Home/The Ice Age Came? And I Just Got Married?!/ch 88

 12. Logan

Chapter 88

The next day, Graham left Acorn Village.

"Be careful."

I gave him plenty of extra Redstones. He smiled, took only a small amount, and refused the rest.

"You have more people to take care of now—your villagers need them."

"Villagers..."

I smiled awkwardly.

"It's not that grand—they're just people living together."

Graham smiled faintly.

"Lords always say that."

"..."

"People don't care how you see yourself."

He looked around Acorn Village.

The newly expanded houses, people bustling with building materials, children running through the snow.

"They already see you and the Duke as their masters."

I didn't answer—I knew that as well as I knew the responsibility that came with it.

The weight of it bore down on me. But if a man who managed the Cheshwind estate couldn't handle this many people, I wouldn't have been worthy of being Logan's wife.

Thinking that helped.

"I know."

"Being a lord isn't something you claim for yourself."

"..."

"The moment people entrust their backs to you—you already are one."

"Thank you."

Graham looked at me steadily. Then, with bloodshot eyes, he pulled me into an embrace.

"...Take care, brother."

"I will—for you."

His sincerity made me regret ever doubting him.

I bit my lip and nodded.

"We'll meet again."

"I won't keep you waiting long this time."

He patted my head and left the village.

He said he was going to Norton—first to meet the Crown Prince, explain everything, and seek help.

Aiden would surely be of great help to him.

For the next few days, I shut myself in my room, feeling heavy-hearted.

I'd just reunited with family after five years—and now he was gone so soon. The emptiness hit harder than I'd expected.

But I couldn't stay depressed forever—it would burden the villagers.

After about five days, I pulled myself together and left the room.

When I went to the greenhouse for the first time in a while, Marcus and Logan were there. They spotted me and stood up.

"Judging by your complexion, you're feeling much better, junior."

They sat me down at the table and began brewing tea.

Wait—those two seem closer now?

"Sorry for worrying you."

"No need to apologize."

Marcus said casually and placed a flower petal on my teacup.

Romantic as always. I used to find it cloying, but now it felt endearing.

I placed the black mana stone on the table.

"Ah—so you finally came out to deal with this?"

I nodded.

"I want to analyze it first—see if it's really a Winterstone."

I tapped the black stone.

"..."

No response.

It seems safe enough.

I touched it more—poked it, pressed it.

Still nothing.

Marcus tried too—same result.

"It won't absorb either?"

I tried absorbing it—and nothing happened.

"Maybe it's not a Winterstone—then what is it?"

Winterstones only activate when touched by a human hand. After activation, contact isn't needed.

"Logan—you try."

He nodded and reached for it.

But before his hand touched it—

Thump.

A heavy pulse echoed.

We all reacted at once.

"What was that?"

Marcus asked, startled.

The stone suddenly rolled toward Logan—like a magnet.

"Logan!"

I grabbed his wrist.

The stone was stuck to his hand—then absorbed into his body in an instant.

Wait—it didn't do anything when we brought it here—why now?

"Logan? Are you okay? Logan!"

I grabbed his shoulder—but he stared blankly into space, as if he couldn't hear me.

His red eyes slowly lost focus.

At the same time, black crack-like patterns spread along his veins.

"Logan!"

I grasped his hand—his fingertips were ice-cold.

CRUNCH—

He clutched his chest. A harsh gasp escaped.

"Ugh..."

His body swayed violently.

"Junior—get back!"

Marcus pulled me away.

Just then—

CRASH—!

A blinding black wave exploded from Logan's body. The greenhouse windows shook, flowerpots shattered on the floor.

Thankfully, the Goldstone-reinforced glass held.

The shock pushed both of us back.

"Logan—snap out of it!"

I scrambled to my feet and ran to him.

He was on one knee, breathing raggedly.

Black lines appeared on the back of his neck—they writhed like living things, then slowly seeped into his skin.

"What the..."

Marcus swallowed.

Then—Logan's body slumped forward.

"Logan!"

I caught him.

He was completely limp.

"Logan—wake up!"

I tapped his cheek gently—no response.

He was still breathing—just unconscious. But the shock made it hard to calm down.

Logan was the reason I'd stayed sane through the apocalypse. Without him, I'd have gone mad or died.

Seeing my strongest pillar collapse, my mind went blank.

Fear I couldn't handle washed over me.

I gripped his hand with trembling fingers.

"Wh-What just happened?"

"Let's move him to the room first."

Marcus lifted Logan and carried him to the bedroom.

He calmed the people who'd rushed over, then began organizing the situation. I sat by Logan's bedside, staring at his unconscious face.

About a week passed.

When Logan finally woke up—

He had completely lost all memory of me.

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