Chapter 80

How could five hearts suddenly disappear at once?!

I had worked so hard to fill them up.

‘Jeffrey Wissler, who took away Etias’ lung function in the original story, is here with me! Then why is this happening?!’

I held my forehead. Then, I suddenly felt the smooth, cold ring on my finger. Slowly, I lowered my hand and looked at the ring on my left ring finger.

‘…Did someone close to him betray him?’

But the people around Etias now were all loyal subordinates proven even in the original story.

“Biyo?”

Biyo tilted his head in confusion.

‘Or is it just a temporary injury? Maybe he just got hurt?’

I imagined Etias collapsing like he had in the training ground, and my chest tightened again.

Being on the run before escaping into exile made it impossible for me to know his exact situation, which was frustrating.

“Biyoo…”

Seeing my frustration, Biyo lightly tapped his forehead against the watch. It glowed briefly, and new text appeared.

HP: ♥♥♥♥♥♡♡♡♡♡

(Mental Pain Status)

It seemed to explain why his hearts had dropped to five.

‘Mental pain?’

I stared blankly at the unfamiliar words.

I thought he’d be happy after achieving what he wanted, but now he’d lost five hearts due to mental pain?

‘That doesn’t make sense… no, that’s not true. Depression can hit anyone.’

Maybe he was overwhelmed by emptiness after his victory.

He had endured so many hardships without rest.

I had given him medicine and supported him in every possible way to fill his hearts, but now I felt completely lost.

‘Should I send him a comforting letter? No, that won’t fix this.’

I ran my hands through my hair in frustration.

This was difficult.

Was this entering one of those suffocating “slow-burn” sections like in Star of the Revolution?

“Biyo…”

I sighed heavily and was just about to put on my black wig when I heard footsteps outside the door.

A moment later, there was a knock. I walked over and opened the door.

Outside stood Heros, dressed simply like a commoner, with someone beside him.

“Darling, you’re awake?”

His soft, gentle voice in the morning sunlight made my heart flutter.

We had decided to pretend to be a newlywed couple while hiding in this mountain village for a while.

‘But… I’m still not used to that title.’

“Uh, yes, I’m awake.”

Heros stepped closer and held my hand. His broad chest felt unusually close.

“I’m sorry for bringing a guest suddenly. He was injured a bit while we were hunting, and I think we need to treat him.”

My heart pounded as I looked at the ordinary village man beside him. His knee was bleeding.

On the cart he had brought was a dead deer.

— My lady’s inventory is full of dried food, but I still want to cook with fresh ingredients.

“…Yes, you brought him well.”

I had told him to invite villagers occasionally to gather information, so there was no need to apologize.

I opened the door wider. The man, who bowed politely, limped inside and sat on the sofa in the center of the house.

“Thank you. My name is Alex, the son of Tobiden the blacksmith. I heard a newlywed couple moved in, and wow, this is a nice house. You’re such a good-looking couple.”

Alex, a young man with an innocent face, smiled warmly.

“She’s far too good for me,” Heros replied.

He took a medicine container from the cabinet and came to my side.

“Could you step aside? I’ll treat him.”

“…Yes, darling.”

His smile brightened at my answer, and my chest tightened slightly.

I stepped back, and Heros treated Alex’s injured knee.

Although he flinched at the sting of the medicine, Alex chatted and gave us bits of information about the village.

“The lord here is the third son of Count Aukenes. He’s well-respected.”

“Yes, I heard he’s a loyal man.”

“The real problem is the headman’s house in the village north of the forest. You should avoid that area. A high-ranking central noble suddenly arrived and started threatening the villagers. No one can stop him…”

“There shouldn’t be any threats left. Who is he?”

Although Alex sensed something odd in Heros’ tone, he answered:

“A noble who supported the dead emperor. He fled from the capital to avoid the revolutionary army about three days before you arrived…”

Alex’s voice lowered as he trembled with fear.

“They say it’s Katrin Ellemore and her people.”

“….”

“You’ve heard the rumors about Ellemore, right? Everyone said they saw her family crest and her pink hair like blood. Her subordinates grabbed me by the collar and threatened that if I reported to the guards, I’d be killed without even leaving bones behind…”

“….”

“All the villagers were threatened the same way. They’ll probably come to you too, so hide your valuables.”

He shuddered as he warned us.

“They even post guards at the entrance so that whenever a villager leaves, one of their people follows. No one dares to report them, even with the high bounty, because their lives are on the line.”

After treating his knee, Alex left, and silence fell between Heros and me.

I brushed back my hair and let out a small sigh.

“Katrin Ellemore, huh.”

Heros came closer, closing the curtains. He raised his hand slowly toward my head.

“Yes, Katrin Ellemore is…”

Then he gently removed the wig from my head.

My bright pink hair spilled out.

“Right here,” he said softly.

“Now you don’t need the wig anymore. It’s just the two of us.”

A faint smile curved his lips.

His devastatingly handsome face made my heart race.

“It’s better not to get involved in what we just heard.”

I looked at him for a moment before nodding.

The fake Katrin’s group Alex mentioned…

Even if they silenced the villagers, secrets never stayed hidden forever. They’d be dealt with soon enough.

And once people learned they were impostors, their punishment would be worse.

“I can guess who it might be since they have the Ellemore crest.”

I shook my head.

“But I have my own problems right now, don’t I?”

“You’re right. It may take some time because this is such a remote place, but we’ll handle it quietly.”

I could always trust Heros to deal with things.

I nodded and sat down in the comfortable chair in the living room.

‘How dare they impersonate me and commit crimes?’

If this had been the capital, I would have crushed them myself. That part was frustrating.

“Today I’ll make potato and lentil soup, herb-grilled chicken drumsticks, and plum compote, my lady.”

I saw Heros’ broad back as he tied on an apron.

When he rolled up his sleeves, his strong, muscular arms were revealed.

I turned my gaze away and closed my eyes for a moment.

Thoughts about the problems I was facing filled my head—the environment here was as peaceful as a vacation villa, but Etias’ status and the impostors kept causing new worries.

Still, as I leaned my head back, sleep slowly took over.

I didn’t even realize I had dozed off until I heard a soft voice tickle my ear.

“Wake up, darling.”