After receiving his coat, Roderick signaled the deputy commander with a nod.
Meanwhile, Noel checked on Diana.
The fever that had been raging subsided as soon as his small palm touched her cheek. Seeing her breathing stabilize, he checked the flow of magic in her body.
It seemed she had absorbed unstable magic, putting a strain on her body. Noel naturally turned his gaze to Roderick.
A man cursed terribly.
Though necessary for Diana, Noel didn't like him. He couldn't pinpoint it, but he felt displeased.
"What is it, kid?"
"Noel. Nuna needs to be moved to a warm place. It's going to rain soon."
A chilling wind blew, and dark clouds began to obscure the moon.
Awakening to the sound of rain, Diana opened her eyes. No pain. She always feared waking up to agony.
Right, she had died and come back. But who was that? The castle's owner had red eyes, a trait unique to the Beatus family in the empire.
Diana glanced around drowsily and then lifted her head.
Strong arms supported her limp body.
"Roderick?"
The man with sharp jawlines and an unreal appearance sat, holding her securely.
"Nuna!"
"Noel?"
As her focus sharpened, so did her consciousness.
"How are you here?"
"Nuna, are you feeling okay?"
"Yeah. I'm not in pain…"
Her body wouldn't move. Diana looked down at herself, sensing something odd.
"Uh, Roderick. What's this?"
He looked at her as if wondering what the problem was. She needed words to explain, not just looks.
She was wrapped in a blanket, coiled up like a newborn, nestled in Roderick's arms.
What in the world was happening? She needed an explanation! Just then, a dignified-looking man entered the cave, and their eyes met.
"Ah, you're awake, My Lady. I am Darren Lauf, the deputy commander of the Duverg Knights."
Right, since no one else was speaking, she had to ask this man.
"Um."
"Step outside."
"Yes, the tent setup is complete, and we plan to keep watch in shifts on our way back."
Diana watched the man leave obediently, then furrowed her brows.
"Roderick. What exactly is going on?"
"Yeah, since the lady is awake, let's hear an explanation. Why do I have to keep holding the lady?"
Diana clamped her mouth shut as she was repeatedly interrupted.
Roderick and Noel were glaring at each other as if in a silent battle.
"Your curse is needed by Nuna."
"…"
Noel, that's too brief. She needed a more detailed explanation.
"…I see."
He accepts that? Roderick, your madness is a secret curse, isn't it? The world knows it as a genetic disease. Isn't it strange for us to know this?
"So, that's why you clung to me so sinisterly?"
"When did I… Mmph!"
"Be quiet, will you. Lady."
Roderick, wearing black gloves, firmly grasped Diana's cheeks.
"Nuna is ill. She'll die without absorbing curses. And you'll die as your curse grows stronger."
"I can pass my curse onto someone else."
"But passing it to someone else won't make it disappear, will it?"
Roderick's lips curled up in amusement, albeit slight. Noel didn't miss this.
"So?"
"If you're with Nuna, you can eliminate your curse."
Ha. Roderick chuckled dismissively at this preposterous idea.
"You believe that? Lady."
Struggling, Diana freed her arms from the blanket and comfortably rested her head on his sturdy chest.
"I believe what I see."
"What?"
"I can see the magic leaving my body and the curse you're carrying."
"Is that a Beatus trait? So the kid is a wizard?"
"Yeah, you knew?"
"I saw the kid use healing magic on the lady."
Apparently not intending to hide it, Noel nodded.
Hmm, but Noel, have you gotten smaller? From five to three years old, or is it just my imagination?
Noel grinned, sensing her gaze.
"I heard what you said. At dawn, the lady and the young master will be escorted out of the Black Forest by Darren. After that, we'll arrange a carriage to the capital for you."
Diana sat up abruptly at his indifferent words.
"Did you listen to what I said?"
"So?"
"I mean, you need me, and I need you."
He tilted his head slightly and asked.
"Why would I?"
His blue eyes turned icy as if questioning why he'd ever let her in.
Search "seduced the doomed" at "redcatty . com" to read ahead chapters.