The Villain's Sickly Wife Dislikes Being Overprotected - Chapter 2.8

“Please call me anytime if an emergency situation arises or if you have any questions. If it’s a call from His Grace the Duke, I’ll come right away.”

“So we just have to sit and wait for an emergency that could happen at any time?”

“Since we couldn’t identify the cause, taking other measures at this point could be more dangerous. However, as a doctor, I would like to recommend that the Madam seems to be quite weak, so she should have healthy meals and exercise regularly.”

“Exercise?”

“Yes. Building up basic physical strength seems to be the best course of action for now.”

After finishing his words, the doctor bowed deeply before us. I knew it would be a fruitless examination like this.

But Kyron stopped him as he was about to leave.

“Can… something intangible, like the mind, be the cause of an illness?”

What kind of question is this all of a sudden?

The doctor looked as puzzled as I was, but he answered Kyron’s question sincerely.

“Yes, if a mental illness is severe, it can lead to physical illness as well.”

“If that were the cause, would it not be detected in those detailed tests just now?”

“Yes. Our tests cannot detect mental aspects, so they wouldn’t be measured.”

Kyron closed his eyes and held his head. He looked somewhat troubled.

“I see. You may go.”

The doctor bowed once more and left.

I mulled over what I had just heard.

A deep mental illness worsening physical health… That’s not the reason I’m sick.

***

Kyron faithfully followed the doctor’s advice about building up physical strength.

As soon as we returned to the duke’s residence, he told me to start exercising from tomorrow on and immediately assigned an exercise instructor the next day.

While I was spending time in the garden, an unfamiliar person approached and greeted me politely.

“Good day, Duchess. I’m Henson, and I’ll be helping you with your basic physical training starting today.”

To think he’d even assign a proper instructor. I was just planning to do some breathing exercises on my own.

“His Grace is very concerned about you, Madam.”

Ha, concerned?

I scoffed inwardly. As if that person would actually worry about me.

“Well, since it’s the first day, we’ll start with some simple stretching, and then we’ll do some strength training to check your physical condition.”

“My physical condition is bound to be terrible.”

“Haha, still, I need to see for myself.”

Henson had a friendly demeanor. With his kind smile and words, I couldn’t bring myself to voice my complaints.

In the end, with a sullen expression, I changed into loose pants and a top as the maid helped me dress, and tied my hair up tightly.

The place for the exercise lessons was a large empty room on the first floor of the mansion.

“Well then, let’s start with stretching first.”

Henson was keeping an eye on the situation, just in case. It was quite embarrassing to exercise alone while everyone was watching.

Moreover…… Ekette’s body was stiffer than I had imagined. Even more than my body in my previous life!

From the moment I started warming up by rotating my neck, I felt that my body wasn’t quite my own and was rather uncomfortable…… When we started stretching in earnest, screams involuntarily burst from my mouth.

“Aargh! Eek!”

“Oh my, are you very uncomfortable?”

“I’m dying!”

Sitting down, stretching my legs out, and reaching for my toes with my arms, I thought this just wouldn’t do.

“It’s the first day, so shall we stop here? I guess my body isn’t warmed up yet since it’s the first day!”

I said, breaking out in a cold sweat.

“If you say you can’t do it already, what are we going to do?”

But the response I heard wasn’t from Henson.

I turned my head to see Kyron standing there.

“Oh my, Your Grace! You’ve come at just the right time!”

“Is it going well?”

“The Duchess seems to be struggling as she’s not used to exercising yet. But it’s alright! She’ll do well soon!”

Henson answered cheerfully.

“Why did you come?”

“I was curious to see if you were doing well.”

He must have nothing to do since he’s at home when he should be working.

“I’m sorry, but I’m the type who does worse when someone is watching. It would be great if you could leave.”

“Is that so?”

“It’s embarrassing to exercise alone with so many people watching.”

But Kyron didn’t seem to care about my words at all. Can he not even hear me?

Kyron approached me. Then he sat down next to me. In the same position as me.

“Why are you sitting next to me?”

My voice was tinged with wariness. Come to think of it, his clothes were also loose, perfect for exercising.

“Are you going to exercise together, Your Grace?”

“That’s right. Would it be alright if I join?”

“Of course! Couple workouts have become quite popular among nobles recently. It’s killing two birds with one stone – building stamina and spending lovey-dovey time together!”

Couple workout? I couldn’t believe my ears.

That sturdy body of his and my weak body exercising together?

“There’s no need for that. I can manage just fine on my own.”

My words lost their persuasiveness, considering I had been screaming that I couldn’t do it just moments ago.

“The Duchess seems to be quite tense as it’s her first day, so her body isn’t fully loosened up yet. If you two exercise together, it might help her relax.”

Henson was spouting nonsense. Having Kyron next to me wouldn’t relax me, it would make even my few muscles tense up!

“Then there’s no need to hesitate. I’ll join in.”

“Excellent!”

Why are they deciding this between themselves when it’s my exercise session?

I glanced at Kyron sitting next to me.

The clothes he was wearing were practically sleeveless, with short sleeves, and the chest area was generously open. I quickly averted my gaze from the sculpted muscles visible through the open clothing.

How am I supposed to exercise with someone like that?

“Now, since you’re husband and wife, there’s no need to be shy!”

Henson chirped happily, oblivious to my feelings.

“Alright, you two, stand side by side! Shall we start with stretching?”

“Sounds good.”

Kyron loosened up his body, swinging his arms horizontally.

At least we started with stretches that we could each do on our own. Kyron and I followed Henson’s instructions, each stretching our arms and legs and loosening our joints.

Of course, groans of pain escaped from my mouth. Kyron didn’t make even a single sound of discomfort.

“Ow! It hurts!”

“Please bear with it a little more! Just 3 more seconds!”

“It’s been 3 seconds already!”

Henson and I repeated the same dialogue throughout the stretching session.

Even though we had only finished stretching, I was already completely exhausted. Not only was my body tired, but my throat also hurt from all the screaming.

“You look completely drained, and we’ve only done stretching.”

As Kyron said, I was in a daze. In contrast, he looked as if he hadn’t even moved a muscle.

“My body is different from yours, you know.”

I thought we might get a short break, but Henson, with a smile on his face, mercilessly moved on to the next stage.

“Now we’ll start the main physical training. Before that, may I suggest to help you both enjoy the exercise a bit more?”

“No, I’m not interested.”

“I’d like to hear what the suggestion is.”

Once again, my words were completely ignored.