Chapter 31…
Tession noticed Cynthia’s body stiffen slightly and tilted his head down to ask kindly.
That worried, gentle expression — it was the same as always.
“Ah, no. I was just… lost in thought for a moment.”
“I’m glad to hear that. The Grand Duke’s residence isn’t far from here. Even if your feet hurt, please endure it just a little longer.”
“Yes…”
Cynthia forced herself to turn her head toward the approaching Lumarnov carriage. A strange feeling wrapped around her — the sense that she was missing something important.
“……”
Just before boarding the carriage, Cynthia looked up again at Tession, who was holding her in his arms. He was being exceptionally careful, as though afraid to cause her even the slightest discomfort, as he stepped inside the carriage with her.
“Are you uncomfortable?”
“Ah, no. But you can put me down now—”
“The carriage may shake quite a bit. I’ll hold you like this.”
Even after they were seated, Tession still didn’t release her from his embrace.
But there was no way this large, sturdy carriage would shake on the smooth city roads.
It was strange, but she didn’t say anything aloud. A vague, unsettling feeling had been stirring inside her since earlier.
‘Tession…’
Cynthia thought to herself.
‘…Did he really not know that Elizabeth has a shellfish allergy?’
“After your bath, you’ll find clothes hanging in the wardrobe. Please wear whichever you like.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“Would you like me to assist with your bath?”
“No! I’ll do it myself today.”
“Of course. Please call me anytime if you need help. Have a restful evening, miss!”
The maid — one Cynthia had seen once before during her previous visit to the Lumarnov estate — bowed politely and left the room. Cynthia looked around the chamber and walked toward the large bed in the center.
“…Well, at least I can sleep comfortably tonight.”
Muttering softly, she flopped down onto the bed.
By now, were they in chaos at the Bailey house, realizing she hadn’t returned?
She could almost picture Dale’s flustered face — and the thought filled her with both petty satisfaction and relief.
“Hmph…”
That’s what he gets for burning down someone else’s house.
The unpaid 4.5 million mint was a shame, but… like I’d ever go back there!
Cynthia huffed, rolled onto her side, and blinked her eyes sleepily.
“I’m so tired…”
She decided to think about her new lodgings tomorrow. For now, she needed to deal with the exhaustion weighing down her body.
Forcing herself to sit up, she trudged toward the small bathroom attached to the room. Even if I’m dead tired, I can’t go to bed without washing up.
Thankfully, the considerate Lumarnov maid had already drawn a warm bath. Seeing the marble tub filled with steaming water, Cynthia’s sleepy eyes suddenly brightened.
“Wow, it’s so much bigger than the one at the Bailey house!”
Feeling pleased, she began undressing piece by piece.
A few minutes later, after finishing her hot bath, Cynthia came out wearing the provided bathrobe.
She headed straight toward the bed — but someone was already sitting there.
“Ah, Cynthia…”
Tession, sitting stiffly with a small jar of ointment in his hands, looked up awkwardly as she emerged from the bathroom.
“Uh— Your Grace?”
What on earth was he doing here?
Cynthia stopped in her tracks near the doorway. Tession, realizing she was wearing only a light robe, flushed visibly and jumped to his feet.
“Ah, I—I didn’t realize you were bathing. I knocked several times, but there was no answer, so I worried something might have happened and entered… I didn’t expect you to come out like that—”
“Ah!”
Realizing only then how thin her robe was, Cynthia turned around in a panic.
“I’m sorry! I didn’t think anyone would come in!”
“No, I’m the one who should apologize! I should never have entered a lady’s room without permission. I’ll leave immediately.”
He rushed out of the room, and the door shut with a thud.
Once he was gone, Cynthia quickly turned and ran to the wardrobe the maid had mentioned.
Anything— just put on anything!
She grabbed the nearest soft cotton dress and hurriedly slipped it on. Checking her reflection in the mirror, she was relieved to see it didn’t look too bad.
“Your Grace!”
Cynthia threw open the door and called out.
Tession, standing against the wall with his head lowered, slowly looked up. His ears were still tinted red.
“Cynthia.”
“Your Grace! You can come in now! What brings you here?”
“…I brought ointment for your swollen foot.”
Tession smiled faintly and stepped toward her, holding up the small jar. The familiar scent of soap clung faintly to him as he approached.
‘Wait… come to think of it…’
His hair was slightly damp. He must have just bathed too. The warm water had brought a healthy flush to his skin, making his handsome face almost too beautiful to look at.
Cynthia found herself staring into his eyes, dazed.
‘Ah… he really is ridiculously handsome.’
Then she realized with a jolt — the scent on him was the same soap scent lingering on her own skin.
Why does that feel… strangely intimate?!
“Cynthia?”
When she didn’t respond, Tession tilted the jar slightly, shaking it to get her attention.
Startled from her daze, Cynthia realized she hadn’t replied.
“Ah— sorry! What did you say?”
“I brought ointment. Apply it generously to your foot before bed, and by morning the pain should lessen.”
“Ah, thank you. If you give it to me, I can—”
She reached out to take it, but Tession subtly pulled the jar back.
What? You’re taking it back now?
As she looked up at him in confusion, his face grew even redder.
“…I’ll apply it for you.”
“Ow! That stings!”
Cynthia flinched as Tession gently held her ankle. He looked up in alarm.
“Does it hurt badly? I should’ve been more careful. I’m sorry…”
“N-no, it’s fine.”
“I thought it was only swelling, but there’s a scrape too. You must’ve brushed against something.”
“R-really?”
Her face flushed again as she turned her head away.
Tession had brought a chair beside the bed and was sitting with her foot resting easily in his large hand while he spread the clear ointment over the swollen arch. Her ankle looked small and fragile in his grasp.
The ointment feels warm and slick against my skin, but more than that…
She tried to steady her breathing and risked a sidelong glance. Her foot was resting on his thigh as he worked.
Why does his thigh feel so firm under my sole?!
Cynthia squeezed her eyes shut, screaming silently in her head.
Through the thin fabric of her nightdress, she could feel the shape of his strong, lean leg — smooth yet solid.
Stop it, stop it! I’m going to imagine something indecent at this rate…!
“This should do.”
Just before her imagination went completely off the rails, Tession released her foot.
Flustered, Cynthia quickly pulled it back and hid it under the blanket.
“Thank you. You really didn’t have to go this far…”
“It’s nothing. Treating pain alone can feel lonely sometimes, can’t it?”
He said it softly, closing the jar and setting it gently on the small bedside table. For some reason, there was a shadow of sadness in his tone.
‘…Has he felt that kind of loneliness himself before?’
Knowing more now about his painful past, Cynthia couldn’t help but feel sympathy at every small word and gesture.
“You’re right. Thanks to you, Your Grace, I don’t feel lonely tonight.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Tession smiled faintly and blinked slowly, his gaze still fixed on her.
“……”
For a moment, silence fell between them.
Tession said nothing — only looked at her quietly, his deep eyes unreadable.
Under that heavy gaze, Cynthia found herself unable to look anywhere else.
