Chapter 102

The unfamiliar ceiling.

It was a stark white ceiling of a hospital room that, despite showing signs of internal cleanliness, couldn’t shake off the disarray characteristic of a field hospital.

Why am I here?

That was the first thought that came to mind as soon as I regained consciousness and opened my eyes.

Not that it was particularly threatening, but when I was surrounded by the barbarian tribe, I had no thoughts other than wanting to take those two deep into enemy territory.

I remember up until I confronted my own father… no, Dominus, and exchanged blows with him. Even after feeling the difference between us again, I ended up on the ground after the fight.

“…How did I get here?”

It was such a spontaneous mutter because I couldn’t recall anything after that.

Precisely, after being hit in the chest by the Dominus’s hostile kick, struggling to breathe, and then hitting the cold floor.

All I could remember was that right after I fell, a thunderous voice called out to me from the sky.

“Ah.”

Asulin saved me.

As the situation before I lost consciousness suddenly flashed back, I reflexively tried to sit up from the bed.

“…Ugh!!”

A groan escaped involuntarily due to the excruciating pain from my upper body, specifically from moving my left shoulder to try and sit up.

It was fine when I lay still, but when I moved abruptly, it felt like the wounds I received during battle were reopening.

Only now did I feel an unnatural pressure on my upper body, so I looked down and saw thick bandages wrapped around my torso.

“Not a critical patient…”

Feeling embarrassed that even critical patients wouldn’t have bandages wrapped so tightly, I muttered to myself while checking my condition.

There were faint traces of blood on the bandage wrapped around my left shoulder where Dominus had stabbed me.

The pain was so intense that a moan escaped whenever I tried to use my left arm, so it made sense there would be blood stains on the bandage.

‘It seems the bleeding didn’t stop properly.’

When I was first stabbed by the enemy, even though the shock wasn’t as severe as the dizziness I felt when all strength left my body, the persistent pain in my shoulder and seeing blood seeping through multiple layers of bandages suggested it would take a long time for my left shoulder to heal.

Still, compared to almost dying, this was much better.

While organizing my thoughts, I also checked the state of my chest, which was violated by Dominus.

The pain had been so intense that it felt like a hole was punched in my chest, but upon examining it with my right hand, it seemed surprisingly good.

Even though I felt like my insides were shaken when my chest was kicked, not vomiting blood indicated they were intact.

After confirming that I hadn’t suffered too badly, a natural sense of relief welled up in my heart.

But it was overshadowed by the shame of being defeated by my own father who had hidden among the barbarians, only to appear and cause chaos.

And the bitter realization that I could only be grateful for surviving by someone else’s help, ending up in a hospital room in the fortress.

“Should I be content with just having hurt my shoulder…”

A soft sigh mixed with my self-directed words.

It was certainly much better than dying, but whether to call it embarrassment or frustration at my own powerlessness, the conflicting emotions stirred up.

My gaze was drawn by something that caught my eye.

At the corner of the bed, a striking color stood out amidst the all-white room.

It was a vivid blue wave amidst the white bandages, making everything look starkly different.

* * *

Behind the steady breathing, I noticed the gentle movement.

Wait, that’s not right.

I barely held onto my scattered senses.

“Asulin…”

I softly called the name of the person who had risked her life to save me and bring me here.

Worried about waking her if she heard my whisper, I called her name more carefully than before, but…

* * *

“…”

Her body twitched slightly at the sound of my voice.

Even in her sleep, her reaction to my voice brought a mix of tenderness and guilt for disturbing her.

* * *

As Asulin’s head slowly lifted from the bed, I felt both joy at seeing her and concern about her reaction.

‘Will she be angry?’

As her expression became visible, I worried she might show signs of anger.

I had been careful, but the thought crossed my mind that she must have been seriously hurt to walk so heavily instead of resting comfortably.

* * *

But as Asulin’s head rose completely and she looked at me fully awake, the worry quickly dissipated.

* * *

“Andy…”

Her voice, which should have been filled with resentment, instead trembled with barely suppressed sobs.

Seeing her face, swollen from crying and barely holding back tears, my relief turned to despair.

It would have been better to see her anger.

* * *

Her cheeks were sunken, and her eyes, although swollen, still glistened with unshed tears.

* * *

“Awake… really glad you’re awake… I thought you were in trouble… I’m so sorry I was late…”

Seeing Asulin apologizing and crying, bowing her head, made me feel a deep ache in my heart.

Even if she scolded me, it wouldn’t hurt as much as seeing her like this.

* * *

“Why is the one who did nothing apologizing to the one who did wrong?”

No matter how I thought about it, this was wrong.

The situation needed to change.

The one who did wrong should sincerely apologize to the one who suffered, and let their judgment decide the outcome.

Fortunately, I had learned how to comfort Asulin during our time together.

“Asulin…”

I gently called her name, trying to soothe her with an apology.

Asulin’s lowered head raised slowly, and our eyes met.

Closer now, I saw the truth in her sunken cheeks, and her green eyes, still glistening with tears, made me feel a deep ache.

* * *

But if I let my emotions out, it would strip Asulin of any rational judgment.

“I’m sorry… I made you suffer… I’m sorry.”

I managed to speak normally, and stretched my less painful right arm to pull her closer.

“Thank you… for worrying…”

Along with the necessary apology, I expressed gratitude for the care she provided, even sacrificing her rest.

* * *

Her body, trembling from anxiety, visibly calmed down with my words and embrace.

“…”

Though her lips remained silent, her breathing became rhythmic, like a lullaby.

* * *

After all, even though my shoulder and chest were injured, I didn’t feel like I had been unconscious for long.

Why was Asulin reacting as if she had seen a ghost when she saw me awake?

Ah, if the roles were reversed, I would probably have gone mad if she hadn’t regained consciousness for a day.

“You were asleep for ten days.”

Ten days… Ten days. She would react like this…

‘What?!’

Young and already losing my hearing? Ten days. Ten days without waking up. Your pretty wife, Asulin, didn’t even eat properly and took care of you.

* * *

The realization hit me hard.

* * *

“Being able to hear your voice again… I’m so happy…”

Hearing her voice, which I cherished deeply during our marriage, made me realize its importance.

Gently, I stroked Asulin’s head with my uninjured right hand.

* * *

“Andy… Andy…”

As Asulin burrowed into my embrace, calling my name endlessly, I felt overwhelmed with a sense of reward.

*