Cedric’s eyes sparkled with sincerity, and just by looking into those crimson pupils, Iris felt her mood lift slightly.
So I’m doing something right.
With a soft smile curling at her lips, Iris responded gently.
“That’s a relief, then.”
“Pardon?”
“It means… I haven’t disappointed you yet, doesn’t it?”
Even faced with such an unexpected question, Cedric responded without a hint of hesitation, his voice resolute.
“No matter what you do, I will never be disappointed in you, my lady.”
“Even if I become lazy and burden others?”
“What exactly do you take me for, my lady?”
He paused his steps briefly before answering with a faint smile.
“Truthfully, I am likely lazier than you imagine. Such things would never disappoint me.”
“But still…”
“If you’re challenging my own sloth, then I’ll accept the duel any time.”
Before they knew it, they had arrived at Iris’s bedchambers.
Weren’t we heading to eat?
she thought, but before she could ask, Cedric answered her unspoken question.
“A patient’s place is none other than a room where she can rest properly.”
He carefully set Iris down right in front of the bed, then gently placed the back of his hand against her forehead to check for fever.
“As I thought, the fever’s rising again.”
His gaze dimmed slightly with concern. Iris didn’t want to see that sadness in his eyes.
“I don’t feel as bad as I probably look.”
“Still, the fact that you’re unwell hasn’t changed.”
Cedric treated her as though she were a gravely ill cultivator unable to circulate even a single thread of spiritual energy.
There’s really no need to go this far…
Not only did he help her sit down, but he also laid her back and meticulously pulled the blanket over her.
“You are a patient, my lady,” Cedric declared firmly as he gently brushed back her hair. “You will not take a single step outside this room today. If you need anything, call for someone—better yet, call for
me
.”
This was the first time Iris had ever received such constant, unyielding care. There was nothing in his voice but pure concern, and though she felt a little guilty, another part of her quietly rejoiced.
“…Alright. I will.”
“Good.”
At Cedric’s nod, the physician finally arrived.
“Good day, my lady. I am Avon Sheldon, physician to the Grand Duchy of Leontheim.”
Avon was a middle-aged healer with graying brown hair and an aura of experience. Iris greeted him from where she lay resting.
“It’s good to meet you.”
Wasting no time, Avon began his examination.
In general, physicians with access to established infrastructure—especially near the imperial capital—tended to have superior skills. Yet even by noble household standards, Avon was considered a master among healers.
Perhaps it was because he had to treat Cedric, who was often involved in perilous incidents and martial conflicts.
Even in her past life, Iris had frequently benefitted from his medicine and tonics.
He delicately questioned her condition while carefully checking her pulse and qi flow.
“Do you have any other symptoms or discomfort aside from what we’ve discussed?”
“Nothing that comes to mind.”
“Do you recall when your stomach condition and chronic fatigue symptoms first began?”
After a brief moment of thought, Iris answered quietly.
“It started, I believe, during the summer of my eleventh year. I began relying on medicine more regularly the following year.”
“Is that so? If the illness persists without a complete cure, it becomes extremely dangerous. Are you aware of that?”
At the doctor’s words, Iris gave a bitter smile.
“I am aware. But the herbs seem to be losing their effect gradually.”
At that moment, Aiven felt he understood why the new Lady Iris had not been fully healed.
Mentally, she is under immense pressure.
Patients of this nature are very difficult to treat.
Iris’s ailment stemmed fundamentally from obsession and stress.
In such cases, rest is essential for recovery. Yet ironically, the more she rests, the more stress she accumulates.
In other words, a dilemma.
“Besides the medicines I’ve prescribed, are you taking any additional drugs?”
“As long as the symptoms don’t worsen, the only medicine she takes regularly is what I’ve prescribed.”
Still, Aiven had only one diagnosis to offer.
Iris was absolutely lacking in rest.
“Though these herbs have minimal side effects, taking many medicines continuously is not ideal.”
“But if I reduce them further, it becomes difficult to work.”
“You must try, little by little.”
Cedric looked at Iris with earnest eyes beside her. She couldn’t bear to look away from that gaze.
“I’ll try, little by little.”
“There won’t be a sudden reduction. If symptoms do not worsen, I will come again tomorrow to assess your condition.”
Aiven prescribed the medicine and took his leave.
Cedric folded his arms, as if to make a point, and said,
“See?”
“…Yes, I’ll be careful.”
“Good. Then I will take it as your agreement that I am now responsible for managing the Lady’s health.”
“Excuse me? Grand Duke?”
Surprised by the unexpected words, Iris asked again. Cedric answered with unabashed confidence.
“We are husband and wife.”
“Ah… yes, that’s right.”
“Husbands and wives share their fates. Therefore, naturally, the responsibility for your health falls to me, your husband.”
Cedric’s words sounded perfectly reasonable on the surface.
But in reality, few couples in the empire cared so deeply for one another.
Iris cautiously parted her lips.
“That seems like an exaggerated leap.”
“Iris, you push yourself too hard. That’s not acceptable.”
Cedric spoke in a mildly scolding tone, as if recalling something.
“Come to think of it, even while ill, you overexerted yourself in the training grounds. That was certainly reckless.”
“You also practiced swordsmanship the day before you collapsed?”
At the doctor’s question, Cedric seemed to admonish her knowingly.
“Yes, I even sparred with her.”
“But… training is training, after all.”
Iris had always learned that way.
The Valentine family was a prodigious swordsmanship clan, blessed with the talents of Sword Masters.
If one rested simply because of illness, excuses would only multiply next time.
“If you always train while making excuses, you’ll never achieve anything.”
Especially for someone born into such advantageous conditions,
her efforts had to be interpreted with a slightly different meaning than others’.
“At least, I could never avoid responsibility with such excuses.”
“That’s no excuse.”
Cedric met Iris’s gaze firmly and spoke with unwavering resolve.
“Any effort that harms your health is excessive, no matter the cause.”
His large hand tightly clasped hers, as if by holding her like this, he could anchor her heart.
“Prepare yourself. I take great pride in restoring health.”
Though that wasn’t entirely true yet, he was determined to learn whatever was necessary for his lady.
Cedric personally wheeled over the serving trolley brought by a maid and arranged it before Iris.
Despite his noble birth, he moved with practiced skill and care.
“The last time, your meal portions were woefully insufficient.”
“Were they?”
“They were. Going forward, the medication will be gradually reduced, and your meals increased step by step.”
The dishes were simple and easy to digest—congee and light fare, suitable for a cultivator weakened by illness.
Cedric’s eyes gleamed as he scooped a spoonful and held it gently before Iris’s lips.
“Ah.”
“...Yes?”
“Open your mouth. Ah.”
Iris blinked in slight confusion as she looked at him.
“Um... You’ll feed me?”
Such treatment was something she hadn’t even received as a child.
Cedric answered without hesitation.
“Yes.”
“…But I can feed myself.”
“The physician advised you must rest and not strain yourself.”
Though she doubted the doctor meant this level of care, Cedric was unwavering, citing the doctor’s words as authority.
This spoon feels so heavy—far too heavy for my lady to lift.
He comforted himself with that thought.
Iris obediently accepted the spoonful of congee.
As the warm grains slid down, a faint vigor stirred in her body.
Seeing her eat so well, Cedric’s face brightened with pride as he scooped another spoonful.
“Well done. Ah.”
Iris, still chewing, shot him a sidelong glance.
“How exactly do you see me, Grand Duke?”
Receiving praise for something so trivial felt utterly embarrassing.
Yet Cedric remained unabashed.
“Well…”
A lazy smile curved his lips.
“My lovely wife, of course.”
His sharp eyes softened as he gave her a playful wink, leaving Iris momentarily speechless.
Though his reply was unrelated to her question, it left her with no argument, only a reluctant acceptance.
Better to eat quickly and rest.
Otherwise, her face might burst from embarrassment.
Finally, she ate a few more spoonfuls and shook her head.
“I think I’m full now.”
“Already?”
Cedric raised an eyebrow, glancing down at the bowl.
It was still half full—an amount Cedric would have consumed in two seconds flat.
Fixing her with a stern gaze, he met her eyes.
“Only birds feel full at that level. You must eat more.”
“But I’m already full.”
“Are you being honest?”
Iris’s sky-blue eyes met Cedric’s crimson gaze.
Though truly full from the meal, Iris’s body trembled as she held his eyes steadily.
Cedric, quietly studying her, finally set down his spoon with a soft, “Very well.”
“But you should at least finish the fruit.”
He immediately offered a bowl of neatly prepared fruit.
Tropical fruits.
In the northern lands, fruit itself was rare, making tropical fruit from the empire’s eastern regions even more precious.
Iris bit crisply into the carefully prepared fruit.
“My lady.”
As she took the last piece, Cedric’s calm voice reached her.
“You are truly enchanting.”
Startled by the sudden praise, Iris blinked slowly. Cedric rested his chin on his hand, gazing at her with a somewhat persistent look.
His crimson eyes sparkled as he parted his lips.
“What I said earlier was no jest.”
“I…”
“It still amazes me that someone as remarkable as you is my wife.”
Remarkable.
Cedric had called her with a title she had never heard before.
But I’m not such a person.
Under his tender gaze, she felt like the most precious and beautiful treasure in the world.
And so, she didn’t want to disappoint him further.
Even if he said he would never be disappointed in her, Iris wished to become a person worthy of his care.
Cedric reached out and brushed his hand across her cheek, his firm fingertips gently stroking her ear.
“I hope you will cherish yourself just a little more.”
The warmth that began at her ear spread across her face, coloring it with a soft blush.
“When you are ill, it pains me deeply. So please, for my sake as well.”
Iris wanted to avoid his kind gaze, but she could not bring herself to do so now.
To turn away felt like a betrayal of the smallest respect toward him.
So once again, she gave a hesitant promise.
“I will… try.”
“And you may lean on me more.”
Tears welled in Iris’s eyes, dew-like drops gathering among her long lashes.
“I’m sorry. I should have…”
“I do not ask for apologies.”
Cedric’s thumb gently traced the curve of her eye.
“I understand. I’m not exactly the easiest person to rely on.”
His touch conveyed even the worry that she might be hurt.
“I will try harder. I will become someone you can trust and depend on.”
Afternoon sunlight rippled through the curtains, casting shimmering shadows that made the moment sparkle like a jewel.
The light crowned Cedric like a king, while shadows draped behind him like a mantle.
Jet-black hair, sharp and elongated eyes, a refined nose, a strong jawline—
his face was a perfect harmony, a masterpiece shaped by the world itself.
There was even a noble beauty hinting at a tragic, destined fall.
He lowered his eyelids slightly.
“Iris, my wife.”
His fiery red eyes gazed deeply into hers.
“I hope the days you smile grow ever more.”
So undeserved, yet so precious to me.
“I wish to be part of your days. Is that too much to ask?”
“No…”
“I want you to cry freely in front of me. Can you do that?”
Can I ever repay you as much as I’ve received from you?
Maybe I’m not someone worthy of this kind of care.
Yet still, he faced her—unworthy as she felt—and declared she was his only one.
In that moment, notions of worthiness felt trivial to Iris.
“I will.”
With tears streaming down, Iris nodded quietly.
Cedric smiled softly and whispered,
“Thank you for your courage.”
Cedric did not leave even after Iris finished her meal.
The fever returned, and after taking medicine, Iris felt a wave of drowsiness.
Lying side by side, she looked at Cedric and asked,
“Grand Duke, how long will you stay?”
“Until you fall asleep.”
Cedric answered as if it were natural and drew her tightly into his embrace.
She hadn’t realized it before, but now she sensed how accustomed she had become to his touch—an awareness that stirred her anew.
Whether he noticed or not, he gently patted her upper abdomen, keeping her close.
“You always overexert yourself when I’m not watching. So I will watch with my own eyes.”
Clearly, his concern was for her health.
Yet lying like this, it almost felt like a night of intimacy awaited.
We never shared a room before, even before the rebirth.
Cedric lightly reassured her,
“Do not worry too much. I’ll check that you’re sleeping well before I leave.”
Then, glancing at her lying there, he mischievously curled one corner of his mouth.
“Hmm.”
His long, slender fingers gently toyed with strands of her pale violet hair—soft, distant threads at the very edge of her body, barely perceptible to touch.
Still, even such a faint contact made her heart stir with quiet unrest.
“Or…”
Cedric pressed his lips to her hair and whispered softly,
“Shall I stay a little longer?”
Until the very end?
Chapter 20