Please Leave The Sickly Villainess Alone

“A mysterious ring on the Crown Prince’s ring finger, progress in his relationship with Lady Senia? They’re saying the same thing again.”

I stopped reading the newspaper.

The ring on my hand looked lonely, as if longing for its mate.

They say the war is now in its final stages.

The situation seemed favorable enough for predictions that news of victory could arrive within this month.

“Will I be able to see you before then…”

I was scheduled for recuperation.

My family had finally discovered that my condition was worsening day by day.

The south was a place suitable for recuperation, to the extent that rumors said just being there would heal you.

Father had renovated Rayes’ villa in the south to create the optimal environment for treating my illness.

Most of my clothes were packed, and I had to leave as soon as the villa in the south was ready.

If Luka returned, I thought I should explain the situation appropriately and tell him to break off the engagement.

I didn’t want to tie down Luka, who had a bright future ahead, in the face of my fated death.

Although I thought that way rationally, it was inevitable that my heart ached when I read the newspapers.

One day, news that shocked everyone arrived.

A historic incident occurred where the black curse placed on Luka suddenly activated during the war, almost killing him.

The news was that Senia had saved Luka by breaking the curse with her incredible healing ability.

I received this news while riding in a carriage heading south.

It was something I had known.

It was the most important part of the original story.

Senia was nothing short of a savior to Luka, and this was the event that had the biggest impact on the change in their relationship.

The last line of the newspaper read, ‘Now the war is over, and the boy returns as Emperor.’

I couldn’t smile freely because I felt the reunion would soon become another farewell.

The Emperor had been suffering from a chronic illness for the past two years and finally passed away after news of Luka’s victory arrived.

There were rumors that the Emperor’s concubine had poisoned him, but they were dismissed as gossip.

Luka returned to the Empire, and the imperial succession took place swiftly.

Senia also enjoyed the honor of being granted a title as the benefactor who saved him.

“They really make a good pair, don’t they?”

The maid nursing me said fondly, looking at the photo of the two in the newspaper I was reading.

It was something she could say because no one except the parties involved knew about my engagement to Luka.

“Yes, they really do look good together.”

That’s why I didn’t deny it either.

Or rather, it would be more accurate to say I couldn’t deny it.

It was then that an urgent voice was heard from outside the door.

“M-Miss! His Majesty the Emperor has come to visit!”

I had expected him to come looking for me someday, but he came now when he must be busy without a moment to spare?

What was so urgent?

I couldn’t readily say to let him in because I didn’t want to hasten our farewell.

Just as I was considering pretending to be asleep, the door opened.

The maid nursing me had hurriedly opened it.

I was too weak to say anything about her running to open it without asking her master’s opinion.

I raised myself to look at Luka.

My long, uncut silver hair fell uncomfortably over my shoulders.

Luka had really become manly and even more handsome.

He seemed to have grown particularly tall.

The child who used to be just cute seemed to have returned as a languid predator with splendid black hair like the night sky and beautiful red eyes.

“Ria, I’m back.”

“Yes. Are you hurt anywhere?”

Not being able to stay by his side and help him like Senia, just asking about his well-being like this was all I could do.

Luka nodded and sat heavily on my bed.

“Why have you become so thin…”

Luka worried about me with an even more pained face.

“It’s nothing. It’s an unknown illness, but I’ve gotten much better since coming to the south, so don’t worry.”

It was a lie.

My condition was worsening day by day, and I could feel it throughout my body.

“Luka, you know… I had something to tell you when you returned.”

Luka looked up at me while holding my thin hand.

I took off the ring on my finger and placed it in Luka’s hand, saying:

“Let’s pretend our engagement never happened. We were young and didn’t know better then. Let’s just go back to being friends like before…”

I couldn’t finish my words.

How could I easily say let’s go back to being friends like before?

I had accepted Luka’s proposal, thinking my feelings were close to love.

But looking back, it wouldn’t be wrong to call it love.

The feelings that had taken root in my young heart had matured and grown during our time apart, but reality couldn’t bear it.

‘We were never in any relationship to begin with. What’s the big deal about an engagement that wasn’t even announced.’

Even though I tried to convince myself, my heart was unsettled.

Anyway, I had delivered the words I had prepared for a long time, and it felt like my role in this play was over.

I felt regretful that I couldn’t sprinkle much of the MSG that readers wanted.

‘There were many episodes where Laveria cruelly tormented Senia…’

I was secretly amazed at how I could have done such things with this body.

As I was lost in these thoughts, Luka spoke in a low voice.

“Breaking off the engagement? I’m sorry, but that’s not possible.”

“What?”

The ring I had taken off myself was put back on by Luka.

Luka spoke in a subdued voice.

“I would follow Ria’s wishes for anything else, but not for this.”

“Why…?”

Didn’t you fall for Senia during the war?

“Because I want Ria. Because I love you so much I’d go crazy if you don’t look at me. Even if it’s called greed, just stay by my side.”

My head was spinning.

Luka desired me with eyes tinged with obsession.

Then he embraced me in his warm arms.

I thought only my feelings had grown over the past two years, but Luka was even more so.

Like someone drinking water from an oasis found after walking in the desert for a long time, Luka seemed satisfied just to meet me now and be able to embrace me like this.

“Luka, I…”

My eyes turned red.

“I thought you had forgotten me. That’s why I said words I didn’t mean.”

“There wasn’t a single moment I didn’t think of Ria. That’s why I sent letters every week, but…”

“Wait, letters?”

This was news to me.

“Yes, I was worried something might have happened since there was no reply from Ria.”

“I never received any letters…”

Someone had been intercepting Luka’s letters?

I was surprised that there was someone bold enough to do such a thing.

“Hah… I’ll investigate this separately.”

Upon hearing about the decisive cause that had plunged me into anxiety, Luka seemed to be barely suppressing the killing intent rising within him.

“But Luka, I actually lied. The truth is, my health keeps getting worse. The doctor said it would be difficult for me to last more than 3 years.”

The doctor had never said such a thing.

He had only expressed concern that there was no improvement. There wouldn’t be a doctor bold enough to give a terminal diagnosis to a Princess Rayes.

This was information I knew from the original story.

“There’s no cure either.”

I said, trying to smile.

At that, Luka made the same expression he had shown long ago at the orphanage when I lost my legs as a price for blocking Layola in his place.

A face as if he had seen the world crumbling.

But because I couldn’t hide this fact…

“I absolutely won’t let you die.”

“…”

“I will definitely save you, so please… don’t make a face like you’re about to leave me any moment.”

I nodded slightly and nestled into his embrace.

I didn’t want to give him false hope, but I felt that if I didn’t do at least this much, Luka would really be in danger.

Luka finished his imperial duties even if it meant staying up all night, and spent most of his time with me.

There were some who said the Emperor was distracted by a woman, but there was no argument against the fact that he completed his duties excellently.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Rayes.”

And Senia, who had obtained the title of Grand Healing Mage, came to visit me.

She checked my pulse and said sympathetically:

“Your body has become very weak. I will come occasionally from now on to treat you.”

Treatment from a healing mage – it was an excessive kindness.

Although healing magic couldn’t cure the disease, it was effective in restoring my body’s strength.

“Thank you so much, Lady Senia.”

“It’s only natural for His Majesty’s close friend. By the way, does His Majesty visit you often?”