Suddenly—
The double doors blasted open, slamming against the stone walls with a thunderous clang! The gentle hum of mana crystals flickered under the force of the interruption.
Fran's blue eyes widened in shock.
The wind rushed in as King Albedo, breath heaving, stormed into the chamber, his royal cloak fluttering behind him like a red flame.
Behind him, the healer who led him stood stunned in silence.
Fran instinctively stepped back.
Her lips parted to speak—
"...It… it's…"
—but no sound followed.
Instead, she covered her mouth with both hands, eyes trembling as she watched the towering figure approach the bed.
But Albedo didn't even see her.
His eyes—wide, desperate, and glistening with tears—were fixed only on the unconscious girl lying in bed. On the blood-stained sheets. On her stained pale face.
"D… Dila…?"
His voice broke as he dropped to his knees beside the bed. The mighty king of Eldor, now reduced to a grieving father, shakily took her hand into his.
