Only with Your Heart

Arde──Present

Just as Estabelle had predicted, Chizuru began to run a high fever as the night deepened, and by the time the sun started to dim the sky, her fever was dangerously high.

Nadal had gone back to his room soon after that.

Roan stayed by Lukrov’s side for a while. But when morning came, he left Chizuru’s room.

Throughout the whole time, Lukrov sat on the chair next to Chizuru’s bed with his strong back bent as he quietly watched her every move and every breath. If she began to sweat, he would wipe it off with a cool cloth. If she started to have nightmares from her high fever, he would gently stroke her cheek to calm her down.

During the whole time, Lukrov was quiet and did not say much, but when he saw Arde trying to take care of him, he told her to return to her family at dawn.

“No, Lukrov-sama. Chizuru-sama needs help now. Please let me stay here.”

When Arde pleaded, Lukrov looked at her blankly for a moment, then returned his gaze to Chizuru without saying a word. He probably didn’t have the energy to argue with her anymore.

So he made no further remarks.

On the top of the wooden shelf, there was a fever reducer that Estabelle had left behind. However,  it hadn’t taken effect yet.

Time passed frustratingly slowly, and even as the castle began to buzz with life in the morning, Chizuru’s room was as quiet as if it was isolated from its surroundings.

After going around the castle to get some more fresh cloths, Arde returned to Chizuru’s room and informed Lukrov, “I asked the cook to prepare a beef broth since the doctor said this is the best way to restore the lost blood.”

Lukrov raised his eyes for a moment but quickly turned his attention back to Chizuru and mumbled something briefly in an inaudible voice. Perhaps he was thanking her. Arde stopped overthinking Lukrov’s current behavior.

For fourteen years, his beloved, whom he had been seeking to meet even at the cost of his own soul, was on the brink of death in front of him.

It would be foolish to expect any form of courtesy or attention from Lukrov in such a situation.

In fact, it seemed that Lukrov was completely unaware of his surroundings.

Only when Arde called out to him or reached out to change Chizuru’s sheets did he seem to notice the maid’s presence, and that interest usually faded in an instant. As soon as he lost interest, they soon returned to a world revolving around Chizuru and Lukrov. 

Occasionally, the fever got the better of her, and she would ramble on in a faint voice.

Many of the words made absolutely no sense, but Lukrov treated each one as if it were a message from heaven.

At one point, Chizuru murmured sadly in a tearful voice, “No, please….”

Lukrov took Chizuru’s hand, kissed her fingertips softly again and again, and answered his lover in a low, spine-chilling, masculine voice.

“What’s the matter, Chizuru? What’s wrong?”

Naturally, Chizuru didn’t have the strength to reply, and it seemed that she barely heard Lukrov’s voice, so she let out a short moan and fell asleep again.

Lukrov let out an exhausted sigh.

“You really are a difficult woman Chizuru. On top of that, you are incredibly difficult to deal with. You are whimsical, ignorant, and have no idea what you’re doing.”

Then, he placed his hand on Chizuru’s cheek and smiled faintly.

“I love you, Chizuru. I love you.”