Chapter 24

“You must feed him the medicine and come right down.”

I nodded to Heros and gripped the rope he had set up for me.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be done quickly.”

As Heros pulled the rope from the other side, I felt myself being hoisted upward like a pulley.

‘Feels like a thief.’

Since I had to move unseen, I wore a black outfit and a mask covering my nose.

In my pocket was a bottle containing a drug potent enough to counter poison.

‘I went to great lengths to get this.’

If I hadn’t taken over a relative’s pharmaceutical connections, it would have been nearly impossible to obtain this rare antidote, no matter how much money I offered.

I recalled the information Heros had shared with me.

– According to the doctor who treated Etias, the poison paralyzed him from the wounds and would eventually stop his breathing. The doctor said he had no way to save him.

‘I don’t know which bastard dared to harm my Etie, but I’ll kill him myself.’

Soon I reached the second floor window where Etias was resting. I opened it quietly and slipped inside.

It was well past midnight. No one was around, and the room was dark except for the faint light of the moon that illuminated Etias, pale and motionless on the bed.

“…Ah.”

The sight of his black hair, faintly blue in the moonlight, and long lashes casting deep shadows upon his pale skin made my heart ache.

I drew closer, almost spellbound.

‘I like seeing you, but not like this.’

With a faint sigh and a stir in my purple eyes, I felt a wave of emotion.

Why was it so hard to wish for the well‑being of my favorite character? Others possessed in books get to flirt with their favorite characters, living happily ever after…

“…”

A part of Etias’s upper body was exposed, wrapped in bandages. His shoulders were broad like those of a male lead from a comic, faintly sickly but well-defined.

As I glanced down, I drew a sharp breath and pulled the blanket higher, covering him properly.

Then I took out the bottle from my pocket.

Carefully removing the stopper, I gently pried Etias’s lips open with one hand and tilted the bottle with the other.

The medicine trickled into his mouth slowly. I watched as his throat rose and fell.

“Get better soon, Etie,” I whispered softly.

According to the supplier, this was the best antidote available — one that could neutralize any poison used on a blade. If this didn’t work, I would drag that dealer to hell and make him find something that did.

I hoped this was enough. I hoped Etias wouldn’t have to suffer anymore.

“…”

The last drop of the medicine passed through his lips.

I straightened, put the empty bottle back in my pocket, and watched as he lay unconscious.

It was time to go.

‘But before that…’

I leaned down slightly and brushed my hand across his cheek.

‘Get well soon.’

I hoped with all my heart as I caressed him softly.

‘Just like that scar on your cheek disappeared… I hope this pain goes away too.’

My favorite person — one I cherished too much to bear seeing him like this.

Just as I started to rise, Etias’s hand shot out like lightning and seized my arm.

“…!”

I was too shocked to react before I was pulled down. My back hit the bed, and I found myself looking up at Etias.

“…”

He was leaning over me, burning crimson eyes locking with mine.

‘What? The medicine worked this quickly?’

My heart sank with dismay, but pressed down by Etias, I could do nothing except pant and stare.

With him shirtless, every inch of muscle pressed against me, it was impossible to move.

“…You.”

With a voice like burning coal, Etias spoke, crimson lips parting slightly. His sharp brows were furrowed, and a shadow lined the space between them.

“Those purple eyes.”

Even in the dark, he was able to recognize the color of my eyes. A chill went down my spine.

“…I know.”

I wondered how, in fiction, disguises worked so easily, yet here, reality refused to follow suit.

With that piercing stare and those vivid blue eyes, it felt like he could read right through me.

‘What now? What am I supposed to do?’

He mustn’t know that I was trying to help him.

But Etias lifted one hand from where it was pressing down my shoulder and slowly brought it towards my face.

‘No, no!’

Just as I felt the hand nearing the mask…

“Ugh…”

He suddenly clenched a hand to his temple, a pained sound escaping him.

“Grrgh…”

A sharp wave of agony surged through him.

Although part of me desperately wanted to ask if he was alright, I refused to be stupid enough to miss my chance.

With one quick move, I rolled out from under him and jumped off the bed.

Then I dashed towards the window.

“Guh…”

Etias stretched out a hand towards me, wobbling as he pressed a hand to his temple.

Of course. He had been on death’s door for days. Even after taking the antidote, recovery wouldn’t be instantaneous.

Rest well tonight, Etie. Let all those wandering thoughts go.

With that, I signaled Heros from above by tugging the rope twice. Slowly, my body was lowered down until I landed safely on the ground.

Only then did I exhale in relief.

“Did you do it, my lady?”

I nodded at Heros. “Yes.”

Then I glanced back at the second floor, at Etias’s window.

He didn’t poke his head out.

“Let’s go back.”

The next morning, Etias furrowed his brows as he pushed himself up from bed.

He was aware he had been bedridden for days. Memories surfaced of the doctor telling him how grim the prognosis was.

But now, as he tested his body, he felt no hindrance. The deep gash was still wrapped in bandages, but it no longer pained him.

“…”

Although fatigue pulled at him, his consciousness was sharp and clear, no longer plagued by nightmarish confusion.

Except…

“…”

Etias pressed a hand to his forehead.

Among those dark dreams, one felt too vivid to dismiss.

A soft hand brushing across him.

A faint, wavering gaze looking down upon him.

“…Purple.”

The word slipped out of his mouth like a whisper.

He remembered those eyes. Not in the way he knew them, but a different kind of emotion — longing, worry, shy vulnerability.

A woman he knew could never wear such an expression.

With a furrowed brow, Etias sank deeper into thought.

Then, glancing down towards the sheets covering his waist, he clicked his tongue sharply.

“Damn it… Seems like I’m fully recovered after all.”