“Uhm… kgh!”

I coughed as my eyes slowly fluttered open. Light pierced through my vision, sharp and blinding, forcing me to shut them again.

“Hm…!”

Then I heard it—

that voice.

“My lady…?”

I turned my head slightly and found Alan seated beside me, his gaze fixed on my face, eyes filled with unmistakable concern. They were the same eyes he had that day—when we went shopping together and an assassin scratched my arm. The same fear. The same care.

I lifted my hand weakly, reaching for him. He stood up instinctively and stepped forward—

then stopped himself.

“I—I will go call the doctor,” he said quickly, turning away and leaving the room almost in a run.

I knew he was struggling too—forcing himself to keep distance, binding his heart with the vow he had taken.

After a few minutes, the old doctor arrived. He examined me carefully, nodding as he did.

“Hm… you are fine now, dear,” he said gently. “Just remember to close the window when you sleep. The nights are quite cold.”

He handed some medicines to Alan and left.

Silence filled the room—just me and him again.

“I… I will bring your dinner, my lady,” Alan said softly.

Dinner?

I turned my head toward the window. The sky outside had already darkened.

“Alan, wait,” I called.

He paused.

“I slept the whole day?” I asked quietly.

“Yes, my lady,” he replied. “Yesterday, I brought your food, but you did not respond. So, I left… but then I remembered you didn’t look well. When I returned, you had a very high fever, so I—”

“You took care of me the whole night?” I interrupted.

“No,” he said after a pause. “I asked one of the maids here to do so.”

Something in my chest sank at those words.

"Oh..."

He brought dinner soon after, and I took my medicine obediently. When the room grew quiet again, I finally spoke.

“Alan… I think it’s time we return to the palace.”

“As you wish, my lady,” he said. “But I believe it would be better if you recovered fully first—”

“No,” I said firmly. “This is my plan. You will say you fought an assassin and rescued me. Look at me—I still appear pale and weak. They will believe it. So… let us go.”

He hesitated, then bowed.

“Then we will leave at first light, my lady.”

After he left, I pulled the blanket over my legs and lay back.

“…I miss him,” I whispered to the darkness.

“The real him.”

And I fell asleep.

*The next early morning*

I woke up early, dressing quietly. As I adjusted my clothes, I overheard maids talking outside.

“Hey, did you hear? The king’s fiancée was kidnapped,” one whispered.

“What? Today?” another gasped.

“Yes, just a few hours ago, they say. The news spread so fast. The king must truly love her.”

Their footsteps faded.

I frowned.

“So he at least announced me missing…” I muttered.

“But kidnapped just a few hours ago?”

“Huh. That bastard,” I scolded under my breath.

I dressed plainly—nothing beautiful, nothing eye-catching. Clothes that made me look weak, sick. Perfect for the lie that awaited.

When I stepped out, Alan was already standing before the door.

“Oh! Alan. Good morning,” I greeted with a small smile.

“Good morning, my lady,” he said, bowing. “I hope your health has improved.”

“It has,” I replied. “See? I can walk on my own now. Let’s go.”

He nodded, maintaining his careful distance.

It was good that he did.

If he stood any closer, I might forget why I had to push him away in the first place.

And so, we left for the palace.

unaware of the danger silently waiting for me