The Male Lead Is Obsessed With My Health Chapter 192

One person couldn’t open her eyes, yet the world went on just fine.

Pession couldn’t get used to that fact.

The twins—who had sulked after being sent away so bluntly, then softened once they learned she was sick—Harun, who had returned without protest but still wondered about the reason, the children from their childhood circle, and even Chloe—all sent gifts wishing for her recovery and expressed concern. And yet, aside from that, everyone laughed well, talked well, and played well.

Pession found it strange.

How can they laugh?

Even now, he wanted to run to her out of sheer curiosity, because it bothered him that Arellin was alone.

How could everyone adapt to life without Arellin and live so normally?

When the emptiness she left behind felt so huge to him alone.

How?

He couldn’t laugh.

He didn’t feel like chatting with anyone, and though he forced himself through it, studying wouldn’t stick either.

His head was packed full of just one thing, to the point that no other thoughts could enter.

The first time he ever felt affection for someone.

For Pession, who knew nothing but giving his all even if he was clumsy and awkward, the emotional gap that came too early was unbearably hard to endure.

He was just liking someone.

And yet, the more that feeling grew, the more painful it became.

Because you don’t like me.

Because what you like isn’t as big as how much I like you.

Because you’re happy even without me.

Because you don’t lean on me.

Because you don’t need me.

He could only press down and suppress those ugly, misshapen feelings as they grew more varied and complex—without ever having learned what he was supposed to do with them.

“Arellin……”

And now you won’t even let me resent you.

Is liking someone supposed to be this painful?

People say it’s something happy and good—so why is it…

Why is it only hard and exhausting for me?

“This is strange.”

Am I doing something wrong?

Even though everyone tries to stop me, I still want to see you, to stay by your side.

What I want—

Is simply to be with you.

Just to be together, nothing more.

Just like you once said—wanting to stay together for a long time, growing up side by side.

Even wishing you’d like me just a little feels like greed now, even though I still remember that small hand you reached out to me like a miracle.

“You finally told me you liked me.”

Pession thought about what he could do.

There was nothing.

When Arellin was awake, he could at least bring her rare medicine, prepare tonics, make her exercise—but now that she was lying like this, there was nothing he could do.

Nothing at all.

“Die?”

Are you really going to die?

Everyone said that since Arellin would probably die, it would be better not to see her anymore—but he couldn’t understand that.

What does dying even mean?

Does it mean disappearing?

Going somewhere you can never return from?

Then he didn’t want that. He didn’t want her to die. He didn’t want her to be in pain. Arellin looked prettier when she smiled—

Pii—!

No one knew how it got in, but the baby divine beast On fluttered above Pession and Arellin’s heads, chirping loudly.

“Can’t you do something like healing?”

Pii—!

“You’re useless.”

Pii pii pii!

It pecked his arm with its beak, but Pession’s attention was completely fixed on the sleeping Arellin.

Even if he had to suppress his desire to see her every day and settle for once a month—no, even just once a year—he wished she would stay with him for a long, long time.

“You keep making me want to live.”

He remembered Arellin saying that quietly once, with a bitter smile.

What had she been thinking then?

“Your Highness, it’s time for you to return.”

At Graham’s quiet reminder, Pession hesitated.

He wanted to hold Arellin in his gaze just a little longer.

“Just a bit.”

“……”

“Just a little.”

By the rules, Graham should have urged him on—but the shadowed look on Pession’s face made him pause and wait in silence.

Pession simply looked at the sleeping Arellin.

And just as Graham was about to call him, unable to delay any longer—

She twitched.

Her eyelashes fluttered, and Arellin slowly opened the eyes she had kept gently closed.

“……Huh?”

At the foolish sound, Arellin turned her head and blinked several times.

Then—

“Wow.”

In a heavily hoarse voice, she called his name.

“Pession.”

 

 

 

****

 

 

For a moment, Pession couldn’t accept reality.

Focus returned to those hazy rose-colored eyes as Arellin tilted her head.

“Is this a dream?”

That was when Pession came to his senses.

“It’s not a dream.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

As Arellin made a small motion, trying to confirm whether what she was seeing was real, Pession cooperated by taking her hand.

“……It’s real.”

What were the odds of a coincidence like this?

“Why… are you, here.”

“Because I missed you.”

“I see…….”

Arellin nodded weakly.

Pession examined her complexion. The healthy flush she once had was nowhere to be seen—her face was as pale as the first time he’d met her.

“Does it hurt?”

“Mm, no…….”

Arellin blinked slowly.

“I’m just… really sleepy.”

There was no strength in her voice.

She would probably fall asleep again soon.

The brief lift in Pession’s mood when Arellin woke sank straight back down.

“Is there anything I can do for you?”

He wished he could do something.

No—he wanted to do something, anything.

But Arellin only shook her head, wanting nothing.

“Arell, is there anything you want from me?”

Her slowly turning head studied Pession carefully. A small, slender hand stretched out with effort.

“You…….”

“…….”

“I wish… you wouldn’t cry.”

Ah.

Had he been crying?

The hand touching Pession’s cheek was so thin and fragile that he was afraid it might break if he held it wrong.

“I’m so useless.”

Tears welled up in Pession’s large eyes.

“But… me being sick… it’s not your fault….”

“Even so.”

“I told you… you’d regret it.”

“I don’t regret it.”

“Is that so…….”

At Pession’s stubborn reply, Arellin smiled bitterly.

It hadn’t been long since she woke up, yet her eyes slowly closed again.

“Are you sleepy again?”

He knew he should let her sleep, but maybe because it had been so long since they’d talked, he didn’t want to let go.

Sensing the lingering regret in his voice, Arellin smiled faintly even as she closed her eyes.

“Sion.”

“Yeah.”

“I like you.”

Pession froze. Seeing him break down for an instant, Arellin smiled lightly.

“So… I hope you… can be happy too.”

Pession thought she was cruel.

Why say something like that at a moment like this?

Why now, of all times?

Arellin opened her eyes just a little and looked at Pession.

“Sion, are you happy?”

He should have answered that he was happy, but the word wouldn’t come out.

“……I don’t know.”

Everything felt suffocating.

Everything surrounding him.

“I just want to grow up quickly.”

If he were an adult, wouldn’t things be different? At least he wouldn’t feel this helpless and frustrated.

Adults can do anything.

If only he were an adult.

Arellin smiled faintly and nodded. Then she resumed her steady breathing and fell asleep again.

He waved a hand in front of her eyes and even touched her hand, reluctant to let go, but Arellin, once asleep again, didn’t wake.

 

 

 

****

 

 

 

 

“Ah.”

Mehen, who arrived late after hearing the news from Graham, looked flustered when she saw Pession coming out of the room.

“Has the young lady fallen asleep again?”

Pession nodded and passed by Mehen.

“I’ll be going now.”

Mehen, who naturally followed to see him off, spoke with a heavy expression.

“Your Highness, wouldn’t it be better if you stopped coming to Halbern now?”

“Why?”

“You know why.”

Pession’s gaze lingered on Arellin’s door before dropping away.

“No. I don’t want to.”

Watching Pession stubbornly shake his head, Mehen smiled bitterly.

[Status ailment ‘Debilitation’ is worsening]

I frowned as I looked at the status window that had now invaded even my dreams.

I know that without you telling me, you bastard.

Even though I was asleep, my consciousness remained awake. Most of the time, I was dreaming, but occasionally I could hear the voices of those keeping watch nearby.

Mehen, the maids, or sometimes Pession.

Whenever that happened, I desperately tried to wake up—but a status ailment was far stronger than I’d expected.

‘They said if I keep sleeping, I’ll live about a year longer…….’

I clicked my tongue, recalling the information I’d wrung out of the Laplace demon in my dream.

Those mage uncles—I trusted them.

Suddenly, it felt like my body was floating.

Slowly, my eyes opened.

What? Did I wake up?

A familiar ceiling greeted me.

Somewhere, I heard the sound of a cool breeze.

When I turned my head at the wind brushing my cheek, a familiar figure came into view beyond the brightly shining moonlight.

Cheyen smiled faintly.

“Looks like you’re not dead yet.”