EP.232 Collapse, Addiction #2
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“So… this is the method I use in such situations…”
The doctor, who had been discussing future science with Marcella, calmed her eyes.
Marcella then asked with a worried tone.
“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”
“No… it’s nothing… Sorry, but could you make me some coffee?”
“Of course.”
Marcella got up and turned on the coffee pot.
The doctor, who had been intently watching her back, tilted her head as a vague emotion rose in her chest.
‘Why is this happening…?’
Something feels off, but I can’t figure out what.
It felt like trying to search something on a portal site but forgetting the content and just typing random consonants and vowels.
As the doctor was feeling confused, Marcella, who had finished making the coffee, placed the cup down, snapping the doctor out of her thoughts.
“I’ll enjoy it.”
“Are you sure you’re okay? You seem deeply troubled…”
“I’m fine, thank you.”
Marcella, noticing the doctor’s forced smile, said cautiously.
“You must be feeling really stifled…? I’ll ask the queen if you can go for a walk.”
A walk… that’s what I wanted.
Right now, I desperately need some fresh air.
But will Sehwa allow it?
Yesterday, I showed a rebellious attitude. So, she might flat-out refuse.
“No… I’ll ask her myself later.”
“Alright. Are you hungry?”
Not really. The doctor was about to say but paused.
Strangely, she felt a craving for something warm.
Maybe it’s because the porridge yesterday was so delicious.
I ate three bowls, so I should be sick of it, but… maybe I’m having a strong craving due to morning sickness.
“I think I’m hungry, could I have some porridge?”
“Porridge? How about vegetable porridge?”
The porridge yesterday was chicken porridge.
The doctor cautiously asked.
“Can it be chicken porridge?”
“Of course. I’ll make it right away.”
As Marcella left the room, the doctor flopped onto the bed and covered her forehead with her arm.
After the shocking events yesterday, I should be feeling nauseous, but I’m not.
Maybe I’ve already adapted to life here.
I miss Jihyuk. What is he doing right now?
He said he’d be busy for a few days, but knowing he hasn’t contacted me, wouldn’t he try to find me?
But even after searching the Earth dozens of times using every method, I couldn’t find this place, so how could Jihyuk?
I have to escape on my own.
‘Jihyuk…’
Thinking of his face makes my body heat up.
I want to be held in Jihyuk’s strong chest. I want to share sweet love.
The doctor, who had naturally entered an excited state, was about to move her hand downward but stopped upon realizing there’s a camera.
I want to comfort myself… but I can’t because of that thing.
As she was lost in thought, Marcella came in with a tray.
The doctor, whose appetite had surged, quickly sat at the table.
Yes, I need to eat to plan my next move. Let’s stay strong.
Thinking so, the doctor thanked Marcella as she set down the tray and picked up the spoon.
The chicken porridge smelled much more savory than yesterday’s.
It’s obvious it’s delicious without even tasting it.
With expectant eyes, the doctor brought the porridge to her mouth,
“….?”
She slightly frowned.
It tasted completely different from yesterday’s.
It was tasty. But it lacked that unique taste of Sehwa’s porridge… that indescribable flavor.
Eventually, the doctor ate a few spoonfuls and put down the spoon.
“Does it not taste good…?”
Marcella asked with an anxious face.
The doctor shook her head with a smile.
“It’s delicious. But… suddenly my stomach feels uneasy…”
“Really…? Should I get you some digestive medicine?”
“No. Maybe it’s morning sickness making me picky. Sorry.”
“It’s okay. Would you like some fruit?”
“No, it’s fine. I just… want to rest a bit.”
“Alright. Then I’ll leave. Should I take the porridge?”
“Yes. Please do.”
Marcella nodded cheerfully, bowed, and left with the tray.
The doctor crawled back into bed and, feeling the room strangely cold, pulled the blanket over herself.
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“Doctor. Wake up.”
A gentle voice reached her ears.
The doctor’s eyes opened softly.
Slowly sitting up, she saw Sehwa beside her and rubbed her eyes, asking.
“Why…?”
“Marcella was worried. She said you only ate a few spoonfuls of porridge and stopped.”
“I lost my appetite… I’m not being punished for not eating, am I…?”
Sehwa smiled softly, reassuring the doctor.
“There’s no punishment.”
That’s a relief. I really didn’t want to press that switch again.
The relieved doctor said.
“Thank you… but why did you wake me?”
“It’s past 2 PM. You shouldn’t skip meals, especially since you’re pregnant. I was worried, so I brought lunch. Eat up.”
Today, Sehwa was really kind.
Just yesterday, she seemed like she’d be deceitful and violent.
I’m grateful for her care.
Come to think of it, there’s a savory smell in the room.
The smell I caught earlier. It was chicken porridge.
“Porridge again…? Can’t I have something else?”
Sehwa, holding the porridge bowl, turned and said.
“I made it myself, so at least try it.”
The doctor’s ears perked up.
If it’s Sehwa’s chicken porridge… I might taste that flavor.
“Alright…”
The doctor pushed the blanket aside and reached out.
Meaning to take the bowl. But Sehwa scooped the porridge and brought it near the doctor’s mouth.
“Say ‘ah’.”
“I, I can eat by myself…”
“Quickly.”
The doctor hesitated.
It felt demeaning, but if I don’t obey, I might get punished.
So, I should comply.
After sorting her thoughts, the doctor slightly opened her mouth, and as Sehwa fed her the porridge, she chewed.
Then, with a brightened expression, she looked at Sehwa.
She had tasted yesterday’s flavor.
“Delicious, right?”
“Yes… it’s really delicious…”
“It’s because I put my heart into it.”
This time, the doctor opened her mouth on her own.
At this natural action, Sehwa’s eyes curved into crescent moons.
Thus, the doctor silently began to eat the porridge.
When Sehwa paused as if to withhold the spoon, the doctor fidgeted impatiently.
Like a baby bird begging its mother for food.
Eventually, the doctor finished the porridge in this manner.
Not forgetting to savor the faint taste left in her mouth.
Watching this, Sehwa giggled and cleared the bowl, while the doctor made a desperate expression.
“Sehwa… can’t I have more?”
“I only made one serving.”
“Make more.”
“No. You just woke up, so eating too much will make you feel bloated.”
“Please… I’m hungry…”
“I said no.”
The doctor lowered her gaze.
If she says no, there’s nothing I can do. I must follow Sehwa’s orders.
That’s the only way to avoid punishment and protect Yuria.
I want to scrape the bowl clean, but I’ll resist… for Yuria’s sake.
As she thought this, Sehwa handed her a pink cup, snapping her out of her thoughts.
“Drink some water.”
“All of it?”
“That’s up to you.”
“Okay.”
The doctor took the cup and drank the water.
Perhaps because the porridge was so delicious, or maybe because the lingering taste remained, even the water felt pleasantly flavorful.
Finishing the water in an instant, the doctor forgot her dignity and licked the moisture inside the cup.
“You must have been very thirsty. There’s a water purifier, why didn’t you drink from it?”
“It’s not that, my throat feels blocked after eating…”
“I see.”
“Yeah. But… Sehwa. Can you… remove the camera in the room?”
“Why?”
“I feel like I’m being watched, it’s driving me crazy… If you’ve investigated me, you’d know…”
Sehwa cut in.
“You have a history of schizophrenia, right?”
“Yes…”
“I can’t remove the camera. You’re too smart, Doctor. You might take apart the electronics here and cause trouble.”
“That’s an exaggeration…! Why would I do something that could get me in big trouble? Besides, you and Marcella visit me every day. I won’t do anything…! Please…?”
The doctor almost pleaded emotionally.
Sehwa smiled sweetly and hugged the doctor.
In her cold embrace.
It should feel chilling, but strangely, it was warm.
Like a familiar blood relation… that kind of feeling.
“Sorry, Doctor. Not yet. But if you keep behaving well like today, I’ll seriously consider it.”
The doctor sighed slightly in disappointment and replied.
“Alright…”
The doctor, though not to the extent of using adverbs like ‘firmly,’ trusted Sehwa.
The resolve not to trust a demon’s words had vanished from her mind.
Moreover, the inhumane acts Sehwa had made her commit were forgotten for now.
Unaware of her own inner feelings, she was simply following the natural flow of consciousness.
Like when eating the porridge.
“I’ll tell Marcella to bring some books for you to read. Rest well today.”
Why is she being so affectionate today?
It feels like my mood is lifting.
“Thank you…”
Sehwa silently stroked the doctor’s cheek and left.
Sitting on the bed with a buoyant expression, the doctor pulled a strand of her hair and sniffed it.
Then, her face turned red from the musty smell rising from it.
I haven’t showered since being captured at the park, and after all the hardships, I must be drenched in sweat.
Sehwa must have smelled this, but she didn’t show it… how embarrassing.
The doctor rushed to the bathroom and showered.
Under the dim light, she cleaned her body with warm water and looked at her face in the small mirror on the sink.
Then, she tilted her head.
“….?”
Her skin seemed a bit paler.
Her lips were darker than usual, and her face seemed younger and smoother.
Is it because I haven’t seen the light? Or is it the lighting playing tricks?
Whatever the reason, it’s not bad. It feels beautiful.
With a refreshed face, the doctor left the bathroom and smiled brightly at Marcella, who was waiting with two books.
“You’re here?”
“Yes. I picked some books as per the queen’s orders. I thought books on future science might be boring or already read, so I brought novels. Is that okay?”
“Anything’s fine. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. And there’s good news.”
“Good news? What is it?”
“The queen really liked your attitude today. So, she said you can see Yuria.”
The doctor’s eyes widened twice their size.
“Really?”
“Really. But there are conditions. You must wear a blindfold and earplugs when going out. Also, Yuria is asleep, and you can only see her through the glass. Is that okay?”
Even with the conditions, just being able to see Yuria in person, to confirm she’s safe with my own eyes, is a huge gain.
It was worth behaving well for Sehwa!
I should continue to be obedient like this to receive more benefits.
“It’s fine. I want to see her right now.”