Quinlen, who had been briefly unconscious, began to stir. The first thing waking thought that came to him was that his whole body hurt like fire. Every muscle was in pain. Not only was he severely tortured in the palace, but he had also used up his strength to escape.
“…Keut.”
He groaned as he lifted his upper body. From his side came a voice like a singing bird.
“Are you alright?”
Quinlen’s grey eyes turned towards the unexpected voice, and Amelia’s anxious face swam into view. As he looked into Amelia’s innocent-looking eyes, all the events that happened before passed him like a panorama. The young noblewoman took of her dress and exposed herself for the sake of Quinlen. She was Amanda’s sister, and would soon become Oliver’s sister-in-law, which meant that their difference in status was too great for her to ever reach him. And thus, Quinlen owed her a debt that he could never repay.
‘…Just let me go.’
He was not so helpless that he would give up his own life, but like so many people he had killed, he knew one day he would die. It didn’t matter if that moment was today. If he struggled to live but died anyway, it was inevitable.
Quinlen stared at her numbly, but she spoke to him with a voice full of concern.
“Would you like a glass of water?”
“…I’m fine.”
He refused her drink despite the rawness in his throat. However, when Amelia heard the way his voice cracked, she quickly left then returned with a glass of water from her room, and carefully tipped it towards his mouth.
As things went on like this, Quinlen simply drank the water that Amelia gave him. It was funny how a sip of water seemed to make him feel more energetic.
After he drained the cup, Amelia set the glass neatly aside. Come to think of it, Quinlen was still lying in the bathroom. Maybe his weight was too much for Amelia to carry, but his body was covered with heavy blankets, so it was not cold at all. He felt slightly guilty imagining Amelia heaving all those blankets inside.
“Your name…what is it?”
At her sudden question, Quinlen turned his head and looked at her. There was something cautious about her gaze. Or maybe she was too curious that she didn’t know what to do. What was his name…
“I don’t want to tell you. As you can see, my job is very dangerous.”
He wasn’t wrong, and he didn’t want to continue his relationship with Amelia any more. However, she had helped him, and if she would receive a gift that would be it.
“I want to know. I promise I won’t tell anyone, so…can you just tell me?”
“…”
After a moment, he thought it wouldn’t make any difference if she would never see him again anyway. He felt bad about being too difficult on her after she just saved his life.
“Quinlen…Marsh.”
He regretted it as soon as he spoke. He should’ve have given her an alias. Maybe his head wasn’t functioning properly because he was injured.
“Quinlen Marsh.”
Amelia repeated his name. The words tickled Quinlen strangely, and he forced himself to pull up his upper body. Amelia held him back with a surprised look on her face.
“D-don’t move. The wound is too serious–”
“These injuries are common. And if you don’t go now, you and I will be in trouble.”
However, something different had caught Amelia’s attention.
“Those injuries…are common?”
Quinlen’s primary mission before he was assigned to infiltrate the Empress’ palace was to keep by Amanda’s side like a silent shadow. He had Amelia’s face from a distance. He could tell at a glance that she was a very bright girl like the sun. A type of person completely different from himself.
He didn’t know if Amelia acted like this everyday, but Quinlen felt troubled as her kindness and warmth was turned towards him.
“I’ll leave now.”
Quinlen staggered to his feet. It was not the first time that he had overcome a situation where he thought he was going to die like this. He stumbled straight ahead, and Amelia quickly went to his side and grabbed him by his arm.
“Can you really go on like this?”
“Yes, this is enough.”
He replied calmly as if he were used to this, and Amelia couldn’t help but think how unfortunate this situation was. She was looking up at Quinlen with shimmering eyes. It seemed to contain feelings he had never received from anyone. He spoke in spite of himself.
“…Thank you. “
Amelia’s eyes widened. Quinlen, who had finished talking, stumbled out of the room. Amelia went after him, and spoke to his retreating back.
“Since I saved you life, can you grant me a wish?”
“…?”
Quinlen stopped walking and turned his head back.
“Please…let me see you one more time. When you’re well, come see me. My name is Amelia Blaise.”
“…”
Quinlen tightened his lips and turned away without answering. Amelia stared sadly at him as he left.
Meanwhile, Jobbers reported to Oliver.
“Your Highness, we found Quinlen.”