Chapter 30: Your Lonely Back

What a disaster. I didn’t know you’d answer my question like this.

Sezh was speechless as she pondered over the options for how best to respond to his words. Just as she was about to speak again, Raytan continued.

“Nothing in the Imperial Palace.”

“…”

“Nothing at all.”

Raytan replied to her shortly and stared into space with his empty eyes.

Why does that face look so lonely again…

Sezh hesitated before she continued.

“But wouldn’t your life become a little fun if you had something that you liked…”

“…”

“If you have a favorite food, you can wait for your mealtime, and if you have a favorite hobby, you won’t be bored…”

“Why should I do that?”

“…”

“I don’t want to do that in a place where all of the people hate me.”

Sezh closed her mouth. It’s not that she didn’t understand. But perhaps for Raytan, living in the Imperial Palace is like living in hell. No one liked him, everyone was afraid, avoided, and hated him. No one would take care of the big bruise on his stomach. Sezh at least has Luna on her side, but Raytan doesn’t have anyone. Sezh pitied Raytan.

“Change the cotton.”

“Pardon?”

“Your nosebleed.”

Sezh realized that the wads of cotton stuck in her nostrils were doing their job very well as they were now full of blood.

Why can’t you stop bursting? At this point, I think I should really call a physician. 

Flustered, Sezh took out more cotton from the bag that Luna had packed.

Suddenly, Raytan’s eyes turned into Sezh.

“…”

No matter how many times she went and embarrassed herself in front of him, she was not shameless enough to put cotton swabs into her nostrils when someone was staring at her.

I’d prefer it if you keep your eyes off of me.

Sezh smiled awkwardly in response to his gaze, gesturing at him to turn his head away, but Raytan continued to lock his gaze towards her.

Then, something was shoved into her nostrils.

“Ugh.”

Surprised by Raytan’s sudden action, Sezh made a sound as her nose became tingly.

“This, what is this?”

“The blood keeps flowing and the cotton doesn’t stop the nosebleed. What a stupid bitch.”

“Pardon?”

Her voice became nasally and she stared at Raytan, dazed.

“What, do you think I’d put poison on that?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You don’t seem to believe my words.”

“No, that’s. No, it’s not like that.”

Heung. Raytan snorted as he took a small package out of his pocket and then threw it in front of Sezh.

“This is…”

“It’s a cotton pad with good medicine ingredients to stop the bleeding.”

“…”

“Change it once every 3 hours. Then the nosebleed will stop in a few days.”

Sezh opened the package slightly. She could see a few pieces of cotton with green medicine in it. That’s what Raytan had put in her nose. She couldn’t believe that Raytan would take care of her like…this…

“Tha, thank you.”

Sezh looked genuinely grateful, her eyes sparkling with gratitude as she looked at him

Oh my god! To think That Raytan would take care of me like this! I couldn’t believe it. 

“So big brother was worried about me in his own way…”

“What?”

Raytan frowned.

“It’s a payback for the bandage. Stop being a creep.”

Yes, you’re right. Sezh nodded enthusiastically while putting on a look of agreement.

“So I guess you also know about many things. Even these medicines…”

She thought she was being too frank about this matter so she carefully gave him compliments.

“I have a lot of blood loss, you see.”

“…”

“Open the book if you’re done with that.”

“Yes…”

Sezh quietly opened the notebook, and the private tutoring continued as if nothing had happened. While solving the problem, Sezh couldn’t help but ponder over what Raytan had previously said.