[IFITAOAMV] Chapter 46

"I never thought I’d get another one." 

Edwin fiddled with the opal I gave him, his eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. 

"I’m unsure if it will have the same effect as the previous one. I also can’t guarantee how long it will last." 

Based on my experience with the opal yesterday, I knew that the opal I activated wouldn’t last forever. The more it stabilised Edwin’s madness, the more its power was depleted. 

‘Maybe it’s because I’m not a complete Jueri.’ 

"Why worry when you’re here with me?" 

"Even so..." 

No one knows what the future holds. More than anything, I didn’t want Edwin to go through such pain again. Even if he was a stranger to me, the pain he endured was unbearable to witness. 

"It was more dangerous yesterday because of the Blood Moon. Now that I have the opal, there’s no need to worry." 

He smiled lightly, saying he always thought he might die on the night of the Blood Moon. 

‘How can you be smiling right now?’ 

It bothered me that he could joke about his death so easily. 

"What was it like on other days?" 

I wondered if it was more bearable since he could still laugh. 

But his next words left me speechless. 

"It feels like holding a ball of fire. Like my skin is going to tear apart." 

Edwin pondered for a moment, then smiled brightly. 

"Well, something like that. So, it’s hard to resist when things linger before me. Seeing blood helps me feel a bit better." 

That’s not okay. How can he laugh about this? 

I’d never seen Edwin show signs of suffering or pain. No matter how much stronger his body was compared to ordinary people, how could he endure such pain? If it were me, I would've gone mad long ago. Ah, so that's why he became the Mad Dragon. I nodded in deep realisation. 

“What are you nodding about? You don’t even know what that feels like.” 

“I just thought it must have been really hard for you.” 

Suddenly, Edwin’s smile faded, and he stared at me quietly. 

“My bride is so strange.” 

His long fingers slowly caressed my chin. 

“Sometimes, you make me feel like I want to throw up.” 

‘What? I tried to comfort you, and that’s what you say?’ 

I couldn’t hide my frustration at such an absurd response. 

‘That’s it! I’m done comforting you. Hmph!’ 

As I sulked, a question suddenly came to mind. 

“When did you get to the tower yesterday?” 

“Since the morning. On the day of the Blood Moon, the madness is unstable all day.” 

“So, you lied to me?” 

“I couldn’t tell you the truth.” 

I knew it. No matter how far away the desert was, it didn’t make sense that he would leave without showing his face in the morning. 

“I didn’t think you’d find out so quickly,” Edwin chuckled. 

“Lina, didn’t you forget something?” 

Lina? Was he calling me by a nickname? And what was I supposed to have forgotten? 

I stared at Edwin, puzzled when something clicked in my mind. 

‘Oh no, I almost forgot the most important thing.’ 

Worried that he might change his mind, I quickly spoke up. 

“Grant my wish. I awakened my jewel crafting powers, didn’t I?” 

“Now you remember? Go ahead, what do you want?” 

Edwin asked lazily, his eyes narrowing slightly. 

“Guarantee my survival.” 

“I’m already doing that. I told you I’d protect you.” 

“Not from Raven. I mean, guarantee my survival from *you*.” 

“Me?” 

Edwin blinked, pointing to himself in disbelief. 

I nodded emphatically, and he gave me a baffled look. 

“What have I ever done?” 

‘I’m scared of you because you like to cut people down as a hobby, and I never know when you might kill me.’ 

I wanted to say this, but I held my tongue. If I did, I might end up dead right here and now. 

Instead, I racked my brain and started listing all the times Edwin had threatened me. 

“You said, ‘I want to treat my bride gently,’ but you scared me. With that terrifying expression.” 

I recalled the cold look on Edwin’s face and tried to mimic it, giving him a fierce glare. 

But instead of getting angry, Edwin stared blankly at me before suddenly chuckling. 

“That’s not scary at all. It looks like puppies will come running, wagging their tails.” 

I had braced myself for Edwin’s anger, but his lacklustre reaction left me feeling more embarrassed than anything. Even my determination to win his sympathy crumbled. 

‘How can I possibly mimic the ferocity of the Mad Dragon when I can't even hurt a fly?’ 

I let out a sigh. 

But I couldn’t give up on securing my survival from Edwin. 

“I was scared. When you smile like that and glare at me, my heart pounds, and my legs tremble.” 

I confessed how I felt calmly, and Edwin looked at me with an expression of deep injustice. 

“That’s not fair. I’ve never even lost my temper with you, Lina.” 

Never lost his temper? He’s threatened me with a smile on his face more times than I can count! 

I wanted to beat my chest in frustration, but complaining wouldn’t get me anywhere with Edwin. 

So, I played my final card. 

“I’m fragile, you know?” 

I softened my eyes, letting them droop slightly, and placed a hand over my chest as if to calm my racing heart. In reality, my heart was racing with anxiety and uncertainty about what Edwin might do. 

"So, please guarantee my survival," I pleaded. 

Edwin let out a short laugh, and I suddenly felt the air grow colder. I quickly added, "If something happens to me, you’d be in danger too, right? We’re... we’re bound together by fate now. So, you should protect me."