Chapter 96

The following summer, Adrian planted a peach tree. Nina teased him, wondering when he was going to eat them.

But he didn’t only buy peach trees.

In the winter of that year, Nina was suffering from bone pain, while murmuring, “Peach-.” then she soon shouted, “When will the tree grow?”

Then Adrian brought some peach conserved in honey.

She remembered that her eyes opened so wide when she saw the conserved peach with brandy. It was enough to forget the pain.

“I still remember that golden peach. If it hurts, I could eat it.”

It was a great comfort.

She was easily reminded of him, who would have struggled with the hive to get the honey and tested the conserved peach little by little, keeping track just in case it became bad.

“That’s not a lot of work compared to sick people.”

At Adrian’s words, Nina put her chin up and smiled.

“Really? I don’t think so.”

Adrian shook his head. They are laughing and talking about it now, but it was quite serious at the time.

Nina’s cold was so severe that she coughed badly and vomited blood, or she used to suffer in pain because her phlegm was so congested that she couldn’t breathe.

She would also be completely passed out when her fever went up.

But pickled peaches?

If it were comforting, he would have made it hundreds or even tens of thousands of times.

“When I got better, I could eat the remaining ones. Slice the crepe, wrap the peaches, and then add cold cream.”

Nina sighed.

“I still remember the taste.”

“I’ll make it, we can eat again.”

“It won’t taste like that time.”

Nina got up from her seat.

As she unloaded the luggage from the unicorn, Adrian immediately followed to pick up and set a bed for them.

A blanket on the floor and a tent tilted at an angle were completed in an instant. The front was completely exposed so she felt comfortable in it.

It’ll also be easy to respond immediately when an enemy appears. That’s how vulnerable you are when sleeping.

‘That’s if you are an ordinary person.’

If Nina and Adrian are on the team, the story is different.

She said as she went into the old blanket.

“Wake me up in time.”

“Yes.”

“Make sure you do.”

“Yes.”

“If you stay up all night alone, you’ll have a hard training tomorrow.”

“······Yes.”

“All right.”

Nina smiled contentedly, curled up, and fell asleep.

In the meantime, since she had slept in a comfortable bed for some time, she couldn’t sleep well now when she felt the bumpiness and the moisture of the ground.

She changed places to find a comfortable position, but suddenly the sheets became comfortable. When she rolled reflexively out of the blanket, she realized it was Adrian’s spirit.

Nina looked at Adrian with embarrassment, and he laughed low. His laughter spontaneously appeared as she popped out of the tent like a surprised cat.

Nina grumbled in a whisper, “You should’ve at least given me a heads-up in advance······.” and went into the blanket.

She doesn’t know what the Shadow Spirit did, but it felt like she was on something muddy, not a hard floor.

‘Water bed? Jelly bed?’

Anyway, it was better than the stone floor, so Nina closed her eyes and fell asleep soon. Adrian, who confirmed that Nina’s already asleep, reduced the fire’s intensity a little more.

In the dark, the campfire twinkled like a faint starlight.

Nina’s white face, which was sticking out of the blanket, was dimly visible. Looking at her, he recalled the nightmare he had a few days ago.

His dream of stabbing Nina.

The unpleasantness lasted a long time because it was so vivid. The Nina in his dream had brown hair and a much more mature face than now.

It wasn’t pigtails, and her hair was short. She wasn’t even as bright as she is now, nevertheless, he was already used to her.

He thought it was after they had argued.

Aren’t dreams always like that?

Only oneself knows and understands its true meaning. Adrian in the dream thought.

I must not let her go out in a dangerous battle. I have to protect Nina.

If so…

Cut off an arm, cut off a leg, and she’ll never be in combat again. So he grabbed Nina and did so.

He intentionally cut off the arm that she uses to hold a sword, grabbed the struggling Nina, pressed her down, and stabbed her in the leg. If he cut her legs, she’s likely to die of blood loss, so he only stabbed the tendon by avoiding the arteries.

A black sword.

The obsidian-colored sword was shining because it devoured Nina’s blood.

It felt as if the sword was satisfied. He hated his spirit.

Adrian stopped the bleeding while tightly wrapping Nina’s limbs. If he leaves her like this, others will find her soon enough.

Nina yelled “Your Grace!” from behind.

It would be okay to accept any resentment and anger, but there was no time for that.

Because-.

He woke up from the dream.

It was a really crazy dream. His whole body was soaked in cold sweats, and he had a fit of nausea.

The sensation of cutting Nina’s arm, the sensation of separating her flesh and bones, the blade that digs into her thigh.

It was so vivid.

Above all, what made Adrian tremble was what he did in his dream.

Isn’t he unconsciously thinking like that?

You could hurt her to protect Nina.

Bullshit.

He thinks so right now, but in his dreams, he did it with his own two hands.

Besides, does he hate spirits?

Adrian had never thought of it.

Nina liked his shadow as well, so he didn’t hesitate. Shadow was a good match for him. It’s like a mirror of his true self.

‘Crazy bastard.’

He was most afraid of himself.

Maybe he’ll hurt Nina someday with that ridiculous logic.

So when Nina said, “I’ll forgive you even if you stab me,” as if she had seen his dream. His anger flared up. Does she think of him like that?

Him.

Adrian.

Adrian buried his face in both hands.

────── •❆• ──────

‘It’s morning after all!’

Nina jumped out of her seat, reacting sensitively to the faint light. It was just the beginning of dawn. The bonfire shimmered dimly, leaving only the embers.

“Kell?”

He was not in his seat. Nina’s whole body was on edge.

She grabbed the sword by her bedside and slowly escaped from the tent.

“Commander.”

When Nina looked back at the voice calling her carefully, she frowned in one gulp.

“What are you doing?”

Adrian looked down at the leather bucket he was holding.

“I’ve brought water.”

“No, it’s already morning. Didn’t I tell you yesterday? I said I’ll give you a strenuous training if······.”

Her voice shrank as she was speaking, a frown crept out in her brows. Nina strode up and stood close to him.

“Adrian, are you okay? What is it? What’s wrong?”

Nina whispered in a very small voice. Adrian’s body tilted slightly forward.

“I had a dream.”

Nina’s fingertips touched his cheek slightly and gently wrapped it all over her palm. Adrian leaned his head against her hand and exhaled.

“What did you dream about?”

“A terrible dream.”

Nina looked at Adrian’s answer carefully.

“Why? Did you dream of stabbing me?”

Flinching, she felt his agitation through her palm.

“I’ve had such a dream too.”

“A dream of stabbing someone?”

Adrian looked at Nina as if he was surprised. Nina laughed.

“No, a dream of Adrian stabbing me.”

His face darkened.

After a long silence, he asked.

“Nina thinks so too?”

“No.”

Her answer was firm, and Adrian was momentarily speechless. He slowly opened his mouth.

“You know what I’m talking about, don’t you?”

“Of course, I know.”

The thought that you might stab me.

“Adrian, think about it.”

Nina’s voice became smaller, so Adrian focused even more on her.

“If Adrian tries to stab me, do you think I’ll be so helpless? I’m much stronger than you.”