/
“
I’m getting a bit emotional, maybe because I’m sick.”
“It’s only natural to feel weak while you’re sick, Madam. Please rest up and get well soon.”
Charlotte said this as she placed a wet towel on my forehead. The wet towel’s cool touch quickly became lukewarm because of the boiling heat emanating from me.
In a daze, I blinked and stared at Charlotte. Then, I murmured softly.
“You, too
 You should go and rest if you’re tired.”
“The Madam is sick, so how can I go somewhere else? Please don’t worry about me. Close your eyes and rest now, Madam.”
“

”
Even if she didn’t say so, I was about to succumb to the drowsiness brought upon by my medicine.
Charlotte turned the wet towel upside down. It felt as if I had returned to the days of my childhood.
Closing my eyes, I said,
“You know what? When I was a child
 I was really strong
”
“

”
“But now, look at the state I’m in
 Ah, anyway
 What I mean to say is
”
I couldn’t even finish saying what I wanted to say—slumber descended upon me like a wave. It felt like my head was further buried into the pillow as I mumbled incoherently.
“
I only ever had a cold
 just one time before
”
What was it that my mother told me back then? The only thing I could clearly remember of that time was her careful, gentle touch.
While my consciousness slipped away, I heard Charlotte’s voice once more, but I couldn’t quite understand what she had said.
And as if there was a flood washing over me, sleep pulled me down into its depths.
* * *
It’s been a while since I had slept really well.
Honestly, it’s ridiculous how I could get such a good night’s sleep just because I was sick.
Lying still, I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling. Then, I slowly rose.
It was dark everywhere, so it might still be deep into the night, or the hour right before dawn.
My fever broke unbeknownst to me, and I was somehow fine after that, even if my body still felt a bit weak.
I glanced to my side and saw that there was someone sleeping there, in an evidently uncomfortable posture while sitting at the chair next to the bed.
Of course, my first instinct was to think that it was Charlotte, so I was about to reach out. However, I suddenly felt a sense of incongruity. My hand stopped midair.
Now that I looked closer, that’s not Charlotte

‘Why is Theodore here
’
More than that, there was a dry towel in his hand, while next to him was a silver basin containing water. The shirt he was wearing was slightly disheveled and his sleeves were rolled up.
“

”
His black hair was also tangled, and it was clear from his face that he was extremely fatigued.
Anyone could tell that he was the one who nursed me all night.

When exactly did he come? If Theodore offered to take care of me, then Charlotte wouldn’t have been able to refuse him.
All I was thinking now was how I could get out of here without waking him up. It remained the same that I was uncomfortable around him.
As much as possible, I did not want to face him. And even if I really had to meet him, I did not want to make eye contact.
It was all the more tough to listen to his voice. The kind words that were far from the poisonous words of the past gave me a difficult time in a different sense.
At the same time however, it was a bit too much if I just left the person who nursed me throughout the night just like this, unable to get proper rest.
“

”
With my lips pressed shut, I stared at him for a moment. I carefully removed the blanket over me and got out of the bed. Then, I reached out to him and shook his shoulder slightly.
“Duke, please wake up.”
“

”
“Go back to your room.”
However, I was surprised when I was suddenly held back. With his eyes still closed, Theodore was holding on to my wrist now.
Frozen and holding my breath, I watched him slowly open his eyes not long after.
His deep blue eyes met my gaze in the dark. I grew tense and nervous without realizing it, and my body was frozen stiff.
As Theodore was staring at me, he gradually scowled. Soon, a cold voice came out from his lips.
“You
”
But Theodore’s expression soon crumpled as though he had a sudden headache.
Clenching his teeth, he bowed his head and wrapped both of his hands around it. He groaned.
“Ugh
”
I could already feel my breaths shaking little by little as I looked at him. My heart started pounding unsteadily. It’s as if there was a foreboding feeling sinking down my stomach.
After a while, Theodore raised his head, but he blinked confusedly. Then, he met my gaze.
With a look of surprise, he asked me urgently.
“Lily, you’re awake now? Are you feeling alright? It seems like your fever went down
 I just dozed off for a minute and—”
“

”
Listening blankly to his rambling words, I remained silent, as stiff as a rock.

Just now
 what was that? Theodore’s atmosphere

‘It’s the same as when he was cold to me
 Just like how it was
 in the past
’