Chapter 18 

“I’m sorry. I ended up dirtying your pants.”

“They were already dirty, so I don’t care about that.”

“Why are you doing all this for me? I thought you never wanted to see me again.”

“Haa.”

Rosalie, emboldened, asked, but Hystein only sighed in annoyance. He stood, dropping the towel beside her, and set the ceramic bowl at her feet.

“You keep talking, so I guess you really are fine. Wash your feet yourself.”

“…Alright.”

“You may seem fine now, but when you wake up, you won’t be. Do you even realize what you’ve been through today?”

“How could I not? I almost died today.”

The hideous man had thrown her into the mill as soon as they arrived, sneering. He’d even shone her face in the moonlight, pretending to tear at her, enjoying himself.

“He called me Leoni.”

Rosalie felt her whole body tremble again. Hystein looked at her silently, then grabbed her ankle and dipped it into the ceramic bowl.

The slightly cooled water was warm enough to make her body relax. He scrubbed the dirt from her feet.

“That’s the name of the woman who scarred his face.”

“How do you know? Ugh, that tickles.”

“Don’t move.”

He rarely answered her questions. She tried to think of something else to say, but her mind grew foggy. Her vision blurred as if covered by a film.

Why was this happening? Rosalie pressed her temple and exhaled hot breath. Hystein grabbed the towel from the floor and dried the water from her feet.

“Where do you think you’re going in that condition?”

“…You could’ve just taken me home from the start.”

Again, no answer came. Hystein pushed the bowl aside, stood, and gestured for her to get into bed.

She wondered if he meant to lie down together, but he didn’t. With a slightly rough touch, he lay her down and pulled the blanket up to her chin.

“Hys.”

“…”

“Hys.”

“Stop calling me.”

He looked down at her for a moment, then picked up the bowl and turned away. Unable to bear watching him leave, Rosalie reached out, but her hand fell limply.

‘Why did you bring me to your home, Hys?’

She wanted to ask, but her eyelids felt unbearably heavy. Just close her eyes for a moment, then she’d find him again.

Rosalie felt her breathing grow shallow, staring half-blindly at the ceiling.

Her vision spun. She hadn’t realized how bad her condition was while talking to Hystein.

As her eyelids drooped, she thought of Gérard and Angela. Had they heard news of her yet?

Just before losing consciousness, she remembered Jeremy, who had blushed and avoided her gaze. And she wondered:

What was she doing here? No one would be pleased to know she was staying at Hystein’s mansion.

***

When Rosalie awoke from a deep sleep, she was confused, unable to tell if it was night or day. Her mouth felt dry as sand, her body limp like a water-soaked rag.

“Drink.”

She couldn’t even open her swollen eyes properly, groaning as someone lifted her neck. A hard glass touched her teeth, and cool water flowed into her mouth.

“…Ugh.”

Lying down with only her head raised, the water trickled down her lips. The damp blanket felt unpleasant, but she didn’t have the strength to move.

“It’s alright, just stay still.”

A cool hand wiped her chin. The man whispered gently, pulling over the dry side of the blanket to cover her.

For some reason, Rosalie felt like crying. She thought so, but couldn’t open her eyes. Unable to fight the drowsiness, she lost consciousness again.

She slept dreamlessly, then woke to the sound of rustling. With a clearer mind, she stared at the dark ceiling. Suddenly, a woman with dark blonde hair appeared in her vision.

“Are you awake?”

“Who…?”

“I’m Bibi. I serve the Duke.”

The woman in a black maid’s uniform smiled brightly. Rosalie tried to sit up, but sudden dizziness stopped her.

Bibi quickly helped her sit.

“You slept for a full day. Aren’t you hungry?”

“Now that you mention it…”

Bibi’s words were true; Rosalie’s stomach growled. She pressed a hand to her flat belly and looked at Bibi.

“There’s soup ready—would you like some? It’s made to be gentle on an empty stomach.”

Her mouth was too dry for words, so she nodded. Bibi brought the silver tray from the table and set it on Rosalie’s lap.

When she lifted the lid embroidered with golden flowers, steam rose from a clear soup. Chicken and vegetables simmered together, topped with parsley, making Rosalie’s mouth water.

She took her time, chewing and swallowing the soup slowly. There was so much, she couldn’t finish the bowl.

“I’ll take this away.”

After Rosalie wiped her mouth with a napkin, Bibi quickly took the tray. Watching the unfamiliar maid, Rosalie spoke.

“Hys… Where is Duke Vallière now?”

“At this hour, the master should be in his study.”

“I’d ask you to show me, but I can’t get up yet. Could you call him for me?”

She couldn’t muster the strength to leave the bed. Bibi handed her a cup of tart fruit juice and asked her to wait before leaving the room.

Rosalie leaned against the headboard, listening to Bibi’s footsteps fade. Feeling full, she began to nod off again.

Then, the sound of the door opening and closing made her look up.

In the faint lamp light, Hystein’s sculpted face and slightly tousled appearance appeared. He looked at her and sat in the chair by the bed, exhaling deeply.

What should she say? Rosalie hesitated, unable to speak. Hystein brushed back his hair with his rolled-up shirt sleeve. His messy black hair fell over his temple.

Before she knew it, Rosalie found herself staring at him, and when their eyes met again, she was glad the room was dim.

Otherwise, he would have noticed her blushing cheeks.

“How’s your body?”

Hystein began the conversation, his voice still sweet.

“I’m fine. Much better.”

“…You look even thinner than yesterday.”

“Must be the lighting. I’m healthy now.”

She wasn’t just saying it—her fever had broken overnight, and after eating, the dizziness was gone. She still felt cold, but there was no more shivering.

So she had to say it.

“Thank you for letting me use your bed. I’ve stayed too long, haven’t I?”

Hystein stared at her quietly. What was he thinking? Why was he so unresponsive?

Truthfully, Rosalie didn’t want to miss this moment with him. But she also knew she had to return to reality.

“Has there been any word from my family?”

Had it really been a whole day? Gérard and Angela must be terribly worried.

Maybe they’d even come here during the day. What had it been like when Hystein and Gérard met face to face?

Her mind spun with endless thoughts. Had Jeremy found out she was staying at Hystein’s mansion?

She felt both guilty and sorry toward him. She was afraid to even imagine Countess Aloua’s reaction.

“…Did they get angry when they found out I was here?”

She asked carefully. Gérard had always avoided mentioning Hystein, as if ignoring his existence.

“How are you healthy?”

Rosalie waited a long time for Hystein’s answer, but he suddenly changed the subject. His emerald eyes swept over the silk nightgown she wore.

Without warning, Hystein reached out and grasped her wrist, exposed beneath her loose sleeve.

“When I first saw you, I thought you were someone else.”

“…At the boutique?”

The conversation stalled again. Hystein, expressionless, studied her wrist, then looked up.

“I’ll go warm up some chocolate. Eat and get some more rest.”

“No, Hys. I need to go home now. You know that.”

“It’s the middle of the night.”

He released her wrist and spoke coldly.