“Mama!”
“Lina, how do you feel?
Are you alright?”
The moment she saw Caelis standing there, a cold dread twisted inside Lina.
The man who had tortured the person she considered her brother…
Her throat tightened, her gaze darted to the floor, unable to meet his eyes.
“What happened…?” she asked softly, forcing her tone to remain steady even as anxiety prickled beneath her skin.
“Claude tried to wake you,” Caelis replied quietly.
“He came to find me in tears.
He said your body was freezing… and that you weren’t breathing.”
It was not unusual for a sword master like her.
Whenever a sword master was seriously injured and wished to conceal their sword aura, they would hold their breath and use their remaining spiritual power to slow their blood flow and breathing.
In this way, no one would be able to track or sense their sword aura.
In Lina’s case, she was not seriously injured—but nearly all of her spiritual power and mana had been completely drained.
Being in a dungeon filled with mana-restricting runes had made her condition even worse.
She had summoned Phoebe—a high-level contract beast—which alone required a tremendous amount of mana to manifest in the real world.
On top of that, she had to channel even more mana to activate the long-distance teleportation array.
As if that weren’t enough, she forced her weakened body to execute the Eternal Moon sword technique.
Although she had managed to buy time by eliminating the guards surrounding the prison, the act had severely damaged her internal energy.
Fortunately, she managed to escape before the nobles or the warden arrived.
Once she returned to her room and donned her disguise once more, Lina collapsed onto the bed, completely exhausted.
Seeing the worry etched across Caelis’s face, Lina felt a faint sense of reassurance that her disguise was still intact.
“I’m fine.
Aren’t I conscious now?” Lina tried to sit up, though her head still felt unbearably heavy.
She gently pushed Caelis’s hand away as he attempted to support her.
“Lina?”
“Sorry.
I can manage on my own.” She immediately realized her mistake.
She should have let him help her—but her emotions were still unstable.
The anger she felt toward the North for what they had done to Reinhard had not yet faded.
Keeping her expression neutral—free from any trace of hatred—was already a miracle.
She feared that if he touched her any longer, she might lose control entirely.
“Mama… are you really okay?” Claude’s golden eyes shimmered with tears, instantly melting Lina’s hardened heart.
“Hm.
I’m sorry for making you worry.” Lina pulled her son into a tight embrace, silently scolding herself.
She had been reckless.
Her preparations to rescue Reinhard had been far too insufficient.
If it hadn’t been for the fragment of Phoebe’s essence remaining within her, she might not have recovered so quickly.
Worse still, Caelis and Claude might have believed she had died… and even held a funeral for her.
“I promise I won’t get sick again.”
“Mama… from now on, I’ll always sleep with you.”
Lina let out a soft chuckle.
“Do you feel guilty for not being with me last night?
I did miss you, but that’s not the reason.” She gently stroked Claude’s head, her smile warm yet faintly tired.
I forgot to wear warm clothes, so I caught a chill from the night air.”
Claude wiped his tears roughly with his sleeve.
“Mama, how could you forget to wear thick clothes?
You always scold me when I forget.”
“I’m sorry.
I won’t forget again.”
After freshening up, Lina headed to the dining room to have lunch with her son.
However, instead of Claude, she found Caelis waiting for her.
“Sit.
I’ve already instructed the chef to prepare something nutritious for you.”
Lina was not yet ready to face him—not after what she had seen in the dungeon.
But she had no choice.
There were things she needed to discuss.
Caelis pulled out a chair for her before taking his seat across from her.
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
“There’s no need to be so reserved.
May I ask you something?”
Lina’s body tensed instinctively.
Was he about to question her about last night?
“Of course, Your Grace,” she replied carefully, her mind already searching for an answer that would not arouse suspicion.
“May I accompany you for a walk the next time you can’t sleep?”
Lina blinked, stunned.
“W-What?
You… want to accompany me?”
“If you don’t mind.”
Not wanting to raise suspicion, or worse, provoke his displeasure, Lina nodded slowly.
Deep down, however, she made a silent vow.
She would never wander outside at night again.
“Thank you.” Caelis’s smile was genuine—too genuine.
For a brief moment, Lina’s heart fluttered.
But just as quickly, that feeling froze over as the image of Reinhard’s battered body resurfaced in her mind.
“Lina,” Caelis continued, “a boutique madam will be arriving soon.
She will prepare your wedding dress.”
Lina’s brows knitted together.
Only now did the weight of reality settle upon her—she was truly going to marry this man.
A quiet sense of regret began to creep into her heart.
“Your Grace… do we really need to hold a wedding ceremony?” she asked.
“Everyone already believes I am your concubine, and that Claude is your rightful heir.
Isn’t that enough?”
“The one who inherits my position must be born of my lawful wife,” Caelis replied calmly.
“If you are not my wife, others will covet that position.
By then, Claude may not be able to secure his place.”
That was exactly what Lina feared.
But if Claude became the future ruler, she would become nothing more than a fugitive who had abducted the heir.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
How could she end this contract without raising suspicion?
If Caelis ever chose to use Claude against her—
No.
Fortunately, Elric was still by Claude’s side.
If necessary, the fox could take him away at any moment.
“Lina,” Caelis said softly, “is there something that troubles you?”
“Yes?”
“Why have you suddenly changed your mind?”
Lina lowered her gaze.
She could not tell him the truth.
If Caelis discovered her identity… There would be no turning back.
She did not fear him.
What she feared was whether his hatred for the White Calamity would fall upon her innocent child.
For the first time, Lina truly regretted coming to the North.
And yet, only Caelis could save Claude.
Across from her, Caelis exhaled quietly, recalling Elric’s warning.
It won’t be easy to win her heart.
He understood why.
There was a possibility that Lina still loved his brother.
But the woman, whether intentionally or not, constantly weakened his resolve.
He had tried to restrain himself, refusing to touch or claim what had once belonged to his brother.
But now that he wished to take a step forward… She stepped back.
No.
He would not give up.
“Very well,” Caelis said at last.
“We can forgo the ceremony.
But you will still be crowned Grand Duchess—my lawful wife.”
Lina frowned, clearly dissatisfied.
“Your Grace, how long will it take to remove Claude’s black scales?”
Caelis knew she had deliberately avoided his question.
Still, he answered patiently.
“It depends on how deeply the impure energy has eroded his core.
At best, three years—if he continuously absorbs the pure cold energy here.
At worst… ten.”
Three years!?
It was far too long.
“I understand.”
Lina rose to her feet, intending to leave, but Caelis reached out and stopped her.
“You haven’t touched your food.”
“I’m not hungry.” Lina gave a slight bow.
“Have a good day, Your Grace.”