Episode 196

Elisha stared at him as if possessed.

Alas, yes. Remembered

Today was the boy's anniversary.

Then came her memory of her invariably bloody white cloth.

'Now we are doomed.Haha, who would have known that you and I would end up like this. Do you think I'll leave your daughter alone? I can't hand over the child of Ramun into Lucerne's hands.'

The appointed doom is at hand. In the first place, Jacob and the like were no match for Lucerne.

Lucerne went into seclusion for a while. When he returned, everything had changed.

Lucerne has been collecting secret information about the Cartier family for a long time. He manipulated the imperial family and rallied the enemies of the Cartier family.

Soon, the Cartier family was accused of treason.

Even Elisha didn't know much about the process. I really have no memory of that time. How can a crazy woman have interest in what goes on in the world?

But the important thing. The destruction of the Cartier family was imminent.

In less than two years, everything happened steeply.

The head of the house became a body pursued on charges of treason. And Jacob was executed. She overturned all the female crimes of the Cartier family as well as the drug charges against Elisha.

After Jacob's death, Carola's madness went straight to Elisha.

'This Carola never forgets who she will avenge. Come on, look. This is Carola's revenge.'

Carola killed Elisha's child. She was a child not yet two years old.

Elisha couldn't even examine her child's corpse closely. But she clearly saw her little hands.

'Look, I'm looking straight into your own eyes!'

It was wrapped in a bloody white cloth.

'Ah, I hate it. Please. I don't want to see it.'

And when Carola refused to see her Elisha weeping, she threw the white cloth over Elisha's face.

'Your child died because of you.'

The blood on the white cloth was warm. Elisha looked at the cloth with her trembling hands.

'Oh, no. I do not like it. Rather kill me, please. Oh, save my child, please…….'

Elisha cried out. The world was dyed red. The floor beneath the floor was deep and the despair hurt more than hell. At that moment, Elisha let go of her last reason. And she went crazy.

'Astina, Astina…….'

The child's name was Luca. Jacob deliberately gave the child a male name. However, Elisha secretly gave it a different name.

For a long time, it was the name she wanted to give her if she had a child.

My lovely Astina…….

I even remembered your name and threw it away. Tears flowed from Elisha's eyes. She opened her eyes slowly. Her eyes were in focus.

Elisha was sobbing.

“Lucerne.”

Lucerne let go of her.

“Does it hurt a lot?”

Elisha shook her head slightly. Her throat hurt so much that it was difficult to speak.

“Be patient. They're looking for a doctor. There are few doctors in this damn city.”

Elisha barely made up a sentence.

“No. It's okay.”

Elisha shook her head.

She still hadn't forgiven Lucerne. It was the same that she still couldn't believe him.

But what can I do with this sadness?

“It's okay…….”

He didn't even know this sorrow existed, but he was forced to become an accomplice. He was the only accomplice in the world.

At this moment, the only thing I can do is hold him in his arms and relieve my sorrow……. Elisha said there was nothing she could do other than that.

Elisha grabbed his sleeve and pulled him. Lucerne's body felt stiff.

“Hehe, black…….”

She pressed her cheek against his chest and breathed lightly. Tears burst out.

“Elisha.”

Lucerne said soothingly.

“I think the fever is too high. Let go are you okay. I'm going to check the status for a while.”

Elisha rubbed her cheek against his hard chest and shook her head.

'You don't know anything.'

All of that existed. Our time was real.

Among us was Astina.

“Lucerne, Lucerne…….”

It was still dawn outside the window.

As always, her hells and countless sorrows throughout her life did not matter to anyone.

She was alone when she was always in pain and lonely. But not today. Just for today, in her hell.

There was Lucerne.

*​ *​ *​

A lukewarm wet towel wiped his forehead. Elisha blinked slowly. Clinging to Lucerne, she wept and fell into a light sleep. When she regained her senses, her face grew hot.

“Why……. Here you are…… ?”

“If your throat hurts, don't tell me.”

Lucerne said bluntly. Elisha shook her head.

“How did you know? Perhaps……. Do your agents watch inside my house too?”

Lucerne's hand stopped.

“Sounds useless. It can't be.”

“…….”

“…… You said it was different from before.”

Lucerne added.

Elisha was a little suspicious, but it was true that she needed someone's help. Tired of arguing, she slowly relaxed her body.

“Drink some water.”

Elisha drank slowly. She really felt like she was going to live because her thirst was terribly dry.

“Don't drink too fast.”

Said Lucerne, supporting her on the back of her head.

“Have you eaten?”

“…… I have something to eat in the kitchen.”

There was leftover soup. Lucerne scooped up her soup and fed her. It had happened before.

When she was incarcerated by Elisha. At that time, she recalls Astina's memories and is distressed. Lucerne took care of her like her own child in many ways.

“I was sweating too much.”

Lucerne said. Elisha felt like she was going to live once her stomach was full.

His gaunt face caught her eyes.

'Why does this person look sick?'

However, her sharp eyes, perfect beauty, and large body were still the same. Even in the midst of pain, the atmosphere surrounding him is tense. As soon as she became aware of that unique atmosphere, her lower abdomen tightened and her shoulders trembled a little.

'Why did I lose my mind in front of this person?'

He had a peculiar feeling that made people nervous. Lucerne looked a little more squeamish than usual, and that's why he was more alluring.

…… Enough to sigh. It was so disappointing.

“Why did you cry?”

Lucerne asked after Elisha had taken her medicine.

“I guess it was sad because I was sick alone.”

Elisha looked at him for a moment before replying.

“Really you……. How did you know I started feeling sick last night.”

“Imagine whatever you want.”

Lucerne responded coldly as usual to Elisha's question. But soon, his words softened, as if he were comforting a child.

“If you don't want to be with me, can I call someone else?”

Elisha blinked her eyes. I didn't know Lucerne would say such a thing. It's like she's watching her…….

“…… No. That's Okay. There is no need for that.”

“…… Okay.”

Lucerne replied. Elisha felt oddly relieved that he still cared about her, and she was a little taken aback.

Lucerne was surprisingly good at nursing.

“I see you've nursed someone before.”

“It's normal for someone to get hurt on the battlefield. Mainly I was the one receiving the care.”

“Can people like you get hurt?”

“If you use your strength to the limit, yes.”

“I don't think there is anything to be afraid of.”

“It's a pity, but I will die if I fall into the water. If you get burned, you will die, and if you get hit by lightning, you will get hurt, do you want an answer like that?”

Elisha frowned, not knowing how to react. How is it that she is playing these idle jokes with this guy? She went so far as to think that the last time she parted from the shrine, she might never see him again in her lifetime.

Yeah, she hadn't seen him in too long.

In fact, she had no sense of reality. She even thought she might be dreaming.

“What more can I do?”

Lucerne asked. Elisha shook her head. She really didn't need anything more.

Elisha turned over her body. But something hard on her got caught in her calf. Lucerne noticed and pulled up her blanket. The wind knocked the book hidden under the blanket.

Lucerne picked it up.

'Ah, this is the novel I read last night…….'

He must have been very ill. I didn't even know it was on the bed.

'Why this book?'

Elisha's cheeks almost blushed. It was because there was a portrait of Lucerne that the peddler had arbitrarily inserted into the book.

In addition, the book was a love story with a childish content.

“My taste in books has changed.”

Lucerne said quietly.

“I just read it to pass the time.”

Elisha frowned and put the book away. Lucerne raised the corner of her mouth slightly.

“Take off your clothes. I'll clean you up.”

Elisha was hesitant to undress in front of him. It was like putting her head in the mouth of a beast.

But she was really sweating too much, and she wanted to change out of her unpleasantly tight clothes. Eventually she turned her back and she slowly undressed her. Lucerne slowly wiped Elisha's back with the wet towel in her basin.

“Don't turn your back.”

Lucerne whispered.

“Looking at the front, it doesn't look like you can stop wiping.”

It was a voice with a terrifyingly refined desire. Her Elisha's shoulders stiffened, Lucerne slowly leaning over her. But she didn't come any closer. He didn't say anything for a few seconds.

“Roo…….”

“It will be over soon.”

He slowly wiped Elisha's body.

Then Elisha changed into her new nightgown. Lucerne's gaze seemed to burn her skin. It was hot……. Elisha's shoulders trembled slightly. Her ears were still red in her ears.

Tidying up her hair, Elisha looked back at him.

Suddenly, Elisha remembered the warm embrace from earlier. Why did she do that?

Besides, she was alone now.

“I'm fine now.”

Said Elisha. The voice was still locked.

“Go back. In the morning, I will call the janitor and ask him to help.”

“I still have a fever.”

Elisha sensed that Lucerne was desperate for her to leave. Really…… It was. She could only explain it like that.

“It's really fine. Lucerne. I want to rest comfortably by myself.”

“I cannot leave you alone.”

“Then promise me you won't come to me like this in the future. Me…… Stop trying to deal with it on your own. You're going to end your marriage sooner or later.”

Lucerne had no answer. Elisha thought he might be suffering.

“I didn't even approach you because I was afraid you wouldn't like it.”

Lucerne said quietly.

“It's not that I didn't want to see you.”

At those words, Elisha's heart skipped a beat. She was filled with a variety of emotions. I was resentful of him for saying such things now.

It's been a long time since I've been in the middle of a long time.

He trampled his heart like that.

She has always been a sinner in front of Lucerne, but he too has hurt her a lot. She was always in a situation where she couldn't be confident and couldn't show her heart.

In order for Elisha to live, Jacob and Carola, who trampled on her life, had to disappear. So I needed Lucerne, but that wasn't all…….

Unresolved among Lucerne. She wanted to pay off the fault, such as the debt. She wanted to give him the position of head of household and return everything to its place.

Lucerne gave her her wounds, and now he has everything in her hands. There are no entangled debts.

Likewise, the only thing left between the two is a blank space.

“The opportunity is already gone.”

Elisha said expressionlessly.

“Maybe we could have done better. I also once tried to give you everything. But not anymore. And…… I…… You don't have a heart worth working on. Even if you want my heart, the affection I can return is worthless. Don't expect anything from me anymore.”

“Because you took your heart from our family?”

Elisha's body stiffened. She stared into Lucerne's eyes and that was enough of an answer.

“But why did you do that?”

Lucerne said.

“Why did you return your heart to me knowing that?”