The Tyrant Won’t Let Me Go Chapter 118 - Side Story 2

I slowly opened my tightly closed eyes and gently pulled my lips away.

 

Just then, a large hand grasped mine.

 

“Ciel, what are you doing?”

 

Seeing those glimmering red eyes under the faint moonlight, my mind went blank in an instant.

 

‘This can’t be happening.’

 

He had never woken up before, not even once. I was sure I had confirmed he was asleep.

 

But the moment I met those red eyes again, I forced myself to compose my thoughts and smiled as if nothing was wrong.

 

“I didn’t think you’d wake up, I’m sorry. It’s just that your sleeping face is so lovely, I couldn’t help myself—”

 

“Ciel.”

 

Cedric, who rarely interrupted me, called my name.

 

With a look that said he knew everything.

 

“It’s because of my lifespan, isn’t it?”

 

“That green topaz—you’ve been putting it under my pillow too, haven’t you?”

 

His red eyes shifted to the green gemstone I hadn’t fully hidden in my clothes.

 

Now that the existence of the gemstone had been discovered, there was no point in hiding it anymore.

 

So, without closing my hand around the gemstone, I raised my head and asked in a low voice,

 

“…How long have you known?”

 

“Since three days ago.”

 

Cedric scratched his cheek as he answered, “Paul came to change the bedding and found the gemstone slipped under my pillow. He gave it to me, saying it must have fallen out. But I hadn’t brought any gemstone like that into the bedroom recently.”

 

“So you figured it out right away.”

 

“Yeah. You’re the only one who’s been in my bed, Ciel.”

 

Cedric smiled faintly as he spoke, “At first, I couldn’t figure out why you’d put that gemstone under my pillow.”

 

I could understand Cedric’s confusion.

 

Anyone would wonder why their lover had secretly placed a gemstone under their pillow.

 

“But then I found out what kind of gemstone it was—a topaz.”

 

The nickname attached to topaz. It was known as the stone of health and hope.

 

“And a green topaz at that.”

 

Green, the color of nature, full of vitality.

 

And ironically, it was also the color of the life-binding contract Cedric had made, sacrificing his own life to save mine.

 

That’s why I chose that color.

 

A silence fell between us, and I said nothing. I simply closed my eyes quietly and sorted through my thoughts.

 

“Ciel, it’s okay.”

 

I felt Cedric sit up and wrap both of his hands around mine. When I opened my eyes, Cedric was looking at me with an incredibly gentle expression.

 

“I guess I’ve made you anxious—”

 

“No.”

 

My tightly sealed lips reflexively parted.

 

“Your Majesty has done nothing wrong.”

 

You fool. Why does someone so smart turn into such an idiot when it comes to me?

 

“It’s just… I happened to hear that if you place a green topaz under your pillow and sleep, it can prevent accidents or illness.”

 

No. Come to think of it, I guess I’m the same way.

 

“And if you kiss the topaz and then kiss your sleeping lover again…”

 

Suddenly, it felt like something caught in my throat. I paused for a moment, wetting my lips with my tongue a few times before I could speak again.

 

“They say it can share a bit of your health and luck with that person.”

 

For some reason, I laughed.

 

Even as I explained why I had done such a thing, I couldn’t help but think how foolish it all sounded.

 

“I know it’s silly to believe something like this could actually work. And I knew I’d get caught eventually.”

 

Without realizing it, my clenched fists had tightened.

 

“But I was so desperate…”

 

Truthfully, I should have been grateful just to be alive and able to be with Cedric after everything.

 

But it seems human greed knows no bounds.

 

After returning from Ackeleta to Deamant, the peaceful days I spent with Cedric only made my desire grow stronger.

 

The desire for these peaceful days to last even longer.

 

And with that, the fear of Cedric disappearing before my eyes grew as well.

 

If the days I spent with him were to end prematurely, the fact that I was the one who had taken five years of his life weighed heavily on me.

 

That’s why, during Cedric’s regular check-ups, I listened to his doctor’s words more intently than ever before, and why I increasingly checked to make sure he was breathing properly while he slept.

 

It was also why I suddenly started reading medical books and sought out herbs said to be good for health, passing them on to the palace chefs or his physician.

 

And why I, who never really believed in such things, became interested in fortune-telling and started making wishes.

 

“Ciel.”

 

Cedric called my name, spreading his arms to pull me into a hug and patting my back. The familiar warmth spread through my body, and I finally broke down.

 

“It’s just… I love every moment I spend with you so much, and I don’t want it to end…”

 

Tears streamed down my face as my true feelings poured out.

 

Cedric, who had been quietly listening, tapped my shoulder and reached his finger toward my eyes.

 

“I see. Thank you for being honest with me.”

 

His long finger gently touched the corner of my eye.

 

As he wiped away my tears with his warm hand, I felt a sense of relief wash over me.

 

“Honestly, I knew you’d be worried. I’ve been thinking you seemed anxious.”

 

Cedric pulled me closer, letting me lean against him as he spoke.

 

“But I didn’t bring it up because I thought it might make you even more nervous.”

 

Then he let out a deep sigh.

 

“Instead, I kept telling you I was fine and healthy, trying to reassure you… but I guess I ended up making you more anxious. I’m sorry.”

 

“No. Don’t apologize. Why should Your Majesty apologize?”

 

“Because I made you cry.”

 

His tender, affectionate voice echoed in my ears.

 

“Maybe if I hadn’t avoided talking about my lifespan from the beginning, you might have felt more at ease.”

 

“Well, it’s not just Your Majesty who avoided the topic. I did too.”

 

I didn’t want to show Cedric that I was worried. If I did, it was obvious he’d fret and try to figure out how to reassure me.

 

“We could both stand to be a little more honest with each other.”

 

I nodded at Cedric’s words. Maybe that’s why I felt like I wanted to say everything I’d been too afraid to voice until now.

 

“Then, I’ll be honest with you.”

 

I rubbed my tear-stained eyes and steadied my voice.

 

Then, I sat up from leaning against him and looked straight at Cedric.

 

“Your Majesty kept telling me not to worry, but I don’t think I can do that.”

 

“…Yeah.”

 

“So, I can’t give up on extending Your Majesty’s lifespan.”

 

After all, wasn’t I the reason Cedric’s lifespan had shortened in the first place?

 

If so, then it’s only right that I’m the one to fix it.

 

“Whether it’s through magic, finding medicinal ingredients, or whatever it takes, I’ll do everything I can.”

 

At that moment, Cedric’s eyes widened slightly. And in his gaze, it seemed like a whirlwind of emotions passed through, too complex to put into words.

 

“So, please cooperate with me. Don’t just tell me not to worry and that everything’s fine.”

 

“Ciel…”

 

“You said you’d grant anything I want, didn’t you?”

 

I wrapped my arms around his neck. Then, I whispered into his ear.

 

“Right?”

 

A warm, affectionate laugh reached my ears.

 

Cedric, in turn, wrapped his arms around my shoulders.

 

“Of course. How could I refuse a request from the person I love most?”

 

Every word he spoke was filled with affection for me.

 

That warmth slowly calmed my heart.

 

“Alright. I’ll do my best to live a healthy life too. After all, I want to be with you for a long, long time.”

 

“Promise?”

 

And so, there on the bed, we locked pinkies and made a promise.

 

To never give up on trying to extend his lifespan.

 

To live a long, long life together.

 

“Now, about the lifespan issue…”

 

After releasing our pinkies, Cedric fixed his red eyes on me and spoke.

 

“Like you said earlier, I understand that you can’t help but worry. When your mana overload got worse, I also thought I’d do anything to make sure you’d recover.”

 

“Yes, you did.”

 

“But don’t let it consume you. And I really hope you don’t think it’s your fault.”

 

I wanted to ask, ‘Is that even possible?’ but the words stuck in my throat.

 

‘He gave up five years of his life to save me… How could I not feel responsible?’