Chapter 57
“He’s awake!”
“He’s finally conscious.”
As soon as the Grand Duke opened his eyes, both I and Melas exclaimed in relief. The sudden noise confused him, and he looked at each of us in turn.
“Melas? Eileen?”
“Your Grace, are you awake?”
“Raymond, are you okay?”
Melas quickly rushed over and helped Raymond sit up. He leaned back against the bed frame, slowly gathering his senses.
“That’s right… I was attacked and collapsed.”
He touched his forehead, trying to recall what happened.
“I got stabbed with a sword, didn’t I…?”
He then felt around his side. Not feeling any pain, he looked puzzled and lifted his shirt. Where there should’ve been a wound, his skin was perfectly smooth and clean. Startled, he looked up and asked,
“What happened? Did someone bring a healer?”
“Ah, well…”
I wasn’t sure what to say, but Melas answered for me.
“Lady Eileen brought a potion. You drank it and woke up.”
“I see… Eileen brought the potion… I owe you again.”
“No need to thank me. I’m just glad you’re better.”
I shook my head strongly, trying to hide how embarrassed I still felt about what had happened earlier. Raymond had no idea, of course.
Soon, the news that the Grand Duke had awakened spread through the base.
His subordinates came rushing in to see him, and a party started on the first floor with people shouting, “It’s a celebration!”
“Your Grace!”
Everyone called out to Raymond, full of relief and joy. He gave a quiet smile.
“Thank you all. I appreciate everything you did while I was unconscious.”
“Your Graceee!!”
Eden, overcome with emotion, burst into tears, which made the others laugh. They patted him on the back while teasing him at the same time.
The small room got crowded with people. Thinking it was too noisy, Melas said the Grand Duke needed rest and led everyone out.
As the room emptied, silence returned.
“It’s peaceful again.”
“Raymond, you should lie back down and rest.”
Just as I was about to tuck him in, a fluttering sound came from the open door. Okhee flew in and landed on the table, flapping its wings.
“Okhee!”
I called out joyfully, and Raymond also smiled warmly at the bird.
“You came because you heard I woke up? You saved me twice now, Okhee. Thank you. You’re my lifesaver.”
“Ok-ok-ok!”
Okhee flapped its wings again, as if responding proudly.
“Okhee saved you twice?”
“Yes.”
Raymond explained.
The first time was when he was attacked at the cemetery where his parents’ graves are. Okhee brought a flock of birds to distract the attackers so he could escape.
The second time—just now—Okhee brought me the potion when I couldn’t find a healer.
After hearing the story, I was amazed and looked at Okhee with even more affection.
“You adorable thing!”
“Ook-yo-yook!”
I ran over and squished its cheeks with both hands. Okhee made a strange noise as its beak got squished.
Love often comes with a bit of pain, you know? I played with its feathers for a while, but then a thought suddenly hit me.
I let go of Okhee and turned to Raymond, placing my hands on my hips with a stern face. He flinched at the sudden change in mood.
“What’s wrong, Eileen?”
“Raymond.”
“Yes?”
“Didn’t I clearly tell you not to go anywhere alone?”
“Um… yes, you did.”
Caught off guard by my scolding, Raymond looked away. But I wouldn’t let that slide. I stepped up and turned his face back toward me.
“Then why didn’t you listen?”
“I… I’m sorry. I’ve just always done things that way.”
“Do you not realize how dangerous things are right now? You almost died if it wasn’t for Okhee!”
Even if I arrange guards or warn him, it means nothing if he lets his guard down. He broke an important promise that could’ve cost his life. I scolded him like I meant it.
He listened quietly, looking guilty.
“I won’t ever do it again.”
“Good. That’s what I wanted to hear.”
He raised his hand like he was making a vow, and I smiled, feeling satisfied.
Then he said,
“Eileen… we’re standing a bit close, aren’t we?”
He gently held the hand I had placed on his cheek. I quickly tried to pull back, but he already had it.
He looked straight into my eyes, and I felt like I was being drawn in by those beautiful blue pupils.
Seeing his face up close reminded me of what I’d done earlier. It was technically a medical procedure, but it looked like a kiss.
🔥🔥🔥
My face instantly flushed with heat. I probably looked like a red radish, but even though I was embarrassed, I didn’t want this moment to end. Staring into my favorite person’s eyes like this—it felt like happiness itself.
Raymond opened his mouth slowly, as if he wanted to say something.
“Eileen…”
Just hearing my name from his soft lips made me dazed. I was thinking about how soft and warm those lips felt when—
Knock knock.
“Your Grace?”
It was Melas outside the door.
Seriously? Right now?!
I didn’t want this moment to end, but Raymond quickly let go of my hands and called out for Melas to come in.
My hands fell to my sides, and I hated that empty feeling.
I didn’t want to be apart from Raymond. I wanted to cling to him like a koala that never lets go.
“It’s gotten quite late.”
“Yes, it has.”
I watched blankly as Melas entered, and then realized something—Okhee was still sitting on the table.
It had been so still that I forgot it was even there.
“Okhee.”
“Ook?”
It finally turned its head toward me.
Wait a minute… was it deliberately looking away this whole time? But why? It’s not like anything weird was going on… right?
That suspicious behavior made me wonder again: is Okhee actually a person in disguise? A wizard or something?
“I’ll escort Lady Eileen out now.”
Before leaving, I said goodbye.
“Raymond, take good care of yourself.”
“Eileen, get home safe.”
He waved at me from the bed, looking like he wished he could walk me out.
Click.
Melas and I left the room. As we walked down the stairs, he spoke up.
“Lady Eileen, thank you very much for today. And… thank you for scolding His Grace.”
“W-what? Haha…”
Oh no, he heard that?!
I laughed nervously and rubbed the back of my head. But looking at Melas’s expression, he seemed genuinely thankful.
“You may not know this, but His Grace is usually very strict with us. But around you, he’s much softer. When he thanked me earlier, I was really surprised.”
“I see…”
Come to think of it, Raymond is supposed to be a cold and serious character in this world.
But because he’s always so kind to me, I forget that sometimes.
It’s probably because I’ve been helping him with my potions and predictions—maybe that’s why he treats me differently.
But right now, that wasn’t the point.
I nervously twisted my hair around my finger and hesitated before calling out,
“Um… Melas?”
“Yes, my lady?”
“That, uh… what happened earlier… the ki—k-kiss thing… can you please keep that a secret? Just for now?”
I couldn’t even say the word properly.
But Melas simply nodded.
“Of course. Don’t worry.”
Did he notice how red my face was? He didn’t comment, just gave a quiet nod.
We shared a secret together.
And somehow, that made me feel closer to him.
Meanwhile…
After I left for the duke’s mansion, Raymond stood alone by the window.
Since waking up from the potion, he hadn’t felt any pain—just a bit of fatigue. Still, his subordinates insisted he stay in bed.
He watched as I and Coa (Okhee) walked out of the building.
He kept watching until we disappeared from view.
But…
A strange feeling came over him. He slowly touched his lips with his fingers.
While he was unconscious, something soft and warm had touched his lips, soothing him. It was a wonderful feeling—but he had no idea what it was.
He was curious but didn’t know how to ask anyone.
Was it just a dream?
He decided the healing potion must’ve made him feel that warmth and comfort.
That was the only explanation he could accept.
