Chapter 117

Dyffrin asked.

“Is that really all?”

Unlike the doctor, Dyffrin’s expression was very serious and dark. He seemed to be worried, recalling how he used to faint frequently.

“There’s no need to worry too much. Everything is normal.”

The doctor answered calmly.

Evelyn, who was listening beside him, nodded inwardly. As the doctor said, she was fine. She just felt a little dizzy.

“However, it’s best to avoid any strenuous activities for a while. Today’s incident must have put a strain on your body.”

“…Understood.”

The doctor left the villa.

Dyffrin sat on Evelyn’s bed. Evelyn spoke cautiously.

“Were you surprised, Dyffrin?”

“My heart almost dropped when I saw you collapse.”

“I didn’t know you could use such expressions.”

“Evelyn.”

At the low voice, as if indicating this was no time for jokes, Evelyn flinched and protested.

“It’s because your mood is so heavy. It’s not a big deal.”

“How can you say it’s not a big deal that you collapsed?”

“You heard the doctor. It’s just a mild concussion.”

Dyffrin, who had been quietly staring at Evelyn, ran his hand through his hair.

“All plans are canceled. You need to get plenty of rest as the doctor advised.”

“He said to avoid strenuous activities, not to stay still.”

“It’s the same thing.”

“It’s different.”

Evelyn crossed her arms and looked at Dyffrin.

They were only staying on this island for a week. Since they had already spent a day, they had six days left.

But she couldn’t spend those six days on this bed when there was a paradise-like island outside.

“…Then let’s observe your condition until tomorrow and decide.”

Dyffrin finally took a step back.

“Alright.”

When the conversation ended, Dyffrin got up from the bed. Evelyn’s head followed him up.

“Where are you going?”

“I think it’s better for you to sleep comfortably alone in bed.”

“I’m not even uncomfortable…?”

“You never know. It’s better to use separate rooms for now.”

Evelyn was a bit dissatisfied with Dyffrin’s excessive concern, but she took it as a sign of his care and consideration for her.

“Okay, let’s do that for now.”

Dyffrin left the bedroom.

Feeling lonely in the wide bed, Evelyn hugged the pillow. The pillow filled with feathers felt somehow cold.

* * *

After leaving the bedroom, Dyffrin entered a room at the end of the hallway. It wasn’t large, but since the entire villa had been cleaned, the room was neatly organized.

With a tired face, Dyffrin took off his shirt and put on a robe. His body, which had felt stifled, seemed to relax a little.

When Evelyn hit her head against the wall and lost consciousness, his vision went dark as if he had fainted himself.

Fortunately, Evelyn seemed really fine. But the lingering tension was long-lasting.

As time passed and his tension eased, Dyffrin had to deal with another unpleasant feeling.

‘It’s best to avoid any strenuous activities for a while. Today’s incident must have put a strain on your body.’

Although he felt ashamed of himself, what immediately came to mind from the doctor’s words was their intimate moments.

Dyffrin was already at his limit. From the start of the wedding to the days-long reception and the journey here, he hadn’t been able to touch Evelyn for a month.

He had tried to make love last night, but Evelyn fell asleep. For the first time in a long while, he felt resentful towards her.

But seeing her sleep so soundly made him think it was right for him to endure it with a cold shower.

The impatience didn’t easily disappear. Even during the picnic, he kept hoping for the day to end so they could be together in the evening.

But with Evelyn getting hurt, tonight was also out of the question.

It felt like his mouth was parched, as if he couldn’t drink water.

He felt like a beast. He had lived his whole life without any physical relationships, and now he found this behavior absurd.

He felt guilty. He couldn’t purely worry about Evelyn when she just woke up.

But the thought of living a celibate life again was quite distressing.

So he suggested using separate rooms.

He worried he might pressure Evelyn if he couldn’t control himself. He feared his dried-up patience would run out.

That would be the worst.

Dyffrin ran his hand over his face with a tired expression.

Since Evelyn had returned to his side, this was the first time he felt such severe fatigue.

* * *

Evelyn woke up in the wide bed feeling lonely. She had slept well, but something didn’t feel right.

It might have been because Dyffrin had gone to another room, leaving her behind.

After washing her face and getting ready, Evelyn went down to the first floor. Dyffrin, who seemed to have just come in through the front door, was there.

“Where did you go?”

“For a walk.”

Evelyn asked in surprise.

“By yourself?”

“There’s nothing to do. There isn’t much to read in the newspapers here.”

Dyffrin said as he took off his gloves.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine.”

Evelyn remembered what she had forgotten yesterday.

“Come to think of it, Mary must have been very surprised yesterday.”

Mary might be thinking that Evelyn got hurt because of her. It was her fault for moving dangerously with the scissors, but yesterday’s incident was clearly an accident.

Dyffrin replied bluntly.

“She was.”

“You didn’t get mad at her, did you?”

“I didn’t even have the mind to get mad.”

That was truly a relief.

“We should visit Gunther’s place today and tell her I’m okay.”

“There’s no need. I already told them we’d visit again today for lunch.”

“Alright…”

Evelyn answered absentmindedly, then remembered breakfast. As if a fairy had been there, fresh bread and blueberry jam were on the table today as well.

“Dyffrin, let’s have breakfast.”

Evelyn took Dyffrin’s hand and led him.

But Dyffrin hesitated and removed his hand from hers. Evelyn looked at Dyffrin’s actions with a puzzled expression.

“…What’s wrong?”

“What do you mean?”

“You just let go of my hand.”

“I can walk by myself.”

It made sense, but…

“You always grabbed my wrist and led me whenever you had the chance.”

“If it made you uncomfortable, I apologize now.”

“Are you feeling unwell…?”

Evelyn finally couldn’t hold back and asked.

Dyffrin’s words and actions were strange.

“You’re the one who’s unwell.”

“I told you I’m not.”

“That’s good then.”

“Don’t change the subject.”

Evelyn put on a stern face.

“I’m not unwell. I’m just being cautious.”

“Cautious about what…?”

“Everything.”

She couldn’t understand what Dyffrin was talking about.

Evelyn decided to stop this meaningless argument and quietly sat at the table.

Dyffrin, who was usually taciturn, finished the meal with even fewer words than usual.

“The weather is really nice today. It would be a waste not to go outside.”

“No.”

“I haven’t even properly suggested anything yet, and you’re already saying no.”

“We agreed you’d rest today and take it easy.”

At times like this, Dyffrin seemed like a strict and meticulous doctor.

“That was yesterday. I really feel good today.”

“Then you can stay in the villa with that good condition.”

Evelyn, unable to bear it any longer, spoke.

“Dyffrin, the reason we came here is to enjoy our honeymoon.”

“I’m not enjoying the honeymoon either. But I’m enduring it because you’re not well.”

Evelyn closed her mouth. He was right.

Soon, Mary’s visit interrupted their conversation. She looked like she was about to cry.

“Miss Evelyn! Are you feeling better?”

“Yes. It’s just a mild concussion. I’m perfectly fine now.”

“I’m sorry. If I hadn’t been so excited and swung the scissors…”

“It’s my fault for preparing such a great gift.”

Evelyn playfully reassured Mary, who finally managed to smile in relief.

Mary looked around.

“Where’s Mr. Dyffrin?”

“In the village. He must be bored since I have to rest today.”

“Oh dear. I’ve completely ruined your honeymoon.”

Mary’s face was filled with guilt again.

“I’m really fine, Mary.”

“Even if you’re fine, Mr. Dyffrin must not be. He was so worried yesterday. I thought the sky was falling.”

“Really…”

Evelyn felt a bit sorry for Dyffrin. She had stubbornly insisted on going out without understanding his feelings.

She decided to thank Dyffrin for his concern and reassure him when he returned to the villa.

After Mary left, Evelyn spent time alone. Dyffrin returned to the villa soon after.

He was holding something. Fresh fruits from Maluid Island.

“I thought you might want a snack.”

Evelyn looked at Dyffrin with eyes filled with emotion and hugged him tightly.

“Do you know you can be very sweet sometimes?”

His usual actions couldn’t be called gentle, but Dyffrin always conveyed sincerity. Sometimes, his deep feelings were overwhelming.

“…”

But even in this touching moment of expressing love, Dyffrin’s reaction was stiff.

Evelyn released her arms and looked at Dyffrin.

As expected, he had an uncomfortable expression.

“Dyffrin…?”

“You startled me by hugging me suddenly.”

Feeling embarrassed by his cold reaction, Evelyn widened her eyes and said,

“When have we ever needed to ask before hugging?”