Chapter 49

As the towel fell from her forehead, Ririka opened her eyes.

“Are you awake?”

Turning her head, she saw Athil sitting propped up against the pillows piled on the headboard.

“Athil?”

She called out without realizing it, but no sound came out. Athil shook his head.

“Don’t speak. The royal physician said you shouldn’t speak for the next four days.”

Athil’s hand touched her forehead, and he tilted his head.

“It seems your fever has gone down.”

Bran, who had been wringing out a towel by the bed, came over and placed his hand on her neck, nodding.

“It seems her fever has completely gone down. Are you hungry? You should eat something to take your medicine.”

Ririka nodded.

“I’ll tell them to prepare some food.”

Bran said this and stepped back. Ririka looked around and then at Athil.

Even with just her lips, Athil understood her well.

“Bryne and Raub?”

“They are being interrogated.”

At Athil’s words, Ririka tried to sit up, but he pressed his finger firmly against her forehead to stop her.

“If they weren’t involved, they’ll be released safely. There’s no need to worry.”

“Mother?”

“Aunt is making a strong effort to recover.”

It’s probably best not to mention the harsh medicine she’s taking.

Ririka nodded. Athil sighed.

“Did you really get something from Barat? That guy must have done something.”

Ririka shook her head. No matter how she thought about it, they had only faced each other.

There were so many witnesses, weren’t there?

“Just by looking at you, he couldn’t have poisoned you. It’s really frustrating.”

Ririka firmly held his hand and gently tapped her chest.

I’m fine, I’m strong.

Athil’s expression clearly showed his dissatisfaction.

“Why you? His intentions were so obvious, it makes me angry.”

Among the group, he had clearly targeted the weakest.

Ririka tilted her head.

Was I really the target?

Reading her expression, Athil pulled her cheek.

“You shouldn’t have such a relaxed attitude. Anyway, right now there’s no guard, and no one else is here, so I’ll protect you.”

He casually showed her the shock pistol in his other hand.

Ririka’s eyes widened in surprise.

‘Why?’

Didn’t he say it wasn’t very useful for protection? Besides, if Athil had the same power as Abama, he wouldn’t need a gun.

Ririka thought of Fjord.

When he used the gun, it must have been because...

‘Am I actually in serious trouble?!!’

A shock hit her mind. Maybe this state is because I’ve been heavily sedated and poisoned beyond recovery?

So, so Athil is going to end it for me if I’m too sick?

As Ririka’s face turned pale, Athil was taken aback.

“What’s wrong? Are you okay? Should I call the royal physician—”

Ririka shook her head vigorously. Tears began to fall. Athil hesitated at her reaction. She grabbed him.

“What’s wrong? Where does it hurt?”

Ririka tried to speak, but her words were hard to read through her tears.

“What? If you’re in pain, I’ll call the royal physician.”

Ririka pointed at the gun. Athil lifted it and asked.

“The shock pistol? Why the gun?”

Frustrated, Ririka pulled his hand and placed it on her head.

“Princess!”

At that moment, someone yanked her back forcefully, and Athil’s hand hit her head a moment later.

“What are you doing! Don’t you know how dangerous a gun is?!”

Her tears stopped at the sudden situation. Ririka blinked, and when she turned, Bran was standing there with a stern face.

“What are you doing, Your Highness? Why did you bring the shock pistol? Even if it’s safe, don’t play with it like that.”

“I didn’t!” Athil protested, and Bran gently placed Ririka back on the bed. He handed her a slate.

“Since you can’t speak, this might be more convenient.”

Ririka wrote her theory on the slate and showed it to Athil, who looked bewildered, while Bran smiled kindly.

“Are you laughing?” Athil asked.

“No, it reminds me of when you were younger. Princess, you say you’re fine, but you’re in shock. That’s why you’re not thinking clearly. Your thoughts seem to be unusually negative.”

Bran spoke in a gentle voice. Ririka looked up at him.

“No one here wants to kill the princess. I was worried about how calm you seemed, but now I’m relieved to know you’re not.”

Bran’s words made Ririka blink in surprise.

‘Was I that shocked?’

To her, she felt fine...

‘Maybe I was.’

Athil recalled his first assassination threat. He remembered how he had claimed to remain calm but had been anything but.

It’s an embarrassing memory, but if I was like that, the kid must be worse.

“Ah, really.”

Athil grumbled and threw the shock pistol to Bran, who caught it skillfully.

“You shouldn’t throw it.”

“It’s fine.”

Saying this, Athil placed his hands under her armpits and lifted her.

“Come on, wrap your arms around me.”

Dazed, Ririka wrapped her arms around his neck. Athil held her and patted her back.

“There, there. You must have been scared, right? It’s okay. I’m here.”

In the middle of the night, after being threatened with assassination and trembling in bed, she had thought about how nice it would be if someone came to comfort her.

Athil, though awkwardly, gave her what he had wanted to receive but couldn’t.

Athil’s voice was awkward and gruff, but Ririka felt tears welling up.

Ever since coming to the palace, she keeps crying.

Here, no one minds if she cries, and they even gently wipe away her tears.

Ririka tightened her arms around his neck and let out a small sob.

After crying for a while, she felt even hungrier. Bran, who had brought soup, didn’t spill a drop even in this situation.

Admiring Solga’s skill, Ririka ate the soup he had brought. It was just the right temperature to eat.

Athil chuckled.

“Does it taste good? Can you see clearly? Can you see?”

With puffy eyes from crying, Ririka nodded and slowly put the soup in her mouth. The rich milk flavor filled her mouth.

Her spoon movements quickened.

Bran smiled contentedly. Having an appetite means she’s in good condition.

‘Still, though.’

The inside was quiet, but the outside was a whirlwind. The biggest problem was that they couldn’t find the source of the poison.

He should have been a suspect too, but since Athil, who drank the tea, was fine, he was released.

‘Bryne must be furious.’

Bryne, who was very protective of the princess, would undoubtedly be fuming, clenching his handkerchief.

He would be more angry about not being by her side than being interrogated as a suspect.

‘I hope Sir Raub is okay too.’

Although it’s concerning that the Emperor is personally questioning him.

‘He’s probably just trying to intimidate him.’

It’s obvious even without seeing his nature. Besides, Raub had experienced it once before. Thinking about that time, his palms were still sweating.

‘Well, Bryne will handle it.’

* * *

Bryne staggered out of the room. Clenching his jaw to stop his teeth from chattering was all he could do.

‘I, I was so scared!’

He thought he knew Takar, but knowing and experiencing it firsthand were completely different.

Totally.

Gripping his trembling hands tightly, a shadow loomed over him. Looking up, he saw Raub standing there.

‘Why are you standing there like a pole?’

He wanted to snap at him, but his voice was trembling, so he just glared.

“Are you okay?”

Raub’s gentle voice made Bryne clear his throat and reply.

“I’m fine.”

His voice didn’t come out sharp, but it didn’t tremble either, so Bryne lifted his head.

“Wolves think they have to protect anyone smaller than them, but I’m fine. You should worry about yourself. It’s your turn now.”

Raub nodded.

“You seem to be doing well.”

“!!”

At his sharp, almost defiant gaze, Raub nodded and entered the room.

“Really.”

His hands, which he had been holding tightly, no longer trembled. Grumbling, Bryne started to walk lightly.

Raub heard the receding footsteps just before the door closed.

Once the heavy door shut, there was no sound. This kind of space is a nightmare for wolves, who rely heavily on their senses.

On one side of the room, which had no natural light, Altair stood. His shirt was rolled up, revealing his arms, and a faint smell of blood lingered beyond the scent of soap.

In such a confined space, his sense of smell was even more acute.

Altair’s gaze slowly turned towards him. Simultaneously, a pressure crushed his entire body.

Raub gritted his teeth.

Even before the gaze fully landed on him, cold sweat started to trickle down. His instincts urged him to run, but there was no place to run in here.

If not, the only answer was to attack.

Their gazes met.

In the icy blue eyes, red pupils burned.

‘I’m going to die.’

Survival instinct surged with fear. Raub barely suppressed the urge to lunge forward. The gem on his necklace felt colder than ice. The heat that had been boiling in his blood drained away.

Standing there, trembling, the pressure suddenly vanished. Raub almost collapsed from the sudden relief.

Instead, he leaned against the wall, breathing heavily. Otherwise, he might have really fallen.

“Good that you didn’t attack. I don’t need a dog that bares its teeth.”

Altair came closer and tapped the gem with his fingertip.

“Because of the dog collar?”

“...”

Raub wanted to knock his hand away but held back. Seeing him endure the taunt, Altair chuckled and let go.

“Get out.”

“Pardon?”

Surprised, Raub asked, and Altair replied indifferently.

“Why? Are you expecting torture?”

The interrogation was surprisingly brief compared to the long wait and the paperwork.

Altair said,

“This will be fun to thoroughly search and pressure the Wolf family. So, did you plot to harm Ririka?”

“No.”

At his defiant, almost glaring response, Altair chuckled.

“Then that’s it.”

Feeling dazed, Raub left the room. Outside, Tan was waiting.