Chapter 67
“Your Highness, are you all right?”
The hand belonged to Rose. Haven’s gaze shifted to her. Despite being a much more delicate woman, standing so precariously as if she might collapse at any moment, she remained steadfast by the bedside.
He looked at her and slowly lowered his gaze. His eyes fell upon Rose’s hand, which was supporting his upper arm.
“Ah, I’m sorry. I just… I was worried Your Highness might collapse…”
Following his gaze, Rose also looked down and, flustered, released the arm she had been holding. Yet, the warmth where her hand had touched did not vanish easily.
Perhaps because of that, Haven was able to steady the wavering feelings within him. In a slightly more relaxed tone, he greeted her.
“Thank you, Rose.”
“…Ah, it’s nothing.”
Rose quickly lowered her gaze after looking at him. A faint blush crept across her pale face, which had been drained from worry over the child. Of course, the moment she saw Plita struggling in pain, her expression darkened once more.
Haven withdrew his gaze from her and looked at Plita instead. The little girl’s tiny hands moved as if searching for something. Watching quietly, Haven spoke softly.
“It seems she’s looking for you, Rose.”
“…Huh?”
“Plita. She seems to be looking for your hand.”
Haven subtly indicated the child’s twitching hands. Rose hesitated for a moment before carefully taking Plita’s hand. At once, Plita seemed to realize whose hand it was and held it tightly.
“…Your Highness.”
Rose knelt by the bedside, placing her forehead against the child’s hand that was holding hers. She looked as though offering a prayer.
…Watching her from behind, Haven unconsciously clasped his own hands together, mirroring her posture, as if in earnest prayer.
“Please take good care of the child.”
“…Do not worry, Your Highness. I will care for her to the best of my ability.”
Haven glanced again into the bedroom, frowning. He had hoped to see Plita awake, but the child still showed no sign of stirring.
‘…What if she continues not to wake?’
He shook his head vigorously. Succumbing to weak, dark imaginings would only make the child’s condition worse. Just then, Rose spoke with a soft yet firm voice.
“The princess will surely wake, Your Highness.”
“….”
“She will, definitely. So don’t worry too much. Go back and rest. You look exhausted.”
Rose noticed the redness in the man’s eyes. Compared to the last time she had seen him a week ago, his face looked even more gaunt.
Naturally so—how could he remain unaffected when his child was sick?
Rose’s gaze softened as she watched Haven. Imagining how he must feel made her heart ache even more. He had no one to rely on, no one to share his worries with…
‘You must feel so lonely.’
She murmured the words silently, unable to voice them directly. Then Haven’s voice reached her.
“You look tired too.”
“…?”
“I’ll stay by the child for a while. Why not take a short rest in the meantime?”
“Eh? Ah, no, it’s fine. Really.”
Rose opened her eyes wide at his words but quickly shook her head.
“Your Highness, you should go back and rest instead—”
“You’ll be better off following my suggestion, Rose.”
Haven cut her off and turned back toward the bedroom.
“Your Highness! But—”
Before Rose could stop him, Haven opened the door and entered the room. Flustered, she followed behind him.
The attending physician, who had been arguing outside the door, glanced between Haven and Rose before lowering his head once more.
“I’ll stay tonight. Is there anything specific I need to do?”
“Nothing in particular. Fortunately, the princess’s condition has somewhat stabilized.”
It was miraculous. Haven had expected the worst, but Plita’s condition was slowly improving. The physician glanced at Rose, standing behind Haven, as he spoke.
‘Fascinating…’
Plita’s improvement had begun the moment Rose had taken her hand. Though unconscious, it was as if she recognized the touch, gradually calming down.
Like a baby held in its mother’s arms.
The physician had seen a similar scene once in his youth before becoming the Grand Duke’s doctor. A newborn suffering from feverish convulsions had calmed immediately upon being held by its mother. No medicine, no treatment—just the comfort of a mother’s embrace.
…Just like now, with the princess.
‘If only this is the case.’
The physician hoped for such a miracle. Having done everything within his power, all he could do now was pray for the same miracle he had seen once in his youth.
“Perhaps it would be best if Miss Rose stayed by the princess’s side.”
So he suggested it to Haven. But Haven frowned upon hearing it. Rose, however, brightened at the idea.
“You think it’s better if I stay here too, doctor?”
“Yes, it would be best. The princess relies on you greatly…”
“She’s asleep anyway, isn’t she?”
Haven interjected, his tone slightly displeased. The physician flinched, sensing that Haven simply wanted to care for his daughter himself.
‘Hmm… well, I suppose it can’t be helped. My suggestion was a bit idealistic anyway.’
The physician bowed and stepped back. Rose, looking startled, turned back to Haven with a resolute expression.
“I’ll stay here, Your Highness.”
“…Rose.”
“Even if I rest, I’ll do it here. It will ease my mind.”
Rose fell silent, her green eyes pleading as she looked at Haven. He met her gaze, sighed, and finally chuckled softly, nodding.
“You truly are stubborn.”
“That stubborn girl of mine.”
Once, for some trivial reason, she had been obstinate. It was likely so minor that it barely registered in memory, yet she had persisted that day. Haven had laughed at her stubbornness, gently tapping her nose in response.
The circumstances now were very different. Then it had been a trivial matter, but now it was because Plita was sick. She had no choice but to be stubborn. Afraid that something might happen to the child while she was away. Afraid.
…Yet the man who laughed at her stubbornness back then remained unchanged.
At least, that smile—
That gentleness, reassuring her.
Rose fought back tears, sitting on the chair beside the bed, gently wiping Plita’s sleeping face with a damp cloth.
Haven watched her for a moment before moving to the sofa a short distance from the bed.
Outside, the cry of a bird echoed faintly. Haven noticed the coolness in the air and, frowning, glanced toward the fireplace. The flames had dwindled since earlier.
He quietly stood and approached the fireplace. The logs were nearly burned through. Nodding, he looked at the square container beside the hearth.
‘Only a few logs left.’
If he added them now, they would likely last until morning at most. He should have stocked more, but that was Rose’s oversight.
Yet Haven did not blame her. He knew all too well that she had been distracted by Plita’s sudden worsening condition.
He quietly placed more logs into the fireplace and turned. Rose, completely focused on the child, had not even noticed him.
‘Even though I suggested she take a brief rest…’
Haven clicked his tongue. Rose likely hadn’t slept at all, tending to Plita this whole time.
Even though it was her duty, how could she be this devoted?
A week in the annex must have been grueling. She had done everything herself—cooking, cleaning, laundry, and now nursing the child.
Her body was not strong, and one arm was injured…
“…?”
At that moment, Haven noticed Rose’s arm. Specifically, the injured one that should have been in a splint.
“Why isn’t the splint on?”
Haven asked quietly. Rose, staring at Plita, jumped at the question and turned to him, blinking as if she didn’t understand.
“The splint you were supposed to wear on your arm… when did you take it off?”
