At the End of the Hidden Greenery - Chapter 150

Lying on the bed, feeling as though her body might sink into it, Jiwoo was gently caressed and soon drifted off to sleep.

“Mmm…”

[Are you awake?]

Jiwoo quickly sat up in a deep voice.

“How, how long did I sleep…?”

She had only rested for a short while, but her exhaustion had eased somewhat.

“Helka?”

[Yes, I’m here.]

Helka was lying next to her, propping himself up on his arm.

It seemed he had changed her clothes and tidied her hair while she slept. But despite feeling more rested, Jiwoo didn’t feel as light as she did when Akarna’s power was with her.

Jiwoo spoke with a sigh.

“Helka, I’m still not back to my full strength.”

[I know. Please speak as you feel comfortable.]

Jiwoo hesitated for a moment before answering in El Ragneil.

[Is this fine?]

The polite form of El Ragneil was much more complicated than the language Jiwoo had been using, and she hadn’t fully mastered it yet.

[Has it become comfortable for you to speak this way?]

[No… I have to get used to speaking like this to improve, when I’m without Akarna’s power. It will get easier.]

[Without Akarna’s power… I see.]

Helka always listened to Jiwoo seriously, but somehow the conversation didn’t seem to continue.

Instead, he quietly stroked Jiwoo’s hair or gently brushed his fingers across her cheek. These touches were affectionate and light, more of a tender care than anything se*ual.

Yet, the silence felt heavy, and it was becoming a bit awkward.

Especially since Helka’s gaze never seemed to leave her. With his usual serious expression, he stared at Jiwoo intently.

It wasn’t that he was lost in thought, he was simply looking at her, and when Jiwoo blinked, licked her lower lip, or took a breath, his gaze followed every small movement.

Feeling embarrassed, Jiwoo gently stroked the back of her neck and spoke.

[Well, this is the opposite.]

[Opposite? What do you mean?]

Jiwoo remembered what had happened in this place before. Back then, she had been exhausted, with sharp gazes from all sides, making her on edge.

[Right now, I’m the fool, and Helka is taking care of me.]

[I see.]

And once again, the conversation stalled.

But the relentless gaze continued, and Jiwoo couldn’t help but ask.

[Why do you keep staring at me like that?]

[Is it uncomfortable?]

It wasn’t uncomfortable, but Jiwoo couldn’t understand why she felt so shy. Even though it was just gentle touches from Helka, who was far more courteous than the fool who always stuck to her and tried to shower her with excessive affection at every opportunity.

When Jiwoo shook her head, Helka took her hand in his large one and pulled it toward him, pressing his lips to her palm.

The warmth of his lips on her skin was striking, and his breath against her wrist felt equally intense.

[…I rarely get to see Seo Jiwoo without Akarna’s power.]

His gaze was just as intense.

Jiwoo felt embarrassed by his unblinking stare and turned her gaze away.

[What’s the difference…?]

[To me, this feels more like the real Seo Jiwoo, and I’m glad for it.]

Akarna was like a constant protective shield. So, when it temporarily faded, it was like a shock to Jiwoo. The raw world rushed in and hit her like a tidal wave

It seemed that her husbands felt the same way as Jiwoo when the shield weakened. This was also why she wanted to use Akarna’s power to heal the trees of El Ragneil. Jiwoo liked the feeling of being much closer to these people, too.

[Still, it’s difficult. I can’t even heal you.]

This was the one thing that bothered her.

[You’re still in pain, aren’t you?]

[It’s bearable.]

She almost asked what exactly was bearable, but decided not to.

Jiwoo had always thought that Helka needed to be protected simply because he was in pain. But when she thought about it more, she realized that Helka had willingly decided to meet his end when his body became this way, not wanting to harm his brothers.

The state of being consumed by the miasma had been so severe that even after sleeping with Akarna, it only extended his life a little. It would take more time to fully heal.

[I wanted to heal you quickly…]

[I’m actually happy. This unusual state is what gives me the strength to protect you.]

Helka gently brushed Jiwoo’s cheek with the same hand that had been fixing her hair. He caressed her with a careful touch, almost like he was stroking soft fur, and smiled gently.

[And you take good care of me as well.]

Jiwoo couldn’t help but find it a little cute. Normally, Helka was so serious, but in this state, he was almost like a puppy, clinging to her and not wanting to let go. Sometimes, it felt like he was too dependent.

But the reason Helka acted this way was because he was in pain.

[Even though you’re in pain…]

However, Helka just smiled, as though he didn’t mind.

The miasma, which he had originally accepted into his body with the intention of dying, had become a special power after meeting Jiwoo. It was even enough to easily repel those who had approached with ill intentions.

But even knowing that, Jiwoo’s expression didn’t relax.

[You seem to be very worried.]

[Yes…]

[That won’t happen. For us, losing you is a far more unbearable fate than pain or death.]

Helka spoke in a reassuring tone, never letting the smile fade from his face.

Even if….they were to fail and someone tried to take Jiwoo away, it wouldn’t be the worst thing.

The children of Ellandos were crafty. Now that they knew Akarna’s power was based on mental strength, they wouldn’t be able to kill the brothers of this group outright and try to steal Jiwoo. Even if the situation escalated, she would never have to witness something so shocking.

It would be different if they approached pretending to be harmless and tried something behind her back, though.