Male Lead Is Obsessed With My Health - Chapter 91

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 91

“This is a really dangerous place, you know.”
“I know.”
“You knew and came anyway?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because my daughter is here.”
I blinked rapidly in surprise, and Halbern broke into laughter. For some reason, Father seemed in an excellent mood.
‘Of course.’
He said it as though it were obvious, but it was anything but obvious.
I was genuinely taken aback.
I’d vaguely assumed that if I went missing, someone would come looking for me—but this man had never been that someone.
‘I’ve heard him say he’d do anything for me.’
But honestly, I didn’t believe it.
Different emotions spilled across my mind like watercolors bleeding into one another—astonishment, bewilderment, doubt, shame, gratitude. And… regret.
“I’m relieved I found you safe.”
I had always thought he hated me.
That he was only pretending, just because I was his daughter.
His gestures of affection, his claims to fatherhood, his tenderness—I’d dismissed them all as empty jokes.
Had it all been my own bias and preconception?
Was I the one who’d built the wall first, refusing to see him clearly, only ever pushing him away?
“…….”
Faced with his clumsy affection expressed only through actions, I didn’t know what to do with myself.
Not a single honeyed word about liking me, cherishing me, or loving me—and his gaze remained strange and distant, as though looking at a stranger—yet his touch was so tender.
“Were you frightened?”
“No.”
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
His gestures alone were so poignant.
Just like a real father’s would be.
“I’m fine.”
When I shook my head, a large hand that could have covered my entire face touched my forehead with careful tenderness.
“No fever.”
It was an affectionate, awkward touch.
Almost stifling in its gentleness.
“……Father?”
“Hmm?”
I was certain he’d heard my small voice, yet he answered with a playful lilt.
“I didn’t catch that. Could you say it again, my dear?”
“…….”
Glaring at him was useless. The graceful curve of his smile and the soft arc of his eyes were mesmerizing enough to enchant anyone.
“I trust you’re well, sir.”
He found my stiffly formal words hilarious, chuckling with obvious delight. He seemed to genuinely enjoy teasing me.
“Yes, I’m fine. Were you worried?”
“Not at all.”
“My dear, you’re quite terrible at being honest.”
“That’s rich coming from you.”
“‘That’s rich,’ she says.”
He was clearly enjoying himself immensely. I felt a pang of envy at how happy his life seemed. After laughing heartily, my biological father’s hand brushed my cheek gently.
“Now, let’s go back. To your mother.”
“Mm.”
It was a brief, strangely peaceful ending. As I released my tension, feeling reassured, Father’s body suddenly went rigid.
“……?”
His gaze fixed on something distant as he froze. I tried to turn my head to see, but Father covered my eyes.
“……What is it?”
A sinister feeling crept up slowly. My Weakest-in-the-World Sensor, quiet since meeting Father, suddenly activated.
This isn’t happening, right? This is a joke?
Something was clearly wrong, yet Halbern, who held me wrapped in his embrace, remained composed.
“My daughter.”
“Yes?”
Something was placed in my hand. The Silver Compass looked like a tremendous artifact at first glance.
“Look only ahead. Don’t answer if anyone calls. Remember only your happiest memories.”
What was he saying all of a sudden?
“Think of the person you most want to see and walk. Whatever appears, that path is the right one.”
Father slowly set me down and stepped forward.
“What about you?”
“You’re calling me that now?”
Is that really what matters right now?
“Answer me. What about you?”
“I’ll be fine.”
Even to my urgent demands, his reply came casually. I frowned at his playful tone in a situation like this.
“Go now.”
Before I could respond, everything inverted.
“Father!”
When I regained consciousness, I was alone in the darkness.

* * *

The chaos in the Imperial Palace was brief.
As though nothing had happened, repairs were completed and the ball resumed.
“A surprise event, apparently.”
“It was quite startling.”
The brief darkness was reframed as a surprise event.
Those who had vanished so suddenly—as if it had been prearranged—were forgotten as Edward, having quelled the chaos, looked down on the hall with an expressionless face.
“How many people were affected? The precise count?”
“We’re assessing the situation.”
Deep wrinkles formed between Edward’s brows.
On such a fortunate day, what was the meaning of this? At least there had been no deaths—that much was a mercy.
“Shouldn’t the ball be suspended at once?”
Azeni, who knew the truth, expressed her concern, but it was not a simple matter.
Admitting that a problem had occurred on the first day of Foundation Day would see the Alermagne Imperial Family’s prestige collapse.
Even apart from such considerations, without an explanation for the incident, this approach was their best option.
‘I can only pray that he resolves this well.’
Sloth, drawing ever closer to sleep.
Edward was offering a prayer to the Immortal of the Imperial Palace, one who had long coexisted with the Alermagne Imperial Family.
“Your Majesty.”
An attendant approached with urgent bearing.
“The Crown Prince is nowhere to be found.”
“……!”
Edward’s eyes widened as he struggled to contain his rage. The moment his wrath was about to explode—
“Furthermore, the Master Mage of the Heavenly Tower requests an audience.”
“Sigh.”
Edward breathed out a final lament. Even as fury rose to the crown of his head, his reason remained cold.
“Very well.”
Issuing orders to find Fession immediately, Edward went to receive the mage who might provide the key to understanding this situation.
“To the reception room.”

* * *

Fession was running.
‘I have to get there.’
It was all coincidence.
Fession seeing Marchioness Belpatré as he returned to the Crown Prince Palace, Leslie receiving something from the Marchioness and approaching Arelin, and both witnessing a distorted vision the moment they made contact—all of it was chance.
If it wasn’t a misunderstanding, something was definitely happening.
Even as the sudden darkness robbed him of sight, his sharp senses detected Arelin’s disappearance.
The moment Fession realized this fact, he couldn’t remain calm.
He had to do something. Anything.
Leaving Griam behind, Fession arrived at a place.
It was the Inner Sanctuary of the Imperial Palace, the place Edward had once taken him to, saying it was permitted only to ‘heirs.’
The secluded sanctuary, which none but direct members of the Imperial House could enter, was quiet despite the glow of countless incense sticks.
“You’re here, aren’t you?”
Fession gazed around the sanctuary’s hall, breathing hard. The altar held nothing, only burning candles, yet he knew instinctively.
“Please, help me.”
That what he sought was here.
“Or perhaps… a bargain.”
The flickering candles trembled in an instant.
In the light that suddenly blazed, Fession glimpsed what seemed to be long hair flowing down.
[Albrecht’s child.]
The Immortal who had long maintained a good relationship with the Alermagne Imperial Family.
The last awe that the people of this age, who no longer believed in gods, would kneel before.
[What possible reason could a child like you have to make a bargain with me?]
Though his senses could not grasp the entity’s form, the voice that reached him was clear.
“Arelin…….”
[That child’s father went to rescue her. If you remain still, she will return safely.]
“But…….”
Fession clenched his fists. The fabric in his grip crumpled.
“I can’t trust him.”
He was the one who had made Arelin lonely. Distrust was only natural.
“I can’t… wait.”
More than anything, Fession couldn’t bear to wait.
To be told to stay still, like that time before?
Fession refused to feel helpless in Arelin’s troubles ever again.
Would Arelin be all right?
Arelin must be suffering, even now.
“I want to save Arelin. Please help me.”
Even if it meant begging help from this unknown Immortal, Fession wanted to rescue Arelin with his own hands.
[Hmm…….]
A child’s whimpering was something to be dismissed. And yet Sloth found herself intrigued.
Was it because the eyes seeking help held only one singular yearning?
A pure desire untainted by any calculation.
How long had it been since she witnessed such a feeling?
In this palace where all manner of desires pooled and swirled, such a sentiment was rare indeed. And all the more precious because the child stood under her protection, one of the Alermagne line.
Sloth recalled the unique gift of the ‘beloved’ Alermagne bloodline. Laughing softly, she mused that perhaps such power worked on Immortals as well.
Sloth smiled faintly, making no effort to hide her affection for Fession.
[Do you care for that child?]
“Yes.”
To his answer without hesitation, a more mischievous question followed.
[How much?]
Fession blinked his large eyes.
[How much of what you have would you stake?]
“……Everything.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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