Chapter 228
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 228
No, to be more precise, that burning lump of heat had latched onto me. Since Ferdinand, now a boy, was smaller than me, it was only natural.
“…….”
So.
“…….”
That must have been when I froze as stiff as a board.
“I mean, why did you just take someone else’s divine power without asking…?”
The boy’s melodic voice, laced with a sigh, made me feel even more embarrassed.
Only then did I realize that this action of Ferdinand’s was his way of reclaiming his divine power.
But regardless, Ferdinand was still another person.
Even if he looked like a child, how could it not be awkward when a stranger suddenly burrowed into your arms?
Unable to bear this unnatural silence, I finally spoke up.
“It’s not like I did it on purpose.”
“So, are you saying it’s my fault?”
“Then is it my fault?”
“My Lady…”
Ferdinand let out a low sigh.
“You have no idea how many times I almost died searching for you… You certainly have a way with harsh words.”
“…What?”
For a moment, I faltered.
But thinking back, it didn't seem like a lie. When Ferdinand had rescued me, his clothes had been so drenched in blood it looked as if someone had dumped a bucket of it over him.
‘…So that was all from looking for me?’
“Are you hurt anywhere else?”
“No.”
Ferdinand furrowed his brow.
“When are you going to start speaking more comfortably?”
“Pardon?”
“You’ve been titled a Grand Princess. Haven’t you learned that the rank of a Grand Princess and a Crown Prince aren't that far apart?”
“Well, yes. I suppose so…?”
I hesitated in a strange fit of bashfulness before trying to adjust my speech to be a bit more ‘comfortable.’
“You said you almost… I mean, you almost died…?”
But since that was the question that popped out…
Ferdinand, however, didn't seem to mind.
“Yeah. That’s why I’m covered in scratches. My neck and shoulders. If things had gone wrong, my eyes would’ve been gouged out, too.”
Ferdinand continued slowly.
“Anyway, it’s better than you dying…”
“…….”
They say people delirious with fever often talk nonsense, and that was exactly how Ferdinand seemed right now.
“Don’t be sick.”
“Okay.”
“And take back your divine power quickly.”
“I will.”
Ferdinand’s body felt incredibly hot as he murmured. If his body heat felt this scorching even through the fabric of our clothes, how much pain must he be in?
“Why do you have a fever?”
“Because of… the divine power side effects.”
“You said you always suffered from side effects because of your divine power when you were young.”
“…How do you know that?”
Ferdinand’s voice was slower and quieter than usual. To a casual listener, it might have sounded like the mumbles of someone drunk on sleep. His voice was languid overall.
“The Grand Ducal House must have unnecessarily good information networks…”
‘I saw it while playing The Milk Bread.’
Then again, Ferdinand wasn't entirely wrong. It was true that I knew an unnecessarily large amount because I had played the game so many times.
I muttered to myself and asked the fireball nestled in my arms.
“Then did it always hurt like this when you were a child?”
“…….”
“Did it hurt?”
“Not every day. About once every two days.”
“…….”
“And this doesn't even count as being sick, so stay out of it…”
As he said that, Ferdinand burrowed deeper into my arms, causing my hands—which had been hovering awkwardly in the air—to tighten around him.
‘Then just how much did it hurt back then?’
“How long will it take for you to get better?”
“I don’t know. It shouldn't take long.”
“Once you’re all better, we’ll have to stay apart.”
Ferdinand’s voice, which had been as hazy as a moon shrouded in fog, suddenly became clear.
“Why?”
However, from my perspective, his mind didn't seem to have cleared up. What did he mean, why? Obviously…
“You’re hurting because I took your divine power, right? But you said you don’t even know how I took it.”
“I told you earlier.”
Ferdinand’s stiffened body relaxed again. Since he was pressed right against me, I could feel the change vividly.
“I said this doesn't even count as being sick…”
His words sounded very strange.
Whether it hurt or not—was he saying he was going to keep sticking to me regardless?
‘The quest clearly confirmed that he received a deep wound from me. So why?’
It was strange.
Even though I had hurt him, Ferdinand…
Does he like me?
Did this boy even like me that much to begin with?
…Since when?
I felt a strange sensation, like someone encountering a spring flower blooming in the middle of a snowfield.
I wanted to check Ferdinand’s favorability right then and there, but I hesitated.
‘Wouldn't it be more accurate to check once Ferdinand is all better?’
Anyway, if he stays stuck to me like this for a few days, his favorability isn't likely to drop unless I literally kick him away.
‘If anything, it’ll probably go up a bit more, right?’
Hoping it would go up a lot, I looked down at Ferdinand. This beautiful boy, who always seemed to look down on the world with a cold gaze, had closed his eyes before I knew it.
Even in his sleep, he was holding me tight.
I understood that this was the method for taking back divine power, but…
‘This is a bit awkward.’
Eventually, I too slowly drifted off to sleep.
* * *
Several days passed after that.
The Temple grew noisier by the day. It was because the various kingdoms, led by the Empire, were in an uproar over this incident.
Numerous royals, nobles, and wealthy merchants visited, and naturally, Grandfather came as well.
However, after whatever conversation Grandfather had with Father, he tried to take only me and return home immediately.
‘I’m glad I managed to come up with a good excuse.’
I wondered what kind of conversation Grandfather had with Father to make his expression turn so sour.
‘And I was right there and heard the whole thing, too.’
To my ears, it sounded like just a few lines of casual conversation, but Grandfather’s face had turned icy in an instant.
“Tulia. Let’s go back with your grandfather first.”
“Pardon? When?”
“I mean let’s go back right this instant.”
“What about Father and my brothers?”
“Tell those rascals to clean up the mess here and come back slowly. You have no idea how much Adel is worrying about you right now. So, it would be best if we head back first.”
I almost gave in at the mention of Adel, but I was someone who had spent my time bowing low to match Grandfather’s moods.
So, I could tell immediately. Grandfather judged this place to be very dangerous right now.
He probably intended to give me the details once we returned to the mansion.
‘This is the Grand Temple, after all.’
Of course, I also wanted to return to my familiar and comfortable home as soon as possible.
However, there was one small problem!
‘Ferdinand is still in his boy form…!’
He still hadn't made a public appearance. If it were discovered that he had reverted to a child, things would get complicated in all sorts of ways.
‘In a situation like that, if I just up and leave?’
My conscience wouldn't allow it. After all, Ferdinand had saved me.
In the end, I managed to stay by persuading Grandfather with every excuse I could find, including the dignity I had to maintain as a Grand Princess.
That night.
It was funny what a few days could do; now it felt almost natural for Ferdinand to come to my bedroom once it got dark.
Starting yesterday, I had even stopped wearing the shawl I used to wrap myself in all night. Feeling "natural" meant I no longer felt he was a threat.
To be honest, sleeping wrapped in a thick shawl was quite stifling.
“Ferdinand.”
I asked, feeling Ferdinand’s abnormally high body heat again today.
“What do you do during the day?”
“I stay in my bedroom. Or in the connected study.”
“Do the priests know you’ve become this young?”
“They probably don’t. I told them not to enter.”
I asked back, puzzled.
“Even though four days have already passed? Is it possible for the priests to never enter or run into you even once?”
“It doesn't matter. My being like this is because of divine power in the first place.”
“Well… that’s true.”
Ferdinand murmured in a tired voice.
“If I tell them not to come, they shouldn't come… What else can they do?”
“…….”
Another peculiarity I had noticed over the past few days.
Perhaps because he was suffering from the side effects, Ferdinand revealed his emotions a bit more loosely than usual.
Thanks to that, I could tell even now.
A faint sense of love-hate was bleeding through Ferdinand’s voice as he spoke of divine power.
‘Is it natural, since he was abused for a long time in his boy form?’
Ferdinand’s body felt like a fireball again today. No, wait, does he feel even hotter than usual…?
Suddenly, I wondered if he was actually recovering his divine power properly.
The moment I reached out to feel Ferdinand’s forehead.
“Ferdinand?”
He caught my hand.
“…What are you doing?”
“Your body feels hotter than usual. But it’s too dark to see well.”
Since I was corrected every time I used the title ‘Your Highness,’ I now called Ferdinand by various other terms.
Regardless, it was true that Ferdinand’s body was hotter than usual, so I was slightly worried.
‘Even if it’s because of the divine power side effects, it’s abnormally high.’
If a high fever isn't brought down in time, it causes various problems for the body.
For example, the brain could be damaged, and he could become an idiot…
‘Then who would rule the country?’
I jumped up from my seat. If it was a minor problem.
“…Let go for a second. Ferdinand.”
“Where are you going? To the bathroom?”
“No!”
I pushed away Ferdinand, who had slid up with me.
“Where are you going then?”
“To make a cold compress. Just a moment.”
Who on earth would believe it?
That Ferdinand, that cold and frigid Crown Prince, had become such a clingy piece of gum that he wouldn't leave my side.