Yeon Joo tried to open her eyes when she heard someone moving beside her, but her eyelids felt painfully heavy, while her throat had become so dry that even breathing made it feel as though something rough was scraping against the inside.
She moved her lips several times before a weak sound finally came out.
"Water…"
Lee Yeong immediately leaned closer, and the weary face appearing above her made Yeon Joo wonder whether she was still dreaming, because his hair was untidy, his eyes were red from not sleeping and the dark shadows beneath them made him look completely different from the powerful King who normally refused to show weakness in front of anyone.
"You are awake," Lee Yeong said as he carefully placed one arm behind her shoulders. "Do not move too quickly."
He reached for the cup beside the bedding and helped her sit against his chest before bringing the water toward her mouth.
