[IFITAOAMV] Chapter 42

“I’ll double-check everything. The Crown Prince is keeping a close eye on your condition.” 

That was a valid concern, so Edwin nodded slightly. 

“Finish up. Angelina is waiting.” 

With Edwin’s urging, Seth moved even faster. After scrubbing away the blood and cleaning himself up, Edwin returned to Angelina dressed in clean clothes. 

“Her feet need to be cleaned. Bring what’s necessary and some fresh clothes.” 

“I’ll call for Sarah,” Seth offered. 

“No, I’ll do it myself,” Edwin replied stubbornly, leaving Seth no choice but to leave the room. 

“You can go too,” he said to Beryl. 

“Are you sure you’re alright?” 

Edwin gave a slight nod, and Beryl’s face showed relief. 

“Rest well. We’ll take care of any remaining monsters.” 

Edwin patted Beryl on the shoulder before he left the room. Then Edwin slumped to the floor, leaning against the sofa as he gazed at Angelina’s face.  

The last time she collapsed in the desert, she had looked as pale as a corpse, but now she appeared peaceful. He liked that, so he gently brushed her golden hair with his hand. 

“My bride looks good in white,” he murmured. As soon as he said that, the part of her hair he held turned white. 

“Beautiful,” he whispered, a satisfied smile tugging at his lips as he kissed the strand of hair.  

A moment later, Seth returned quietly, placing the items he had brought on the table before retreating again.  

Edwin stood up and soaked a cloth in water, then knelt by Angelina’s feet. He stared at her dirt-covered feet briefly before carefully wiping them clean. 

“What a mess. They’re covered in wounds.” 

As the dirt was washed away, the injuries scattered across her feet became visible, deepening the frown on Edwin’s face. 

“I’ve never left any scratches on what’s mine. But this… She did this to herself.” 

He clicked his tongue softly. 

“So weak, yet unable to bear any pain.” 

A rabbit constantly planning to escape, with a liver the size of a bean. How had she not noticed she wasn’t even wearing shoes? She must have been panicking to save him, but she didn’t realise it.  

Edwin could hardly believe that everything she had done was for his sake. 

He buried his face in one hand as he set down the cloth. 

“Hah…” 

He felt strange. It was as if his stomach was churning, and his chest was tight. Damn it. Was this the lingering effect of the madness? 

Edwin roughly ran a hand through his hair. 

“Annoying.” 

He told himself that it was all because his possession had been damaged. He had warned her that if she got hurt again, he would hang her from the window. Should he just do it? 

He glanced at the window but quickly shook his head. His fragile bride might collapse if he did that, and the thought made him angrier. 

“Hmph, I’ll let it go this time. After all, you did save my life,” he grumbled, though his hands were gentle as he continued cleaning Angelina’s feet.  

Once clean, he applied ointment to her wounds and carefully bandaged them. Finally, he removed her blood-stained nightgown, dressed her in fresh clothes, and tenderly held her in his arms. 

*She should have woken up by now.* 

But Angelina remained unconscious. Was it the shock of awakening her jewel craft? Or had she used too much power to save him? Whatever the case, it was all his fault, and he held her even tighter. 

Still, he couldn’t call for the physician. Doing so might expose not only Angelina’s identity but also his secrets.  

Closing his eyes, Edwin heightened his senses. He needed to ensure there was no threat to her or them. Edwin carefully monitored the movements of his heart, which was now intricately connected to Angelina’s through the blood pact. After a long while, he opened his eyes, his expression softening. There was no immediate danger. 

*‘The physician said to let her rest when she collapses,’* he recalled. 

With that advice in mind, Edwin resumed his steps, gently laying Angelina on the bed and tucking her in with meticulous care. Then, he joined her under the covers, pulling her into his embrace. 

This was the first time in his life that the night felt so peaceful. It was as if every cell in his body had settled into a deep calm, and even his heart, which had always been restless, now beat quietly, almost as if it belonged to someone else. 

Naturally, his tension eased, and his mind became tranquil.  

*‘So this is how other people live,’* he thought, marvelling at the experience. For Edwin, it was a revelation.