Unable to close her mouth, Elena watched the scene unfold, feeling as if Kennard had emerged from another realm. The gaze of the black wolf that appeared with a chill wind immediately fixed on Elena. A brief flame ignited in his golden eyes as he took in the sight before him.
Cura, upon seeing Kennard, released Hazel and sank heavily onto the edge of the fountain. Hazel stood silently in the water, watching Kennard approach Elena. The fact that Kennard headed straight for Elena without even glancing at her made Hazel’s face flush with anger.
Kennard, now in human form, leapt into the fountain without hesitation. “Elena!” he called, kneeling on one knee before embracing her. Held against his solid chest, Elena felt all her strength drain away in relief. “Your Grace,” she murmured.
“How did this happen?” Kennard asked, gently stroking her head with his large hand. He pulled back slightly to look at her, his touch gentle as he swept his hand over her face and neck to check her condition. Yet, his expression grew increasingly fierce. “What are these wounds? Did Hazel do this?” He noticed the blood from her wounds spreading in the water.
As Kennard tried to help her up, Elena pulled back, stopping him. “Your Grace, I am fine. But Miss Carmen is in danger. She has been poisoned by Vanaichi and it is spreading.”
Carmen’s condition was more urgent than Elena’s own. The poison spreading through Carmen’s body needed to be neutralized immediately.
“Please, save Miss Carmen,” Elena pleaded, pointing to Carmen with a trembling finger. Her vision blurred, and the ground beneath her swayed and shimmered as if covered in heat waves. As Elena’s body began to sway, Kennard caught her in his arms once more.
He understood better than anyone the dire state Carmen was in. Despite this, Kennard kept his gaze fixed solely on Elena, refusing to move. Just then, knights transformed into wolves rushed into the greenhouse. Briefly bewildered by the scene, they soon reverted to their human forms one by one. Leading the group was a wolf with silvery fur tinged with brown—Serin.
“Cura!” Serin called out, running to her and checking her condition. “What happened?”
“Miss Hazel pushed me into the Vanaichi. I told her repeatedly it was poisonous… If it hadn’t been for Lady Elena, I would have ended up like that…” Cura pointed at Carmen, tears welling up.
Serin gently patted Cura’s head, and she broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. The knights examined Carmen’s condition but hesitated to touch her, fearing the poison. Carmen was barely visible through the group, her exposed skin dark red and motionless as if dead.
“Your Grace, Miss Carmen…” one of the knights started.
“It’s already too late,” Kennard replied, shaking his head despite Elena’s pleading.
“But…”
“And you?” Kennard asked, turning his attention back to Elena.
“What?”
“Don’t you need my help?” Kennard continued to look at Elena. Since entering the greenhouse, he hadn’t taken his eyes off her for a moment. It was as if he couldn’t focus on anything else but her.
“I’ll ask again. Elena, do you want me?” Kennard’s question sent Elena’s mind spinning with confusion. She couldn’t fathom why he was asking such a thing, yet her instincts insisted she needed to answer, fearing she might lose him forever if she didn’t.
“Your Grace, I…” Elena began, but her words faltered as Kennard’s expression darkened.
“Haven’t I made it clear that you are mine?” he demanded, his tone sharp with frustration. “Do you wish to escape from me even after all we’ve been through? I have no intention of letting you go. If you want to leave, you’ll have to kill me first.”
His hand extended towards her, a silent invitation. “If you want me, take my hand now. Embrace me fully, and no harm will befall you. But remember, once you grasp my hand, you can never let go.”
Elena’s gaze dropped to Kennard’s outstretched hand, weathered and scarred from battles fought. She pondered whether there could exist a safer harbor than his embrace. Yet, alongside that thought, a sharp pang pierced her heart.
Despite the uncertainty of her true identity, the uncertainty of her memories, and even the possibility of a marriage with Hazel, there had been countless moments when she yearned to relinquish everything and remain by Kennard’s side. But she couldn’t.
The mystery of his unwavering devotion still eluded her.
