The Royal Mark-Chapter 323: Are You Afraid?

Elsa and the others waited for Chris to respond after receiving the potion, but he remained unconscious. She removed his metal cuffs, suspecting they might be the reason he wasn’t waking, as she had cast a weakening and sleeping spell on them.

Even after some time, there was still no sign of him regaining consciousness. Growing worried, she began pacing the room, contemplating the possible reasons for his continued unconsciousness.

"I don’t understand. It doesn’t have poisons or toxins, so why is it not working?" Elsa asked herself loudly.

"Perhaps you could try waking him up?" Rylie suggested hesitatingly.

"Right..." Elsa walked up to the bed and began patting Chris’ shoulder. When nothing happened, she shook his shoulder vigorously and impatiently, causing everyone to widen their eyes in surprise.

"Chris wake up! Just freaking open your eyes!" Elsa exclaimed fiercely.

"Argh..." Chris moaned, causing Elsa to gasp.

She shook him once more, this time more intensely, determined to fully wake her husband.

"Chris? Can you hear me? It’s me, your wife, Elsa. Please wake up! Get up, Chris!" Elsa almost yelled.

The next thing she knew, she was lying in bed, suddenly pulled by Chris. He held her hands above her head, straddling her.

Both Elsa and Chris froze upon seeing a sword between them—Arla’s sword. Arla quickly intervened to protect Elsa from Chris’ sudden movement. Even though she was no longer Elsa’s mage, she remained committed to protecting Zemaria’s Royal Family.

"I-I’m awake. I mean no harm. I-I was just toying with my wife. Geez, can’t you take a joke?" Chris explained.

Elsa frowned and shoved Chris away forcefully, causing him to fall from the bed to the ground.

"Not funny! I was so worried that you wouldn’t wake up or might wake up in pain again, and this is how you thank me?" Elsa roared in annoyance.

"I’m sorry, love. I didn’t think it would be out of line. Please forgive me. I thought you’d be happy and hug me once you saw me awake and fine," Chris explained.

"You’re right! I would have felt that way if you hadn’t jumped on me. I thought you were going to shift and slash me in half!" Elsa yelled.

Chris’s voice grew more irritated and louder as he responded to Elsa.

Arla glanced at Rylie, who gave her an awkward smile. Arla signaled for them to leave the room, realizing the couple’s argument had turned into a lover’s quarrel, something they didn’t want to be part of.

Their argument continued for some time until Chris turned pale and felt nauseous. He immediately ran into the bath chamber to throw up, worrying Elsa.

"Are you ok?" Elsa asked as she rubbed his back.

Chris nodded and sat on the floor, rubbing his stomach. "I got dizzy from too much talking, but I think I just need to throw up, I’m ok now."

"Can you stand? No, no, stay here I’ll get you some water," Elsa said after changing her mind.

"Love, I’m alright... Give me your hand, help me stand, and let’s go back to bed. I just need to lie down a bit. What did you give me?" he asked.

Elsa gulped upon hearing his question. She helped him stand up first, giving herself time to think of an answer.

"A potion, from my mother. It’s a temporary cure though so we should hurry and start with our expedition before the effect wears off."

"Let’s start tomorrow then. Let me rest for today. Not that I am doubting what your mother gave me, I just want to make sure that I won’t be a burden to everyone on the expedition."

"Of course! I think that would be the best then. Stay here, I will cook something for you to help calm your stomach. A warm soup will make you feel better," Elsa said.

"I’ll stay here. Wake me up in case you came back and found me sleeping."

Elsa smiled before leaving Chris, but instead of going straight to the kitchen. She made a detour to the culverhouse.

"Y-Your Majesty!" the birdkeeper quickly bowed upon seeing her and asked, "How can I help you?"

"Which bird brought the purple scroll, and which bird can deliver a message to Qiryn?" Elsa asked hastily.

The birdkeeper showed her the birds she needed. She quickly wrote two letters, tied them to the legs of each bird, and cast an air spell to help them reach their destinations faster.

Facing the birdkeeper, she placed her index finger against her lips, signaling for the servant to keep quiet. The birdkeeper nodded and bowed before Elsa left for the kitchen to prepare a meal for Chris.

When she returned to their bedroom with the servants helping her bring his food, she found him standing by the window looking out. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Her heartbeat rose fast as the feeling and emotions from Chris surged in after he unblocked her from their bond.

"J-Just leave everything there. I-I will do it myself," she stammered as she instructed the servants and briskly sent them off after they placed the trays of food that she prepared.

She cleared her throat before calling him, "C-Chris?"

"Lock the door," he murmured without looking at her.

She didn’t quite understand what he said, so she replied, "Huh?"

Chris moved a bit and gazed at her.

The hairs on her arms and back rise up upon seeing his red eyes staring at her.

He finally turned around and moved in her direction.

She didn’t know why but her body moved by itself, taking one step back as he took one step closer to her, until her back hit against the door.

She watched him until he stopped in front of her. He bent over and whispered, "I said, lock the door."

She jerked when she heard the door lock snapped. When Chris did not move, she slowly turned her head to the left to look at Chris and saw him watching her.

"Are you afraid?" he asked with a smirk, his voice was deep and hoarse. His fangs slowly grew and the hairs on his body slowly appeared... He was shifting...