Chapter 81: Chapter 81: Please


    Swan hurriedly finished her bath. She was only doing it to wash off the dirt and mask Rock''s scent with soap anyway.


    She wore a new nightgown that the cat maids had prepared and walked out of the bathroom with her crutches.


    She saw that Gale was already sitting on the bed, resting his body on the bedpost while staring at the open window.


    He nced at Swan for a second before shifting his gaze back to the window.


    Swan knew instantly that Gale would be upset for a while. Normally, he would quickly approach her and carry her back to the bed.


    Swan bit her lower lip. She felt sad and wronged, but at the same time, she realized that she had no right to feel so, because she was the one who helped Rock to escape, even though Gale didn''t know about that yet.


    Meanwhile, Gale kept ncing at his wife a few more times, making sure that she wouldn''t identally kick her crutches and fall. She had always been clumsy, so Gale was quite distressed as he held himself back from helping her.


    Swan put the crutches on the side after she sat on the bed. She lifted her legs and then sat next to her husband who was still upset.


    They were in this awkward silence for a while until the cold wind of early autumn blew from the window, and Swan shivered in response.


    It had always been like this. Gale disliked having to close the window because it would be too stuffy for him, but Swan naturally had thin skin and was susceptible to cold.


    Gale got up and closed the window so his wife wouldn''t feel cold, only for Swan to respond, "Y-you don''t need to do that. You need rest too..."


    "I don''t want you to get sick," Gale said. "You humans are so fragile, getting stuffy is nothingpared to dying due to the cold wind."


    Gale returned to bed, he pulled the nket and covered Swan''s body with it


    before hugging her onto his chest, "Sleep. It''ste for you."


    Swan couldn''t fall asleep, but she was listening to Gale''s heartbeat for a while and muttered, "Gale, I''m sorry..."


    "For what?"


    "For arguing against you about Rock..." Swan replied. "I truly never divide my heart. But I can''t let you hurt the closest person you can call a friend."


    They had this conversation over and over, and Gale still didn''t believe that Swan didn''t divide her heart.


    In beastmen culture, when they were mated for life, then it was them against the world. There should be nobody between them, and she should always agree with his decision.


    It had always been like that, but maybe because Swan is a human, it was difficult for him to ept the human concept of ''friend.''


    "Are you happy that he escaped once more?" Gale asked.


    Swan couldn''t lie as she thought it would only hurt him if she lied, "Yes. I''m relieved."


    Gale wrapped her tighter into his embrace and said, "You don''t seem to be concerned whenever I go to quench a rebellion or go to war. I could be in so much danger too, you know."


    "Because I know


    you are the


    strongest, and undefeatable," Swan


    replied. "However, I know you are always in pain, that''s why my offer will never change. If my blood Can somehow cure you from your curse, and lift off the pain, I will never hesitate to sacrifice myself."


    Gale gritted his teeth. He was feeling petty because Swan never seemed to show concern towards him.


    But she was right. As the strongest,


    Gale had never encountered any


    danger and no matter how


    dangerous the war could be, even if it was him against one million


    warriors, he would still be the victor.


    Nevertheless, wouldn''t it be nice if Swan could show so much concern for him? He would be more than happy if Swan would cry whenever she saw him wounded, or trying her best to treat his wound.


    But she always mentioned sacrifice, and Gale didn''t see that as an act of concern.


    Instead, he saw that as a method to escape. She wanted to escape him with death.


    ''And I will never allow that to happen.''


    Gale took a deep whiff at her hair, and he smelled nothing but fragrant soap and also her signature sweet and warm scent that gave him peace of mind.


    Or so he thought.


    He kept thinking about the scent he smelled at the cave. It was simr to Swan, but it was devoid of sweetness. It was just a warm-no, intensely hot scent that burned his nose.


    But it was still somewhat simr to Swan''s.


    "Swan, you will never betray me, right?" Gale asked.


    Swan''s heart ached. She didn''t know if what she had done was considered a betrayal, even if she meant well.


    Thus, she replied, "I never have any intention to harm my husband. Everything I did is for you, Gale."


    "Just promise me that you will never betray me no matter what. That''s all I need to hear."


    Swan bit her lower lip, and it took her a while to say it, "I promise to never betray you, Gale."


    Gale was assured. He wasn''t sure if Swan was telling the truth, as his mind had been muddled whenever it came to Swan, but he was happy that Swan would take the promise.


    He felt at ease now. Closing his


    eyes, he took a deep breath and said, "This world is dark for me,


    Swan, and I''ve always been alone The only one I need is for my to be by my side no matter what. So, please, don''t betray me."


    Please.


    That one word was powerful enough to stab Swan in her conscience. Gale had never used that word. He was someone who never had to humble himself before asking for a favor.


    So it only worsened her guilt.


    ''I''m the worst...'' Swan med herself. ''I''m sorry, husband... I''ve betrayed you...''