Chapter 9 (Part 6) 

The shadow of the crape myrtle tree rippled across the pond in the wind. It was as if a spell she thought had ended long ago was beginning anew.  

“It’s a little cold.” 

She lied.  

In truth, her heart was pounding, and her face burned as if it were in a boiling pot.  

Therese reached out with trembling hands and gripped the front of his shirt.  

“…?”  

Jeremy, who had been groaning about his fever moments ago, flinched at her touch.  

“Your Grace, close your eyes.”  

“Why do you want me to close my eyes?”  

Seeing his cheeks already flushed like pomegranate seeds, Therese slowly raised her hand.  

She suddenly understood why he had covered her eyes during their first kiss. Perhaps it was because his heart felt like it would explode otherwise.  

Though only his sight was obscured, Jeremy Richard acted as if he couldn’t see or hear anything.  

“…Madame.”  

When he urgently called out to her, Therese’s cold lips answered him.  

Jeremy’s lips caught hers in what felt like the sweetest breath in the world. As his lips slid down hers, they pressed more firmly against her soft skin. Warm desire began to seep between their parted lips.  

“Madame, I want to see you.”  

“…Ha.”  

Jeremy’s reddened eyes roamed over her soaked figure. Without her jacket, the shirt clinging to her body revealed every curve. Beneath the wet fabric, her rounded chest and its rosy peaks were visible. Lowering his gaze further, he could faintly make out the most intimate parts of her.  

Just looking at her was enough to shatter his self-control.  

Letting out a long sigh, Jeremy whispered in a low voice, 

“I think I’d better close my eyes again.”  

“…Why?”  

When Therese, dazed from their kiss, asked, he reached out and firmly grasped the back of her neck. His long fingers radiated a feverish longing, and Therese shivered under his touch.  

Looking down at her like a small animal caught in a trap, Jeremy leaned in and whispered into her ear.  

“I can’t give myself to you here, can I?”  

Though his words suggested restraint, they also hinted at his desire to claim her right then and there.  

“…Oh my.”  

Startled, Therese tried to pull away, but his hand gripped her waist firmly.  

“Are you toying with me?”  

When Therese widened her eyes at Jeremy’s absurd question, he held her even tighter. She could feel his undeniable excitement pressing against her.  

“I closed my eyes because you told me to, and I stayed quiet because you kissed me.”  

“…Ha.”  

“And now, after making me a man who cannot live without you, how can you leave me like this?”  

As Therese listened to Jeremy’s words, her heart pounded so hard it felt like seasickness.  

“So please, don’t push me away.”  

Jeremy, who had been licking her ear, pulled back with a desperate tone. He gently played with her earlobe as though it were candy.  

“…Ah.”  

For the first time, Therese realized just how sensitive her ears were. The unfamiliar pleasure made her feel as though her legs might give out, and it terrified her.  

“St-stop.”  

“Do you mean I should stop with your ears?”  

When Jeremy lifted his head, his eyes were filled with passion, and just meeting his gaze made Therese’s face flush. His handsome face, now brimming with excitement, was entirely her doing.  

“Your Grace, I…”  

Therese stammered, unsure of how to describe what she was feeling, but before she could finish, Jeremy lowered his head again and latched onto her lips as if to steal her every breath.  

“Haah, haah.”

As Therese gasped for air, he ran his hand firmly down her back.  

“If only this were our bedroom.”  

Breathing heavily like a beast, Jeremy reluctantly pulled away.  

“…S-stop.”  

Therese mustered her strength and pushed him away.  

He was right—this wasn’t their bedroom.  

This was an open space where anyone could see them.  

‘If someone really did…’  

She would never be able to show her face again.  

“Madame, look at me.”  

Jeremy’s hand gently cupped her chin, naturally drawing her gaze to his. Beneath the shadow of the crape myrtle tree, now devoid of flowers, the two of them seemed to bloom in a fiery red.  

***

It was much later than expected when Therese and the Duke returned to the group. As they walked back, they spotted tents and campfire flames in the distance.  

“Ahem.”  

Feeling awkward, Therese cleared her throat.  

“It’s amazing how quickly they set up the tents.”  

Trying to break the tension, Therese spoke brightly, but Jeremy, who had been blushing moments ago, quickly frowned.  

“Well, they’re small. I wonder if people can even fit inside.”  

As they got closer, they saw that the tents, though not very large, were sturdy enough. Victor was near the fire, connecting supports for a pot.  

“Master, I was worried since you were gone for so long. Was the water too cold? Your face looks pale.”  

Roshan, who had brought a blanket, draped it over Therese.  

“With me by her side, what danger could possibly come to my wife?”  

Jeremy’s voice was sharp as he adjusted the sword at his waist. However, Roshan showed no sign of fear. Instead, he calmly observed the Duke’s wet clothes and spoke pointedly.  

“Staying in cold water for too long isn’t good for your health, Your Grace.”  

“…How insolent for a slave.”  

Sensing the tension rising between the two, Therese quickly stepped in.  

“I caught some fish. Would you grill them for us, Victor?”  

At Therese’s words, Roshan, who had been tense, immediately softened. Victor skewered the fish on wooden sticks and placed them over the fire.  

Spotting a small pot on the ground, Therese’s eyes lit up.  

“Since we have a pot, why don’t we make some stew?”  

“Everything you need is prepared here.”  

Inside the pot Roshan handed over were vegetables like potatoes and carrots, along with dried meat. Therese looked at the contents curiously, and Roshan bowed his head.  

“Victor and I prepared this earlier to eat in the forest tonight.”  

“I see. Let’s start with peeling the potatoes.”  

Therese pulled out a dagger to peel the potatoes, but Roshan took them from her.  

“Please leave the rough tasks to me.”  

As Roshan clumsily peeled the potatoes, the pieces became smaller and smaller. Watching this, Jeremy smirked.  

“At this rate, there won’t be anything left for us to eat.”  

The Duke picked up a carrot, skillfully peeled it, and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Therese, who was preparing the dried meat, suppressed a laugh at his triumphant expression.  

‘Who was it that turned the potatoes into acorns not too long ago?’  

She chuckled softly but quickly looked away when her eyes met the Duke’s.  

“All that’s left now is to let it cook.”  

Therese extended her hands toward the campfire and noticed that Roshan and Victor were sitting far away on a tree stump.  

‘They must be tired…’  

They had worked the hardest today, secretly dealing with assassins, starting the fire, and setting up the tents.  

“Roshan, come sit here with us. It’s cold over there.”  

“We’re fine, Master.”  

Roshan politely declined, and Victor, crouched beside him, nodded in agreement. But Therese didn’t feel comfortable.  

Sensing her unease, the Duke spoke up.  

“I’ll allow it.”  

Jeremy’s tone carried a subtle discomfort, though it wasn’t obvious enough for others to notice.  

It wasn’t that he objected to sharing a space with those of lower status. When stationed on the frontier, he often dined with soldiers.  

‘But that man… I truly dislike him.’  

He couldn’t stand the idea of sharing a fire or a meal with Roshan.  

Still, he kept his feelings hidden for one reason alone: Therese was smiling warmly at Roshan and Victor as they approached the fire.  

‘I love seeing her smile.’  

If it meant preserving her happiness, he could endure this much.  

Victor quickly claimed a spot at the edge. As he poked at the fire with a thick stick, small sparks danced in all directions.  

“Master, it’s time for your medicine.”  

Roshan’s words immediately put Jeremy on edge.  

“Since the medicine is bitter, please take this.”  

Roshan handed over a small candy, which Therese accepted. Watching their natural interaction, Jeremy felt a surge of anger.  

‘How unpleasant.’  

It was infuriating to see a slave know more about his wife than her husband did.  

Jeremy understood.  

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t know everything about Therese’s past. Where and when she had met that wretched slave, or how they had grown so close.  

But.  

Even if it was impossible, Jeremy wanted to know every little detail about Therese’s life. He wanted her by his side at all times.  

‘So that no one else can see her.’  

Barely suppressing his possessiveness, he spoke in a curt tone.  

“By the way, what kind of medicine is that? It seems like you take it often.”  

When the Duke inspected the bottle of suppressant, Therese grew flustered. Roshan quickly intervened, removing the bottle and explaining on her behalf.  

“Master has weak lungs…”  

“If her lungs are weak, why don’t I know about it? The physician who examines her regularly has never mentioned such a thing to me.”

When Jeremy questioned insistently, Therese reached out and stroked the back of his hand.  

“It’s not severe enough for the physician to notice. Why don’t you take a rest now? Everyone must have had a hard day.”  

At her touch, Jeremy’s irritation quickly subsided. He hadn’t meant to lose his temper.  

‘I never want to see you collapse, coughing up blood, ever again.’  

Holding her hand tightly, he gazed into the crackling campfire. The red flames danced across his face.