HBWnovel Chapter 198
Chapter 198
Chapter 198
‘It’s a strange ceiling.’
Ivan woke up amidst a headache and thirst. The monotonous sound of the fireplace burning was heard nearby.
His assessment of the situation was swift, as always. He had fainted on Kalion’s ship, and waking up under silk blankets indicated that it was not a hostile environment.
His limbs were intact, and his bodily functions were...
‘Almost normal.’
Despite pushing himself to the limit, his body was functioning normally. However, he did not sense any divine power. It was hard to determine whether this was temporary or if it had vanished forever.
He needed to meet the saint. He had to call Eugene to organize the information gathered so far, report to Elizaveta, and check the training status of the members of the Hero Party.
There was a mountain of tasks to handle. The most crucial thing was to ascertain where he was. That was the first step.
‘Krasilov.’
He realized it immediately upon sitting up. The scenery outside the window and the architectural style were close to that of Krasilov. In fact, the smell of the air made it somewhat predictable.
If that was the case, it meant he had been safely escorted to Krasilov, but why was he waking up in an unfamiliar bed instead of in a infirmary? How much time had passed?
What about the risk of conflict with Kalion? What was the result of the Privy Council’s decisions?
He needed the cooperation of Edelplat.
“...?”
As Ivan sorted through these thoughts, he pushed the blankets away and got out of bed. His body felt light. Looking down, he noticed that he was missing all clothes except for his underwear.
There were no signs of injury on the bare skin of his upper body. Only scars filled like shattered glass.
Estimating the time lost by the muscle mass, it seemed to be around two to three weeks. His nutritional state appeared nearly perfect, but it was judged to be a loss of muscle due to inactivity.
Ivan slowly turned his head toward the bed he had woken from.
Then, he stiffened as he discovered a smooth silver-haired person with their hair messily scattered, curled up in the blankets.
“Oh.”
Goodness.
The silk blankets and each piece of furniture were luxurious enough to exceed the total cost of maintaining his orphanage for a year, thus indicating nobility.
Among the nobles, it could be limited to those from the “Princess Faction” who would care for him instead of killing him.
Among those nobles, the only woman with silver hair around a height of approximately 165 cm.
There was only one such person in Krasilov.
“I need to get dressed.”
He couldn’t seem to form coherent thoughts into sentences. With a stiff expression, he quickly scanned his surroundings. To his surprise, there was nothing that could be classified as clothing inside this chamber.
Sadly, the rational thought came first. It was reasonable to undress an unconscious patient for cleanliness and care.
The clothes he was wearing were tattered rags from days of relentless battle. Given the location, it was natural that they should have been discarded.
Moreover, if this was “her” chamber, it was entirely reasonable that there wouldn’t be men’s clothes. In fact, there likely wouldn’t even be women’s clothes. Servants would be on standby in the wardrobe, ready to fetch garments at all hours.
So, while it was rational, it was also unreasonable.
“Hmm...”
“...!!”
Ivan’s hearing sharpened. He felt the woman curled up on the bed slowly rising. He could hear her heartbeat gradually quickening.
Soon, the woman sat up disheveled and looked at him with vacant eyes.
“...Banka.”
The woman playfully pulled the bed cover over her chest and smiled sleepily. Even without makeup, her face sparkled in the rosy glow of the fireplace.
“Have you finally woken up? You were such a sleepyhead.”
“Your Majesty.”
“Your Majesty.”
Elizaveta raised a hand to gracefully sweep her hair back and tie it up.
“I am Elizaveta I.”
“Congratulations, Your Majesty.”
“Your merit is great. I worried deeply about how to reward you, and in the end, I decided to give you the greatest treasure of this country.”
“I didn’t do it for a reward.”
“But what can I do? I want to give it to you.”
“...”
Ivan stiffened his expression and looked around again. Even though he could hear their conversation, the officers outside did not move. He could sense their presence distinctly.
“Come closer.”
“That would be against etiquette.”
“Do the laws of this country take precedence over me?”
Silently, Ivan stood before her. His long shadow was cast over Elizaveta’s head.
Considering what the Great King had bestowed upon him, she should have been a person to marry the most excellent man in this country... no, in this world, and live the happiest life.
But how does he compare to her?
A peasant, a conscript, devoid of property, fame, or titles. Inept at politics and unable to adapt to peace.
Each night, he dreams nightmares filled with guilt and indebtedness, his mind trapped in panic as he sees the faces of the dead comrades.
He is a broken person. One who cannot bring happiness to anyone, nor has the confidence to do so.
Just a foreigner desperately wanting to return home, yet ultimately giving up that hope, waiting to die.
Does he deserve to love someone, to be loved in return?
No. I can say for certain that his fate is closer to killing someone. An enemy or ally alike.
“I am a broken person.”
Truly.
At Ivan’s low voice, Elizaveta looked up at him with a sad smile.
“Is there anyone unbroken in this broken world?”
“...”
“But I will not say you are broken. It is all of us who are.”
Not broken, but merely lacking in various ways.
So.
“Just as there are paintings that become complete through filling in the gaps.”
I am just one of the inadequate people too.
“I will complete the scripture. So please, complete me as well.”
“Elize.”
“Shh.”
Elizaveta reached out and brushed Ivan’s lips.
Her hand slowly moved, touching Ivan’s dry cheek as if caressing fragile porcelain.
“If you’re not going to push me away, it’s rude to speak now.”
Looking down at the cautiously approaching Elizaveta, Ivan sighed and closed his eyes. A soft touch moistened his lips, and a hot breath tickled the tip of his nose.
*
“Let me out! Lawyer!! I will call a lawyer!!”
“There are no such customs in Krasilov.”
“This barbaric military state!!”
“You should be grateful to the constitution of this country that you haven’t been executed, considering you attempted to trespass into the palace more than 15 times in the past three weeks.”
Isabelle glared at the soldier’s back, who replied bluntly and left, letting out a big sigh as she buried her head between her knees.
“I told you to approach more amicably.”
“Be quiet, you elf.”
“Anyway.”
“Aren’t you in a hurry? What’s happening over there... It’s been three weeks. Three weeks! What can possibly be done from where to where in three weeks...!”
“Get lost, Ecdysis, your lewdness is contagious.”
Elpheira arrogantly laughed, pushing the agitated Ecdysis away.
“In the end, I’ll be the only one left anyway, so what’s the rush?”
“...?”
“Humans die quickly. I’m not telling you to die now, so don’t feel too bad.”
“...Wow...?”
“Get out of our cage, you monster...!”
“Even if a dog wags its tail at someone else while searching for a snack, it will eventually return home.”
Isabelle and Ecdysis nodded simultaneously.
There isn’t a single adult argument that’s wrong.
When the paper is different, the mindset itself is bound to be different. Humans fundamentally cannot become intimate with elves. They’re all just crazy people.
Isabelle and Ecdysis turned their heads and again grabbed the bars tightly, starting to shout.
“Let us out!!”
“I’m going to tell my dad! Do you know who my dad is?!”
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