The first one was quite difficult, but the second one wouldnât be. It was obvious that the sense of emptiness would soon be filled and she would soon be able to act like nothing had ever happened.
âWelcome!â
It was right at the moment when she gave her lively greeting that was packed with her own determination. Her eyes eventually grew bigger as she looked upon the end of the dark robe belonging to the person who had opened the door.
Unless her eyes were mistaken, the one whom she saw was surely Knox. Vivian quickly spun around and pretended not to notice, but unlike usual, he proceeded to close the door cautiously before approaching her.
A shadow soon casted above Vivianâs head. The robe that was as dark as his hair was fluttering in accordance with his movements.
âMay I help you?â
A cold voice was exuded from her mouth as she struggled to remain composed. Since her voice sounded cold enough even to herself, Vivian belatedly looked at Knox, but he just stayed silent.
âYou donât need anything?â
âNo.â
A brief word had first popped out from his mouth.
âI just came to see you.â
âYou didnât even come by these last few days, so why nowââ
Her mouth that was grumbling away eventually closed. Her true feelings couldnât be concealed properly as they came out from her mouth before she could even put a stop to it. Vivian then managed to hold back her desire to heave a loud sigh and continued to lower her gaze.
âYouâre here to eat as per usual, right?â
ââ¦â¦â
âIf you sit down, I will serve it to you through Ez.â
At this point, Knox would usually walk towards the table on his own, but he was still as hard as stone at the moment. Even when her gaze that had been locked downwards turned up, he still didnât say or even do anything at all. She had no idea what was on his mind, the person who was dressed in such a big robe.
âKnox?â
Despite the call from Vivian, Knox still didnât respond. He moved his lips a few times before nodding with a grimace painted all over his face instead.
Somethingâs wrong. When he shifted, a fishy scent of blood had pierced the tip of her nose.
âIs there something wrong?â
She thoughtlessly reached out and grabbed his arm. She never thought to let him go just like that. Despite her frail strength, he still stopped himself before looking at her.
âNo, nothing.â
âAre you sure itâs nothing?â
He nodded his head weakly once again. Vivianâs eyes went upwards. She then quickly reached out her other hand and lifted his robe.
And it happened before Knoxâs arm could even move. When the clothes inside the robe were revealed, she was utterly shocked.
The clothes that were behind that decent robe had been such a mess. The smell of blood was oozing out of the wound that had been cut across the clothes as well.
âAre you honestly saying youâre okay despite being in this condition?â
Knoxâs eyes were avoiding hers entirely.
âYou should get treatment first, so why did you even come here?â
âBecause I miss you.â
âSorry?â
Her bewildered gaze intertwined with Knoxâs. The momentary blankness in her mind caused her to be light-headed.
âI have no choice because I really miss you. I thought Iâd see you first if I were to save my time from going to get treated.â
His arm that was held by hers slanted downwards. Then, his body started leaning a little against hers.
âWhen I closed my eyes, I dreamed of you. Itâs not only once or twice that I didnât wish to open my eyes since itâll just be a mirage that disappears instantly in vain when I do open them.â
âEven soâ¦â¦â
She tried to rebuke him harshly. Then, as if his body had stumbled, he leaned against the wall like she was falling down. His hand that was still holding onto her arm had fallen off weakly.
âKnox?â
âUrghâ¦â
He was still leaning against the wall when he spat out an occasional faint groan, despite her voice. Only then did Vivian finally realize that a small pool of blood had formed under his feet before she immediately turned blue and supported his body.
âPlease get a hold of yourself, Knox!â
She suddenly got scared by his unflinching appearance, as if he had completely left behind his consciousness. She asked Ez to call for the doctor, but she still wasnât able to feel relief at all.
She pressed down his affected area with a cloth. The blood quickly dyed the white cloth, but she didnât care.
She didnât let go of her hand that was hugging him. Even after Ez had brought in the doctor and the doctor immediately took a look at him, she kept on exerting more strength through her hand.
The doctor had hurriedly entered the inn with Ez. Having been unable to keep Knox in the hall after the emergency treatment, she proceeded to lay him down in an empty room.