I Became a Barbarian's Bride - Chapter 76
“With all due respect, Orlan suggested that the reason she’s likely so frail… might be due to complications from the fetal stage,” the doctor said cautiously.
“Fetal stage?”
“Yes. If her mother had taken too many drugs to prevent pregnancy…” The physician let his words trail off.
From that alone, Kagan quickly understood what the physician was implying, and his expression hardened.
“They were insane.”
In other words, despite taking drugs to prevent her birth, she had still been born.
It was astonishing that she had survived and grown up at all, considering that during the most critical period of her development, she had been exposed to substances meant to kill her.
‘…Is that why the Emperor of Roshan kept her so sheltered?’
It was well known that the Emperor of Roshan was incredibly protective of his children. Rumors abounded of him lavishing them with all sorts of luxuries.
‘Even so, the princess doesn’t seem to have any attachment to Roshan.’
Though she appeared fearful, she showed no signs of resentment toward them.
When you deal with people a lot, or take many lives, there are certain things you come to understand.
To him, negative emotions in people were nothing new.
Fear, pain, resentment.
Emotions people feel when they lose something or face death.
“……”
Yes.
He had sensed fear from the princess of Roshan but never once felt resentment toward him for what had happened to her country, for the scars left on her father’s face, or for the arm he had severed from her brother.
Her relationship with her brother? Well, that was understandable. They didn’t seem to be close.
But…
‘Come to think of it, there wasn’t much of a farewell between them either.’
How could a man who adored and sheltered his daughter so much treat her that way?
Crossing his arms, Kagan nodded heavily before waving a hand.
“I understand. Let’s leave it at that.”
“Yes, of course, Kagan.”
“Anything else I should be aware of?”
“When she wakes, it would be best to start with light meals and gradually increase her food intake. And her skin is quite sensitive, so when she goes outside, it would be wise for her to wear long sleeves. It seems she’s suffered a mild burn.”
“……A burn? She hasn’t been near any fire.”
“From the sun…”
The physician trailed off, slightly embarrassed as he spoke.
“Sunburn? Can a person really get burned by sunlight?”
“If their skin is sensitive enough, yes.”
“……”
Unable to even imagine such a thing, he looked down at her slightly reddened arm.
The bright red marks were clearly visible against her pale skin. He had thought it was just from the heat, but…
“This is maddening.”
For the first time in his life, Kagan found himself hearing about someone getting sunburned, and he muttered that to himself before nodding.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Yes. And….”
“There’s more?”
“Yes, should I just write a full report? A list of cautions and things to be aware of?”
“…That many?”
“At least twenty for now…”
Kagan stared at the doctor in disbelief, his face twisting with frustration before waving him off.
“Fine, just do it and leave.”
“Yes.”
As the doctor left, Kagan Xieman let out a long sigh.
He thought he had taken in a wife, but this was more like adopting a sick puppy that needed constant care.
He gently wiped her sweat-dampened forehead with a wet cloth, brushing her disheveled hair back into place.
“You’re keeping too much bottled up inside, and now you’re burning up like this, Princess.”
Would it hurt her to say what was on her mind for once?
‘I didn’t expect much concern, but…’
He never expected to hear a confession that she wouldn’t care if he took three or five more wives and that she had no intention of ever liking me.
Here he was, trying to get closer and build a bond, but all she had in mind was keeping her distance and maintaining the status quo.
