WLTIS | CHAPTER 50

Chapter 50

After checking the art studio, Lincia pulled the easel and placed it in front of the bed.

She felt uneasy that the man might wake up if she left for too long, so she decided to stay nearby.

Even though she brought the easel to paint, no subject came to mind, and she sat before the blank canvas for a long while.

A soft beam of light slipped through the curtains and shone on the man.

The sunlight touched his cheeks, which sometimes looked pale enough to sting the eyes, and turned them golden.

His eyes, which looked sharp when open, were now gently closed, adding to his peaceful appearance.

Lincia, guided by instinct, picked up her pencil.

It was her first time drawing someone without asking for permission.

Since it was Harvich who had dragged her back into the past without asking, surely he wouldn’t mind if she drew him.

“You once said you wanted me to paint you someday.”

He had indeed expressed his wish to be the subject of her portrait.

The sleeping man was a perfect subject.

He didn’t move or toss around, lying still until the sketch was done.

But that didn’t mean Harvich never woke up.

Whenever Lincia made a big movement or had a meal, he always opened his eyes.

He would look at her as if checking what she was doing, then quietly close his eyes again.

When the sketch was finished, Lincia stared at it for a moment before moving the easel to the corner of the room.

The image of Harvich on the canvas carried her emotions fully.

Every line had been drawn with such care that anyone could tell the artist loved the person she painted.

After washing up briefly, Lincia looked at Harvich.

Then, she carefully lay beside him.

He opened his eyes.

Even in the darkness, his red eyes were vivid.

“…Is it night?”

His low, sleepy voice sounded pleasant to her ears.

Hearing him ask about the time, Lincia wondered if she had let him sleep too long.

“Should I have woken you?” she asked softly.

Harvich didn’t answer.

Instead, he closed his eyes and pulled her into his arms.

Pressed against his chest, she could hear the heavy thud of his heartbeat — clearly not her own.

When she lifted her head, Harvich was already asleep.

She felt confused.

She didn’t understand what that rapid heartbeat meant.

Nor did she want to hope for anything.

“When we return to the castle, there’s something I must tell you.”

Yet as she listened to his heartbeat, she couldn’t help wondering like a fool what Harvich had meant to say.

When she woke up, the space beside her was empty.

She sat up and looked at the cold, empty spot.

Then she rose and went to the bedside table.

Beneath the water bottle lay a neatly written note.

[ I’m going to finish some unfinished business.

I’m sorry for letting you greet the morning alone.

Please don’t leave the room today.

The cleanup isn’t complete yet. ]

The emotional knot caused by him wasn’t fully untangled.

But seeing that Harvich had recreated her dreamlike art studio eased her heart a little.

He might have been poor with words, but his actions always spoke clearly.

Lincia walked toward the canvas she had pushed aside the day before.

She lifted the dry cloth, revealing the sketch beneath.

The lines were so honest that her cheeks grew hot.

Just looking at the drawing made her chest feel ticklish.

Knock knock

“Did you call for me?”

Hearing movement inside, Erna opened the bedroom door and stepped in.

“…Where’s Anna?”

It had already been two days since Lincia last saw her.

“Maid Aidan is almost recovered,” Erna replied.

“That’s a relief. She still doesn’t want me to visit her, does she?”

“Yes, she asked that you wait until she can come to you herself. Shall I bring your meal?”

“Please do. After that, you don’t need to bring anything until I call.”

Erna bowed and quietly left the room.

Before long, she returned carrying food.

Lincia gazed blankly at the dishes — all things she used to enjoy in the two-story house.

Pumpkin stew, venison, and white bread — far too much for one person.

It was clear Harvich had arranged it, knowing she only ate one meal a day.

Even the tray had her medicines carefully laid out by time.

She had little appetite, but she couldn’t ignore the effort, so she picked up her spoon.

***

Harvich received a report that Yulias had arrived at the gates of the Grand Duke’s castle.

He was certain he had sent a letter asking to meet halfway.

He had also heard that Yulias received the letter, and was puzzled why no reply came.

When Harvich approached the gate, Yulias greeted him with a bright smile and a wave.

“Harvich.”

The sight of the man’s smiling face immediately soured his mood.

If Yulias only wanted to clear up a misunderstanding, he didn’t need to come all the way to the Grand Duke’s domain.

It wasn’t wise for the Emperor himself to visit such a sensitive region.

“Did you come alone?” Harvich asked.

“Yes. The supplies will arrive in two or three days.”

“Did you not receive my message asking to meet midway?”

Yulias answered casually, but Harvich knew he was lying.

Still, he didn’t show it.

“I see. Then I’ll have a place prepared for you to rest,” Harvich replied flatly, walking toward the outer castle.

“I’d rather talk with you for a bit,” Yulias said.

Harvich couldn’t hide his confusion.

“I came to the north as your friend, you know. So speak comfortably.”

Harvich turned toward the drawing room.

The Grand Duke’s castle was built with extra care for soundproofing.

There was no risk of being overheard.

Even guards were stationed nearby to prevent anyone from eavesdropping.

“You’re thorough as always,” Yulias remarked.

The unannounced visit had already annoyed Harvich.

He had even dismissed Kaiden Avalon in a hurry to meet Yulias halfway.

Since he had already gathered evidence of Kaiden’s suspicious dealings, the matter was handled swiftly.

Harvich had left Kaiden in place until now only to uncover why one of his vassals was communicating with the imperial family.

He hadn’t learned every detail, but he worried Kaiden might make a move on Lincia while he was away — so he dealt with him first.

Because right now, nothing mattered more to him than Lincia.

“Why did you come?” Harvich finally asked.

“I couldn’t very well tell my sister to meet me halfway, could I? And you weren’t going to bring her yourself.”

A moment ago, Yulias claimed he hadn’t received the letter, but now he mentioned the midpoint — confirming his lie.

Clearly, his real reason for coming wasn’t to clear things up with Harvich, but to see Lincia.

“My wife is not in a condition to meet anyone,” Harvich said.

Because of Yulias’s unexpected visit, he couldn’t keep the promise he made to Lincia to prevent such a meeting.

The best he could do now was make sure Yulias never saw her before he left the castle.

“Why?” Yulias asked.

“She’s ill,” Harvich replied.