refusal to eat as a weapon?"
Erna gritted her teeth as she watched Callion, who was still unconscious and refusing all food.
After receiving food again a day and a half later, Adelaide has been living quietly, keeping a watchful eye on the situation without acting stubbornly for no reason.
Erna stroked Callion's face, which had become gaunt in the meantime, and continued to explain.
“Even if someone comes, it will take some time. And... Ruben’s situation is a bigger problem than Adelaide’s.”
Ruben Ether was very cooperative, unlike Adelaide.
Even while trapped in the Knights' underground, he uttered no particular complaints. On the contrary, he acted as if he were actually more relieved.
“Ruben has arrived...”
"Yeah, to be precise, he applied for asylum, though."
Callion recalled what Ruben looked like when he was young. All the Princes of Ether resembled the King, as if trying to prove their bloodline. It was not a bad thing. After all, the King of Ether was also born with a handsome appearance, ensuring that the efforts of his predecessors to take the most beautiful woman as his Queen would not have been in vain.
Callion was the son who resembled the King the most. That is why the King must have showered him with even more affection, even though he abandoned him in an instant.
“What kind of relationship was it?”
"There wasn't really anything that could be called a relationship. We had different mothers, and since I had been sidelined from the line of succession to the beginning, there wasn't much reason for us to clash."
In fact, he was someone whom Callion had almost forgotten in his mind until Erna mentioned his name. Rather than the feeling of him being a brother, he felt more like a member of royalty whose face he had known.
"Can I trust this person?"
According to Cedric's report, Ruben had no particular requests other than asking if something to read could be brought to him because he was bored. However, Erna ordered him to be monitored even more thoroughly.
"He can use magic, but just as he hid his magic, he might be hiding another talent."
"I can't believe it."
In response to Erna's question, Callion answered flatly.
"He is a man who, knowing from a young age that he could not hold the upper hand in the succession structure, quickly stepped down. However, like all Princes, he was not without ambition for the throne."
Carillon remembers the royal family members who came to visit him after he collapsed from poison.
The first to rush over was the eldest Prince. He was furious, vowing to find and kill those who had shamelessly harmed the royal family, even while being suspected of the crime himself. And the Second Prince, Ruben...
“...He was just watching quietly.”
Ruben just stared silently at the First Prince and Callion, as if it were none of his business.
“When on earth did he learn magic?”
“He said it started after you collapsed. He told me he learned it to survive because he felt his own life was in danger.”
“But what are you talking about regarding asylum?”
"Literally. Ruben Ether requested asylum in Hessengard. He said he could no longer stay in Ether because the First Prince was plotting against his life. And he also claimed that the attempt to kill you was the First Prince's doing."
After moving Callion here, Erna met Vanessa separately. She also heard why she was with Ruben and what they talked about.
Vanessa said that Ruben Ether came to see her early this morning. She also said he applied for asylum. Apparently, during their conversation, he mentioned that the Grand Duke's castle's protective magic had weakened. Ruben claims that the First Prince is responsible.
Erna recalled the sight of Vanessa reporting to her with a stern face. She appeared extremely furious about the situation. However, Vanessa is a seasoned politician. It would not be difficult for her to feign such an expression.
Erna continued to explain to Callion the other matters and things she had found out.
Then, Erna also spoke about the new protective magic she had cast at the Grand Duke's castle.
“I made this in a hurry. I had been thinking for a while that I needed to create something new, so I had actually designed it a few times. That is why I was able to build it right away, but... since it was made temporarily, I have to rebuild it. There are sloppy parts here and there. Most of all, I’ll have to fix the part that prevents anyone other than myself from using magic.”
“Why?”
“Why? What are you supposed to do after I die? I can’t just keep letting no one use magic here forever after that.”
"Who cares?"
Callion buried his face in Erna's shoulder. In between talking, Erna gave him water several times. Thanks to her, he was no longer thirsty.
“I don’t care what happens to Hessengard after you die.”
Still feeling the stinging in his throat, Callion thought it was actually for the best. What would have happened if the poison had targeted Erna? Even if the poison was too weak to be fatal, the pain was terrible.
Erna hates being in pain. Even a slight squeeze leaves a handprint, and the day after sleeping with him, she groans in pain.
If Erna had actually eaten the poison he swallowed, would she have been able to endure it?
Then Erna spoke to him as if scolding him.
“No. Please take care.”
"Why me."
She thought he would be happy, so she wondered why he was looking so serious. However, Callion really couldn't tell what would remain in Hessengard without Erna now.
“That’s it...”
Erna hesitated, then whispered in his ear as if she were shy.
"You and my child have to keep living here."
At those words, Callion hugged Erna.
He thought it was fortunate that he ate it.
It would have been better for him to just get sick again than for Erna to go through this pain.
Ten years ago, the young Grand Dukes who had glared at each other while crying across the bed were now comforting each other while embracing on that very bed.
Thinking how fortunate I am that I can suffer in your place, and thinking how fortunate I am that I can protect you.
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