Sowed (2)

“In war, we can go on for months with almost no food. It’s not uncommon to not put your head on the floor for weeks. This is not even a problem.”

“The war is over.”

“…”

“This is your home, Vlad.”

She lowered her gaze as if she had committed a mortal sin and slowly raised her head. He finally saw her properly.

She completely forgot her past time alone, and she felt sorry for her husband, who was proud of his battles.

“When my body recovers, should I do some exercise?” She smiled quite a bit at his sad face. “I need to build up my stamina. Then you would be able to trust me more. When I become as strong as Sir Talin, I may be able to follow you to Ataka.”

It was obviously a joke, but his expression darkened again.

He wiped his face once with a large hand. He lowered his gaze with a more stern look in his eyes. “It’s not because you weren’t reliable. It’s all my fault.”

It was his own fault for not thoroughly ensuring Lily’s encounter with Shylock would not happen.

No, from the beginning…

At that moment, a noisy voice penetrated from outside the door.

“Lord! I heard my sister woke up, is she okay? I heard that the maids brought soup. Did she enjoy it?”

“…”

“Can’t I go in? Hm?”

In the end, Vlad let out a deep sigh at the voice.

* * *

Rumors were the wind. It took less than an hour for the news of Lily’s awakening to spread throughout the castle.

The hallway in front of the bedroom was crowded. Half of them were vassals who came to visit the lord, and the rest were servants who came to snoop around curiously about the state of the lady.

Lily, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, thrust her neck toward the doorway. She asked as she fixed her gaze on the tightly closed door, “Have I really been lying in bed for a full two weeks?”

“Yes. You were very sick. Your body was boiling, and you kept talking nonsense… Sister… I thought you were going to die.”

Lily then looked back at her brother. Dandelion had suffered a lot, so his skin was noticeably rougher.

She blinked. She sighed and stretched out. “Just…  .”

“Sister, it’s because of stress. No need to worry about that.”

“…No. That’s what the doctors said. I became weaker because of my cycle.”

Just thinking about it again brought tears to his eyes. Even he, who was accustomed to his sister’s weak body, was terrified.

“If my sister had died, I would have been really, really sad. I was so wrong to my sister, and ah, Father even wrapped me around his finger like that… And if you die…” Dandelion couldn’t keep up with her for a while, and he froze.

The word father was still an uncomfortable word for him.

“Am I even still alive?” Dandelion stole the corners of her eyes with his sleeve.

A strange silence passed between the brother and sister. It was difficult for him to organize what he was going to say, so he shut his mouth and shrugged.

Lily whispered softly to him, “Everything you fear is over. You don’t have to be afraid of our father anymore.”

Yes, finally, they were free from Shylock.

She hadn’t even known that she could do that. The whole time she kept her head upright and looked down, her father didn’t say a word.

[I… Contrary to your wish, I will certainly be happy.]

There was a terrifying shiver.

It felt like realizing that the shackles that tied her ankles were actually worn-out strings. It was nothing to her now.

“Sister really… thanks.” Dandelion raised his long eyelashes and licked his lips. “I want to be like my sister. No. I wish I could be half like Sister!” His expression was bright. He was more human than ever.

Lily laughed bitterly. “You still did well. You brought Sir Talin in for me.”

“No. You’re really cool. The lord too… He was really great. He just said you’re taking over Isles by yourself! As you said, Anton also called here. He will be arriving soon.”

A shadow fell on Lily’s face.

Dandelion didn’t notice at all. “You’re really good. The lord is handsome, cool, rich, and strong, and he loves you a lot. I hope that he will not change his mind and that he will be so kind to you for the rest of your life. not. What more can I ask for from this, I’m still so grateful!”

“Hey, Dandelion,” she began hesitantly. “Has Vlad been here all day?”

“Yes. He couldn’t eat or sleep, so I got off here and only saw you for a while. Grandpa Lowell and Lord Cadis also just came in, but they couldn’t talk and just left.”

Lily grabbed her chest as if doing so would make the throbbing pain go away.

“When I came, he seemed to be praying. I know he hates God, but I guess that’s not the case, sister.”

Praying.

A man mixed with monster blood offered a prayer. For her.