[IFITAOAMV] Chapter 41

Just as Angelina collapsed while smiling faintly at Edwin, Beryl and Seth rushed toward her. However, Edwin was the one who caught her before they could.  

“My lord!” 

“Master!” 

They called out, but Edwin, now awake, ignored them, his gaze fixed solely on Angelina. 

After staring at her face for a long while, his eyes slowly travelled down to her small, delicate feet covered in dirt and scratches.  

Seeing her injured feet, Edwin clenched his lips tightly. 

As he habitually moved to embrace her, he hesitated, realising his dishevelled state. 

"Release this," he commanded, lifting one hand. Seth quickly used the key he held to unlock the shackles binding him. 

“Are you alright, my lord?” Beryl asked worriedly, examining Edwin. 

“Today, yes,” Edwin murmured before lifting Angelina into his arms and walking away. 

Seth seemed to want to say something but gave up, instead following Edwin alongside Beryl.  

The path back to the main residence was eerily quiet, thanks to the precautions taken on the night of the Blood Moon, where all the servants were instructed to remain in their quarters. 

Once inside Angelina’s room, Edwin carefully laid her on the sofa. 

"Blanket," he ordered without even turning his head. Seth quickly retrieved a blanket, and Edwin gently draped it over Angelina, ensuring she was fully covered before standing up. 

“Beryl, stay here. Let no one touch her,” Edwin ordered his voice firm. Beryl nodded with a serious expression. 

Edwin then headed to the bathroom, and Seth trailed behind him. 

“How are you feeling, my lord?” Seth asked quietly as he helped with the bath. 

“I’m fine. Better than ever,” Edwin replied, closing his eyes as if savouring the sensation. 

*For the first time in my life.* 

He swallowed the rest of his words, thinking back. He had believed he could endure it and survive this night. 

But even as he lost control, he could feel death approaching. And for the first time, he was afraid. 

He remembered the last moments of his father’s life. Knowing that his father had likely felt the same fear at the end made his heart grow heavier. 

“Hah,” Edwin sighed deeply, prompting Seth to pause his movements. 

“How did Angelina…?” Edwin’s voice trailed off, but Seth understood and calmly explained what had happened. 

“That cowardly rabbit,” Edwin chuckled softly. He had thought she would hide under the covers, trembling in fear. 

With the last bit of reason he had left, he realised it was Angelina approaching him. His body had already lost control, and all he could do was silently plead for her to stay away. 

It was surprising enough that he recognised her, but even more astonishing that she continued to approach him despite his warning. 

“Foolish woman, acting as if she would faint at the sight of blood.”

He recalled the image of himself in the bathroom mirror just moments ago. He looked monstrous even when his madness didn't fully consume him, so he must have been even more terrifying during the frenzy.

Yet Angelina hadn't run away.

Edwin slowly opened his eyes and rubbed his fingertips together. When Angelina grasped his hand, it felt like he had been given a cool drink of water just as he was about to die of thirst in the desert. Amid the agony, where his entire body felt like it was being torn apart, that single drop of water was life-saving. But it hadn’t ended there. What started as a mere drop of water had grown into a flood, sweeping through every corner of his body. At that moment, he felt something akin to bliss—a sensation he'd never experienced.

“I am addicted to my bride.”

The truth was, he had been quite startled when Angelina fell from the sky. The wild madness within him had suddenly hesitated. Even though it was just a faint change, it had never happened before, and it confused him. That was why he couldn't bear to let her out of sight; she seemed to be the only thing that relieved him. 

Initially, that was the reason he kept her close. But at some point, her touch began to bring him comfort, completely independent of the madness. It felt like lying lazily on a soft rug, basking in warm sunlight. Once he tasted the sweetness of her touch, he couldn't let go of Angelina. The moment they were apart, irritation would well up inside him, and the madness would flare even more violently.

What else could this be but withdrawal symptoms? Edwin smirked bitterly to himself. 

“The prophecy has come true,” Seth said, pulling Edwin out of his thoughts and making him scowl. 

He had mocked and sneered at the idea of a prophecy, but maybe there was a god after all. 

“I suppose I can’t kill the priests so easily anymore,” Edwin chuckled darkly. 

“I’ll ensure the prophecy doesn’t leak out,” Seth said, aware of the seriousness of the situation. 

“I’ve already killed those who knew about it.” 

It wasn’t just because the prophecy seemed absurd that he had killed the priests. It was also to preemptively eliminate anyone who might use it as an excuse to target him.