I Grabbed the Tyrant’s Heart - Chapter 245

“I need to get her another blanket.”

“I’ve already moved Ruby Daidi to a room. It’s just a result of shock, so don’t worry too much.”

“That’s a relief.”

Since my body was also in no condition to protest, I didn’t insist on visiting. Tess gently took me to the bed and laid me down.

“Go back to sleep, Euseniel. Your body is still in bad shape.”

Tess spoke with a drooping look, and he seemed like he was about to cry, so I reached out to him. He bent down so I could pull him into a hug.

“I missed you, Tess. I really, really missed you.”

“…It’s nice that you’re being kind, Euseniel, but I still prefer it if you’re not captured.”

He seemed quite flustered, muttering nonsense as he returned my embrace. He kissed my neck and chuckled softly.

“I bet that fool is probably hopping mad by now.”

“I hope he collapses holding his neck. His self-obsession is getting out of hand.”

“Did that bastard hurt you, Euseniel?”

Suddenly Tess sat up and asked in a soft voice. His eyes, visible beneath his dark hair, appeared calm, but I knew that in such moments, he was more dangerous than ever.

“It’s the mark from running away.”

“What about your wrist?”

He pointed out the burn on my left arm that I had forgotten about.

This time, it was my turn to avert my gaze. It wasn’t to protect the Southern Emperor but because I was worried Tess might lose control.

Eventually, I confessed under his persistent gaze.

“Ah, I really should just kill him.”

Tess mumbled as he buried his face in my chest.

Not you, but me.

I didn’t deny it, instead silently muttering to myself. I wished that no blood would stain your hands.

I gently stroked Tess’s head as he fell asleep.

* * *

Crack. Crack.

“There’s a strange noise coming from your body, Euseniel.”

As I stretched, I heard Tess muttering with a curious look on his face. After more than three days of rest, my body had already started to stiffen.

I ended up needing one more day of rest, so it took a full three days before I felt fully refreshed.

“Still, I feel the lightest I’ve ever been. By the way, that dragon was a fake?”

“Yes. It seems like it was an illusion. They cast magic that made it look like a dragon by using a medium. They lifted it high in the sky to hide that it was a fake.”

“Shameless.”

Normally, I wouldn’t have been so easily caught, but I missed the sensation of the trap while I was distracted by the dragon.

“Did the Southern Emperor say he was coming out himself? I’d like to see just how crumpled his face is.”

“Euseniel, only me. Okay?”

He whispered low, “Only me,” as he kissed my lips. Tess, in his thoughtful way, stayed close, either holding me or just gently touching me until I got better.

“Ah, mm.”

It was so sweet.

I drank the liquid, feeling like I was drinking an elixir of life. It made me want more, so I grabbed his soft hair and pushed my tongue into his moist mouth.

Holding his hand as it snuck under my shirt, I pulled away from his lips.

“Haa, Euseniel. Again. Hmm?”

Tess fluttered his lips like a delicate petal, but I shook my head.

“We need to prepare to leave.”

As Tess often does, he licked my cheek and whispered, as his wet lips trembled. He seemed to be holding something back, closing his eyes tightly and taking deep breaths, holding it in before exhaling.

“I should hold back, right? Damn it.”

Muttering a curse, Tess told me to wait and headed toward the bathroom. He came back a short while later, looking refreshed, and leaned in, pressing his forehead against mine as he whispered.

“Euseniel’s pretty eyes should only hold me, understood?”

“What if they don’t?”

“Uh…”

Tess trailed off, and his momentary fierceness answered for him. He stayed quiet for a while, then lifted his head, hesitating slightly before asking.

“That was a joke, right?”

“You figured it out this time.”

I smiled, running my fingers through his bangs, and Tess’s long eyelashes fluttered.

“Euseniel, my Euseniel. Only look at me.”

He lifted me in his arms and hummed, heading toward the door.

“Let me be the only one in those starry eyes of yours.”

Starry, huh? Quite romantic. I felt a surge of happiness and nodded eagerly.

“Alright, but put me down.”

“Is that a promise? You understand?”

“Of course, to stay alive, I have to witness the enemy’s attacks, and to prevent financial issues, I should go and comfort my father.”

“That’s something I can tolerate. …Probably.”

He seemed uncertain, but Tess eventually agreed. I took his hand, pulling him with me.

“Let’s go.”

* * *

The Southern Empire’s army’s relentless advance continued as usual. They had seemed mad before, but today, their actions felt particularly intense.

They came in a swarm.

There was no better way to describe the Southern Empire’s army.

“So they must be confident in their population, or they really don’t care if their own people die.”

I pulled the reins to stand in a place where the enemy’s arrows wouldn’t reach. A shield battalion formed three layers ahead of me.

If their cavalry mounted the shields, our troops were set to thrust spears and knock them off their horses.

Then, the cavalry, including myself, would charge on signal and slice through their flanks. With that, the massive swarm should be split into two manageable parts to fight….

But can we even manage that?

“I have to, yes, I have to do this.”

Even if five of the knight squads came at me, I wouldn’t lose. Each knight squad typically consisted of 20-25 men, and their average strength was about equivalent to five regular soldiers.

At the very least, I would be taking on five hundred. And considering how much stronger I’ve gotten, let’s say one versus a thousand. In reality, it seems like I’m cutting down over a thousand enemies on the battlefield.

“Lady Hardland, the signal has come.”

A knight beside me informed me.

The Southern Empire’s army launched a large-scale attack spell first, which I blocked. Then, it was my turn again.

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