Chapter 268

In truth, she had made that statement partly as a guess.

She wasn't sure if Kaywhin genuinely stayed up all night or if he just briefly visited the bedroom while she was asleep.

However, at her words, Kaywhin momentarily looked as if he'd been caught off-guard.

Yelena widened her eyes in surprise.

"Do you not sleep?"

"Well..."

"Why are you doing this, seriously?"

Out of sheer frustration, Yelena clenched her fist and hit Kaywhin on the shoulder.

Of course, her hand hurt as if she had hit a rock.

"Are you intentionally trying to make me worry?"

"I... I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. If you're truly sorry, then take care of yourself."

Yelena reached out, brushing aside Kaywhin's bangs to reveal his neat forehead.

Had he lost some weight, or was it just her imagination?

While examining her husband's face, Yelena spoke up.

"You'll come to bed tonight, right?"

"..."

"If you don't, I'll visit your office again. I'll walk there on my own two feet."

"I promise I'll come."

Despite his firm response, Yelena wasn't convinced.

She gazed deeply into her husband's blue eyes and said, "You're so concerned about my health... but you neglect your own. That's a bad habit."

"..."

"You should change that. Do you understand?"

"...Yes, I understand."

Kaywhin obediently replied.

Yelena affectionately looked at her husband, then suddenly grasped his cheek and gave him a surprise kiss.

After pressing her lips to his briefly, she pulled away.

"I'll watch you work now. Since I'm here today, I'll ensure you eat dinner before I leave."

"...Okay."

Kaywhin gazed at Yelena's lips with a hint of longing before standing up.

Yelena noticed his look but chose to ignore it.

If they started kissing passionately now, it surely wouldn't end quickly.

"I didn't come to disturb your work. We can talk later, before sleeping, in the bedroom..."

While hinting at this promise, Yelena suddenly noticed the holy sword placed on one side of the office. Silently, she clenched her jaw. After slaying the demon king, the holy sword had a peculiar habit of often "sleeping." Though "sleeping" might not be the most accurate term, every time the sword awakened, it yawned so widely it seemed almost human in nature.

"In any case..." Yelena mused, feeling exasperated anew. For a mere sword, it had some very peculiar habits. "But thanks to it, we defeated the demon king..."

She recalled the moment when light poured out of the holy sword after she pierced the demon king's heart. The light flowed into the demon king's body and likely caused his demise. The image of the demon king's stiff body, with his eyes void of life, came to mind. His corpse was stored at the Castle of Lord Fenel. The fate of the body was still under discussion.

"Perhaps we should burn it?"

While contemplating a pyre for the demon king, Yelena found herself dozing off. Or at least she thought it was a brief doze. Waking to a slight movement, she realized Kaywhin was carrying her through the castle's corridor.

"Hmm..."

"Did you wake up?"

"How long was I asleep?"

"Not long."

She had the sense he wasn't being entirely truthful. Before she could ponder it further, they reached their bedroom. Lying side by side on the soft bed, Yelena felt her exhaustion catching up to her. Though she hadn't been as sleep-deprived as her husband in recent days, she was certainly tired.

Before succumbing to sleep, she pulled her husband closer.

"Give me a goodnight kiss."

"...With pleasure."

Their lips lingered for a moment before separating. Content, Yelena closed her eyes, feeling her heart beat pleasantly. Peaceful silence filled the bedroom.

A month passed swiftly. Several significant developments occurred during this time. The renovation of the castle was completed, and the remaining demons in their territory were eradicated. The damage to their lands was being repaired, and relief efforts for the inhabitants had been set in motion. Yelena was also relieved to confirm that Anna and Hans were unharmed.

The castle's once mournful atmosphere, thick with grief, was regaining some semblance of its former vitality. And then, Yelena paused to test her ankle. She stamped her foot, expecting some residual pain, but felt none. Satisfaction shone in her eyes; her ankle had completely healed.