Episode 27 – Good Night, and…
Mellie couldn’t remember much about how she reached the hospital.
All she recalled was dismounting her horse, telling the guard at the entrance she was from the Duke of Felton’s residence, handing over the reins, and crossing the lobby. Then, she realized she had no idea about the hospital’s layout.
She wandered, unsure of where to go, and found no one around until she finally spotted a nurse on duty. Mellie felt so relieved that she almost hugged her.
“Who are you looking for?” the nurse asked in a blunt tone.
“Edric Felton,” Mellie replied.
The nurse scrutinized Mellie, her expression had a mix of displeasure and curiosity.
“What is your relationship with the Duke?”
Mellie instinctively knew this was an important question. She hesitated briefly before responding firmly, “I’m his fiancée.”
The nurse’s eyes widened in surprise, and her demeanor shifted. Her gaze softened, and her voice became more polite.
“You should’ve said that earlier. Follow me, Miss Rosalind.”
Mellie froze at that name. It was clear the world still believed Edric would marry Rosalind. But at that moment, it didn’t matter.
As long as Edric was safe, Mellie was willing to be anyone’s stand-in, even Rosalind ’s.
“First, you should change your clothes. Catching a cold wouldn’t be good for you—or for the Duke’s recovery,” the nurse said, guiding Mellie to a small changing room and handing her a spare lady’s dress.
Mellie silently obeyed. Her thoughts were consumed by Edric.
The dress hung loosely on her frame, much like every other piece of clothing that wasn’t truly hers.
“The Duke needs absolute rest. Please don’t startle or excite him,” the nurse added before finally leading Mellie to the door of what appeared to be the finest room in the hospital.
“Yes, I’ll be careful,” Mellie promised earnestly.
As the nurse disappeared down the corridor, Mellie suddenly remembered she hadn’t asked about Edric’s condition.
“Um…!” she called after her, but the nurse was already gone.
Now there was no choice but to check on him herself.
Mellie took a deep breath and knocked softly on the door.
There was no response.
Is he sleeping? she wondered.
She carefully opened the door and stepped inside. The room was dim, lit only by the soft glow of a single oil lamp. Mellie approached the bedside, her heart pounding.
As she had suspected, Edric was asleep.
His chest rose and fell under the blanket, and an IV line was connected to his wrist, dripping fluid from a suspended glass bottle. His face was pale, and his lips dry—an unfamiliar fragility in the man she had known for ten years.
Mellie’s heart ached.
‘So you slept with me with no intention of marrying me?’
She recalled his words bitterly.
She blinked back her tears, her emotions were overwhelming her.
“Sob…” A soft cry escaped her lips, and she quickly covered her mouth. She couldn’t let her tears soak the blanket.
She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, trying to regain composure. She’d cried more in the past few days than in her entire life.
Good night, she thought to herself.
“And…” she whispered aloud, leaning closer.
‘I love you,’ she wanted to say.
But she couldn’t. Her timid nature held her back, even when Edric was asleep and wouldn’t hear her.
Next time, Mellie promised herself. When he’s fully recovered, I’ll tell him. And I’ll make sure I look better when I do that.
Turning to leave, Mellie’s steps halted when something warm wrapped around her wrist.
Before she could react, she was pulled down onto the bed. Her body twisted, and she found herself face-to-face with Edric’s deep blue eyes.
“And?” he murmured, his voice was low and raspy.
“Good night. And… What were you going to say next, Mellie?”
“Well… weren’t you asleep?” Mellie stammered, while attempting to get up.
But Edric didn’t loosen his grip around her waist.
“Good night, and…?” he repeated, his tone teasing.
“What were you going to say next?”
Mellie swallowed hard. I love you.
But once the moment had passed, it was too difficult to summon the courage again.
“I… I was going to tell you to get better soon,” she lied.
“…Really?” Edric raised an eyebrow, unconvinced.
“Y-yeah. Really.”
He finally released her, but Mellie hesitated to sit up.
Edric straightened, grimacing slightly.
“Are you hurt badly?” Mellie asked, concerned, while placing a cushion behind him.
“Not really.”
“But—”
“See for yourself.”
To Mellie’s shock, Edric unbuttoned his hospital gown and revealed a stitched wound on his chest.
“You’re… seriously hurt,” she whispered, trembling.
“It’s nothing. This is minor compared to war wounds,” Edric replied nonchalantly, buttoning his gown again.
Mellie struggled to suppress her tears. She didn’t want to upset him further.
“You’re right,” she said softly. “Come to think of it, you’ve endured worse before.”
Edric gazed at her, his eyes warm under the faint light.
“Wait,” he said as she turned to leave.
“…What is it?”
“Stay. Stay here just a little longer,” he murmured.
Mellie hesitated, but the vulnerability in his voice made her relent.
“Come here. Sit next to me,” he said, patting the space on the bed.
She obeyed, as if under a spell.
