BOPE 77

Chapter 77 …

A week later, Donghee slowly began to walk again. Even the doctor, who had confidently declared that it would take much longer before she could stand, called it a miracle. She still needed splints and other people’s support, but compared to lying in bed all day, every step felt so exhilarating that she wanted to dance.

Word began to spread: with recovery that fast, perhaps their lord wasn’t quite human after all.

For someone who was always on the move, staying still made her restless.

That day, while Delma was nagging her yet again not to overexert herself, news came that Builder had arrived. Glad to see him after a long while, and curious to hear the news directly, Donghee had him brought to the parlor next to her bedroom.

When Builder entered and saw his lord’s face, his eyes instantly brimmed with tears. The usually reliable, stolid Builder sniffled with a reddened nose, leaving Donghee flustered.

“Why are you crying? I’m fine.”

“Sniff… My lord, forgive me. We should have protected you. Instead, you got hurt while protecting us… Hhhuhhh…”

Shoulders shaking, Builder only calmed down after Donghee reassured him multiple times.

“Don’t be like that. Sit down. Anna, go bring refreshments.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Anna scurried out. Delma carefully spread a blanket over her lord’s knees and propped cushions around so she could sit more comfortably.

It looked like it would take a long time before Delma’s obsessive care eased. Like a beast who had lost then regained her cub, she refused to leave Chloe’s side.

“I get it. I’m basically being treated like a baby.”

Donghee laughed awkwardly at Delma’s overprotectiveness, but Builder only shook his head firmly, as if it were natural.

“How’s the village? I heard it’s almost restored.”

“Yes, my lord. We cut and burned all trees tainted with the Qulen’s blood, then replaced them with new ones. As for the ashes of the young Qulen we burned, we buried them deep under the warding grass so no scent remains.”

“Well done. And the rest?”

“Thanks to you and the knights, not a single villager was harmed. But…”

That “but” was something both of them already knew. While no villagers were hurt that day, thirty-five knights lost their lives. Five of them bled out during treatment after losing limbs.

Even Red Bear, the knight commander, was gravely injured and still bedridden. Remembering the dead made Donghee’s blood boil all over again.

Since that day, the knights of Grace had changed. Despite their commander’s absence, they did not slack in training, and their loyalty to the lord who had fought to the end in such a frail body soared to the heavens.

“We’re still investigating. We’ll know who’s behind it soon.”

She could guess who without being told, but solid evidence was needed. Without it, if she confronted the meticulous Patrasche, he might twist things and pin false charges on her instead.

Still, family—yet he would go this far?

Donghee realized that Patrasche’s ambition wouldn’t stop until he stripped her of everything and cast her into the streets.

She absolutely could not sit and let that happen. But she had too little right now. Her heart grew impatient—no one knew what Patrasche would scheme next after this failed attempt. She had even more reason to recover quickly.

“My lord, the reason I came today is… I have something for you.”

“For me?”

Donghee widened her eyes, curious.

Builder stepped outside for a moment and returned, pulling in something familiar.

“A wheelchair?”

“Yes, my lord. Since walking is still difficult, I made this for you.”

When Donghee’s face lit up, Builder scratched his head, embarrassed.

It was a wooden wheelchair. Though even the wheels were wood, meaning it lacked cushioning, just the fact that she wouldn’t have to limp along with crutches thrilled Donghee.

“Thank you so much! Delma! I want to try sitting in it!”

She instinctively reached out her arms like a child toward Delma, then quickly pulled them back, embarrassed to realize Builder was watching. But Delma didn’t hesitate—she strode over, scooped her lord up princess-style, and lightly set her down in the wheelchair.

Builder, who had half-risen to help, stared wide-eyed in shock. Lifting a nearly grown girl so effortlessly—Delma didn’t even look strained.

“Wow! It’s so comfortable! Really, thank you, Builder.”

The chair Builder crafted had a soft cushion and fabric-wrapped handles, making it feel as cozy as a sofa. Donghee, who had assumed it would be rough since it was all wood, kept exclaiming at the unexpected comfort.

“I’m so glad it suits you.”

Seeing how genuinely pleased his lord was, Builder himself grew emotional, eyes misting. All those sleepless nights working had been worth it.

* * *

Now in her new wheelchair, Donghee rolled out to the garden for some fresh air. Being outside again felt like being alive. Delma and Anna clung to her side, never leaving, paling even if she so much as took a deep breath.

They slathered ointment on her constantly, using up a week’s prescription in just three days. The cook was busy making easy-to-digest meals, and the maids washed bloodied bandages and bedding daily without a single complaint.

With their lord awake again, Grace Castle brimmed with life.

“The wind is cold. Shall we go inside now?”

The air was indeed biting. Delma tucked another blanket around her lord’s shoulders, while Anna bundled her in a scarf and hat. Still uneasy, they paced circles around her, checking for any drafts.

“I’ve been lying down too long. It’s stifling. I want to stay out a little longer.”

For once, Donghee wanted to act spoiled. Even though just walking a little left her breathless and in pain that brought tears to her eyes, having survived death itself made even this suffering feel precious.

“Then only a little longer, and you must go in, all right?”

Delma laid another blanket over her shoulders—

“Chloe!”

The voice she least wanted to hear, not even in her dreams, suddenly rang out. Donghee turned toward the sound in disbelief.

There he was—Rei, golden hair shining, running with a bouquet in hand. The scene might have been picture-perfect from afar, like a movie still. The problem was that the one running toward her was Rei.

“What the hell is he doing here?”

She’d hoped never to see that face again.

“Chloe! Oh! My love, Chloe, what has happened to you!”

Clang!

Steel rang as swords crossed in an X before Rei, halting his approach. Startled by the knights’ murderous aura, Rei staggered back, sobbing pathetically.

“Who let him in?”

Donghee didn’t even look at Rei, her tired voice directed at her men. Soon, two flustered servants ran up behind him.

“Forgive us, my lord! We told him no!”

She didn’t feel like blaming the servants. What she really wanted to know was—who had let Rei into the castle despite her orders? She had meant to purge such people after the last incident, but things had been too hectic.

The servants were panting, as if they’d chased him all the way here.

“Get him out. And bring me whoever let him in.”

At her words, one knight immediately sprinted toward the gate.

“You—who allowed you here?”

Chloe’s glare was ice-cold. Rei collapsed to his knees, bawling as if the world had ended.

“Sniff… Chloe, when I heard you were injured, I realized how much I love you.”

Donghee grimaced, suppressing the urge to vomit.

“And how exactly did you get here?”

“I-I don’t even remember—”

“You came in a carriage.”

“Sniff… When I heard you were gravely ill, I rushed here like a madman.”

“No matter how ill I am, there’s no reason for me to see you.”

“What are you saying? We’re still engaged.”

“We broke it off. Don’t you know?”

“No! I can’t accept that. I still love you. I can’t live without you.”

Donghee couldn’t bear to listen anymore.

“Be honest. You came here for some other reason, didn’t you?”

In truth, Rei had come knowing he might be thrown out immediately. But seeing Chloe now, he convinced himself she hadn’t fully given up on him. Wetting his eyes a little more, he spoke in his most pitiful tone:

“Remember when I said I was buying that theater?”

“You did.”

Donghee didn’t remember at all, but pretended she did.

“Well, I’ve been paying it off bit by bit. Just one last payment remains.”

“Of course, the money you paid was the money I gave you?”

“Th-that’s true, but—imagine how good it’ll look if the fiancé of the Lord of Grace owns a theater. You said yourself it was an investment.”

“Go on.”

Since she didn’t cut him off, Rei grew bolder. Coming here on Erma’s advice had been the right choice, he thought.

“So please, just lend me 300 gold one last time. After that, I’ll never bother you like this again. I wanted to be not only handsome in your eyes, but also a man of wealth you could rely on. This is the last step. Once I overcome it, we can be happy again, Chloe. Please?”