I wish I could say it out loud

Gina and the others were cleaning up Abaya's house which was half destroyed after being attacked by harpies, when Atherion came carrying Camelia, who had fainted and her body was wrapped in cloth.

Everyone immediately panicked, and rushed to took care of her.

***

Atherion sat in front of the house after cleaning himself and changing his clothes.

His mind went back to the moment Camelia saw his transformation. Camelia looked scared.

Atherion closed his eyes and leaned his head against the wall.

His heart felt very painful.

***

Since then, things had become confusing.Although Atherion was still constantly by Camelia's side, he was colder towards her.

Of course, Camelia felt heartbroken. She had liked Atherion when he first came to this world.

'Hhhh... Who wouldn't like a man as handsome, strong and kind as him...' Camelia sighed while they were having dinner.

She was able to get up, even though her body was covered in bandages, and ate together with the others. Atherion carried her so she didn't have to walk from the bedroom to the dining room.

'But why did I say it first!' Camelia shook her head.

"Are you okay?" asked Atherion when he saw Camelia shaking her head.

Camelia immediately stuttered, "O-oh, it's nothing. Really," she said.

"Then eat this meat, so you get better quickly," said Atherion as he spooned a piece of grilled meat onto Camelia's plate, then cut it into small pieces.

"T-thank you," said Camelia as she looked at the meat on her plate.

Atherion still treated her very well, despite being cold.

"Cameliaaa!" Heios suddenly sat to her right while carrying his plate. "How do you feel now?" 

Atherion who was sitting next to Camelia's left, tensed.

Camelia smiled sweetly at Heios, and answered, "I'm fine."

"Hahaha, okay, let me know if you need anything," he said, glancing at Atherion.

Atherion noticed Heios' glance and replied with a displeased look.

"Ugh, I can't eat so much," said Camelia, who didn't realize what was happening between the two men.

"Oh, let me take you to your room," Heios offered, just as Atherion was about to stand up to carry Camelia again.

"Ah," Camelia turned to Heios, and was about to refuse, but Atherion suddenly carried her, saying to Heios, "No need. I can do that for her."

They immediately went to Camelia's room followed by Heios' angry gaze.

***

The next day, when Gina and Abaya were changing Camelia's bandages in her room, Atherion stood alone in the back garden, close to Camelia's room.

He began to feel signs of pain again.

'Why is it starting to feel like this again? So fast,' he thought while massaging his neck.

He started to stretch a little when he noticed Theon walking towards him.

With a smile on his long-bearded face, Theon told him, "You really are strong. I salute."

Atherion glanced at him, then snorted, "What's wrong, old man? Why are you suddenly praising me?" he asked.

"Hahahahah," Theon laughed. "You are too sensitive."

Atherion smirke, and continued stretching.

Theon then sat down on a park bench next to Atherion. He placed his staff beside him.

Then he said, "The harpies did not come for no reason. They targeted Camelia from the start."

Atherion glanced at him but didn't answer.

"You also know who they are controlled by?" asked Theon.

Atherion stopped and put his hands on his hips, then took a deep breath.

"I know," he answered.

"Demon Lord," Theon said.

"Yes," Atherion answered briefly.

The two of them then remained silent for a moment.

"I'm going to Nefaria," Atherion suddenly said. "I have to settle this with that woman. Otherwise, Camelia will continue to be in danger."

"All of you will also be in danger if we stay near you continuously," he continued.

Theon nodded again, then asked, "I'm guessing that you don't want other people to help you. So it's just you and Camelia going there?"

Atherion nodded, "Yes."

"Okay. I understand." Theon said while stroking his beard.

"Maybe it's best for the two of us to stay away from everyone..." Atherion muttered.

Theon just looked at him without saying anything.

"Atherion. I wanted to talk to you," Heios suddenly called out and walked over to them.

Atherion and Theon turned to look at Heios.

Heios nodded his head to Theon respectfully, then said to Atherion, "I need to talk to you."

"Just talk here," Atherion answered.

Heios glanced at Theon, considered for a moment, then said, "Are you and Camelia lovers?"

Atheion glanced at him with an annoyed look but managed to restrain himself, and answered, "What do you think?"

"If you don't mind, I want to keep Camelia here, as my wife," Heios said loudly.

Atherion gritted his teeth.

"It's not up to me," he said.

"But I know you love her. If you love her, why don't you treat him better?" Heios challenged. 

"What do you mean?!" Atherion asked.

Theon, who witnessed this incident with his mouth slightly agape, shook his head. 'Young people,' he thought.

"Camelia loves you. I know it. And you love her. If you don't love her, why do you keep giving her hope?" Heios said.

"What do you know?" Atherion hissed.

"If you love her, you must be honest with her, and I will withdraw with dignity. But if you don't love her, I will love her all my life," said Heios vehemently.

Atherion started to lose his patience and grabbed Heios by the collar.

"What do you know about us?!" shouted Atherion.

"I don't know much, but your attitude is hurting her," Heios said stubbornly.

"You don't know anything!" Atherion yelled.

Brugggh.

Suddenly Atherion collapsed to the ground. His breathing was ragged and his face flushed.

Heios and Theon tried to help him, and when they touched Atherion's shoulders and hands, they felt very hot.

Atherion pushed Heios and Theon's hands away and tried to get up.

"Atherioon!" Camelia suddenly ran towards him and held his hand, trying to lift him up.

"What's wrong with him?" Theon asked her.

"He is sick. He was like this before too. His body gets very hot during…"

Camelia's voice sounded faintly in Atherion's ears. All he could hear was Heios' voice still ringing in his head.

"If you love her, you have to be honest with her..."

Between conscious and unconscious, Atherion slapped Camelia's hand away roughly.

Camelia gasped and froze, thinking Atherion was still mad at her.

Atherion, who was then supported by Abaya's employees and his friends, glanced at Camelia.

His heart immediately felt like it was being torn to pieces when he saw Camelia standing there with a sad look.

'I love you too, Kimi. Wish I could say it out loud to you…'