Drawn by Eliza’s voice, Nolan closed his eyes and listened in silence. His chaotic thoughts gradually settled
But after a while, the wire stopped.
Opening
g his eyes, he saw Eliza had reached the stream where she fetched water,
She set down the wooden buckets from her shoulders and stepped onto a large rock. Crouching down, she dipped one bucket into the water.
Since her return to this life, she hadn’t done much heavy labor. Her strength wasn’t what it used to be. She could only fill the bucket halfway before struggling to lift it. Water sloshed over the edge, spilling onto the rock beneath her feet
Completely unaware of the danger, Eliza placed the half–full bucket down and reached for the empty one. But as she bent forward, her foot slipped on the wet surface.
“Ah!” With a splash, she lost her balance and tumbled straight into the stream
was barely waist-
Nolan’s eyes widened. Instinctively, he leaped off the bridge, as if to rescue her. But the moment he landed, he realized the water was b deep.
Eliza, who had already scrambled to her feet, turned around in confusion. Standing in the shallows, dressed in dark robes, silver hair flowing, was none other than Nolan. His expression was unreadable.
“Prince Nolan‘” She was caught off guard. She had only realized someone else was there when she heard movement behind her, but she hadn’t expected him.
Nolan looked away slightly, his voice flat. “Well, there’s a monastery nearby. It’s too noisy. This place is quieter.”
It took Eliza a second to process. So he was saying he came here for some peace and quiet–not that he was lurking around for no reason. “1 sec Please, don’t let me disturb you, Prince Nolan”
Something about his demeanor seemed off, but Eliza didn’t ask. Instead, she focused on climbing out of the stream–only to realize one of her burbrin was missing-
Looking downstream, she spotted it, floating right toward Nolan
Without a word, he reached down, grabbed it, and walked to the shore. Then, just as silently, he handed it to her.
Thank you, Prince Nolan. The words came out automatically. And the moment she said them, Eliza realized–since meeting him, “thank you” was probably the thing she’r said most
Alle embarrassed, she reached for the bucket, only to find it already half–hilled with water, saving her the trouble of drawing more.
But just as she grasped it, Nolan didn’t let go. He was tall, and though Eliza wash’i short, she always felt diminutive next to him
He looked down at her, hit sharp eyes narrowing slightly. “Words of thanks don’t mean much. Next time, don’t bother. But if I were to make a request, would you agree!”
Eliza brutated. “That depends, Prince Nolan.
something beyond my ability—”
She agreed that empty gratitude was pointless, but she wasn’t about to promise anything blindly.
Nolan raised an eyebrow, as if amused by her caution. “Don’t worry. I won’t sell you
Then, finally, he let go of the bucket.
Eliza tank it, but she kept her answer to herself,
Nolan let out a low chuckle. “Alright. I’ve gathered the medical books, I’ll have them sent to you tomorrow”
“Thank you—” Eliza started, but when she saw Nolan raise an eyebrow, she quickly adjusted. “Prince Nolan, if you ever need my help. I’ll do what I
– id at a within my alality“
She doulard there was much she could do for someone as powerful as Prince Nolan, but to her surprise, his expression eased noticeably.
“Nothing for today. I’ll come find you tomorrow,” he said casually
Eliza nodded. “Alright”
After ahir left,” Nolan returned to the monastery in unusually good spirits.
10:18 AM
Chapter 34
His subordinates, who had been scouring the entire area with the help of an old priest, nearly collapsed in relief when they spotted him strolling back, completely unbothered.
“Prince Nolant” Deputy Commander Ross practically shrieked. “Where the hell were you! We were about to send the Black Flag soldiers to search all of Mount Westin!”
For the past two years, Nolan’s headaches had been getting worse. Each episode left him on the edge of losing control, sometimes even harming himself in the pr
Some
process.
whispered that it was karma–that the countless lives he had taken had come back to haunt him.
Others claimed he was cursed from birth. His silver hair was said to be a bad omen, proof of heaven’s disfavor. His illness, they insisted, was simply fate taking its toll.
Of course, Ross and the others didn’t buy any
They had fought alongside Nolan for years, through blood and fire, life and death. Maybe the heavens had cursed him, maybe not–but what they did know was that Nolan had led them to countless victones, protected their people, and crushed the enemies of Bortenland.
So they ignored the gossip. To them, Nolan wasn’t cursed. He was just sick. And if it was an illness, they would stand by him until they found a cure.
That was why they never left his side during an episode–because when the pain took over, Nolan could be unpredictable.
But today, in the brief moment they had turned their attention to an old priest’s prayer, Nolan had disappeared without a trace.
By
the time they realized it, they had practically turned Holy Cross Monastery upside down looking for him.
And now just as they were gasping for breath, preparing for the worst, Nolan casually walked back like nothing had happened.
Nolan coughed lightly. “I didn’t go anywhere. Just stepped out
It for some air. You lot were too noisy
Ross and the others instantly deflated.
They’d been a little excitable, sure–this was their first time in a monastery–but now Nolan was blaming them. That was too much
Ross opened his mouth, about to protest, but then he suddenly noticed something
“Prince Nolan your eyes. His expression changed, his voice tightening with alarm. “Did you already have an episode?
AD