I Reincarnated Into a Healing Game… and It’s a Zombie Apocalypse?! - Chapter 88

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 88

12. The Protagonist Doesn’t Die

It goes without saying, but now Nana and Ishanka had become an official couple known by everyone in Saharte.

“They’ve known each other for a long time.”

“The king had a long unrequited love, they say.”

“Ah, no wonder. My husband works at the castle reconstruction site, and he said the king’s face has been bright as a blooming flower lately.”

In truth, Ishanka had a strong image among the people as ‘handsome but scary.’

Cold and rational, a perfectionist who divided time down to the second.

In reality, he was a workaholic who thoroughly pursued efficiency in his work and prioritized results over process.

So among the people, this kind of talk always circulated.

“His face is really handsome, but anyone living with him would suffer.”

“He’d probably approach dating like handling business. His face is really handsome though.”

A work addict and a cold, thorough perfectionist.

But that same man had noticeably changed recently.

The person who felt this most closely was Ezion, his minister and younger brother.

“Regarding the eastern capital road maintenance project, the second budget adjustment proposal has been submitted. The budget has increased by 12% compared to the original estimate.”

Ezion reported while spreading out thick blueprints.

“What’s the cause?”

“During the design review, cracks were discovered in the foundation. The Craftsmen’s Guild insists that reinforcement work must be carried out.”

“Then have all the road maintenance managers and civil engineering team leaders attend tomorrow morning’s coordination meeting, and share the actual measurement data with the Craftsmen’s Guild as well.”

“Understood. I’ll adjust the meeting schedule. And…”

Ezion, who was turning through documents, paused for a moment. Ishanka had already taken his eyes off the papers and was looking out the window. After a few seconds of silence, a subtle smile crossed his lips.

Ezion immediately caught on to his inner thoughts.

‘Ha. He’s really got it bad, really bad.’

“What’s the afternoon schedule like?”

“There’s a consultation regarding the administrative district reorganization plan for national projects…”

“Push it to tomorrow. It’s not an urgent matter, is it?”

Ezion was surprised and momentarily lost for words. The Ishanka he knew had never once postponed a schedule.

“…Understood. I’ll postpone the meeting.”

As soon as the report ended, Ishanka grabbed the cloak hanging on the study wall and draped it over his shoulders. Today especially, his retreating figure seemed to carry an excited energy.

As he left through the door, Ezion leaned against the desk and muttered to himself.

“The power of love is truly frightening indeed.”

* * *

That day, after gaining the conviction that their hearts had touched, Ishanka felt as if he were floating in the sky.

His body felt light because of his mood. He was overwhelmingly happy just from breathing.

Even if he were dropped in the middle of the desert with Nana right now, it would be fine. As long as they were together, anywhere would be heaven.

He had so many things he wanted to share with Nana. The trivial but warm daily moments that only lovers could share, moments of laughing together—he wanted to share all of it without reservation.

With such feelings, his steps led him to the gardens.

In the middle of the snow-covered garden, Nana was crouched down, earnestly making something. With her small hands, she was rolling snow into balls and stacking them up.

“What are you doing here?”

“Oh, Isha, you’re here?”

A smile spread across her entire face.

With her cheeks and nose tip flushed red, she was as pure and lovely as a snowflake.

Ishanka was seized by an overwhelming feeling that took his breath away.

Ah, what should he do with this person? How could she be so cute, lovable, and beautiful?

He wanted to embrace her right now, kiss her, and pour out all of his feelings.

But before that, Nana spoke first.

“I was making a snow duck. Remember when we made one before while walking on the snowy path? Don’t you think this one turned out much better than last time?”

The snow duck shaped by Nana’s hands was a potato that was slightly cuter than the potato they’d made last time.

But in Ishanka’s eyes, it was a more magnificent work than any master sculptor’s masterpiece.

“I’d like to display it in the royal palace once it’s rebuilt.”

“No, I don’t think that’s right.”

Nana firmly stopped him. Thanks to that, the disaster of Potato Duck No. 2 being displayed in the center of the royal palace gardens was avoided.

“But it snows here every single day without fail. I’ll see a lifetime’s worth of snow just here.”

“This place is relatively mild for the north, but it’s a region that gets a lot of snow in winter. You’ll catch a cold. At least put on a cloak.”

Ishanka draped the cloak he’d brought over Nana’s shoulders and carefully tied the strings.

As his fingertips brushed past under her chin, Nana suddenly closed her mouth and looked up at his face.

Her clear, pale sky-blue eyes reflected him distinctly.

Under that gaze, Ishanka’s heart thumped once more.

“Your hands are very cold.”

Nana clasped his hand with both of hers.

“Isha’s hands are really big when I look at them again. Your fingers are long too.”

“It’s because your hands are small.”

Ishanka added, placing his other hand on top.

Snowflakes began falling quietly again.

Nana was casually watching the white particles settling on her hair and shoulders when she suddenly spoke.

“Isha, do you remember the day we first met?”

Ishanka blinked briefly, then nodded.

“I remember it very clearly. I stepped on the crops you were growing.”

“Haha, right. And then you suddenly pointed a sword at me. Back then I thought you were a crazy person with anger management issues.”

“…That’s an embarrassing past.”

“But thanks to that, you became a farm worker, didn’t you?”

“But I ended up getting fired.”

Ishanka laughed silently.

“It was wrongful termination, so I feel wronged. Could you reinstate me?”

“No way.”

Nana said firmly while smiling brightly.

“You’re my boyfriend now. An employer-worker relationship would be problematic.”

Nana added playfully, winking.

“Besides, if I made the king of a kingdom work as a farm laborer, your people would throw stones at me, wouldn’t they?”

“Then let’s say I sponsor the farm. A farm with a royal partnership—that’s quite a nice picture, isn’t it?”

“Wow, I’ve become a really amazing farmowner?”

Nana burst into laughter and slowly leaned her head against Ishanka’s shoulder.

A gentle warmth spread through the winter wind, and a season belonging only to the two of them bloomed in the snow.

The midwinter stroll was romantic. However, before the afterglow could even fade, Nana caught a terrible cold.

Suffering from high fever and unable to rise from bed, the manor’s servants faced an unprecedented trial beside her—the wrath of a monarch in love.

“How exactly did you attend to her that she caught a cold? How could you let her become so ill!”

Ishanka’s voice echoed throughout the entire manor. The servants felt wronged.

That night they had given her a warm bath, and Nana had definitely been fine until she went to sleep.

Their only fault, if any, was seeing the two being lovey-dovey in the garden and making a ‘kyaa-‘ commotion. But could that even be considered a sin?

Just then, Nana jerked her body greatly on the bed and coughed severely. The color instantly drained from Ishanka’s face.

“Are you in a lot of pain?”

He immediately approached the bed and placed his hand on Nana’s forehead. Whether from the heat touching his fingertips, Ishanka’s eyes deepened further.

“Why isn’t the fever going down yet?”

The doctor waiting nearby turned pale. Facing the gaze of the monarch who had rushed over after hearing about Nana’s condition in the middle of a meeting, he felt like taking out some stomach medicine and swallowing it.

Despite being sick, Nana couldn’t help but laugh.

This was the first time she’d been this ill since coming to this world.

It wasn’t the first time she’d been caught in snow, but it was probably because the tension she’d carried from the kingdom had finally been released.

Watching the restless Ishanka, she spoke in a hoarse voice.

“You’ll catch the cold… Just go now.”

Ishanka frowned.

“If you collapse from a cold, you don’t deserve to be called a minority ethnic. I’m fine. So worry about yourself first.”

Nana burst into giggles at those words, then started coughing again.

Ishanka said nothing and gently stroked her damp forehead. His touch was so tender that everyone in the room awkwardly averted their gazes.

“You must get well quickly.”

Ishanka’s voice was as heartfelt as a confession to someone standing at the crossroads of life and death.

“…Yes.”

The doctor and servants all inwardly clicked their tongues at the sight of their lord looking so pitifully at his lover who had caught a cold, as if she were suffering from some serious illness.

“He really loves her terrifyingly much…”

Everyone inwardly nodded at someone’s quiet murmur.

* * *

In the deep of night when everyone was asleep, Nana slowly opened her eyes.

Whether it was thanks to the medicine or because she had sweated profusely, her body felt lighter than during the day.

However, her body was still languid and her sweat-soaked clothes clung unpleasantly to her skin.

“…My whole body feels sticky.”

Nana reached for the bell cord, then hesitated.

It was the middle of the night.

She felt bad about calling the servants at this hour, especially after they had been scolded by Ishanka during the day.

“I should just wipe myself down with a wet cloth.”

She carefully sat up.

Her head was slightly foggy, but this much was bearable.

Just as she reached toward the basin placed nearby, she heard sounds of someone moving outside the door.

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