Chapter 7: Why? Just Why?

Soren opened his eyes.

A cold, brilliant light flickered in their depths before fading.

He exhaled slowly, watching his breath mist in the cold air. Then, he glanced down at his hands. They were radiating a faint chill and humming with energy that hadn’t existed hours ago.

A smile crept across his face.

’I... I did it.’

’I’ve broken through.’

He was now at the Early Stage of the First Circle.

What’s more, he achieved it in just one night!

Soren’s smile widened at the realization.

He knew this was absurd. Even with his limited knowledge about the Awakened world, he understood the basics. Most newly awakened people took weeks just to sense Mana properly and perhaps months to establish their foundation. And yet here he was, having crossed the threshold in a single session.

’This is... incredible.’

But the smile didn’t turn into arrogance.

Soren’s expression softened as he recalled why this was possible.

’It wasn’t luck. It was the Investment Authority.’

The legacy, the affinity, the regeneration ability. All of it had been granted to him through that Authority. Without it, he’d still be that same powerless failure lying on the floor.

And...

His gaze drifted toward the bed where Ethea lay sleeping.

’It was thanks to her.’

He didn’t believe it was a coincidence that he awakened on this specific night. The very night he’d married her. The very night he’d risked his life to protect her.

The Investment Authority probably got awakened because of her. While the returns also came from her, even if indirectly.

Everything he had now... it all traced back to that moment he’d decided to stay by her side.

’So... Thank you, Ethea.’

The thought was quiet and sincere.

He owed her more than she’d ever know.

’Alright, let’s get up now.’

As Soren stood up and stretched his stiff body, he noticed the frost covering the floor in a perfect circle around where he’d been sitting. The temperature had also dropped noticeably, probably both from his cultivation and the broken window.

’I should be more careful. If I cultivate like this every night, she’ll freeze. And fix the window as quickly as possible too.’

His gaze then returned to Ethea.

She was asleep, her breathing steady and even, her expression peaceful for once. Or at least, as peaceful as someone in constant pain could look.

His heart ached at his powerlessness about the situation.

’...’

He stood there before walking away.

’Sleep well.’

Then he slipped out quietly to wash up and prepare breakfast.

Click.

The door clicked shut.

Ethea’s eyes opened slowly.

Unlike Soren’s assumption, she’d been awakened. Had been awake for the last hour or so.

Well, maybe longer.

Because it was hard to tell anymore. Time blurred when every moment was pain. When every breath was an effort. When existing itself was exhausting.

But she’d been conscious.

Aware.

And she’d felt everything.

The cold that had seeped through the room as he cultivated. Felt the shift when his foundation stabilized. Felt the breakthrough.

All of it.

And throughout the night, one question had remained in her mind.

’...Why?’

Why did he fight the assassin?

Why did he get wounded protecting her?

Why did he protect her in the first place?

They were strangers. Forced together by families who wanted them gone.

He owed her nothing.

And yet.

And yet...

Ethea’s gaze remained fixed on the closed door.

She couldn’t understand.

Just what did he want from her?

...Love?

No. That couldn’t be it. They had met just yesterday. Spoken maybe a dozen words in total. And love didn’t work like that. Love wasn’t something that appeared overnight like some kind of magic.

Then...

...Was he... Was he after her body?

Her lips pressed together. The thought alone made her stomach twist. She’d hear a few stories about such cases. Ones marrying crippled people like her just so they could have complete control over their lives.

But...

She thought back to yesterday. The way he’d carried her. The way he’d frozen when she flinched. The way he adjusted his grip to be more gentle. The way he’d slept on the floor without complaint when she told him to leave her alone.

He... He wasn’t like that.

If he really wanted her body, he wouldn’t have acted that way. He wouldn’t have listened to her at all.

If he wanted to take advantage, he could easily have so. She was paralyzed, helpless, unable to fight back.

But... he didn’t.

He asked, he waited, and he respected.

So then what was it?

Duty?

The marriage contract binding him?

Some sense of obligation because their families forced them together?

’...’

Ethea didn’t know.

She couldn’t know.

And that uncertainty gnawed at her more than the pain ever could.

Because she’d learned, over six long months, that people always wanted something.

...Always.

Her family wanted her gone.

Her former comrades wanted to forget she existed.

The world wanted her to disappear quietly...

Everyone had a reason, a motive, or an angle.

So what was his?

What could a broken, dying woman possibly offer him?

...Nothing.

Because she had nothing left to offer.

No power, no status, no future.

Just pain and the slow march toward death.

So why?

The question continued to circle endlessly in her mind, and just like before, no right answer came.

’...’ Ethea’s fingers twitched beneath the blanket.

She wanted to ask him. Wanted to demand the truth. But her voice wouldn’t cooperate. And even if it did, she wasn’t sure she wanted to hear the answer.

Because...

Because if he had no reason...

If he was just... kind for the sake of being kind...

Then that would be even worse.

Because kindness without reason was the most fragile thing in the world.

And she couldn’t afford to believe in fragile things like that anymore.

’I won’t... I... I can’t...’

Creak.

The door opened gently, interrupting Ethea’s thoughts.

Her eyes shifted toward the sound.

Soren carefully stepped in, carrying a tray filled with food and a steaming cup of tea. He glanced at the bed and paused briefly when their eyes met.

"Oh, you’re awake. Good."

"I prepared some food, let’s have breakfast together."