CH 13

Astein, who didn’t expect Elusiana would come out so aggressively, was quite taken aback.

“Lusi, your hands, let go.”

“I’m going to let them go when I’m done, so don’t strain yourself.”

Astein bit his lips as he struggled to defend his feet from Elusiana.

“Stop it.”

“I told you to relax.”

“Lusi.”

In particular, one of his socks lying on the floor further aggravated Astein’s confusion.

‘No way. She didn’t mean to touch my feet, right?’

It wasn’t a big deal to Elusiana, but it was a flagship for Astein. Whether it was a woman or a man, showing his feet meant the same as showing his skin. The problem was Elusiana didn’t care about that at all.

“I can’t help it. You’re so stubborn.”

Elusiana said as she let go of Astein’s leg, “You, stay right there. All right? Don’t move!”

Elusiana opened the lid of the blue bottle that was sitting close to Astein. She scooped up the ointment, holding the stick attached to the lid with a smile.

Astein wondered what she was going to do when she suddenly lowered her head. But soon, he felt something cold and sticky touching his feet. There was no way he didn’t know it was the special ointment.

Astein’s body stiffened.

“…!”

“Look at this. I thought it was okay, but it’s a mess on the side. Didn’t you say you were fine?”

“W-why are you touching something dirty?”

“It’s not dirty. It’s just soft.”

“…!”

Elusiana, who spread the ointment between his toes and applied it meticulously, pulled the other sock, which hadn’t been taken off yet. Then she applied the ointment without hesitation.

“Ooh, I said you shouldn’t move, right? If you move, it will get on your leg.”

“What?”

“So stay still. It’ll be over soon.”

Swipe. Swipe. Elusiana applied the ointment meticulously, contrary to her words that it would be over soon. She applied it generously to the extent that the ointment she scooped out was not enough, so she scooped it one more time.

Each time, Astein flinched at the warmth that spread over his feet. But by no means, he did  not move. He was afraid that it would get on his leg.

“It’s done.”

Elusiana, who straightened her head, smiled brightly.

“How do you feel? Do you think the pain is going away? As you may know, since you’ve used it, it’s a special ointment from the temple, so it’s effective. What do you think?”

Astein nodded with a red face because he was embarrassed. The slight pain he felt was completely gone, as she said. As if his leg had been amputated.

‘Ampu…tated?’

Perplexed, fear crept across Astein’s face. He had forgotten for a moment what kind of ointment it was.

He could feel the tingling sensation gradually spread widely across his toes. As she said, the effect of the ointment was excellent. It went up to his legs, thighs, and waist and soon spread to his heart through his fingertips.

His limbs were paralyzed in an instant. Thanks to his infinite regenerative power, there won’t be any mishaps even if his heart stops beating. Still, Astein couldn’t help it at all.

* * *

Elusiana, who didn’t know about that, closed the lid of the blue bottle.

“Originally, it shouldn’t be used like this, but today I applied it generously. So be grateful to  me, got it?”

“…!”

“Then, do you want to lie down and get some sleep? You had a hard time because of me today. You will be much better after a good night’s sleep.”

Elusiana rose from his bed. Even then, Astein hadn’t moved at all. After putting the ointment in the drawer again, she turned around and looked at him. Then she tilted her head.

‘Hmm?’

At the sight of Astein, who didn’t budge, Elusiana felt a little guilty.

‘Did I act too stubbornly? Is that why he’s upset?’

Visiting his room without permission and offering to apply the ointment and treat him were all acts of her selfishness. She could have offended him.

Elusiana hurriedly moved to his side and cautiously called him.

“Hey, As? Have I been too rude today?”

Elusiana, who was timid, lightly touched Astein’s shoulder and said, “Sorry if I offended you. But I’m really worried about you… huh?”

She widened her eyes as she watched Astein collapse helplessly beside her. Astein was still holding his knees as he fell and was motionless.

“…!”

Elusiana swallowed her saliva as she watched his body still curled up. Astein’s body rolled up like a ball. She didn’t know why this happened, but she was sure the cause was herself. Because those red eyes were glaring at her with strong resentment.

Elusiana quietly rose from the bed and put Astein’s body back in place.

“I-I’m sorry. I must have done something wrong again. Is it because I put too much ointment? Haha. Why, why are you becoming like this? You… are you okay? No, As, I’m going to call someone, so hang in there. U-understand?”

Elusiana, who had been pouring out her hurried words, rushed out of his room after saying that.

* * *

‘Umm…’

Astein, who had fallen asleep before he knew it, opened his eyes at the unpleasant sensation.

When he peeked down, he saw something black moving back and forth under his legs.

‘…What? But, more than that—”

Astein twitched his eyebrows as if he didn’t like something. He remembered being paralyzed, but he had no idea how he ended up sleeping on the bed. Astein slowly raised his feet.

“Huh? As, are you awake?”

At that time, Elusiana rushed to him and checked his condition. It seemed that the black thing that was moving back and forth under his legs was Elusiana.

“Can you move? Is there any uncomfortable place?”

Astein’s eyes narrowed because there was one more person beside her. Elusiana, who was quick to notice his hostile gaze, pulled Trisha aside.

“The doctor said you were just asleep, but I couldn’t believe it. So I asked Trisha to stay with me. Are you really okay?”

“…Did the doctor say that I fell asleep?”

“Yes.”

‘Certainly, there was no way the doctor wouldn’t know that it’s a symptom of paralysis. Why did the doctor hide it?’

Applying that much ointment, it wouldn’t be strange if he stopped breathing. Yet, Astein only fell asleep.

‘Suspicious.’

Unable to understand the doctor’s diagnosis, Astein’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. When he didn’t answer, Trisha, who was by Elusiana’s side, spoke irrelevantly.

“It’s just a trivial matter to get stepped on a few times. Why are you exaggerating it? Do you know how much my Lady worried about you?”

“That! What’s wrong, Trisha! You were more worried than I was a while ago.”

“W-when did I say that? I’m just worried that the young Lady will be twisted because of a guy who doesn’t have the slightest hint of manners.”

After putting off her question for a while, Astein got up from the bed and looked at Trisha. His bright red eyes touched her and fell coldly.

“I know, Trisha.”

Trisha, who was denying Elusiana’s words by waving her hands, couldn’t hide her embarrassment and asked back, “Oh my, see what he’s talking about? You knew it so well? So you’re saying you deliberately pretended to be sick despite knowing everything?”

“You misunderstood me. I meant that I knew how much Lusi valued me.”

“…what?”

“Thank you for your concern, Trisha. I want to rest.”

They were polite words, but every time she heard them, one side of her heart felt better. Trisha rubbed the goosebumps on her arm after managing to suppress her anger. Then, turning around, she gently grabbed Elusiana’s arm and pulled her.

“Lady, let’s go. The patient needs a rest.”

“Oh, okay. That… As, take a rest. I will be on my way.”

Elusiana reluctantly followed Trisha out. Then, Astein called her. “Are you really leaving?”

“Yes?”

“Can you stay with me until I fall asleep?”

A light moisture welled up under his sadly drooping eyes. Somehow, feeling that Astein would cry alone if things went on like this, Elusiana readily nodded her head.

“Uh, umm. Okay. If you don’t feel uncomfortable—”

“Lady. No.”

“Why?”

Trisha let out a sigh and said, standing in front of Elusiana. “Those little things are my job. If you’re worried about Astein’s condition, I will be here. Lady, please go back and take a rest.”

She was trying to be nice to Astein, but her deep resentment still lingered. ‘I couldn’t forgive you for leaving a big bruise on Lady’s face.’  But now he wanted the precious Lady to take care of him? ‘Ha! How shameless of him.’

After saying those words, Trisha hid Elusiana, who kept trying to come forward behind her.

“Can I stay here, Astein?”

“Will you be alright?”

Astein looked up at Trisha and smiled coldly. It was just a faint smile, but it was oddly familiar.