Chapter 72…
Ruth turned the letter over several times, checking the sender, before lifting his head.
“Your Grace, this is a letter from the Bailey estate. It was sent personally by Duke Castleton Bailey.”
“From Duke Bailey? I’ll check it later.”
“Understood.”
Tession placed the envelope on his desk without even properly looking at it.
Moments later, after finishing all his work, he abruptly stood up.
“Are you returning to the drawing room?”
“Yes.”
As he was buttoning up the sleeves of his shirt—previously rolled up—Tession stopped mid-step.
He turned slightly, looking down at the envelope he had tossed aside.
Ruth, who had been about to leave ahead of him, turned back with a puzzled expression.
“Is something wrong, Your Grace?”
“You said it was urgent, didn’t you? The letter from Duke Castleton Bailey.”
“Yes, but…”
Tession furrowed his brow for a moment before sitting back down at his desk.
If it had been from anyone else, he wouldn’t have bothered. But a letter from the Bailey estate… if it involved Cynthia, he had to be careful.
“Let’s check this one last thing before we go.”
“As you wish.”
Ruth, who had been waiting by the door, stepped back inside.
Tession leaned against his chair and broke the hard wax seal.
In the drawing room, the physician soaked a cotton ball with disinfectant and carefully dabbed at the many small wounds on Cynthia’s face.
Cynthia had her eyes tightly shut, hands clasped together.
Ow… that stings.
“Cynthia.”
Just as she was bravely enduring the pain, she heard Tession’s voice from the doorway.
She opened one eye slightly and looked toward him.
“Your Grace! You came back so quickly?”
“Has His Highness left?”
“Yes, he left as soon as the physician arrived.”
At the mention that Rikaion was gone, relief flickered in Tession’s eyes.
He looked far more at ease than when he had left earlier as he walked up to Cynthia.
“All done, my lady.”
The physician finished disinfecting the wounds and cut small bandages to apply on her face, knees, and elbows.
“You should keep them on for now. Before bed, clean up, apply new ointment, and re-bandage. I’ll leave the ointment here—your maids should manage.”
“Thank you for your efforts.”
“Then, I’ll take my leave.”
After packing his bag, the physician bowed deeply and departed.
Tession watched him go before turning back to Cynthia, who was touching the square bandages on her face.
“This feels like over-treatment.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s just a few scratches, but you even called a physician.”
At her words, Tession leaned closer and gently brushed her cheek with his fingers.
“Scars on your face can remain. Same with the others. It’s best to treat them properly early.”
“Still…”
“No ‘still.’”
His hand slid down from her cheek, taking her hand. Then, he brought it to his lips and kissed the back of it lightly.
“You frightened me, Cynthia. Seeing you dangling high up in the sky—I thought I was dreaming a nightmare.”
“I’m sorry.”
Cynthia looked up at him apologetically.
Of course he was shocked—he went hunting and ended up finding his fiancée caught in a net.
Then, with his face still resting against her hand, Tession raised his violet eyes.
“Stay at the Grand Duke’s residence tonight.”
“Huh?”
“You should comfort me. I was very frightened.”
What does that have to do with anything?
Our Tession’s getting better at twisting logic, huh…?
Cynthia chuckled softly and shook her head.
“No, I should head back.”
“Back where?”
Back where…?
He likely meant it innocently, but the question struck right at her chest.
Where could she even go? She had nowhere to return to.
“H-home, of course!”
“Which home?”
“My family home. The Bailey estate. Could you prepare a carriage for me?”
Of course, that was a lie. She couldn’t go back there—she planned to slip away midway.
Though there was a chance the Baileys would send assassins after her.
Tession looked quietly at her feigned calmness, then shook his head and pressed his face against her hand again.
“No.”
What’s with him today…?
Cynthia blinked in surprise.
He spoke again, his tone almost pleading.
“I just… don’t want that tonight. I have this feeling that if you leave now, I’ll never see you again.”
Her heart dropped.
What the—how can his intuition be so accurate?
Indeed, once she left the mansion, there was little chance she’d see him again. She had no intention of returning to the Baileys.
“What do you mean? Of course you’ll see me again.”
“Then ease my worries. Tell me you’ll stay by my side from now on.”
“…”
Cynthia swallowed hard. His sad, earnest gaze pricked at her conscience.
“O-of course, I’ll… I’ll be by your side.”
Ah, I stuttered. That sounds so suspicious.
Tession stared at her flustered face, then quietly drove in the final nail.
“Without you… I fear I might lose my sight again.”
“What? Why… why would you think that?”
Startled, Cynthia lifted her free hand and placed it against his cheek.
What is it that’s tormenting him so much?
“Don’t tell me you’ve been having nightmares again?”
“Nightmares…”
He murmured as if recalling something, then nodded.
“Yes. Every night. So please, stay with me—just for tonight.”
“Ah…”
Of course… deep wounds like that can’t heal overnight.
Every night, a nightmare… how painful that must be.
Cynthia’s eyes softened with sympathy.
She might be running from her own peril, but seeing him like this broke her heart.
The Baileys hadn’t had time to act yet, so maybe it would be safe to stay just one night.
And besides… who knows when I’ll see him again?
If she left now, she might never meet Tession again in this lifetime.
Thinking that, she made up her mind.
“Alright, just for tonight…”
Before she could finish, Tession pulled her into his arms and held her tightly.
“Thank you, Cynthia.”
“I-I’ll let the Bailey estate know myself. Don’t worry about that.”
Still in his arms, she spoke quickly.
Tession mustn’t contact the Baileys directly—they might say that “Lady Elizabeth” had gone back home.
“Alright, as you wish.”
His answer was light—but oddly, there was a faint note of satisfaction in his tone.
Something about it felt strange.
Just as the thought crossed her mind, he said suddenly:
“After dinner and once you’ve prepared for bed, please come to my room.”
“Yes… Wait—what? Your room?”
Cynthia instantly pulled away, startled.
W-why his room?
Tession looked puzzled by her reaction.
“You said you’d stay by my side tonight, didn’t you?”
“W-well, yes, but… you meant literally beside you when you sleep?”
“If you’re not there, I’ll surely have nightmares again. The same dreams that torment and unsettle me endlessly.”
His quiet, pitiful tone made him look like a dejected puppy.
Cynthia couldn’t help it—she nodded quickly.
“F-fine! I’ll go! Just… wait!”
“Truly? I knew it—only Cynthia truly cares for me.”
Finally, Tession smiled, stretching out his arms.
“Come, Cynthia. Hold me.”
