Chapter 166 - Chapter 166

"Tiel! Are you alright?"

Tiel opened her eyes at the gentle voice and the touch shaking her awake, though a bit noisy.

'Hmm... Was I asleep?'

Tiel looked around, feeling that her stamina had weakened a little lately. She saw that the ones surrounding her were not the physician, as Ria had said, but the four men of the Asterian family and Ian Dross.

"Brother?"𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Ludian, relieved at the sound of her voice, rushed over and hugged Tiel.

"I was worried! You suddenly collapsed, I was so shocked..."

Tiel, in his embrace, rested her chin on his shoulder and gave a shy smile.

"I'm sorry, I don't really know what happened... It felt like everything got dizzy, and then suddenly..."

"Are you alright? You're okay, right?"

Ludian clutched Tiel's shoulders, looking at her, concerned.

Ferdie, who had been watching the scene distastefully for a while, grabbed Ludian's shoulder and pulled him away from Tiel.

"If you're going to check on Tiel, you should move aside first, don't you think?"

Ferdie pointed his thumb behind him. Ludian turned his head and saw the Asterian family's physician standing awkwardly, too shy to step forward.

With the presence of Karsus, Alpheus, Ferdie, Ludian, and Crown Prince Ian Dross crowding Tiel's space, the physician had nowhere to stand.

Ludian stepped aside, finally making space for the physician to approach.

The physician's name was Cade, and he had been the one to check on Tiel's health ever since she arrived at the estate.

"Greetings, Young Lady. Happy birthday."

Cade greeted her naturally and brought a chair to sit. Tiel responded with a bright smile.

"Thank you, Cade!"

"It's such a shame something like this happened on such a wonderful day, right? I'll take a quick look at your condition."

Cade often treated Tiel as if she were still a seven-year-old child, comforting her during examinations, but Tiel didn't mind and found it somewhat endearing.

Cade carefully checked Tiel's condition, and Tiel patiently waited for him to finish, as she had when she was younger. She didn't cry or hide, letting him inspect her body thoroughly.

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After examining her, Cade concluded there was no problem with Tiel's health.

"It seems your energy is a bit depleted, but that's all. With proper rest and regular meals, it should be fine."

"Then why did she collapse?" Alpheus asked, unable to hold back. Cade scratched the back of his head, looking troubled.

"This is just my guess... but was there any issue with your powers?"

At Cade's words, both Ian Dross and Tiel flinched. Seeing their reaction, Cade realized his guess was correct.

"Exactly. This is a common symptom among bonded Beastkin. When something happens to one's mate, the bond causes the other to suffer as well, sharing the pain and affecting their body. That's why she collapsed."

At Cade's words, Ian Dross' expression tightened, and Tiel avoided his gaze. Alpheus let out a small sigh, and Karsus, too, showed signs of unease.

Ferdie and Ludian remained silent, though it was clear they were unhappy about the situation.

Alpheus, though a bit selfish, regretted not stopping Tiel that day.

Ian Dross's powers, especially his ability to create void spaces, were powerful and dangerous. Only three people, including Ian, had such powers within the Crassion Empire.

The fact that only three had manifested this power indicated that there was very little information about it.

Tiel's own abilities were also no ordinary powers.

Now that they had bonded, such issues might arise often in the future.

The worst-case scenario was that Ian Dross's powers might run wild, and both he and Tiel would be unable to handle the immense force, resulting in their destruction.

The bond was that dangerous, and a half-bond was even more perilous.

Alpheus had been furious when he first learned about Wilhelm's plan for them to bond for the same reason.

Though Ian Dross was the Empire's Crown Prince, he was also the Empire's greatest ticking time bomb.

Tiel looked around at the suddenly quiet atmosphere, then subtly reached out to gently hold Alpheus's hand.

"Grandfather, I'm fine."

"..."

"There won't be any more incidents like this. Really! Today, I was just a little tired after overworking last night..."

"Tiel."

Alpheus grabbed Tiel's cheek, pressing his rough, calloused hand gently against her soft, pale skin.

Tiel blinked, her cheek pressed against his hand, and Alpheus looked into her eyes.

Her eyes were clear and pure, and in that moment, Alpheus felt that he would protect his granddaughter for his entire life...

"Tiel, remember my words."

"Yes, Grandfather..."

"Your life and well-being must always come first, no matter the situation. You understand, don't you, that things are not looking good right now?"

"Yes, I understand..."

"No one knows what might happen to you. You might collapse again like today, or something worse might happen."

Tiel looked away from Alpheus and glanced at Ian Dross. Ian was still watching her without taking his eyes off of her.

Alpheus continued, indifferent to Ian's gaze.

"Remember this, nothing is more important than your safety, not even my life. My life holds no greater value than yours."

His words seemed directed at Ian Dross as much as they were meant for Tiel.

At the same time, it felt like a response to Ian Dross's earlier words and decisions.

"Tiel, I'm worried about you. I want to protect you, but I'm afraid I won't be able to..."

Everyone nodded in agreement with Alpheus's words.

Tiel, after a brief moment of thought, took Alpheus's wrinkled hand into both of hers.

His hands were burning hot from his flame abilities, but their warmth reminded her of a comforting campfire, and she wished she could stay in his grasp forever.

She held his hands tightly, looking up at her grandfather.

Seven years old,

Now, twenty-two.

Tiel felt that she had grown a lot, and she no longer acted recklessly for the sake of others. She wanted to show them that she cared for them just as much as they cared for her.

"Grandfather, I'll remember. I know you, Father, and my brothers love and worry about me."

"..."

"I won't do anything reckless. Before I do something foolish, I'll always think of my family. I will never ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ forget that I am loved."

Tears filled Alpheus's eyes.

When Tiel had collapsed, Alpheus had thought of so many things.

What if something happened to Tiel? He hadn't been able to focus on anything, pacing back and forth until Tiel woke up.

He had been about to visit the temple in despair when she suddenly awoke.

Alpheus truly wanted to keep his granddaughter safe from danger, and he wished to protect her forever, even though she was now grown.

Understanding his feelings, Tiel gently continued speaking, and it was no surprise when tears began to fill Alpheus's eyes.

"Thank you, Tiel... I'm proud of you."

Choking on his words, Alpheus could only manage to express his pride in her.

He gently released her cheek and stepped back.

Karsus patted Tiel's head, brushing her hair before confirming that she didn't have a fever or seem in danger of collapsing again, and then turned to leave.

"Well then, I'll take my leave, Tiel needs to rest. It would be best for you to leave as well, Your Highness."

Karsus's gaze turned to Ian Dross. Tiel's gaze followed.

Ian Dross looked at Tiel, then at Karsus, before speaking.

"I need to ask Tiel something. I'd like to speak with her alone, so if you could leave first, I'd appreciate it."

At Ian's words, Karsus and Alpheus left the room first.

Ludian, not wanting to leave, was dragged out by Ferdie.

"..."

"...!"

The room was left with just Tiel and Ian.