Weren’t You the One Who Was Dying? Chapter 16

“In 1332, she received treatment for a broken leg and burns at Merill Medical Center in the capital. In 1335, she was treated for measles within the count’s territory.”

However, it only listed things from her childhood. There was no medical record explaining the illness she had now.

Of course, since Dapflen Aileta was a healer herself, it was entirely possible that she chose not to leave records about her own condition.

Still, if it were true, it would be discovered soon enough. Ehit had already seen her coughing up blood.

‘Breaking off the engagement…’

But would the duke really make that decision?

The man who had unilaterally sent the marriage contract, saying she was his fiancé.

The duke was very clear about what was within his grasp and what was not.

Anything outside his hand—whether it turned to ashes or something else—didn’t interest him at all. But once he decided something belonged to Cloyden, he never let it go.

Even if the fiancée he had chosen for his grandson was terminally ill.

His thoughts grew tangled. His head throbbed even more.

Ehit shifted his gaze and read through Dapflen’s recent movements.

“September 10: Sent a telegram to her brother, Elzers Aileta, at the post office.

September 12: Took a train to Regen, moved around the area near Lus Academy. Returned to Bellachen by train five hours later.”

‘Regen?’

At the familiar city name, Ehit’s eyes stopped.

He closed the document detailing Dapflen’s background and movements and slid it back under the black folder.

‘She went to Regen?’

His gaze moved to another document stamped with the Bellachen Navy seal.

“Regen City Holy Relic Theft Case”

It was one of the files Ehit and his aides had been reviewing.

The case involved the theft of the holy relic “Iclla,” which had been kept at a cathedral in Regen.

Iclla was a relic that aged objects. Until then, it had been considered practically useless.

Only after it was stolen did the relic suddenly gain attention. The trail of the theft was hard to follow, and the possibility of pirates being involved was raised.

That was why a case originally under Regen’s military jurisdiction had been handed over to the Bellachen Navy.

Then, just two days ago, the theft escalated into a murder case. A scholar from Lus Academy, who had been advising on tracking the relic through its holy power, was killed.

Killed by the relic Iclla—every cell in his body aged to death.

And that had happened on the very same day his fiancée went to Regen and visited Lus Academy.

‘Why did she go?’

That wasn’t the only thing bothering him.

Why had she come to his house recently? And who was the man standing with her in front of it?

He needed to sort things out.

Ehit set his pen down with a soft tap.

“……”

A sharp pain suddenly shot through his head.

‘…Tch.’

It was a side effect of precognitive sight, the ability passed down through the Cloyden family.

‘Even when I’m not using it, the side effects don’t fade easily.’

“You could die within three years if you keep using it.”

He had heard those words two years ago.

Ehit knew well how much the navy had relied on his ability. The power to see the future—how convenient a blessing it was.

But unfortunately, that blessing did not suit his body.

The more he used precognitive sight, the more poison built up in him, and crossing the threshold toward death would not take long.

He still remembered the stunned expression his superior had worn when he first heard the news.

“What do you want to do, Lieutenant Colonel Cloyden?”

In response, Ehit—then a lieutenant colonel—had answered,

“I will no longer use this ability.”

It was a dry reply, with no worry or fear in it.

It wasn’t because he treasured his life that much. He simply understood what role he could best fulfill as a naval officer.

If using precognitive sight meant he would disappear in just three years, then from the Empire’s perspective, that would be a far greater loss.

Knowing that, the navy did not force him to use it. They only debated for a long time whether or not to make the matter public.

Letting it be known within the navy wasn’t a problem. The issue was enemies—those he would inevitably face as a soldier.

The moment one knows the opponent’s strength has weakened, morale rises. The same would apply to enemy forces.

If it became known that the navy no longer possessed precognitive sight, that alone could be a threat.

In the end, the high command decided not to announce it publicly. Except for a select few, no one knew that Ehit no longer used the ability—neither allies nor enemies.

Of course, this was possible because Ehit’s own abilities were outstanding to begin with.

With extremely meticulous tactics and strategic thinking, one could act as if they had seen the future. And Ehit was exactly that kind of person.

“……”

Maintaining his emotionless expression, Ehit clenched his fist tightly and endured the pain.

Even without using precognitive sight, this kind of periodic pain came to him. Especially when something was bothering him.

‘Something that’s bothering me…’

Once the pain subsided, Ehit’s eyes drifted back to the document beneath the black folder.

He didn’t think she was bold enough to kill someone.

But—

‘Anyone changes when death is right in front of them.’

Ehit closed his eyes and pressed his temple. Beneath his stiff expression, thoughts tangled endlessly.

After a moment, his eyelids slowly lifted.

‘Maybe this is actually convenient.’

Thinking about it, that was true. He hadn’t wanted this engagement in the first place.

Being promised the Cloyden title—the condition was simply to get engaged to the person chosen by the duke. Given that situation, no matter what Dapflen’s circumstances were, Ehit couldn’t be the one to bring up breaking off the engagement first.

But if the fiancée disappeared before the wedding, then Ehit would have fulfilled his obligation, and the duke would have nothing to say.

After all, his fiancée was shameless and suspicious in many ways. Making a lifelong promise with someone like that was impossible anyway. In that sense, wasn’t it better this way?

‘I should confirm it again.’

He needed clearer confirmation. Was Dapflen Aileta really about to die, or was there something else hidden beneath that evasive expression?

Only after resolving his doubts about her would he be able to focus properly on the case.

“Colonel? What are you thinking so deeply about?”

From one side, Dellers Bright looked up from the documents he had been sorting through.

Without even looking at him, Ehit waved a hand.

“Just do your work, Major.”

Even at Ehit’s cold response, Dellers didn’t back off. He slowly walked closer and said with a sly smile,

“Well then, congratulations.”

“For what?”

“Your engagement. I don’t think I properly congratulated you yet.”

Ehit usually kept a proper distance from his aides, but Dellers constantly tried to cross that line. He seemed like someone naturally sociable and smooth.

Once Ehit and Dellers started talking, the other aides gathered around as if they’d been waiting for it.

Ignoring their superior’s obvious fatigue and irritation, they poured out congratulations.

Just as Ehit gave up on ignoring them and pressed his temple again, Dellers spoke.

“Lady Dapflen Aileta is smart and a good person. Her personality is… well, I’m not sure. Still, she’s one of the better people I’ve met, so I can sincerely congratulate you.”

“You know her?”

“Yes, Colonel. Major Bright and Lady Aileta have been very close since their academy days!”

It was Mendel who answered.

At Mendel’s casual tone, Ehit replied with a disinterested “I see.”

“She studied at the academy in the capital, and then they met again after coming to Bellachen, right? You two really seemed close!”

“Mendel.”

Ariel firmly grabbed Mendel’s shoulder mid-sentence.

“There were even times Lady Aileta came to the naval base, but the colonel didn’t see her—huh? Why?”

Ignoring Mendel’s confused look, Ariel cut him off.

“Colonel, anyway, the conclusion is that Lady Aileta is a good person. That’s why we’re congratulating you.”

The aides watched Ehit carefully, but there was no sign on his indifferent face that he cared about the conversation at all.

“Judging by how talkative you all are, it seems it’s time to rest. That’s enough for today. Go home.”

“Ah—yes. We’ll work faster.”

“I mean it. Don’t make me say it twice.”

At Ehit’s words, the aides quickly scattered back to their places.

After sending them all out, Ehit also left the office with the same emotionless expression.

He made sure not to forget to thoroughly shred the document that had been under the black folder.

 

****

 

 

 

“Ehit?”

When I opened the door, the person standing there was—unexpectedly—Ehit.

He was looking at me with the same eyes he’d had the day he came to Salon Ohastein to catch the drug dealer.

“What brings you here?”

Instead of answering, he returned a cold stare. I just cleared my throat and stood straight.

Why does he always look like that? Does this man even know how to smile?

“Do you have nothing to say to me?”

“Me?”

Why ask me that? You’re the one who came here.

“You’re the one standing here right now. You’re the one who knocked on my door, and you’re the one looking like you have something to say, Ehit.”

“Then why did you come to see me a few days ago?”

For a moment, I was speechless. I bought myself time with an awkward grin, then hurriedly threw back the words he’d once said to me.

“Because I… wanted to see you? Haha.”

Silence fell.

Ehit’s cold gaze didn’t waver in the slightest at my hastily made flirtation.