Chapter 66
The Fiery Woman
A torrential downpour began to fall.
Throughout their journey out of the capital and toward the mansion, only the occasional streetlamp lit the way.
“This is suffocating.”
“Are you feeling unwell?”
“They threw a calf party or something. Thought I’d die from the smell.”
Since the driver had already gone off duty, Daphne and Kisha borrowed a royal carriage from Psyche. Daphne pressed her temples, battling a faint nausea.
“So, you’re saying it wasn’t the royal family who detained Celestian, but Psyche herself? And the aide said that directly?”
“Yes.”
“Celestian knew…?”
The question, Did he know and still go along with it? almost slipped out, but Daphne swallowed the words. She feared the answer would only make her feel worse.
Kisha, seated opposite her, stole a glance at Daphne. Picking up on her unspoken question, he answered anyway.
“He didn’t show much reaction when they took him, but…”
“I get it.”
Before Kisha could mention how Celestian had nearly broken the carriage door trying to escape, Daphne cut him off. Reading the room, Kisha opted to stay silent.
For a while, the only sounds were the pattering rain against the carriage windows and the wheels rumbling over the muddy road. The interior was dim, making it hard to see Daphne’s expression.
Daphne, unable to support her head properly, kept bumping it against the window. Kisha quietly moved to sit beside her, gently guiding her head to rest on his shoulder.
A soft chuckle escaped Daphne’s lips, right next to Kisha’s ear.
“Your shoulder’s gotten a little softer. Or is it just my imagination?”
“Ah, well, I ate a lot of what I like while I was… detained.”
“How can you eat so much when you’re technically a hostage? Now rumors will spread that I’m a cruel employer who starves her live-in guards while working them to death.”
“W-what should I do then?”
Kisha feigned distress, prompting Daphne to giggle.
“Even if rumors spread about me being a little crueler, it won’t hurt. But if you like certain foods, let the chef know and eat plenty at home.”
“……”
“Come to think of it, I don’t really know what you like, aside from swords and women. What did you eat to gain weight?”
“Uh, pork…?”
Because Daphne didn’t eat meat, the household rarely had greasy dishes on the menu. Scratching his cheek, Kisha mumbled his answer.
“Well, eat it in the garden or something, so you don’t have to worry about me.”
“I never worry about things like that. But, my lady, you’re leaning more and more on me. Or is that just my imagination?”
“I’m just finally relaxing.”
Kisha opened his arms a little wider, letting her rest more comfortably. After a bit of shifting, Daphne settled into a comfortable position and stopped moving.
“Were you tense?”
“Yeah. These past few days… but now I realize I didn’t need to be. I didn’t have to go out of my way to rescue him. It’s pointless.”
Daphne’s murmurs were so faint and muddled that Kisha had to strain to understand her. Even when he did, he wasn’t sure how to respond, so he stayed quiet.
“My lady, you feel kind of warm.”
“I am a fiery woman, after all.”
“That’s not what I meant. You’re damp and warm—are you crying?”
“I’m laughing.”
Kisha reached out, first brushing the top of her head, then touching her forehead.
“Who told you to touch me like that? You want to die?”
“I’m not in my right mind because of my pay cut. Anyway, my lady, I think you have a fever.”
“Do I? Whatever.”
Daphne raised a hand and clumsily touched her own forehead and cheek. They were hot and slightly sweaty.
“Wow. I think I’m actually sick.”
“Should we head to a hospital?”
“No, it’s probably just a cold. I told you, it’s because I finally relaxed.”
Though generally healthy, Daphne had a tendency to fall deeply ill when she did get sick. The thought of enduring feverish nightmares made her throat tighten.
“Kisha.”
“Yes, my lady?”
“Celestian, no matter what, is mine. I decided I’d take responsibility for him.”
Her words were disjointed, but Kisha didn’t question her further and nodded silently.
“I have to bring him back somehow. Once he’s back, I’ll decide what to do—break his ankles, beat him to a pulp, ruin that handsome face… whatever it takes.”
“Understood. Sounds like a good show. Can I hit him once, too?”
Daphne nodded. Kisha spoke with a surprising solemnity.
“I’ll bring him back no matter what.”
“I know he likes Psyche, but seriously, in these times? That bastard.”
Kisha tilted his head in confusion.
The Grand Duke likes someone?
His lips itched to correct her, but meddling in someone else’s love life was a bad idea. Besides, Daphne wasn’t the type to believe anything she didn’t see for herself.
No progress even after attending the royal wedding together, and now this misunderstanding?
Kisha frowned, frustrated.
“Everything’s a mess at Saturnmerial right now. There’s so much work to do, and Delphinium earlier, too… ah, I can’t afford to be sick now.”
Daphne’s furrowed brows suggested she was thinking about her hotel business and contracts. She mumbled incoherently about them.
“It’s easier to let go of things you can’t have. Should I just give up…?”
She muttered to herself as if she’d forgotten Kisha was even there.
“My lady, we’re almost home. May I carry you inside?”
Daphne nodded weakly.
“I really… have no one to lean on.”
“What do you mean? You’ve got me.”
Daphne let out a tired laugh, then closed her eyes.
*****
Golden eyes, usually radiant, were now dim as they wandered across the unfamiliar yet familiar ceiling. This wasn’t her room. It was a room that reminded her of the time she lived in Serenade.
It was the kind of dream that felt too vivid.
— Are these medicines too strong? What if they’re harming her instead of helping her?
— There wasn’t much choice in the matter. I’ve already sent word to the Green family. The medicine for the lady should arrive by tomorrow morning. I’ve double-checked the ingredients twice. She’ll be fine, Count.
Kilian stood by Daphne’s bedside, his eyes clouded with concern as he watched over her.
— I miss Mom.
— I’ll make sure to bring back a letter this time.
Winter in Serenade was brutal, and Daphne, born in the summer, was utterly unprepared for it. A winter cold had her completely bedridden.
— Lady, would it be alright if I held you?
Narid spoke softly, her voice filled with worry.
— You’ll catch my cold.
— I’m immune. I could roll naked in the snow, and I wouldn’t even sneeze.
— You don’t have to go that far, Narid.
— Oh, I’m off the clock now, Lady. I’m just Narid now.
Narid didn’t wait for permission. She slid under the blankets and lay beside Daphne. Though initially hesitant, Daphne soon leaned into Narid’s warmth, finding it comforting.
— I have an exam tomorrow.
— Oh my, is it that time already? But Lady, in this condition, you won’t even make it to school, let alone take the exam.
— I can’t afford to miss it.
— Why not? People get sick and need to rest sometimes.
— To find a good husband, I need good grades. And Mom said I’d only get what she promised if I graduated as valedictorian this year.
Daphne curled into herself, trembling slightly. Holding her close, Narid felt a pang of sadness. For someone so young, Daphne was burdened with worries that weren’t hers to bear.
From his spot in the room, Kilian finally spoke.
— You don’t need to think about marriage right now. Let go of those useless obsessions. This time, everything you need…
He faltered, his words trailing off.
— Huh? I think my ears are acting up. What did you just say?
Daphne looked at him, blinking in confusion, clearly not understanding.
Kilian sank into the chair beside her bed, pulling it closer. His large, calloused hand gently brushed her hair as if he were cradling something precious.
— When you’re sick, just rest. Don’t think about anything else.
*****
Daphne woke with a jolt, a shiver running down her spine.
Her eyes darted around instinctively, taking in the familiar surroundings of her main bedroom. The dim, sterile light of a single overhead bulb illuminated the room.
No one was there.
“Another dream like that…”
Her voice was hoarse, metallic. She sat up, rubbing her goosebump-covered arms in frustration.
And this bed—
— Isn’t she beautiful? I like women who cry like that.
This was the bed Celestian had once sprawled across while mocking her.
From outside the room came the faint sound of voices. Narid and Misha.
“Should we contact His Grace…?”
“Alright, I’ll…”
“But I don’t think he’d come over something like this…”
“…No choice, then…”
Daphne cleared her throat and raised her voice.
“NARID SERENADE!”
“Lady, you’re awake?”
The half-open door swung wide, letting in a warm orange glow. Daphne squinted as Narid rushed to her bedside.
Daphne sat curled on the bed, arms wrapped around her knees, her crimson hair spilling messily over her shoulders. Her golden eyes burned with frustration and exhaustion, glinting like a wounded predator’s.
She looked like a child robbed of something precious or searching for something lost—yet well-trained enough not to cry.
“Oh dear.”
“You—Narid, you—”
Narid immediately recognized the storm brewing. She had faced Daphne’s temper countless times but never grew immune to the pressure it carried. Without a second thought, she pulled Daphne into a tight embrace.
But her attempt to defuse the explosion failed.
Because no matter how much she tried, Narid could never truly overpower Daphne.
