Despite Being an Extra, I'm the Villain's Childhood Friend - Chapter 65
Chapter 65
His palms drained of blood, and his words stumbled.
“Uh…”
This was an emergency. The throbbing pain in his chest was overwhelming, and the metallic scent of blood rose in his throat.
Robert fought to regain his composure, though he wasn’t sure what kind of composure he could even grasp. His right hand was frozen, so he pressed his left hand to his heart, desperately trying to regulate his mana flow.
It was so difficult to concentrate that cold sweat beaded on his forehead. A strange, tightening sensation low in his abdomen added to his distress, making his breath come in ragged gasps.
A warning flared in his mind.
‘This is it. I could actually die. I’ve survived this long. I can’t die like this!’
He finally pulled his hand away, gasping for air as he looked at Izeline.
“This is crazy. What’s happening to me?”
His body was not his own. He felt as though he was burning from head to toe. Robert abruptly pulled the covers up to Izeline’s forehead. But only a moment later, unable to bear it any longer, he scrambled out of bed and fled to his own room.
* * *
Bright morning light streamed through the window, dancing across Izeline’s eyelids.
“Mmm…”
She stretched languidly without opening her eyes, then curled up like a cat settling down for a nap. She’d spent the previous night sorting through her thoughts, even dreaming about them.
It was a testament to how much she’d been agonizing over the situation. However, thanks to that, she woke up feeling refreshed. If Michael’s prediction about Arsen writing a letter of recommendation proved true, then she and Robert would both attend Stephil Academy.
If they’d miscalculated, she could at least lurk nearby.
The key was preventing any animosity between Robert and Arsen. All she had to do was guide them toward a friendly relationship. Even Michael, the sub-male lead who was supposed to be the villain’s enemy, was getting along fine with Robert.
‘If only I still had the Audience Badge.’
Someone had ground it to dust. It had happened years ago, but suddenly, she felt a pang of regret. She narrowed her eyes, wanting to glare at the culprit.
“Huh?”
In the next instant, Izeline’s eyes flew open. Robert, who she’d assumed was still fast asleep, was gone.
“Is he already up?”
Or was she the one who had overslept?
She glanced out the window. The sun was still low, just beginning its ascent. Just in case, she checked the clock. It was indeed early.
“Did he not come back last night?”
Tilting her head, she got out of bed and hurried to the bathroom. After a quick wash, she dashed to the next room and flung open Robert’s door.
“Robert!”
Crash!
“….?”
Izeline’s eyes widened at the commotion. What was going on? Robert, who seemed to have been sitting in a chair, had toppled over backward, chair and all.
“Robert…?”
She called his name, bewildered. He scrambled up, clearly flustered, and stammered, “Uh… Izeline! What’s going on?”
Izeline narrowed her eyes.
“As if you don’t know why we’re usually together.”
“No, I mean, I, I wasn’t doing anything.”
“….?”
“I mean, I was just… looking out the window!”
“….”
“….”
He was incredibly suspicious. Izeline took a step closer, her eyes fixed on him, each step increasing his visible unease. She was almost certain he’d been up to something.
“Did you do something while I was asleep?”
“What? What?”
He’d been caught. The way he raised his voice, his face a picture of guilt, confirmed her suspicions. Robert seemed to realize he’d overreacted and clamped his mouth shut.
Then, as if feeling wronged, he blurted.
“No, I really was just sitting there.”
“….”
“….”
His voice was laced with desperation, the last part barely a whisper. Izeline, now standing directly in front of him, crouched down and looked at Robert, who was still sprawled on the floor with the overturned chair.
“What were you doing just now?”
“I was…”
He hesitated, then finally forced the words out.
“…Looking at my hand.”
“Your hand?”
Robert nodded slightly, then glanced up at her.
‘Is she really not bothered by this? My palms have been burning for hours like I’ve been branded…’
She was so consistently oblivious. About everything. He felt alone in his turmoil, unsure what to do, and hung his head in defeat. Izeline sighed softly, looking at him with concern. The dark circles under his eyes suggested a sleepless night filled with worry.
“Robert.”
She held out a hand to help him up. He hesitated, his gaze fixed on her hand. Just the thought of touching her sent a jolt of electricity through him.
“….”
He pretended not to notice her outstretched hand and awkwardly pushed himself up. Then, he busied himself righting the chair and needlessly dusting it off. Izeline watched him, her face etched with worry.
“Couldn’t sleep?”
“Huh? Uh, that’s…”
He trailed off. He couldn’t possibly tell her that he’d spent the night reciting the Barkan Empire’s national anthem, overwhelmed by the unfamiliar sensations coursing through him.
“Is it your heart? Were you too excited about the possibility of it being healed?”
It was half true.
He had been excited, though not about the Krug’s healing. Robert quickly fabricated an excuse, afraid to worry her further.
“I just had a lot on my mind. I spent the night regulating my mana, so I couldn’t sleep.”
Her expression clouded slightly. Without Krug’s healing, the academy and everything else would be out of reach.
“We don’t know for sure yet, so don’t overthink it.”
“Yeah, okay.”
Relieved that his excuse had worked, Robert failed to notice the subtle shift in her expression.
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