12

I quickly yanked my hand away from his belt and bolted out of the room, my heart racing as I leaned against the door once I was outside.

My heart was pounding so fast. "Hoo!" I muttered to myself. He should be changing on his own now that he's awake, right? I should focus on preparing his meal instead.

I walked toward the kitchen, relieved that we still had some stock. I could make chicken soup for him. It's easy to cook, easy to eat, and packed with the nutrients he needs right now.

It took me nearly an hour to prepare it, and by then, it was already lunchtime. I needed to bring it to Duke Henrick before it got cold.

I took a deep breath before opening the door again. Damn it! Let's do this! I pushed the food trolley into the room and walked over to his bed.

He was still fast asleep, thankfully. I noticed that he was already wearing the hot-pink pajama I'd given him earlier.

Thank goodness!

I picked up the clothes scattered on the floor. Since I didn't have any servants here, I was the one who would have to wash them. Now, I faced another problem.

I looked back at Duke Henrick's face. Damn it! He's too handsome! It's not fair. He's sick, but he's still incredibly good-looking—what the hell am I thinking? I should wake him up.

But how the heck do I wake him up without him getting mad?

"Your Grace?" I softly called out to him. "Your Grace?" Should I feed him while he's still asleep? It's risky if he wakes up suddenly.

And considering the embarrassment from earlier, I was hesitant. "Your Grace?" I said again, trying to get his attention. "Wake up before the soup gets cold!"

I poked his cheek, but suddenly, he moved, and my finger slipped into his nose.

Seriously, Veronica? What else are you going to do to him?

"V-Veronica?" His voice was groggy, and I froze.

I carefully helped him sit up.

"Your Grace, I'm sorry for waking you, but you need to eat something," I explained, placing the tray in front of him.

I noticed that he was just staring at the soup. Was he thinking I poisoned it?

"It's chicken soup. I cooked it myself, but don't worry, I guarantee it's edible, Your Grace," I reassured him. But he was still staring at it, unmoving. Did he really not want it? He glanced at me and then at the spoon.

What now? Don't tell me—

"Perhaps y-you want me to feed you?" I asked hesitantly, Please say no, you bastard! You just have a fever, you're not crippled!

I almost had a heart attack when Duke Henrick gave me that look, like I was some abandoned dog on the street. What is that look supposed to mean?

But since I felt guilty, I just grabbed the spoon and tried to feed him. I did my best to keep a poker face, but I was still so nervous.

I scooped some of the chicken soup and blew on it to cool it down a bit since it was still hot. Duke Henrick just kept staring at my face, and I could feel the pressure building up.

I wanted to close my eyes while feeding him to avoid the awkwardness, but that would make me look ridiculous. After a few minutes, I finally finished feeding him. It should've been quick, but my mind was still racing over the embarrassing things I had done earlier.

Because I was so self-conscious of his gaze, I accidentally left the spoon in his mouth after he took a bite. I couldn't decide whether to laugh at my awkwardness or to be terrified because he suddenly furrowed his brows.

I started cleaning up the food after giving him his drink. I was about to leave when he suddenly grabbed my hand.

"Duke?" I asked, surprised.

He handed me the cup he had been drinking from.

Ah, so he just wanted me to take the cup. Ha-ha! I grabbed it and put it on the food trolley. I was about to leave again, but then he stopped me once more.

"Where are you going?" he asked, his tone soft but insistent.

"I have to clean the dishes and...," I glanced at the food trolley and then back to his wet clothes from earlier, "...wash your clothes?"

He seemed to think for a moment before suddenly standing up.

"Wait. Your Grace?" he asked, and I froze.

"I'll help you," he said, and I immediately tried to stop him.

"No, Your Grace. You don't have to. I can do this on my own, plus you're sick," I firmly told him.

"But--"

"No buts! If you want to help, then why don't you lie down and rest?" I insisted, gently guiding Duke Henrick back onto the bed and wrapping him in the blanket. I touched his forehead with the back of my hand to check his temperature. "See? You're still warm," I added. "You need to sleep."

As I was about to pull my hand away, he took it again and placed it against his cheek.

"I will sleep, but you are not going anywhere," he said, closing his eyes.

"But--"

"No buts, Veronica," he interrupted.

I tried to pull my hand away, but his grip tightened. Why is he so strong?

I gave up, letting my hand remain where it was. It's probably my fault he's sick anyway. I'll just wait for him to fall asleep completely.

I sat on the side of the bed and stared at his face. This was the first time I'd seen him like this—weak. His face was flushed, and sweat dotted his forehead. But, damn, why does he still look so attractive?

What happened to your mantra, Veronica?

There should be no more lingering feelings. You've moved on. You no longer have any feelings for this man. But who am I fooling? I've spent half my life loving him. There's no way those feelings will vanish that easily.

I may have tried to forget him over the past three years, but the feelings I buried rushed back as soon as I saw his face.

I didn't even realize I'd started crying. A bitter smile crossed my face as I gazed at the sleeping Duke Henrick.

I noticed his grip on my hand had loosened, so I carefully withdrew it.

I stood up slowly, checking his forehead one last time. He wasn't as warm anymore. Before I left the room, I leaned down and kissed him on the forehead, then quietly left with the trolley.Once he wakes up, I should properly ask him about the divorce.

---

I left the room, but I didn't abandon Duke Henrick. It's my house, after all.

I just needed to step out to do some cleaning—wash the dishes, do the laundry. I didn't want chores piling up. Haha! Like I always do this.

It's just that there are no servants today.

After I washed up and did Duke's laundry, I checked on him again to see how his temperature was.

It wasn't as high as before. He probably just needed more rest. What did he even do?

Once I checked on Duke Henrick, I stepped out again, pretending to clean around the house until I got tired. I rested by the pool and had a snack as the day slowly turned into evening.

I decided to take a shower because I felt like it, and then I headed to the room where Duke was resting. I was just going to ask what he wanted for dinner.

Did he prefer boiled sweet potatoes or boiled potatoes? That's all I had in the kitchen. Crazy! When I walked into the room, I immediately looked for the person who should've been resting on the bed. "Your Grace?" I closed the door to search for him when suddenly, someone hugged me from behind.

"Veronica," he whispered into my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

"Y-your Grace?" I tried to break free and face him, but he wouldn't let me go. "W-wait, how are you feeling?"

"I'm all better now, Veronica," he answered, letting go of me and turning me to face him. "Now, let's go home."

Huh? I instinctively stepped back.

"Actually, there is something I want to ask of you," I started.

"Ask?"

"Yes, Your Grace. Due to my selfishness and childishness, you were pressured to marry me by my father. What I want is your forgiveness for my selfishness. I am truly sorry for all the inconveniences I have caused you," I took a deep breath, my eyes downcast. I was afraid that if I looked at him, I might lose myself again.

"I want to make up for everything I did wrong. Starting with you," and then I couldn't help but flashback to all the mischief I caused before.

"Is this why you're preparing for a divorce?" I looked at him in shock. Wait, how did he know?"H-how did you—" I stepped back when I noticed he was moving closer.

"Do you still love me, Veronica?"

"What?" I stepped back as Duke Henrick continued to approach me.

"Even if you don't love me anymore..." He kept coming closer, and I didn't notice I had backed up until I felt the bed against my legs, causing me to sit down unexpectedly. "Then I'll make you fall for me again. However long it takes," he added, his voice soft yet determined. Before I could react, he leaned down and kissed me on the lips.

"You are mine, Veronica," he whispered, his eyes intense. "I'll make sure you have nowhere else to go but stay with me... forever."

I froze, heart racing, as he gently lifted me, guiding me to lie down on the bed. "Your Grace..." My words trailed off as I felt his lips trail down my neck, a sensation that made my breath catch.His hands moved carefully, as though making sure I was comfortable. "If you want my forgiveness," he murmured, "then let's leave the divorce behind us."

I couldn't believe it. This wasn't what I had imagined. It felt like a dream, but with every touch, it became real.

"Your Grace..." I said softly, my voice quivering. His hands were gentle as he explored, making sure I felt safe. I closed my eyes, feeling vulnerable but strangely cared for.

He paused for a moment, studying me. "You're beautiful, Veronica," he said, and my heart fluttered.

"Tell me if anything hurts," he added, his concern for me clear.

I nodded, though the emotions I was feeling were overwhelming. "It's... it's fine," I whispered, trying to steady myself.

"Then I'll go slowly," he promised, his voice gentle as he continued, making sure I was comfortable every step of the way.

His care and tenderness took me by surprise, and for the first time in a long while, I let myself feel safe in his arms. The pain I felt was overshadowed by the warmth of his presence and the love he was offering, even in this vulnerable moment.

As I looked into his eyes, I felt a rush of emotions—memories of our time together, the pain of the past, and the hope for a future together. "I love you, Henrick," I whispered, my voice full of sincerity.

His lips curved into a soft smile. "I love you too, Veronica," he answered, his words steady and full of emotion as he held me close.