Chapter 52: Refuse to let you depart once more

As the curtains were blown away by the gentle breeze, the warm morning sun peeked into the room. Draven’s heavy eyelids slowly opened as the sunrays touched his face, causing his vision to be slightly blurred. However, once it cleared, he found himself looking at a ceiling that was unfamiliar to him. Realizing that he was lying on a comfortable bed, a frown appeared on his face.

The bed was incredibly soft and cozy, prompting him to close his heavy eyelids once again. Ever since he’d married Rhea, he had not experienced such comfort, as she had been the one sleeping on the bed in the Qieldan residence.

Draven’s eyes gradually reopened as the thought of the Qieldan residence crossed his mind. He couldn’t help but ponder the state of old lady Lila, he wondered how she must be feeling after not seeing her grandson for three days. She must be extremely worried, but he knew that going back to that house would only bring trouble to the family. It would be wiser to continue with his mission and leave the past behind.

Nevertheless, he would always appreciate the Qieldan household...

Draven laid on the bed staring blankly at the ceiling, he didn’t move until Rhea’s loud voice rang from the room’s corridors.

"Yes, one bowl of porridge. Four bowls of rice cakes, and four bowls of fish soup. Don’t forget the whole roasted chicken I requested for." Said Rhea to the female attendant at the inn they were currently at.

"Alright, my lady. Would you like to add tea to the orders?"

"No, I don’t do tea. A fine wine would do. And bring along some chocolate pudding dessert."

The inn attendant nodded in acknowledgment, but the young woman couldn’t help but wonder why Rhea was ordering such a large amount of food when she and her husband were the only ones staying in the room.

Instead of immediately leaving the hallway, the attendant hesitated for a moment, but upon seeing Rhea’s impatient expression, she quickly departed to retrieve the food.

"Such an incompetent attendant." Rhea muttered.

While listening to Rhea’s loud voice echoing in the corridor, Draven struggled to sit up on the bed. However, as he attempted to move, a sharp pain shot through his chest and lower back. He stifled a groan and helplessly laid back down.

At that moment, Rhea entered the room and gave him a stern look. "Did you just attempt to move? Don’t even try to act tough, dragon. The doctor who examined you mentioned severe internal injuries. So, if you don’t want to worsen your condition, it’s best for you to remain in bed."

Draven was fully aware of the severity of his injuries. It was only natural for him to sustain severe wounds after being stabbed by the shadow stalker’s hook and being trapped on the forest floor. Draven realized that his injuries were not minor, as he was currently experiencing intense pain that prevented him from even sitting up.

Despite the pain, Draven did not display any signs of discomfort in his expression. It was not that he was trying to appear brave, but rather that he had become accustomed to enduring pain. Just like the previous night, he had endured the pain until he had walked a short distance with Rhea. However, the pain eventually became too much for his mortal body to bear, and he could no longer keep his eyes open and fell unconscious.

Draven, not accustomed to prioritizing his own well-being, chose to divert the conversation as he felt uneasy discussing his health.

"Are you intending to consume all the food you have ordered? As a woman, it is advisable to eat in moderation, unless you desire to resemble a swine."

Rhea scoffed and rolled her eyes, "You are not addressing me," she retorted, "If it hadn’t been for my habit of consuming a large amount of food, do you honestly believe that a slender girl like me would have been capable of dragging your unconscious and weighty body to this inn?"

Draven was momentarily surprised. He had been curious about how she had brought him to this inn. But who would have thought...

Draven had the desire to move on the bed, but he suddenly experienced discomfort and swelling in his buttocks. He then remarked, "You truly did drag me all the way here." His tone was not inquisitive, but rather certain.

Rhea nodded in recognition, as if she had accomplished an impressive feat by dragging him all the way. She had exerted all her strength to the extent that she had nearly torn his pants in the process of dragging him.

She coughed to clear her throat and then sat down next to the table, patiently waiting for the food she had ordered. Taking a sip of water from the jar on the table, she rested her chin on her hand and closed her eyes to relax.

The room was quiet, and no one spoke. Yet, Draven never took his eyes off Rhea’s serene face. She resembled a cute little bunny patiently awaiting its carrots, with her silver hair shimmering like moonlight as it swayed in the occasional breeze from the window.

Her appearance was more akin to that of a female dragon than a human girl. However, she lacked the scent of a dragon, which was why no one suspected her possession of his core. However, Draven knew that if she were to encounter Alina, she would be immediately exposed. The fact that Alina hadn’t come after Rhea indicated that she had yet to be discovered.

The comfortable silence hung in the air until Draven spoke, "You left without a word, yet you returned to help me."

Rhea slowly opened her eyes, "Even I didn’t want to come back." She pouted, "But the bond between us didn’t allow me to rest in peace, and how could I live in peace when you kept getting injured and kept feeling the pain with you. And you..."

Draven’s eyebrows furrowed as he quickly interrupted her, "Do you still feel my current pain?"

Rhea glanced at him from the side. When did he start caring about her pain? She wondered, but then responded, "No, I don’t. When I’m near you, I don’t feel it like I do when I’m far away."

Draven responded with a quiet "Oh," then turned his gaze away from her and looked down.

Ignoring his interruption, Rhea continued, "Since I have more power than you in using magic, it was only natural for me to be your knight in shining armor." She said it casually, almost like a joke. However, anyone would have known that last night’s situation was anything but playful; it was dangerous. It was highly likely that she would have died along with him...

Yet she was still there for him. Even though she had helped him for her own reasons, Draven couldn’t ignore the fact that she had returned for him and stayed by his side. No one had ever done such a thing for him during all the years he had been in Birhhan.

Draven closed his eyes, and behind his eyelids, he could still picture her standing protectively in front of him, her slender figure illuminated by the moonlight.

Opening his eyes, he muttered, "It doesn’t matter. The important thing is that you’ve returned. And now that you’re back, nothing will separate us again. I refuse to let you depart once more." His words exuded unwavering confidence, resembling a tyrant addressing his beloved.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read