I nodded. "Alright."

When Caspian saw how pale I was, his brow remained furrowed. "I spoke too harshly yesterday. Don't take it to heart. But Ames is innocent. What happens between us should never involve her. In the future, don't complain again."

A dull ache spread through my chest. This time, I did not explain myself as I had in my previous life. I only curved my lips into a faint smile. "Sure. There won't be a next time."

Caspian tucked the blanket around me. "We didn't see the meteors last night. After we're married, I'll go with you to pay respects at your parents' graves. I remember that you like Willowreach. After that, we can travel there together."

I froze for a moment, then smiled lightly. "There's no need. You don't have to make up for me for last night. I chose to save her."

He paused. Emotions churned in his eyes.

"I've already arranged a carriage to leave the city in five days," he said. "Once you recover, we'll depart."

I met his gaze and said nothing.

He held the bowl, his hand trembling faintly. That hand had once been badly injured, the tendons nearly ruined. Whenever the weather turned damp, it ached. Even holding a bowl required effort.

My nose stung. I asked softly, "Do you regret becoming like this, for saving me?"

His expression stayed calm. "There's nothing to regret. If it had been someone else, I would have saved them too."

My gaze dimmed. My voice grew lighter, thinner. "Then when I caught that epidemic, when you climbed the cliff to gather snow lotus, would you have done the same for anyone else?"

"Yes."

So there truly had been nothing special about it.

Tears gathered in my eyes, yet I still forced a smile. "Ian, thank you for saving me again and again. I lost my parents when I was young. I wanted a home far too badly. That was why I forced you to marry me. My stubbornness must have caused you so much trouble—put you through so much pain."

From today onward, it would not be like that anymore. He would not have to abandon the woman he loved to marry me. We would not torment each other for 10 years. He would not die at 30 because of me.

In this life, he would live well.

I thought I saw a flicker of panic cross Caspian's face. He opened his mouth to speak, but a maid rushed in and cut him off. "My Lord! My Lady has woken up. She keeps asking for you and refuses to eat. Please go see her at once!"

Relief and joy surfaced at once on Caspian's handsome face. He glanced at me and stood. "Wait for me. I'll be right back."

"Ian," I called after him, my smile the brightest it had been all day. "I'm sorry. And I wish you a smooth life ahead, full of long years and good health."

He looked startled, unease flashing across his features. "Why say something like that all of a sudden? I'm only going to see Ames. I'll be back soon. Eat properly and wait for me. I have something to tell you."

Then he turned and left.

Before noon, I got out of bed. The physician came to examine me and prescribed medicine.

I thanked him with a smile. "I'll take it properly. Thank you. Please also help me pass a message to Lord Caspian. Tell him that I have gone to Willowreach. Ask him to take care, and not to think of me."

-

After Caspian finished seeing Amelia, he hurried back to the side chamber and found it empty.

He seized a maid. "Where is Lady Frostwood? She hasn't recovered yet. Where did she go?"

Before the maid could answer, a guard rushed in, panic written across his face. "Lord Caspian, something terrible has happened. Bandits blocked the road out of the city. The civilians who were attacked are still alive. Only Lady Frostwood, who had just lost heart's blood, bled out and died."