“Are you okay? Why are you suddenly like this?”
“…I’m fine… I’m okay…”
Her voice was so faint that she doubted if Daryl could hear it. She pushed against Daryl’s chest with both hands, struggling to stand on her own, but he pulled her close.
“Just lean on me. Don’t move.”
Daryl held Elinor’s waist with one hand, and with the other, he cradled her head against his chest. She could feel his entire body pressed against hers. Listening to his heartbeat, she felt her condition gradually calming down.
It was strange. He was someone she despised and felt uncomfortable with.
“Eleanor.”
“…..”
“Eleanor. Are you really okay?”
“…Yes. I’m okay. If I just rest like this for a bit…”
Her voice was still weak. Daryl frowned.
‘Damn, why is she like this.’
It was the same at the palace banquet. She suddenly collapsed while they were dancing, and he was shocked. Her face was pale, and she slumped in his arms, and his heart sank.
He thought she was just too disgusted with him. If she was so repulsed that her body was reacting like this just from dancing with him, he wanted to ask why she came in the first place.
But that wasn’t the reason. It couldn’t be. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be trusting him with her body like this.
It must have been the palace’s fault. No doubt about it. Daryl gritted his teeth quietly.
Maybe Eleanor has some serious illness. Why didn’t he think of that sooner? He should have shown her to the family doctor as soon as they returned from the palace that day.
Despite the anger brewing within him, there was another issue that was currently making Daryl uncomfortable. It was the fact that Eleanor’s body was excessively soft to the touch, and just being aware of the points of contact between their bodies was enough to make his head spin with heat. Moreover, an indiscernible sweet scent emanated from her body.
He wasn’t someone who sympathized with unknown women, so why was he feeling this way?
Eleanor let out a soft sigh, and her voice sounded strangely alluring, sending a shiver down his spine.
‘What the hell am I doing to a vulnerable woman, damn it.’
Even silently cursing himself didn’t improve the situation. Instead, he felt a gradual, heavy pressure building at his core. The thought of Eleanor realizing what was happening made his head spin. If she were to push him away and look at him with disdain, he felt he wouldn’t be able to bear it.
Just then, Eleanor moved back, and it felt as if the blood in his entire body was chilling.
“Eleanor.”
He was about to make excuses, to explain that it was a misunderstanding. However, Eleanor’s expression, contrary to Daryl’s concerns, was calm.
“Thank you. I think I’m okay now.”
“Really? Are you truly okay?”
Daryl asked seriously, but Eleanor just looked at him blankly without responding.
“Why? Is there still something wrong?”
“No… no, there isn’t.”
Eleanor bowed her head quietly. Then, a rare, genuine smile appeared on her face, one that she had never shown to Daryl before. It was the same smile she had while painting Daryl’s portrait.
“Thank you for worrying, Daryl.”
Seeing that smile, he felt a sudden shortness of breath. Even though Eleanor had long left his embrace, the excitement he had thought had subsided was reigniting.
What was happening? What had come over him?
“Daryl? What’s wrong?”
Eleanor tilted her head and asked. Daryl, in his confusion, inadvertently avoided her gaze.
“…No. Let’s go. You should rest.”
As soon as Daryl finished speaking, he turned his back on Eleanor and started walking. Therefore, he could not see that Elinor’s expression, as she watched his retreating figure, was faintly turning gloomy.
****
Not long after returning to the mansion, a doctor came to Eleanor’s room. It was Douglas Hardy, the family doctor of the Duke’s house. He was a middle-aged man with a thin build and graying hair.
After examining Eleanor, Hardy asked.
“How long have you been experiencing these symptoms?”
“I think it first happened on my wedding day. The second time was about two months ago, when I went to the palace banquet… Both times I was in front of many people, so I thought that was the reason.”
“Did you have the same symptoms today?”
“I’m not sure. It was similar, but much weaker… and it calmed down quickly.”
“Can you describe the situation when the symptoms appeared?”
Eleanor hesitated for a moment before answering. She distinctly remembered that her condition had worsened dramatically the moment she recalled Daryl’s harsh words. However, she was reluctant to tell Hardy about it directly.
“I… remembered something unpleasant. I was quite shocked at the time, but I didn’t have any symptoms… Today, when I thought about what happened then, my condition suddenly worsened.”
“When did that happen?”
“It wasn’t that long ago. Maybe about six months…”
Hardy seemed to think for a moment before opening his mouth again.
“The examination results show that there seems to be nothing wrong with your body. It seems like the symptoms are caused by a psychological issue.”
It was the same diagnosis that Daryl had heard from the palace doctor. Eleanor lowered her eyes quietly.
“…I see.”
“Try to avoid situations that trigger symptoms as much as possible. As you said, avoid places with many people, and try to keep your mind at ease. If you feel like you’re going to have symptoms, take a rest in a quiet place right away. I’ll prescribe a calming medicine, so take it for a while.”
“Yes, I understand. Thank you.”
After Hardy bowed and left the Hibiscus Room, Emily, who had been listening with a worried expression, approached Eleanor.
“Madam. Are you okay? Are you feeling very unwell?”
“No, I’m fine. It’s only happened twice so far. Today wasn’t too severe…If I don’t go out and stay at home, I’ll be fine.”
Eleanor said with a smile as if it was nothing serious.
‘…So that’s why the Madam has been staying in the mansion all this time.’
Emily was disgusted with her own stupidity. She had been cursing her master for keeping the seemingly healthy madam locked up in the mansion all the time.
“Please let me know right away if you feel unwell again. You must.”
“Okay. Emily. Thank you.”
Looking at Emily, who was making a firm resolution, Eleanor smiled again.
****
“How was it?”
In response to Daryl’s question, Hardy said the same thing he had told Eleanor earlier. After hearing the explanation, Daryl furrowed his brows.
“So what? Can it be cured, or not?”
“Unlike physical illnesses, mental illnesses cannot be cured immediately with medication or surgery. Even if you think you’re better, you never know when it might recur. You need to avoid situations that trigger symptoms as much as possible and create a stress-free environment. The role of those around you is important for this, including you, Duke.”
“…What do you mean?”
“It means you should be careful not to upset or shock the Duchess.”
“…..”
[Promise me that you won’t speak harshly to the Madam today, as usual. When I saw her last time, she seemed very upset because of your words.]
The words Herbert had said a while ago flashed through his mind. Daryl’s mouth quietly twisted.
[But I didn’t say anything unpleasant today. ……I don’t think I did.]
No, did he? He wasn’t sure because he was confused.
Daryl calmed his mind and thought again. Indeed, he hadn’t. Eleanor didn’t seem particularly upset either. She even thanked him for his concern at the end.
As he recalled her face, looking up at him with a smile, he felt a sudden heat in his head.
Hardy, who had been quietly watching Daryl, broke the silence.
“…I’ve prescribed medication, so there’s no need to worry too much. Just keep in mind what I’ve told you. I’ll take my leave now.”
After bowing to Daryl, Hardy also greeted Herbert, who was standing next to him, and left the room.
“Master.”
“Don’t say anything.”
“…..”
Herbert looked at Daryl with a worried gaze. Daryl was frowning, staring somewhere out the window at the setting sun.
