When everyone arrived at the scene, all they saw was Uranus An leaning against a tree, his body covered in blood. Two deep, bone‑piercing wounds marred his chest, his dyed-orange hair soaked red. His right cheek had been torn outward, exposing the flesh down to his neck. His hands hung limply, a chaotic mess, while the ground beneath him was a pool of crimson.
Around him lay the lifeless forms of monstrous beasts. His amethyst eyes, once sharp and brilliant, were now dim, filled with exhaustion and pain.
"Ann."
A shock tore through Emilia's heart. She threw herself beside Uranus An, her face pale and drained of color, tears flowing like a broken dam, unstoppable.
Uranus murmured weakly through blood‑filled lips, "Liya… hurry and leave, hurry and leave…"
"Wuwah, Ann!" Emilia cried, her hands trembling as she pressed against him.
Puck, Ram, and Rem exchanged glances, silently moved. Even in the brink of consciousness, Uranus An's care for Emilia was clear. Healing magic erupted from their hands, weaving around him, attempting to stabilize his battered form.
He wasn't fully gone yet—a misfortune wrapped in fortune.
"Puck, Ram…" Emilia's voice was hollow, her mind unable to grasp the moment. She clutched at the two as if they were her last hope, fearing that Uranus An would slip away.
Three days passed in a blur. Though Uranus An had been saved at the last moment, he remained in a deep coma.
At Roswaal's Mansion, Emilia had barely moved from the head of his bed. Even in sleep, her brows were tightly furrowed, and exhaustion was etched into every feature. For three days, she had not left his side. No one could persuade her, no argument could pull her away.
Uranus An lay swaddled in bandages, his breathing even but fragile, his body broken from head to toe.
"Liya… Liya…"
Drowsily, Emilia stirred. Puck hovered beside her, concerned. Her heart sank with disappointment; she had thought Uranus had awakened.
"You should go back and rest," Puck urged gently. "You haven't slept properly for three days and nights, and you've barely had any water."
"I want to stay here," Emilia replied stubbornly, shaking her head. She could not tear herself away.
"Alas," Puck sighed, settling beside her. He watched Uranus An's form and silently prayed for his awakening. Only when he stirred would a genuine smile return to Liya's face.
But his injuries were severe. Bones shattered, tendons torn; it was clear the enemy had sought to torture him, to break him entirely.
"It's all my fault," Emilia whispered, tears welling, lips pouting in self-blame.
For three long days, Puck had tried every method to coax her away, to let her rest, but each attempt had failed.
"Emilia‑chan, I made this dessert specially for you. Please, eat some," Natsuki Subaru entered, concern and heartache etched on his face.
"Thank you, Subaru, but I have no appetite," Emilia said, barely glancing at him, her gaze fixed on the sleeping Uranus.
Subaru's hands clenched, white-knuckled. All of this—this exhaustion, this coldness—was because of the man on the bed. He had killed Subaru's peace twenty-six times over, and now lay wounded. If only he could eliminate Uranus, the dangers would vanish, and Emilia would return to him. Tonight, the perfect night, under a sky veiled with clouds, Subaru saw his chance.
No one noticed when a shadow moved along the quiet corridor, light-footed and precise. Natsuki Subaru entered Uranus An's room, eyes burning with obsession, dagger in hand, his usual calm gone.
Step by step, he approached the bed, the blade gleaming coldly.
"Tonight, you vanish," Subaru murmured, gripping the dagger tightly. In one swift motion, he plunged it toward Uranus An's chest.
"Pfft."
The sound of flesh yielding to steel echoed softly, and hot blood spattered across Subaru. He hadn't anticipated the violent resistance of Uranus An's body.
"Ah!"
Uranus An's cry of pain pierced the air, but it was laced with a strange, sinister joy. He grasped Subaru's hands firmly, a faint, knowing smile crossing his lips.
Subaru froze. The loud, pained scream sent a chill down his spine.
"I didn't expect you to fall for it; I thought I'd have to push you a bit further," Uranus said, the smile never leaving his bloodied face.
There was no pain in his expression, only a smug, calculating amusement. He had never expected Subaru to be foolish enough to try killing him under these circumstances, blinded entirely by love and jealousy.
Subaru panicked, trying to pull away. But Uranus An's grip was iron-strong.
"Command: Do not commit suicide within one month, and do not leave Roswaal's Mansion."
Using Law Following Speech, Lucien immediately imposed his will upon Subaru. The man could no longer use Return by Death or escape—his actions fully restricted.
Uranus An exhaled slowly. The Jealous Witch would not appear—because he had not killed Subaru. Subaru, whose strength was many levels below Uranus An, was now powerless.
"You bastard," Subaru hissed, helpless.
"Good luck to you," Uranus said, his sinister smile fading to pale pain, groaning quietly.
The door burst open. Emilia, in pajamas, followed by Puck, froze at the sight. Uranus An lay on the bed, wounded and bandaged, blood pooling beneath him.
"Subaru, what are you doing?" Emilia cried, pushing him away in disbelief. Her eyes turned red, tears streaming uncontrollably.
"Liya."
Uranus An's trembling hand rose, gently caressing her cheek before falling weakly to the bed. Emilia felt the warmth of his touch even in the midst of her sobs.
"Puck, save Ann! Save Ann!" she screamed.
"It's okay, it's okay," Puck murmured, pressing his hands to Uranus An's chest, pouring his magic into him. Slowly, his face turned pale from overexertion.
Betty, Ram, and Rem were alarmed.
"What's wrong?"
"Save Ann! Save Ann!" Emilia repeated, unable to think, her pleas desperate.
The three glanced at Subaru, sprawled on the floor, his eyes vacant and body covered in blood, comprehension dawning.
An hour later, Uranus An's breathing normalized.
"Liya, I need to sleep," Puck whispered, then faded into the green crystal stone on Emilia's chest.
"What exactly happened?" Betty asked, concern for Puck etched in her expression.
___
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