Chapter 39

“…….”

Daphne wrapped both hands around her teacup, gazing blankly at the drink inside.

A translucent beverage with a deep brown color. Warm steam rose in wisps from the heated drink. The scent tickled her nose, and she unconsciously wrinkled her brow.

“No matter how much you glare at it, nothing will change.”

Ryan spoke from not far away, standing near the sofa where Daphne sat.

“You’ll have to drink it eventually, so just give up and swallow it all at once.”

“…But it’s bitter.”

Daphne grumbled, her face sulky.

“It tastes like muddy water with whole tree roots ground up in it.”

“Of course it does. The main ingredient in most medicines is plant roots.”

Ryan replied without blinking.

“They say good medicine tastes bitter.”

“Isn’t there any medicine that’s good for you and tastes good too?”

“No. So stop with the nonsense and drink the medicine.”

At Ryan’s firm answer, Daphne pouted her lips.

He really was stubborn.

Muttering quietly under her breath, Daphne squeezed her eyes shut and brought the bowl to her lips. Then, gulp, gulp, she drank down the medicine in one go.

“……!”

As the warm liquid touched her tongue and the roof of her mouth, an indescribably strong bitterness spread through her mouth. She felt like she might gag, but held it back. She emptied the last drop of medicine at lightning speed.

Thud. With a rough sound, the empty bowl was set down on the table. Daphne twisted her body, her face scrunched up from the horrible taste, goosebumps rising on her arms.

“Here, water.”

Ryan, as if waiting, handed Daphne a cup of water. She took it and drank desperately, like someone lost in the desert all day.

“Ah.”

Ryan gestured for Daphne to open her mouth, and she obediently followed his direction. He picked up a sugar cube that had been prepared on a dish and placed it between her slightly parted lips. Its smooth, hard texture touched her tongue.

“The bitterness will go away soon.”

“……”

“Well done.”

Ryan praised her with a faint smile, treating her as if she were a stubborn six-year-old child.

“Are you treating me like a kid right now?”

Daphne rolled the sugar cube around in her mouth, glaring at him.

“What kind of knight checks to see if I’ve taken my medicine?”

“Indeed. I never thought I’d be doing this kind of thing.”

“You don’t have to check every little thing. I can drink medicine by myself.”

“If you’re so good at it, why did you secretly pour the medicine down the sink?”

“…I told you, that was an accident.”

Daphne’s voice lost its edge at Ryan’s pointed question.

“I really didn’t know it was medicine. I thought it was just muddy water left after washing vegetables.”

“That’s why I’m watching over you. So you don’t make the same mistake again, Miss Sinclair.”

“……”

Unable to win the argument, Daphne fell silent. She wanted to complain about the situation, but Ryan’s effortless comebacks left her speechless. She really did feel like a petulant child, just as she’d accused him.

“Just wait. If you catch a cold, I’ll get my revenge.”

Daphne narrowed her eyes at Ryan, trying to sound ominous.

“I’ll boil this medicine extra strong and bring it to you three times a day.”

“I appreciate your concern, but you don’t need to worry. As I’ve said before, I’m naturally healthy.”

“……”

“The last time I caught a cold was probably over ten years ago.”

“…You never lose an argument, do you?”

At Ryan’s final words, Daphne shook her head in exasperation.

“Marianne always calls you an angel, but she should see you like this.”

“If she did, she’d say I’m responsible and considerate.”

Ryan shrugged his shoulders.

“As proof, your cold has gotten much better, hasn’t it?”

“Well… I suppose…”

Daphne hesitated, trailing off. She wanted to stubbornly deny it, but couldn’t. He wasn’t wrong.

Her persistent coughing and runny nose had improved a lot during the past few days at home.

And while she was recovering, Ryan had stayed by her side, taking care of her. For a temporary knight she’d acquired through a sudden contract, his care was far too attentive and thoughtful.

“If I say you recovered this quickly partly thanks to me…”

Ryan slowly bent over and picked up the empty bowl Daphne had set on the table.

“…Would you say I’m just being arrogant?”

He tilted his head down, just enough to glance up at her. Their eyes met at nearly the same level.

Clear blue eyes reminiscent of the autumn sky. Her dazed expression was reflected in his provocative gaze.

“……”

Ryan smirked at the sight of Daphne sitting silently, lost for words. He patted her head with his large hand, then deliberately messed up her neatly combed hair.

“Ah! What are you doing! Really!”

Realizing his mischief too late, Daphne tried to pull away, but she was a step behind. Her hair was now tousled, as if she’d rolled around on the floor.

She hurriedly tried to fix her hair. Ryan watched her with an attractive smile and headed to the kitchen with the empty bowl.

“Such a mischievous man…”

Daphne grumbled at Ryan’s back, her face full of annoyance. He must have heard, but he didn’t look back.

A moment later, she heard Ryan and Marianne chatting in the kitchen. From the occasional mention of her name, it was clear Ryan was telling Marianne about what had just happened.

He wouldn’t badmouth her to Marianne, would he?

Daphne pouted, gathering her hair and draping it over her shoulder.

“Would you like some tea?”

Ryan returned to the lounge and asked Daphne.

“They say it’s the best afternoon tea in the area.”

“…With milk and two spoons of sugar.”

Like dangling cheese in front of a mouse, Ryan’s words made Daphne answer with a sullen face, though she couldn’t resist. No matter how annoyed she was, she couldn’t refuse Marianne’s tea.

Ryan smiled knowingly and leaned against the wall between the kitchen and lounge, nodding toward Marianne.

“……”

Daphne, sitting on the sofa, watched Ryan standing in the hallway.

Legs crossed, arms folded, back resting against the wall at an angle.

Perhaps it was the black hair falling across his forehead, but he looked languid, alluring, and utterly refined.

How curious.

Daphne secretly admired him.

He looked elegant even just standing there.

He’d been that way since she first saw him in Roxanne.

Even with his face perfectly hidden by a mask.

Even without being adorned in dazzling jewelry.

From the way he stood tall, to the way he moved, even the subtle way he turned his head.

He carried himself as if he’d ruled over everyone since the moment he was born. He seemed arrogant and relaxed, as if he’d never bowed his head to anyone.

A predator among predators, at the very top of the food chain.

If Amelia had told her he was actually the king of a neighboring country, Daphne might have believed her.

He must have made quite a few women cry before coming here.

Daphne hugged her knees on the sofa and thought.

He was a skilled knight, hired by a prestigious family, and on top of that, incredibly handsome. Life was so unfair.

Her gaze slowly traced the lines of his face.

His straight forehead, sharp nose, tightly closed lips, and angular jaw. His sculpted profile was so perfect and captivating, it made her heart flutter just to look at him.

Like a work of art where masculine charm and artistic beauty coexist.

If that man loved her—

A strange curiosity bloomed in Daphne’s mind.

If she could be held in that man’s arms—

A curious thought she’d never had before.

What would it feel like?

Daphne’s gaze lingered on his prominent throat, and she swallowed dryly, feeling a strange thirst. Just then, Ryan, who had been talking with Marianne in the kitchen, suddenly turned his head to look at her.

“Ah!”

As their eyes met, Daphne let out a startled cry.

Blue eyes in stark contrast to his jet-black hair. Caught in a secret fantasy she could never share, Daphne was instantly pulled back to reality.

S-so startled.

She quickly turned her head away.