A Fainting Villain and a Flustered Lady
Renji dragged his feet through the grand halls of the Asakura estate, his body screaming in protest with every step. The duel with Leon had drained him completely—his muscles ached, his mind fogged, and every breath felt heavier than the last.
Damn... That guy doesn't hold back, he thought, barely keeping himself upright. I need to reach my room before I collapse in the middle of the hallway and embarrass myself.
But as he turned a corner, his tired eyes caught sight of someone standing beneath the dim glow of the chandelier.
"Liliana...?" he mumbled, blinking in surprise.
Liliana von Eldoria, his fiancée, stood with her arms crossed, her sharp eyes locked onto him. Her noble features were unreadable, but there was a faint blush on her cheeks. She took a step closer, her gaze scanning him from head to toe.
"You are not the Renji I know," she said, her voice carrying a mix of suspicion and intrigue. "The way you fought today... The way you moved... A person doesn't just change so drastically in such a short time."
Renji opened his mouth to respond, but exhaustion crashed down on him like a tidal wave. His vision blurred, and before he could say another word, his knees buckled.
"Wha—Renji!"
Liliana barely had time to react as his body fell against her, his head resting against her shoulder. She stiffened instantly, her face heating up in a deep shade of crimson.
"H-Hey! What's wrong with you?!" she stammered, struggling to keep him upright. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest as she supported his weight.
One of the passing servants gasped. "Lady Liliana, should I call for help?"
Liliana took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain composed. "No, I'll take care of him. Go and call the doctor immediately!"
The servant nodded and rushed away while Liliana carefully dragged Renji into his room, struggling under his weight.
Inside the lavish chamber, she gently laid him down on the bed, brushing a few strands of dark hair from his face. Her sharp eyes softened slightly as she looked at him—this Renji was nothing like the arrogant, self-centered noble she once knew.
She sat beside him, watching his slow, steady breathing. "Just what happened to you...?" she whispered.
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. The doctor entered hurriedly, his eyes widening at the sight of Renji sprawled across the bed.
"He just collapsed," Liliana explained, trying to maintain her composure. "Make sure he's alright."
The doctor performed a quick examination, pressing a hand against Renji's forehead and checking his pulse. After a few moments, he offered a reassuring smile.
"There's nothing to worry about, Lady Liliana. He simply collapsed from exhaustion. A little rest, and he'll be good as new."
Liliana sighed in relief, but her gaze lingered on Renji's peaceful face. "Good... That's good."
Once the doctor left, she stood up, smoothing out her dress. She turned to leave but hesitated at the door, glancing back at him.
"You're still an enigma, Renji Asakura," she murmured, a small smile tugging at her lips before she quietly exited the room.
As she closed the door behind her, Nyx peeked out from under Renji's robe, his tiny eyes glowing faintly. The little creature nestled closer to his master, letting out a soft growl of contentment.
Unbeknownst to Liliana, Renji, despite his exhaustion, had heard her words. A faint smile formed on his lips as he drifted into a deep sleep.
Looks like I'm making an impression.