Chapter 60

Julian looked like a large dog with drooping ears. I was surprised that he could be so cute.

But I didn’t think telling him he was cute right now was appropriate. Julian looked more serious than ever.

I held his hands as best as I could and asked,

“What can I do to make you trust me again?”

“I’ve decided not to trust you anymore.“

“Even so.“

“You’re too reckless to be trusted.”

There are words like vicious or wicked, but he called me reckless. Even his choice of words, avoiding harsh terms, was cute.

I grabbed his arm and subtly pulled him towards the bed. He was large, but I intended to sit this endlessly cute man on the bed and gently soothe him.

However, Julian didn’t budge. He used to follow when I pulled him, so I looked at him in puzzlement.

Julian raised an eyebrow as if he didn’t like this situation. I blinked several times.

“Why? Come here. Your wife can’t move because her legs hurt.“

“Let’s just talk like this.“

“But you’re upset with me. I want to soothe you.”

I wriggled my hips and moved to the side, creating an empty space, and patted it with my palm while staring at him. For some reason, Julian looked very troubled.

“Duchess.“

“Yes.”

I nodded broadly as if asking what the problem was.

“Let’s refrain from sharing the bed from now on.”

The words that came out of Julian’s mouth were unexpected. I was bewildered and stupidly asked again.

“Excuse me?”

How many times have we shared the bed? Occasionally, we’ve slept next to each other to avoid the maids or guests noticing. And I’m just asking you to sit for a moment; why?

“Lying in the same bed feels a bit inappropriate.”

So I did something wrong first, and this is how you responded? You’ve openly shown you’re upset with me first. Now I feel upset and huff in frustration.

“If you don’t want to come up on the bed, don’t come into my room either.“

“This isn’t a room; it’s a tent…“

“Anna! His Grace is leaving, so see him off!”

At my shout, Anna came in, startled.

“My Lady, Your Grace, is something the matter?“

“Nothing. Just leave…“

“His Grace is leaving because he hates being with me.“

“Laila.”

Julian spoke sternly, but I turned away abruptly. My thoughtless movement made my leg throb.

“Ah!“

“Laila.”

Julian called me urgently, but I pulled the blanket thickly, escaping his touch.

“Don’t touch me. I’m angry.”

I could feel him staring at me, but I didn’t turn back. Julian sighed deeply.

“Rest. I’ll come back later.”

I didn’t respond and buried myself under the blanket.

After Julian left, Anna hurriedly pulled at my blanket, exasperated.

“Your Grace! What on earth were you thinking…! Oh my!”

I covered my face with both hands and squeezed my eyes shut. I couldn’t bear to see Anna’s face either.

“Did he leave?“

“He left. Why is your face so red? It looks like it’s about to burst.“

“Don’t ask.”

I pulled the blanket Anna had taken off back up over me. Even though I hid under it, I didn’t feel properly hidden.

“Let’s refrain from sharing the bed from now on.”

“Lying in the same bed feels a bit inappropriate.”

I wasn’t so naive as to not understand what he meant. Although Julian and I were both adults and of opposite genders, we had been too careless. Despite his rigid demeanor, I had forgotten that Julian also had desires…

But the thought that I could be the object of those desires was unbearably embarrassing. It wasn’t like I was a teenage girl experiencing love for the first time.

After a while, I emerged from under the blanket and fanned my face.

Anna watched me with a pleased smile.

“What did you two do to make your face so red?“

“Be quiet.”

I glared at Anna, scolding her, but she continued smiling and attending to me.

While she checked if the bandages had come loose, I sighed heavily.

“Anna.“

“Why do you look so drained? You looked like a ripe tomato earlier.“

“Is it cruel to leave someone alone after getting married…?“

“Oh, how would I know that when I’m unmarried? Are you teasing me?“

“I’m not teasing. You’re the one teasing me.”

Anna and I exchanged smiles. I gently rubbed my aching leg while thinking about Julian’s firm stance. Anna, noticing my thoughts, asked curiously,

“I have no right to interfere between you two, but is there a reason for avoiding sharing the bed? If you have concerns, please tell me. That’s why I’m here.“

“Well…”

I couldn’t get pregnant. To explain that, I’d have to talk about the absurd illness I had and how much of a burden the child would be to Julian.

Unable to bring myself to say it, I kept silent. Instead of asking further, Anna got me a warm cup of tea. Despite its fragrant and heartfelt preparation, it tasted endlessly bitter.

“By the way, Lady Sasha asked me to give this to you.“

“What is it?”

I took a small note from Anna. I thought it was from Nife, but seeing the blank paper, I realized it wasn’t. I ran my fingers over the surface of the note. There were faint, raised parts.

“Anna, bring the candle closer.“

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Anna quickly brought the candlestick over. I held the small note close to the flame, and letters began to appear in the candle’s light.

“The Second Prince still trusts me. I will continue to persuade him about the hunting tournament incident. Please do not worry too much. However, Grand Duchess Zan is investigating me. I may not be able to contact you for a while. Please take care, Your Highness.”

Reading the letter, my eyes widened. This was… I looked up at Anna.

“You said Nife sent this note, right?”

“Yes, without a doubt.”

Then, this note must have been intercepted by the Marquis of Eriant. The strange thing was that the intended recipient wasn’t Prince Cain. ‘Your Highness‘ could only mean… Princess Abigail.

* * *

The hunting tournament ended rather anticlimactic. This was because there was clearly a plot originating from the struggle for the throne, and the winner had already been decided.

People were so busy gossiping about it that they didn’t really hunt. As a result, the hunting grounds were littered with broken traps and the remnants of eaten bait.

Therefore, the royal treasury had to fund the commemorative banquet following the hunting tournament. However, Prince Aslan welcomed everyone to the banquet with a calm face, as if there were no problems.

Prince Aslan beamed as he saw Louis entering the banquet hall.

“Lord Winsley, you caught the most animals in this tournament. Well done.“

“It’s nothing special.”

Despite Prince Aslan’s praise, Louis’s expression remained somber. He had learned very late about my fight with the beast and my injury. He had been too engrossed in the hunting tournament.

Louis had been training to be a successor recently, which had significantly reduced his physical activities. Participating in this tournament after a long time must have been enjoyable for him.

Though I repeatedly told him it was fine, Louis blamed himself for not noticing sooner. He felt ashamed for being pleased with himself for catching the most animals.

I felt endlessly sorry for giving my precious younger brother such a lousy memory.

“My brother has the finest swordsmanship. I’m proud of him.“

“No, I’m ashamed.”

Though I tried hard to lighten the mood, Louis’s expression didn’t brighten. Noticing the somber atmosphere, Prince Aslan laughed heartily and changed the subject.

“The Grand Duchess looks much better. To recover so quickly and attend the banquet is truly a testament to the Count’s daughter.“

Sitting in my wheelchair, I lifted my skirt slightly, a gesture to substitute a bow.

“All thanks to His Highness the Crown Prince’s grace.”

Prince Aslan nodded at me with a satisfied look. He owed me a great deal for what had happened.

Even if I hadn’t intervened, it didn’t mean he would have lost the title of Crown Prince. However, he would undoubtedly have faced extensive investigations under the pretense of probing the distribution route of the rare magic stone.

Every contender for the throne has their own secrets, and Prince Aslan didn’t want him exposed. Thanks to my intervention, he avoided a significant ordeal, so it was only natural for his trust in me to strengthen.

Prince Aslan finally inquired about Julian’s absence.

“The Grand Duke isn’t attending the banquet?“

“His Grace wished to rest quietly.”

In truth, we hadn’t spoken directly. I was too embarrassed to face Julian, so I asked Anna if he would attend, but the answer was no.

Sending only Louis and Nife felt like sending just the children, which bothered me. So, I decided to stay in a corner of the banquet hall in my wheelchair.

With my deep wounds, I couldn’t drink anyway. I started regretting not just sending Louis and Nife alone when I saw someone radiating brilliance from the hall’s center. Everyone was staring at her.

“Isn’t that Ari Eriant?”

TL NOTE: A more advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories.