Chapter 60
The only warmth in the cold room came from a flickering red candle.
“If he catches a cold or hurts his neck because I left him here…”
“…He’ll probably blame me.”
Sighing, I returned to Tessarion. I dragged over a chair and slumped down beside him.
“Ughh…”
I groaned without thinking.
You jerk of a threatening kisser… this is all your fault!
Part of me wanted to slap him a few times while he was sleeping. But no matter how much I wanted to, my hand wouldn’t move.
I just rested my chin on my hand and stared at his face. It’s not like I ever got to do this normally.
There were battle scars on his forehead, thick gray-brown eyebrows, a sharp nose, lightly red lips, and a strong jaw. His silver-gray hair, tinted red in the candlelight, looked like a lake under the sunset.
It was the first time I’d ever seen him look so calm. So soft. So peaceful.
Usually, he was terrifying—even now, just being around him felt oppressive.
“Tch.”
What’s the point of being handsome if you’re also insufferable? Might as well give that face to me.
Trying to ignore my cold hands, I rubbed them together and pretended to warm them with my breath.
But the warmth from that kiss… it still lingered on my lips.
“What were you thinking when you promised the goddess to make me happy?”
“Shouldn’t the person you want to make happy be someone you love?”
“Isn’t this like saying… you have feelings for me?”
“……”
Me? Have feelings for Tessarion?
What the hell. How could he misunderstand so badly and—ugh, then just attack my lips like that?!
“Unfortunate.”
“No! That’s not it! I didn’t mean that! He’s the one who got it all wrong—he’s the one who started this!”
I jumped to my feet and paced the room. Should I just leave him here and go?
No. I decided to just do what was right.
Back when I injured my hand, Tessarion took care of me for ten whole days. He has no other attendant but me.
“Your Grace! You have to take off your coat and boots before sleeping!”
Raising my voice on purpose, I grabbed his foot and took off his boots.
One boot off.
Two boots off.
I walked to the sitting room and grabbed a copper basin, filling it with warm water from the kettle over the fireplace. A towel went over my shoulder. I checked the water’s temperature and swallowed hard.
Now I had to undress him and wipe him down.
Should I wake him up?
If I did, I’d have to explain myself—why he misunderstood me, and how I definitely did not have feelings for him. And how just because he misunderstood, that doesn’t give him the right to…
…stick his tongue…
Gulp.
“…Haa.”
I smacked my head against the bedpost and took a deep breath.
“D-Don’t get me wrong, I’m just helping you remove your coat, okay?”
My hands trembled as I reached for the silver buttons on his collar. Why did it have to be today—training day—when he wore such elaborate clothes?
I held my breath and started unbuttoning. Underneath was a wide chest, solid like carved marble, slowly rising and falling.
Wait… why is his chest this big?! What kind of man even…
“…Focus.”
Smack. I bit my tongue and slapped my cheek to come to my senses.
I kept going until I reached his belt. The moment I unclasped it—
Clink.
I froze.
Was he really asleep? Or was he pretending?
This guy had never once let his guard down—not even while sleeping. He was a Swordmaster. He could easily wake from the tiniest spell.
I slowly reached out and put my finger under his nose.
Breathing… okay. He’s asleep.
“How strong is Altair’s sleep spell?”
I need to study that one later.
I kept working. Removed the belt, coat, and padded vest. Hung them neatly. Then wiped down his hands and feet with the warm towel.
Done.
I’d done my duty.
He didn’t even like using blankets anyway.
I let out a sigh of relief and stood up.
Then he shifted.
“Ah!”
Startled, I almost fell over. His leg moved and his body turned. I caught myself by grabbing the bed.
His sharp side profile and silver-gray hair spilled onto the red cushion beneath his head.
My heart slammed against my ribs.
Was he awake?
Who cares if he is! I didn’t do anything wrong! I’m not a criminal!
“I’m so exhausted…”
My whole body ached. I collapsed into a chair beside the bed.
Finally, I’d be able to sleep properly tonight.
But the thought of walking all the way to the dorm in the annex was exhausting. So I decided to rest just a little bit. Close my eyes for a second… and then head to my room.
…But when I opened them, it was morning. Bright sunlight poured between the curtains.
“Chirp, chirp…”
I jolted upright, glancing around. I was still in the side room next to Tessarion’s parlor. The small bed, barely big enough for one, was now empty.
“Your Grace?”
As I sat up, a black military jacket slipped from my chest.
“What time is it?!”
I turned, only to meet Tessarion’s gaze—he stood silently in front of the velvet curtains.
Only the sound of birds chirping filled the quiet space between us.
I blinked, scratched my head awkwardly, and tried to laugh.
“G-Good morning, Your Grace! I’m sorry I overslept. I’ll prepare your wash water immediately!”
“……”
Tessarion turned his head away without a word.
Something was off. Very off.
Even after a full night of sleep, my mind kept circling back to one word—
“Unfortunate.”
And that strange, awkward atmosphere lasted for three whole days.
Tessarion returned to being his old self—the cold, arrogant, merciless war demon.
The Duke I had always known. The one with piercing eyes, a sharp mouth, and a terrifying presence.
And now… I was the one he was targeting with that deadly aura.
“Your Grace, since there’s a lunch gathering today, how about the navy coat?”
He stared through me and gave a one-word reply.
If he said “do whatever,” it meant yes.
If he said “not really,” it meant no.
“Do whatever.”
“Then, I’ll help you get dressed.”
I picked out the navy coat, vest, belt, scarf, and accessories. Laying them out, I stood beside him and handed each item one by one.
But he threw on just the coat—no shirt, no vest—and walked off.
Not a single word. Not even a “Let’s go.”
“Y-Your Grace?”
I scrambled after him, vest and scarf still clutched in my hands.
