IPBD CHAPTER 18

Kir didn’t regain consciousness until late afternoon.  

 

Three days of this had Emilina at her wit’s end.  

 

“You idiot. Even dogs don’t get summer colds.”  

 

Of course, she didn’t know if this was just a cold or something more serious—there was no way to tell, since Kir had stubbornly refused to see a doctor. Her words were just frustration talking.  

 

Unaware of Emilina’s worry, Kir managed a weak smile between labored breaths. Swallowing a sigh, she tried again:  

 

“Let’s at least call a doctor, okay?”  

 

But Kir shook his head once more.  

 

Emilina couldn’t understand. Why was he so against seeing a doctor? It was maddening. If only she knew the reason. But with no way to force him, all she could do was sigh.  

 

Would it kill him to think about how worried she was?  

 

Just as Emilina opened her mouth to protest—  

 

“Kkh—!”  

 

“Kir!”  

 

Kir suddenly clutched his chest, his body convulsing in agony. He could barely hold himself up, clearly in terrible pain. Emilina jolted to her feet but stood frozen—there was nothing she could do. She could only pace helplessly as his suffering continued.  

 

Regret washed over her. She shouldn’t have indulged his stubbornness.  

 

Fear gripped her—what if something happened to Kir?  

 

Finally, she snapped.  

 

“That’s it. I’m going, even if I have to go alone.”  

 

If he refused the hospital and doctors, there was only one option left: getting medicine based on his symptoms. A proper examination would be best, but with Kir refusing, she had no choice.  

 

She turned to leave—but a weak tug on her skirt stopped her.  

 

Kir’s trembling hand clutched the fabric desperately.  

 

“Hah… hah… D-don’t… go… stay…” he pleaded between gasps.  

 

His fluttering lashes betrayed his fear.  

 

Emilina bit her lip, torn between pity and resolve. She couldn’t wait any longer—if his fever didn’t break, his life could be in danger.  

 

Gently prying his fingers loose, she said firmly:  

 

“Enough, Kir. I’m not backing down this time.”  

 

“I’m… fine…”  

 

“Fine? You call *this* fine?” Emilina’s voice cracked.  

 

How could he say that when he was clearly suffering?  

 

But Kir’s hollow voice begged again:  

 

“Please… don’t go.”  

 

A strange dread twisted in her chest—some instinct screamed at her not to leave.  

 

But Emilina hardened her heart.  

 

“It won’t take long. I’ll be right back.”  

 

Kir reached out weakly—but another wave of pain stole his consciousness.  

 

That evening, Emilina—who had promised to return quickly—was nowhere to be found.

“Please… don’t go.”

An ominous feeling arose.

She couldn’t quite put it into words, but a sharp instinct screamed that she must not let her go.

However, Emilina turned her back coldly.

“It won’t take long. I’ll be back soon.”

Kyr reached out to grab her, but the searing pain that followed made him lose consciousness.

And that evening, Emilina, who had promised to return soon, was nowhere to be found.

***

It was a time when he was much younger.

Kirzen’s world was small.

A cold father who cared for nothing but his mother.

A frail yet strong and gentle mother.

Even when he was locked in his room due to his father’s anger, he never felt lonely because his mother always came to see him.

But as his mother’s visits became less frequent, his uncle arrived.

“Your father has passed away.”

“Uncle…?”

“You wretched creature. Your father was right. A monster like you should never have been born!”

His words were laced with venom, spat out in a fit of rage.

And he showed no hesitation in hurting Kirzen.

His uncle went on, calling him the disgrace of their family.

Blaming him for his parents’ deaths. For the misfortunes that had befallen their noble house.

It was all because of him.

In his childish innocence, Kirzen pleaded.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Uncle. Please forgive me.”

But no matter how much he begged, his uncle’s harsh words did not stop.

“It’s all your fault. You are sin itself!”

Kirzen clenched his eyes shut.

He wanted to escape this nightmare.

The cold, condemning gaze of his uncle terrified him.

And when he opened his eyes again, he found himself standing in the middle of a forest.

But instead of his uncle, he saw Emilina.

Bathed in sunlight, she smiled beautifully.

Cautiously, Kirzen reached out toward her.

He feared she might disappear, but he gathered his courage and took a step forward.

Thankfully, Emilina did not vanish.

Instead, she gently lifted him up and held him in her arms.

At that moment, tears welled up in Kirzen’s eyes.

Relief crashed over him like a wave, making his vision blur with warmth.

Her embrace was just as warm as his mother’s.

He wished he could stay like this forever, wrapped in Emilina’s arms.

Even if his small and frail form made others mistake him for a mere cat.

But that peace did not last long.

Because above his head, a voice—soft yet piercing—spoke.

“Monster.”

It’s all because of you.

Despite the gentle tone, the words cut deep like a dagger.

Just like the accusations and condemnations his uncle had hurled at him.

 

These were words he never wanted to hear from Emilina, of all people.

 

Somewhere deep in Kirzen’s chest, something shattered with an audible crack.

 

* * *

 

“Gasp!”

 

Kirzen jolted awake with a start.

 

His ragged breaths tore through the silence of the room.

 

“Haa… haa—”

 

As he struggled to sit up, panting heavily, he took in the unnervingly quiet chamber around him.

 

The silence was almost ominous.

 

Just then, a deep, unfamiliar voice spoke from beside him.

 

“Ah, you’re awake.”

 

Kirzen instinctively tried to recoil.

 

But a gentle yet firm pressure on his chest stopped him from moving.

 

“Rest a while longer. Your fever has broken, but you’re still too weak to move.”

 

“Who… are you?”

 

Kirzen asked warily.

 

The man withdrew his hand and sighed as if amused.

 

“That’s what I should be asking. Who are you?”

 

“……”

 

Kirzen remained silent, studying the man intently.

 

So… this wasn’t someone his uncle had sent?