"........," 

I carefully adjusted the pillows around (Y/N) to ensure he was comfortable as I settled beside him on the bed.

He lay in my arms, his breathing steadying, his usual warmth slowly returning.

I couldn’t help but smile through the lingering fear, grateful that he was still here with me.

"How are you feeling?" I asked softly, watching his eyes as they opened fully and focused on me.

— Should I tell him?

He looked up at me with those familiar eyes, a mix of weariness and playful mischief now flickering in them.

— No, he's burdened enough.

"Like I've been hit by a truck," he then replied with a weak chuckle. "But seeing your face makes it all better."

I blinked, caught off guard by his words. 'Truck...?' I thought to myself, the unfamiliar term lingering in my mind. 'What is that?'

Despite my confusion, I decided not to pry into it further.

There were more pressing matters at hand, and I didn’t want to burden him with my curiosity when he was already so weak.

Instead, I offered him a soft smile. "Well, I’m glad my face has that effect on you," I teased gently, brushing a few strands of hair away from his forehead.

"You know, Winter," he said softly, trying to lift the mood. "If I had a golden coin for every time I found myself in a predicament like this, I'd probably have enough to buy my own empire by now."

I chuckled, despite the lingering tension. "Well, I suppose I’d have to work a lot of overtime to keep you out of trouble then."

(Y/N) managed a weak laugh, his fingers tracing absent patterns on the bedsheets. "Speaking of trouble, did you find anything interesting out there while I was... busy?"

I raised an eyebrow, knowing he was trying to distract me from his condition, and for that, I was grateful. "Oh, just the usual chaos and a bouquet of flowers I picked up for you."

His eyes lit up, though his smile remained faint. "For me? How sweet of you. What did I do to deserve this?"

I held out the bouquet, its vibrant colors contrasting with the somber mood. "I thought it might cheer you up. It also reminded me of your eyes,"

Yet, my own were drawn to his face, noticing something was missing. "Your mask... You must have lost it somewhere along the way."

(Y/N) blinked, touching his face as if realizing for the first time that it wasn't there. "Huh, I don't remember taking it off. I was wearing it just a while ago."

"Well, it's gone now," I said, brushing his cheek with my thumb. "But you look even more handsome without it."

With closed eyes, he ran his hand through his hair, a chuckle escaping his lips, his smile growing as he tried to sit up a bit. "You always seem to know how to make me feel better, huh?"

"........," 

╔. ■ .═══════╗

╚═══════. ■ .╝

"........," 

He took the bouquet from me, and as he admired the flowers, a faint blush crept up his cheeks. "These are beautiful, Winter. Thank you.

Staring at them with a soft, almost childlike wonder, a thought seemed to cross his mind. "Did you get them when you were with Her Ladyship? That's why you were late, yes?"

I shook my head, puzzled. "No? I just took a small walk. We didn't stay together for longer than five minutes,"

His smile faltered for a moment, and he grew quiet.

Then, he spoke softly, "She’s a good one, Winter. You should try getting along with her."

I blinked, taken aback. "But I thought you disliked her?"

(Y/N) looked momentarily confused, then met my gaze as if waiting for an explanation.

'His memory must be getting worse than I thought,' The thought crossed my mind, rendering me slightly more worried than before.

"You said she reminds you of two people you’d rather forget," I reminded him gently.

He looked thoughtful, as well, just for a fleeting minute before his expression cleared.

He laughed, though there was a hint of... guilt in his eyes. "Ahaha, that! I changed my mind. It's more that I didn't take the time to really get to know her."

His expression softened, and he looked at me earnestly. "She deserves a chance. Can you do that for me? Please?"

He made a cute pleading face, one that melted my resolve. I sighed, smiling despite myself. "Alright, for you, I’ll make an effort."

"Thank you, Winter," he said, leaning in to kiss my cheek.

"Of course. If it means making you happy, I'll give it a try."

His smile widened, and he rested his head back against the pillow, his gaze softening. "You’re the best, little bunny."

I froze, feeling my cheeks heat up, and my heart skipped a beat. "Little... bunny?"

(Y/N) chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he leaned closer. "Yeah, you heard me. My little bunny. I mean, with that white rabbit mask, it's only fitting."

I could feel my face turning even redder. "I... I don't know what you're talking about," I murmured barely above a whisper, avoiding his gaze.

He grinned, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Oh, did I embarrass you, Guild Master? You're turning as red as a tomato!"

I tried to maintain my composure, but I knew my face was betraying me. "N-no, It just... reminds me of our younger days."

But he wasn't about to let me off the hook that easily.

He reached up, gently tapping the mask with a finger. "This. It's adorable, you know. Makes you look even cuter."

I reached up to touch the mask self-consciously, feeling its smooth surface beneath my gloved fingers. "It's just a mask..."

"But it makes you look so... edible," He teased.

"........," 

╔. ■ .═══════╗

╚═══════. ■ .╝

"........," 

I swallowed hard, feeling my heart race. "Stop teasing me."

"But it's so much fun," he said with a playful grin, his voice dropping to a flirtatious whisper. "Besides, you blush so beautifully."

I opened my mouth to respond, but the words caught in my throat.

Instead, I found myself caught in his gaze, my embarrassment melting away under the warmth of his smile.

His fingers lightly brushed my cheek, his touch gentle. "My little bunny, always taking care of me."

I couldn't help but smile, despite my embarrassment. "Well, someone has to keep you out of trouble."

He laughed, the sound light and carefree. "I guess I do tend to find myself in sticky situations."

"You certainly do," I agreed, my heart swelling with affection as I looked at him.

"Still, I wouldn't trade it for anything," he said softly, his teasing tone giving way to genuine warmth.

"Me too," I replied, leaning in to kiss his forehead.

(Y/N) shifted slightly, still holding the bouquet in one hand, while his other hand found its way to my cheek. "Thank you, Winter. For always coming for me."

"Always," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper. "No matter what."

His fingers traced a gentle line along my jaw, sending shivers down my spine. "You really are my hero, little bunny."

I swallowed, trying to steady my breathing. "Just... doing what I can."

(Y/N) laughed softly, his breath warm against my skin. "Well, you're doing an amazing job."

Before I could respond, he leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to my lips.

After that, we sat together in comfortable silence for a while, the earlier tension dissipating.

His hand still held mine, our fingers intertwined, and I could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my touch.

The silence was then abruptly broken by (Y/N) coughing, a few droplets of blood staining his lips.

'Not again...,' I thought, my heart tightening with concern.

I watched in horror as the skin on his cheek cracked and began to peel like an onion would.

His head slowly turned towards me, and I realized with a jolt that it was no longer (Y/N) looking at me.

His eyes shifted, the familiar warmth replaced by an eerie, empty gaze.

The entity that lurked within him.

It was back, yet again.

Its stomach growled ominously, and a voice, deep and guttural, emerged from his lips.

❝ BELOVED... I KNOW I SAID I'D LEAVE HIM FOR NOW, BUT I'M STILL... STAR...VING. ❞

It spoke in a voice that was both familiar and foreign.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stay calm. "Just stay still and don't resist," I instructed, my voice steady despite the fear gnawing at me. "I'll help you both,"

The entity's eyes bore into mine, a mix of hunger and desperation.

Slowly, it noded.

With a trembling hand, I reached out and gently placed my palm on (Y/N)'s cracked cheek.

The entity reached out and its grip tightened around my wrist, its touch cold and clammy.

"Just hold on," I whispered, my voice steady despite my distress.

As I focused, a soft, warm light emanated from my hand, spreading across (Y/N)'s cheek.

The cracks began to mend, the skin knitting back together seamlessly.

The entity's eyes never left mine, its expression shifting from predatory to one of pleading vulnerability.

Its grip loosened slightly, and its eyes softened, a flicker of (Y/N)'s essence shining through.

❝ MMM... YOU'RE DOING IT... YOU'RE HEALING HIM. ❞

I nodded, maintaining the connection. "Just a little longer. Stay still."

Finally, its hand slipped from my wrist, and it leaned into my touch, its cheek warm and whole once more.

Even though the entity seemed to calm down at my touch, its body suddenly convulsed in hunger.

It clenched its teeth, pulling on (Y/N)'s hair hard enough to draw blood, now running down his face.

❝ BELOVED... ❞

It growled, its voice a mix of desperation and frustration.

❝ THAT WASN'T ENOUGH... YOU HELPED HIM, NOT ME... HELP ME, HELP US. ❞

I could see the raw need in its eyes, a hunger that went beyond mere need for sustenance.

Before I could react, it pinned me against the bed, its strength overwhelming.

❝ PLEASE, ❞

It pleaded, arms on either side of my head, its face inches from mine.

❝ DO SOMETHING. ❞

My heart raced, and I struggled to stay calm. "I... I don't know how to help you."

The entity's grip tightened, its eyes boring into mine with an intensity that made my breath catch.

"........," 

╔. ■ .═══════╗

╚═══════. ■ .╝

"........," 

❝ YOU MUST FIND A WAY. I CAN'T ENDURE THIS... ANY LONGER. ❞

I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to think.

The entity's desperation was palpable, and I knew I had to act quickly.

"Alright," I whispered, opening my eyes to meet its gaze. "I'll try something."

Slowly, I placed my hands on either side of its face, feeling the conflicting energies of (Y/N) and the entity within.

"Trust me," I murmured, trying to sit up. "I'll come back soon,"

The entity's grip loosened, its eyes still pleading.

❝ Hurry up, ❞

It urged, its voice a strained whisper.

I nodded and quickly made my way out of the room, moving swiftly down the hall to the living room.

Using the secret magic passage through the wall, I descended to the basement where the children were doing their assignment.

As soon as they saw me, they rushed over.

Alissa's eyes were wide with concern. "Is Dad okay?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"He's fine, Alissa. Don't worry." I gave her a reassuring smile, though my heart was heavy with concern. "He just needs a little help right now."

Turning to Laon, I asked, "Do we still have any magic stones around?"

Laon lost himself in thoughts for a moment, seemingly trying to recall something, but before he could answer, Alissa tugged on my sleeve, her voice small and trembling, gaining our attention.

"........," 

╔. ■ .═══════╗

╚═══════. ■ .╝

"........," 

"Papa."

I was so conflicted right now that the significance of that word didn't fully register in my system.

"I used the last ones yesterday," she admitted, sniffling. "And even when you told me I could buy some tomorrow, I forgot because I was so excited Dad came by to visit. Is Dad going to be hurt because of me?"

Kneeling down, I gently petted her head. "Alissa, sweetie, it's not your fault," I said softly, offering her a comforting smile. "Everything will be alright."

I then reached into my pocket and handed her some candy. "Here, take this. I'll take care of your Dad."

'It can't be helped,' I thought. 'I'll have to find another way to provide it with enough mana.'

"Thank you," Alissa said softly, her small fingers closing around the candy.

"You're welcome, sweetie," I replied, patting her head one last time before standing up. "Stay here with Laon, and don't worry. I'll take care of everything."

As I made my way back, my mind churned with possibilities.

'How could I provide enough mana to sate the entity's hunger?' I knew the answer lay in something more potent than mere magic stones.; 'Perhaps there's a way to transfer my own mana directly? Ah...'

I hurried back up to the bedroom, my heart pounding with both fear and determination.

As I entered, the entity, breathing heavily, looked up, its eyes gleaming with a mix of desperation and expectation.

❝ TOOK YOU LONG ENOUGH... ❞

It growled.

I then noticed that it had healed (Y/N), and he was no longer bleeding, his skin clean once again.

But the entity's gaze swept over me, its eyes narrowing when it saw I had nothing with me.

❝ SEEMS YOU'RE AT A LOOSE END HERE, ❞

It sneered.

❝ MIND CASTING A SOUNDPROOFING SPELL ON THIS BEDROOM? ❞

It asked, its voice dripping with barely restrained hunger.

❝ I DON'T HAVE... ENOUGH MANA. ❞

"........," 

❝ MY SWEET AND KIND BELOVED WOULDN'T WANT INNOCENT CHILDREN HEARING ANYTHING WEIRD, RIGHT? ❞

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╰┈➤ ❝ [Ɒσи'τ fσяɢєτ τσ vστє αиɒ cσммєиτ!]

₊❏❜ ⋮ ⌒(A/N): Thank you so much for reading this chapter! ( ˶ˆᗜˆ˵ )

"........," 

Looks like Winter is caught between a rock and a hard place with (Y/N) and the entity vying for his attention.

Talk about a love triangle! 😉 (He's the real (Y/N) at this point).

How do you think he’ll handle this supernatural showdown that the entity decided a different approach?

Drop your thoughts and guesses in the comments below!

Happy reading! >ᴗ<

ִֶָ๋𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ🐇་༘࿐