Chapter 32

I must really not be suited for cold places. Since earlier, my chest feels cold, and I’m experiencing a mild headache and dizziness. There’s also something sticky stuck in my throat, I guess? Anyway, it’s definitely not a good feeling. Once we arrive at the northern territory, I should find a doctor first. And since I’m not feeling well, I’ll have to bow and beg for permission to retire to the countryside.

“Your complexion has been bad for the past three days. Is something wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing. Just a mild headache. I guess I’m not used to the cold of the north.”

I thought saying this would make them send me back to my hometown immediately, but as always, reality is cruel.

“This is serious. Once we return to the territory, I’ll assign you an attending physician, so please rest assured.”

Is this the reincarnation of King Sejong? My fiancée, Lady Glacia, did not grant my request to retire to the countryside. What kind of evil boss does this?

“By the way, Lady Glacia, may I ask you a few questions?”

“Of course, if it’s something I can answer, I’ll answer anything.”

“When I ran away from the engagement ceremony… did Brother Melchior and Sister Melissa get very angry?”

I wanted to understand the situation with Glacia’s parents. Even if they were somewhat understanding, they must have been at least a little angry that I ran away after abandoning their daughter. If it were me, I’d chase someone to the ends of hell and tear them to pieces if they abandoned my daughter. Plus, in the game, those two were among the top two most hot-tempered people, so they’re probably plotting to kill me, right? Even if things work out later, meeting them might just kill me.

“No, my father and mother didn’t get angry at all.”

Huh? That can’t be. Aren’t they the ones who tore apart the mouth of someone who mocked their daughter as half-vampire and annihilated their family? But they forgave me after I abandoned their daughter? Or are they just pretending to forgive me in front of their daughter while plotting to kill me behind my back? Those two are definitely capable of that.

“Instead, they said this.”

“May I know what they said?”

Did they say they’d tear off that bastard’s lower body? Or chop his limbs into pieces? Whatever it was, it probably wasn’t anything good.

“My father said, ‘We didn’t realize the pain our youngest was carrying, and instead, we poured salt on his wounds.'”

“…What?”

That muscle-brained hell-raiser understood the pain Werner was going through at the time? Is that even possible? Glacia’s father, to put it nicely, is a warrior who values honor, and to put it bluntly, he’s a muscle-brained barbarian. He only respects strength and duty, not others’ emotions… and he understood Werner’s anguish that even Zick or Media couldn’t grasp?

“And my mother said, ‘We don’t want to hurt our youngest anymore, so we’ll stay out of this mess.'”

That’s so like her. Did she finally understand Werner’s struggles a little? It seems there were at least some people who understood. Werner’s only real confidant was his sorcerer friend, and even that relationship fell apart later.

“And they told me, ‘If you think of Lord Werner, put your feelings aside for now. Wait until his wounds heal.'”

But why the hell am I being dragged along? I haven’t fully recovered yet! If we’re talking HP, I’m still at around 40%!

“So I waited. For 12 long years.”

Couldn’t you have waited a bit longer? Like 30 years? Then I might have acknowledged that pure love.

“I knew you were with another woman, but I didn’t mind at all. Being with someone else might help heal your wounds. But little by little, a question began to grow in my heart.”

Glacia grabbed my chin. So tightly that I couldn’t even think of escaping. I was sure that if she applied just a little more force, my jaw would shatter. But scarier than her grip was the look in her eyes. A piercing gaze that felt like it could shoot beams and pierce through my head at any moment.

“Why can’t I be by Lord Werner’s side? I was also a young girl around the age of your disciple. Why did I have to endure, while she could stay by your side? No matter how I think about it… it’s unfair, isn’t it?”

Why the hell are you asking me this? I was just trying to sleep peacefully and live leisurely in my hometown, but I ended up stuck with annoying childcare. Who’s going to understand the struggles of Werner, who took care of that reckless brat? When Airi suddenly disappeared without a word, Werner thought she’d been kidnapped and hunted down all the local thugs to find her. And where was Airi? She had come back home and was sleeping while Werner was out looking for her.

“I can make sure no one ever looks down on Lord Werner again. If I were your wife, you could receive a title and become nobler than anyone.”

“But I…”

“My mother and father agreed to the marriage proposal for that reason. It wasn’t to tie you down.”

“…What did they say?”

Wasn’t the marriage proposal a plan by my brothers and sisters to keep Werner from disappearing suddenly? But what Glacia just said was completely unexpected.

“They were worried that Lord Werner was suffering because of his origins, that his genius was being overshadowed by his status.”

“…Brother and Sister never said anything like that. Every time we met, they just hit my back and told me to build more muscle.”

“What do you think the reason was for not bringing it up in front of Lord Werner?”

Ah, I see. They avoided mentioning it because Werner was sensitive about his status. It’s surprising that a muscle-brained hell-raiser and a vampire could understand people’s feelings so well. They’re the last people you’d expect to care about others’ emotions.

“So they agreed to the marriage proposal to give Lord Werner the backing of a family.”

“It seems Lady Glacia’s feelings were completely ignored.”

What kind of parents care only about the son-in-law’s situation when arranging their daughter’s marriage and ignore their daughter’s feelings? This isn’t the Joseon Dynasty where noblemen sent their daughters off to marry.

“No, I was the one who brought up the marriage proposal first.”

“Huh?”

“When I was six years old, I told my father and mother, ‘If I ever get married, it will be to Lord Werner, or I won’t marry at all.'”

So, at an age just one year older than Shin-chan, you declared who you’d marry? At the age when daughters are most adorable, you brought up such a topic. How much must they have wanted to kill me? If it were me, I’d have found him and blasted him with lightning magic dozens of times.

“I’ve loved you since then.”

As expected. I knew she had been in love since then, but…

“If you hate the idea of having me as your wife so much, if you hate the idea of being my husband so much, then I understand.”

“Glacia…”

It’s not that I hate Glacia. It’s just that my current situation is a bit ambiguous for marriage. I’m human too, and if I’ve hurt her this much… I’d be willing to marry out of a sense of duty. It’s just that it wouldn’t be now, but after resolving Airi’s issues.

“If your heart is set that way, then there’s only one solution.”

Yes, I’ll have to put those feelings aside for now. No matter how painful or agonizing, there’s only one way: ‘Keep living.’ That’s the only answer.

“If you don’t want to be my husband, then I’ll take you as my wife.”

“…What?”

I immediately wanted to go to the north and see what they’re eating there. I’m curious what they’re eating to come to such a conclusion. Not breaking off the engagement or postponing it, but switching roles? Whose idea was this?

“I’ve heard there are many forms of love.”

“That’s true, but…”

“So it’s fine if I become the husband and Lord Werner becomes the wife, right?”

That’s absolutely not fine. Is this some kind of female domination thing or what?

“*Huhu*, just kidding.”

“That’s a relief.”

For some reason, I’ve been feeling my headache getting worse since earlier. My chest feels strangely cold, and my body feels heavy, like soaked cotton.

“…Your complexion still looks bad. Let’s stop the carriage and rest for a while. We can talk about marriage later.”

The carriage stopped, and I stepped outside to get some fresh air. Even though I was wearing the fur coat Glacia gave me, the cold wind still pierced through my clothes. The cold air felt like it was stabbing my lungs. And my headache and throat discomfort had been getting worse.

Then, whatever was clogging my throat, unable to endure the imprisonment, attempted an escape through a cough.

Bright red blood scattered across the white snow, and I lost my balance and collapsed. Only then did I remember a little-known fact about magic-sealing devices. If a high-level mage wears one for too long, it’s disastrous.