Chapter 2
The palace floors were carpeted, so no footsteps could be heard, even when a man as large as the Grand Duke walked. She frantically chased him through the palace.
The place they stopped was a bedroom. It may have been set up in a rush, but it was decorated to be the perfect couple's bedroom. The elegant black wood furniture and overall dark aesthetic gave it a very cozy feeling, and the weapons and armor hanging all over the walls seemed to indicate that this was his room.
“This is the room you and I will stay in.”
I noticed the terrible weariness in his voice.
He swept his hands over his face.
“Your job is to do one thing.” To be by my side when I sleep.”
She looked at the Grand Duke in shock.
"What is he talking about?"
Isn't it normal for a couple to sleep together?
He added more before she could speak.
"Most importantly, you need to stay awake."
"Do you want me to stay up?" All night?"
"Yes, stay awake and watch me."
"Do you want me to...do what?"
He grabbed the sword from the wall and threw it at her. When she grabbed it and unwrapped it, the height and weight matched her physique perfectly.
He spoke in a dark tone.
“If the task is difficult to handle, you can cut me off. I will not hold a grudge.”
"What"...
Before you can order more, call the butler. He told them to close the palace door because he did not want visitors.
“Prepare a bath for my wife. Take her with you.”
She was directed to the bathroom by the silent maids. The ridiculously luxurious room looked like a painting, but she rushed to the bathtub behind the partition without being able to appreciate the beauty of the room.
The maids quickly removed her clothes, which were dirty from their trip, and poured hot water into the bathtub.
I looked out the window, bathed in amazingly fragrant water. The sun was just setting. Beautiful colors stained the sky.
The confusion that continued to fog her mind did not go away. In fact, it has become thicker.
She couldn't understand what he meant about going to bed, and asked her not to sleep while he was sleeping, and how it was good to interrupt it.
Maybe it had something to do with why he brought her here. She was a talented horsewoman.
The maids gave her a new set of underwear and pajamas and left the room.
She returned to the bedroom, in awe of how soft her new clothes were.
***
The Grand Duke was already in the bedroom when she returned. Wearing only a dark robe, his body seemed close to perfect.
As a woman, she was clearly surprised.
She didn't say anything, noticing his exhaustion. He reached out and rang the bell next to his bed. The window blinds were neatly closed.
After turning off the light, the only light in the room came from a few candles around the bed.
The Grand Duke lay on the bed as if it were collapsing, without covering himself with a blanket.
“Don't fall asleep at any time. If you want to see the sun tomorrow morning.”
She nodded, even though she still had hundreds of questions about his situation. She pulled out a chair and sat next to him, the sword in her arms.
The Grand Duke fell asleep in a flash. Only his light breathing reassured her that he was asleep, not dead.
She returned, trying to keep her tired eyes focused and awake.
How much time has passed?
hour?
Two hours?
Her body, tired from traveling, asked for sleep. She looked at the man sleeping next to her sadly.
Then suddenly he opened his eyes.
***
He opened his eyelids slowly.
نادته في مفاجأة.
“Your Highness?”
The Grand Duke did not reply. He slowly got up and got off the bed.
He wandered around for a moment, and picked up a long sword hanging on the wall. His vague gaze scanned the room, saw her, and stopped.
"Impossible…"
She instinctively pulled out the sword she was holding. At the same time, he swung his sword at her.
Their swords met with a sharp clashing sound.
During their fight, she realized that the Grand Duke was out of his mind, and was probably sleepwalking. However, he was very strong compared to her. Whenever their swords met, her arms trembled slightly and she was pushed back.
There was no chance of winning if you fought him head-on.
She called out to him, narrowly avoiding a stab aimed at her head.
“Your Highness, Duke Morte!”
But he didn't respond. His sword made a strange sound as it was thrust into a difficult place to defend. She thought something would happen to her if she continued to fight defensively.
She turned her body towards the bed so that his sword would bounce off it. As soon as he swung, she hit the back of his neck with the butt of her sword.
The Duke staggered, then fell onto the bed.
“Is he...?”
She took a short breath and examined the fallen man. Even when she carefully stabbed him with the end of her sword, there was no movement.
She hurriedly got away from the bed and sat under the window. The sleep that was pressing on her eyelids had long since disappeared.
“Is that why he asked me to keep an eye on him? But why would a sleeping person suddenly do this? Unless… they were possessed by a demon!”
She wanted to escape, but she had nowhere to run.
She put her sword back in its sheath and held it tightly in her arms, so she could draw it at any moment. The sword in her trembling hands made a loud noise.
"Scary"...
Under the candlelight, she folded her body to become as invisible as possible.
***
The Grand Duke did not open his eyes until the birds chirped at dawn. As soon as he woke up, he looked around in a hurry. When he found it gathering on the wall, he opened his eyes wide.
"You're alive."
She couldn't help but hold back.
"Did you wish I could die?"
“No, it's just… I'm surprised.”
When she saw him leave the bed, she staggered to her feet. Her tired eyes stung, and she was shivering after sitting by the window in thin pajamas. That night was tougher than the previous few days' journey.
Her body trembled from shock and exhaustion.
The Grand Duke stared at her and straightened his robe. Then he grabbed a blanket from the bed.
"Do you want this?"
As soon as he took a step towards her, she took a step back.
“…Thank you for your hard work. I will explain everything to you later, so please rest. You can eat as soon as you wake up.”
There were so many things she wanted to ask him, but she was too tired. She fell asleep as soon as her body was placed on the bed.
***
When she opened her eyes, the sun was already high in the sky. She felt refreshed, but very hungry.
I rang the bell. The old women, who seemed to be servants, entered, with their heads bowed.
“Are you awake, ma'am?”
They seemed very polite. She awkwardly asked for something to eat and showered with water.
The Grand Duke had already left long ago.
She washed her face with cold water, in which the petals were floating, and cleaned her hair with a golden comb.
When she finished, her meal came. It consists of something soft, similar to fatty meat, soft eggs, and candy. It was all food that was difficult to obtain in her lands.
She ate as slowly as possible so as not to appear predatory in front of the servants.
"I'm late in saying hello, ma'am. I'm Sumona, the head maid."
"Hello, Sumona."
"I will do my best to make you feel comfortable. If you have any questions or needs, please feel free to ask."
Amalion hesitated for a moment. There was only one thing she was curious about.
"Uh...what's wrong with him at night?"
The old woman trembled slightly at her words. She quickly managed to articulate it, but failed to hide the tremor in her voice.
“Your Highness, did he wake up last night?”
"Yes." What's wrong with him?"
There was a commotion among the maids. Sumona stopped their whispers with a fierce look. But she was curious about his story, so she asked again.
"What do you know?"
The old maid, who had been wary of the question, answered carefully.
“Actually, we thought His Highness didn't wake up last night. If he did, we thought you would be seriously injured. "
Omarion opened her eyes wide. Not only were her words incomprehensible, but they were also a bit strange.
“So, from the Grand Duke to the servants, everyone knew that I would suffer like this...?”
Sumona bowed deeply before Omarion, whose expression darkened.
“Sorry, ma'am. It's the master's deepest secret... I couldn't tell you beforehand
...
"No, it's okay... It's not like anyone was hurt. I'm just curious as to why."
• End of chapter •
To be continued •••
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