The Do-Over System:My Beloved is the Villain! - Chapter 62

Chapter 62: 02/08- At The Clinic.

Meanwhile, at the nearest clinic, the sound of light footsteps echoed through the hallway as Aeliana paced back and forth in a state of concern. Her heart hadn’t stopped racing since the incident at the masquerade, and she couldn’t shake the image of Lucian’s sudden collapse after ingesting the poisoned food. She had barely been able to get him to safety, her pulse quickening every time he coughed or winced in pain.

Finally, the healer, a kindly woman by the name of Tessa, entered the small room where Lucian had been resting. She gently lifted a vial of clear liquid to his lips, administering the antidote that would reverse the poison’s effects. Lucian had been unconscious for the last few minutes, his body too weak to fight off the toxin. Aeliana, ever the protector, had refused to leave his side, her thoughts swirling with unanswered questions.

As she approached Lucian’s bedside, she placed a cool hand on his forehead, her voice barely above a whisper. “How are you feeling, Lucian?” Her eyes studied his face, watching for any sign of improvement, any sign that he might be okay. His brow furrowed slightly, but there was no immediate response.

Lucian stirred slightly, his eyes fluttering open, and he blinked several times, disoriented at first. It took a moment for him to fully comprehend where he was, the dimly lit room, the scent of herbs in the air, and the soft rustle of cloth as Aeliana adjusted her position. His body still felt heavy, sluggish from the poison coursing through his veins.

“I… I’m alright,” he rasped, his voice weak but steady. “Just a little dizzy, Aeliana. But I’ll be fine.” He tried to sit up, but Aeliana gently pushed him back down, concern flickering across her face.

“You don’t have to pretend to be fine. You were poisoned, Lucian. You nearly died.” Her voice cracked slightly, the weight of the situation finally catching up to her. “I don’t know who did this, but I promise you, I’ll make sure they pay for it.” Her fingers gripped his hand tightly, her own fear evident in her eyes.

Lucian turned his head to look at her, his expression softening. He could see the fear in her eyes, the determination, and he appreciated it. Aeliana had always been someone who would stand by him through thick and thin, even in the most dangerous of times. His own hand squeezed hers in return, offering her a small reassurance.

“It’s not your fault,” he said quietly, though he knew she blamed herself. “Whoever did this was clever… they had a plan. But I’ve dealt with worse before. I’ll be fine, just need some rest.”

Aeliana didn’t look convinced, though. “I can’t just let this go. Someone tried to kill you, Lucian.” Her tone was firm now, her worry transforming into resolve. “I need to know who. I need to find them, and stop them before they try again. And the fact that they poisoned you in such a public setting—” She paused, her voice growing more urgent. “It’s too dangerous, Lucian. Whoever they are, they’re powerful, and they want you out of the way.”

Lucian sighed, his eyes closing briefly as he took in her words. “I know,” he muttered. “But for now, we need to focus on you, Aeliana. You’ve been through enough already. You don’t need to bear the weight of this alone.” His voice softened, his gaze steady and unwavering. “I’ll take care of it, in time. Just don’t let it consume you, alright?”

Aeliana nodded, though her jaw was clenched. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust him, but the thought of something happening to him—or worse, losing him—was unbearable. Lucian had been a constant in her life, a protector, a partner in both light and dark. She couldn’t imagine a world without him by her side.

Just as she was about to speak again, a soft knock echoed from the door. Tessa entered the room, a concerned look on her face. “The antidote has taken effect,” she said, offering a reassuring smile. “He should be stable now. But it’s best if he rests here for a few hours. We don’t want to rush his recovery.”

Aeliana’s posture relaxed slightly at the news, but her mind was already racing ahead. She had to find out who was behind this. There was no way someone could get away with poisoning Lucian—no matter who they were. But the thought of facing off against another unknown enemy made her heart race. She wasn’t sure if she was prepared for what was to come, but she knew one thing for certain: she would protect Lucian at all costs.

“Thank you, Tessa,” Aeliana said, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside her. She glanced back at Lucian, her fingers brushing his cheek once more. “I’ll be right here. I’m not leaving until you’re well again.”

Lucian smiled faintly, his eyelids heavy as he finally allowed his body to relax into the bed. “Thank you, Aeliana. I don’t know what I would do without you.” His words were soft, barely a whisper, but Aeliana could feel the sincerity in them. It made her heart swell with warmth, but the cold knot of worry in her stomach still refused to loosen.

As Tessa moved to check on Lucian one last time, Aeliana stood up from her seat. She had a decision to make, one that would take her far beyond this clinic. If someone was after Lucian, they would pay, and Aeliana would make sure of it—whether she had to fight them alone or not.

Her hand tightened around the hilt of her sword as she stepped out of the room, her resolve clear. “This ends now,” she muttered under her breath. “I will find who’s behind this. And I will make them regret it.”

The path ahead was uncertain, but Aeliana knew one thing for sure: she would protect Lucian—and she would stop at nothing to ensure that no one ever dared to harm him again.

Aeliana sat beside Lucian’s bed, holding a small spoon filled with warm porridge. She had prepared it herself, hoping the simple meal would be gentle on his stomach after the poisoning. Lucian’s pale face softened as he weakly opened his eyes and gazed at her. Despite his weakened state, there was a slight smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he tried to sit up a little more comfortably.

“Here, you need to eat,” Aeliana said softly, her voice full of concern. She held the spoon to his lips, her hand trembling slightly as she offered him the nourishment. Lucian blinked, then reluctantly accepted the spoonful, tasting the warmth of the porridge as it slid down his throat. It was a slow process, but he was grateful for her care.

“You really don’t need to do this,” Lucian murmured, his voice still rough. He attempted to sit up further, but Aeliana gently pushed him back down, her expression firm. She would make sure he rested, even if he protested.

“Don’t argue with me, Lucian,” Aeliana responded with a gentle smile, but there was a note of seriousness in her tone. “You’ve been through enough. The least you can do is eat and get some strength back.” She fed him another spoonful of the warm porridge, her eyes locked onto his to ensure he was comfortable.

Kael, who had been standing near the doorway, couldn’t help but notice the tenderness between them. His usual quiet demeanor was replaced with a hint of unease, his eyes narrowing slightly as he crossed his arms over his chest. He had always viewed Lucian as a brother, someone who had been there for him when he had no one. Seeing Aeliana care for him in this intimate way stirred an unfamiliar feeling of jealousy deep within him.

“How is he?” Kael finally asked, his voice laced with a mix of concern and frustration. He stepped forward, looking between Lucian and Aeliana, his expression slightly guarded. He wasn’t used to feeling like this, but he couldn’t shake the feeling of being left out, especially in a moment like this. Lucian was his mentor, his guide, and now it seemed like Aeliana was taking charge, taking care of him in a way that Kael hadn’t anticipated.

Aeliana paused, meeting Kael’s gaze for a moment before turning her attention back to Lucian. “He’s recovering,” she said quietly, her voice softening as she glanced down at Lucian’s pale face. “The poison has been neutralized, but he still needs rest. His body needs time to regain strength.” She spooned another bite into Lucian’s mouth, the action gentle and caring.

Kael clenched his jaw but couldn’t hide his growing frustration. It wasn’t that he didn’t understand why Aeliana was acting the way she was; it was that she seemed so focused on Lucian, as if no one else mattered in that moment. His protectiveness over Lucian flared, the pang of jealousy making his chest tight.

“You’re treating him like he’s completely helpless,” Kael muttered, his tone slightly sharper than he intended. “He’s not a child, Aeliana. He’ll get through this on his own.”

Aeliana’s eyes flicked to Kael, her expression unreadable for a moment. Then she sighed, placing the spoon back in the bowl. “I know Lucian is strong, Kael. But he’s been poisoned—he nearly died. He needs help, just like any of us would in that situation. You don’t understand how it feels to watch someone you care about suffer like that.”

Kael’s face softened, realizing he had overstepped. He took a deep breath, trying to let go of the simmering jealousy that had been eating at him. He had always been there for Lucian, and seeing someone else step in so effortlessly, especially Aeliana, felt like a shift he wasn’t sure he was ready for.

“You’re right,” Kael said, his voice quieter now. “I just… I don’t like seeing him like this. Lucian’s always been the one to protect us. It’s hard to see him like… this.” He glanced at Lucian, his expression faltering for a moment. “He’s like a big brother to me, Aeliana. I don’t know what I’d do without him.”

Aeliana’s eyes softened as she placed a reassuring hand on Kael’s shoulder. “I understand,” she said, her voice warm and understanding. “We all do.” She turned back to Lucian, who was looking at them both with a faint, appreciative smile. Despite the heavy atmosphere, there was a sense of unity between them—a bond that, even in times of tension, couldn’t be broken.

As Aeliana continued to feed Lucian, Kael stepped back, quietly watching them. He knew that no matter how much he struggled with his emotions, Lucian was still his mentor, his family. And he also knew that Aeliana cared deeply for him—perhaps in ways that Kael himself hadn’t fully realized yet.