After I Died, He Died After Me Too - Chapter 10

Chapter 5.2

“Bianca, wait a moment.”

She turned her head at the sound of Asilian’s voice calling her. As he stepped closer, he draped his jacket over her shoulders and placed a lantern in her hand.

“Your body will heat up, and you’ll feel cold. Don’t stop and just keep walking. Get into the carriage before anyone speaks to you. Even if you feel unwell, don’t stop and go straight home. Do you understand?”

He asked her several times with a worried look in his eyes. In fact, it seemed like symptoms were already starting.

“…I will.”

Bianca stood by the back door and gazed at Asilian, who gestured as if to reassure her.

Seeing that, she opened the back door and walked through the passage. She wasn’t startled by the darkness where nothing was visible.

She simply held the lantern in her hand and walked briskly.

She thought it would be connected outside, but she didn’t realize it would lead out into the garden. In addition, the imperial palace had so many gardens that she couldn’t even tell which one she was in.

“…I’m in trouble.”

Her heart was beating faster and faster. As her breathing quickened and her steps slowed down, her vision alternated between blurry and clear.

Every time she took a step, it felt like she was sinking down. Her precarious gait continued.

‘I have to hold on until I get home.’

If she collapsed here, she didn’t know what might happen. Since she had just awakened as a guide, her pheromones were stronger than usual, and she may be naturally attracting Espers. Above all, this was a garden. The dark night sky obscured people’s vision. Late at night, when courage surged and reason blurred, it was dangerous in many ways.

‘I have to quickly get to where the carriage is.’

She struggled to hurry her steps.

“Ah…!”

At that moment, her body staggered heavily, and Bianca’s expression turned puzzled. She froze in place, staring blankly into space for a moment.

Her strength was rapidly draining, and her mind became foggy.

As she leaned forward slightly and placed her hand on her knees to catch her breath, she could feel the heat from her exhaled breath.

“Haah, ha.”

Her pallid face quickly flushed red. Her breath hitched, and she furrowed her brow as she tried to regain her composure.

“You look like you need help.”

“…I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine, so please don’t worry and just go on your way.”

Bianca responded without even raising her face.

‘Things are not looking good.’

She didn’t know what would happen when she awakened as a Guide or what changes would occur in her body. Even her family was caught off guard because there were no signs of her manifesting as a Guide in the first place.

“I’d like to, but it would be difficult if a problem arises here.”

The man’s voice was cold. Bianca had no choice but to raise her head.

“I’m fine, so… Uht.”

Once again, her body collapsed downward. It felt like her body was crumbling in an instant. An unrecognizable moan escaped her lips.

‘…No.’

Bianca instinctively realized that her body had reached its limit. Eventually, she sank to the ground, clutching the grass tightly as she whimpered.

“Huu…”

As she gasped in pain, she knew she had to get out of here quickly. Just as she thought so, a strong wave enveloped her.

Bianca’s eyes widened.

It felt like her breathing was getting easier. Apart from that, she felt a sense of unease.

“I think I can help.”

‘…No way.’

If the person in front of her were an Esper, things would get complicated. She lifted her head, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth as if she was trying to assure the man that she was okay.

“Oh, aren’t you the young lady from the Astri family?”

“…I greet Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

She let go of the grass and moved her hands between the folds of her skirt to hide them. She shouldn’t show that she was nervous.

Of all places, to meet here was unfortunate timing.

“It seems like you’re gasping for breath, and you’re starting to run a fever.”

Saying so, Dexter took a step toward her. He leaned down and gently lifted the tip of her chin with his hand as she sat on the ground.

“Didn’t you already anticipate this?”

“Hhht.”

“You’re in pain just from being touched like this. The Astri family is fearless.”

Bianca clenched her fists and lowered her gaze.

“…You’re mistaken. I have no intention of deceiving the imperial family. It’s just that it happened so suddenly that there was no prior inclination.”

The Crown Prince would have already noticed her condition based on her physical state. He was the strongest Esper in the Asteria Empire.

“A misunderstanding? Seeing as you’re suffering from awakening fever, I don’t think it’s a lie. Then I’m curious how you’ll explain this…”

The finger that had lifted his chin dropped lazily.

There seemed to be a moment of hesitation in his fingertips. As Dexter grabbed Bianca’s hand and pulled her up in one swift motion, she was up and in his arms.

“If this garden is none other than the Crown Prince’s garden.”

“That’s…!”

“Isn’t it safe to say that you came looking for me, an Esper?”

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