Chapter 7 (Part 9) 

“The one who performed surgery on me is that man?”  

Jeremy, leaning against the headboard, scrutinized his shoulder with sharp eyes before letting out a disgruntled voice.  

“Yes. Derrick is quite skilled.” 

Therese replied nonchalantly as she tidied up the bloodied bandages and stitches.  

“…Derrick, you say.”  

Jeremy’s gaze deepened as he ran his fingers over the bandages. The man named Derrick, who had treated him, was said to be an executioner. His rugged appearance was comparable to that of Thomas Hammer’s brother, yet his hands were surprisingly delicate.  

Although Jeremy was grateful for the treatment, he couldn’t help but feel irritated.  

“Is that man also one of your friends?”  

“…Ah, well.”  

Without even turning to look at him, Therese answered indifferently. Her back was to him as she washed the blood off her hands, and Jeremy’s face twisted as he stared at her.  

“Why did you put the mask back on me?”  

Earlier, during his medical check-up, Therese had warned him not to speak and had even covered his face with a mask.  

“That’s because it would be a problem if word got out that you were injured, Your Grace.”  

“So, you’re saying it wasn’t to hide the fact that I’m your husband?”  

“…What?”  

Therese paused mid-action, surprised by the Duke’s oddly twisted tone.  

The mere fact that he could entertain such thoughts in this situation was astonishing.  

The Duke was hiding beyond the barrier to conceal his identity as a member of the Night Wolf organization.  

“You seemed quite friendly with him, so I was just wondering.”  

When Therese responded sharply, the Duke trailed off slightly, unlike before.  

“It’s true I’m close to Derrick, but he knows I’m a married woman.”  

Besides, she was currently dressed as a man, making her far from attractive.  

She didn’t even know why she was explaining this. Placing her hand on her side, Therese continued her scolding.  

“And you aren’t in a position to be so carefree right now, Your Grace.”  

No one knew when his body would recover, and it wasn’t feasible to remain in this place for much longer. It had already been over ten days since they had failed to return to the castle under the pretense of a hot springs trip.  

“Well, I don’t think it’s so bad right now.”  

“…What?”  

Therese was left speechless by the Duke’s leisurely remark.  

What could possibly be enjoyable about hiding in this cramped house without any proper room divisions, instead of resting in the luxurious bedroom of Richard Castle?  

The bed creaked with every movement, and at night, small mice scurried through holes in the walls in search of food, keeping them awake.  

‘And on top of that, his body is in such a state….’  

Even though the Duke pretended to be fine, his injuries were anything but minor.  

Earlier, while changing his bandages, Therese had nearly fainted at the sight of his wounds. Swollen, dark-red flesh surrounded bones that were still protruding.  

If only she could contact Roshan, she might be able to obtain a special medicine for such injuries.  

But there had been no news from him yet.  

As she gazed out at the gloomy scenery through the window, Therese sighed.  

“…Ha.”  

At that moment, the Duke tried to rise but winced in pain, his face contorting from the strain on his shoulder.  

“Your Grace, it’s too soon for you to move.”  

As she approached to help him lie down, the Duke grabbed her hand tightly.  

Then, with tear-filled eyes, he spoke in a desperate tone.  

“Don’t leave me.”  

“…?”  

All I had done was sigh, so why was he reacting this way?  

Therese looked down at his hand gripping hers, but before she could say anything, he spoke again.  

“Stay here by my side.”  

“Are you in a lot of pain again?”  

When she placed her hand on his forehead, it was burning hot. The Duke was clearly delirious from a high fever. 

‘My Lady, keep a close watch; the fever is the most dangerous part.’ 

Derrick had advised her earlier.  

Therese quickly sprang into action.  

“You need to take a fever reducer.”  

“…Right now?”  

The Duke, clutching her wrist, spoke in an unsteady voice.  

“I need you to let go so I can get the medicine.”  

When she tried to free her wrist, he only tightened his grip. The sudden pull caused Therese to lose her balance, bringing her face dangerously close to his.  

“…!”  

She tried to straighten herself, but the Duke gently pulled her by the nape of her neck, leaving her unable to move.  

The distance between them was so close that she could feel his breath and scent mixed together.  

“…Your Grace.”  

While Therese hesitated in confusion, the Duke’s eyes darkened with a red hue, and their lips met.  

“…Mmm.”  

His lips were soft and warm, like freshly toasted marshmallows.  

Startled, Therese tried to pull back, but the Duke held her firmly by the nape, leaving her no room to escape.  

When he finally pulled away, he stared intently into her eyes.  

“If you don’t want this, push me away and leave.”  

Though his words were slow and deliberate, his gaze was unwavering.  

What was this? Was it not just the fever?  

For a brief moment, Therese was conflicted.  

‘I don’t exactly dislike the kiss.’  

But she was worried about his current condition.  

‘This isn’t appropriate for a patient.’  

As she glanced at his injured shoulder with concern, the Duke smirked.  

“What is it? Are you hesitating because I only have one functioning arm?”  

His confident expression triggered a recent memory for Therese.  

‘Don’t you trust your husband? I’m a man who can do anything with just one hand.’  

Therese barely managed to suppress the heat rising to her face and spoke as calmly as she could.  

“But Your Grace, you need absolute rest.”  

Despite her words, her chest rose and fell noticeably beneath her shirt.  

“If what I need most right now is you, will you grant me that?”  

The Duke whispered plaintively as he cradled his injured shoulder, and Therese found it increasingly difficult to resist.  

At that moment, he looked like a large golden retriever drenched in rain, pitiful and endearing.  

When Therese cautiously nodded, he gently captured her lips again.  

As he kissed her deeply, he licked her lips with a persistence that reminded her of a dog.  

“…It tickles.”  

Overwhelmed by the unfamiliar sensations, Therese found herself sinking into the kiss.  

Her hands instinctively reached out to rest on his chest and waist, as if to steady herself from falling apart completely. 

“Your lips are so cool.”

The Duke’s persistent whispers made Therese blink. Since her body temperature was naturally low, it made sense that someone burning with a high fever like him would feel that way.  

‘I really feel like his fever reducer.’

Lost in her amusing thoughts, she didn’t notice when his tongue lightly tapped against her lips. Startled, she opened her wide eyes, and he whispered, 

“I need more fever medicine.”  

Even his hoarse voice carried an irresistible charm.  

‘I don’t dislike kissing him.’

She thought, but the unfamiliar feelings made her nervous again.  

‘I don’t want him to notice how I feel.’  

She couldn’t go back to the days when she would constantly watch his reactions, flustered and restless.  

“…Mmph.”  

As Therese tightly closed her lips and tried to pull away, the Duke’s sharp tongue persistently pried between them. The pressure left no room for even her small breaths to escape between their sealed lips.  

As her breath began to run out, her vision darkened.  

“P-please stop.”  

The moment Therese opened her mouth to push him away, his soft, warm tongue invaded her.  

The Duke’s tongue gently explored the soft, moist interior of her mouth. His tongue teased hers, brushed over her teeth, and moved with such skill that Therese whimpered as if she were suffering from a fever.  

“…Mmm.”  

The sensation was completely different from merely pressing their lips together. It was sweet yet overwhelming, a mixture of unfamiliarity and intense excitement.  

Caught in the whirlwind of unexpected emotions, all Therese could do was let out small moans.  

“…Ah.”  

The air in the house, once filled with the faint smell of medicine, had grown thick and heavy.