Lady Felice’s Secret Class - Chapter 76

Felice pressed the back of her hand to her forehead—sure enough, she felt feverish. Maybe it was just the exhaustion from yesterday catching up to her, but it seemed she’d caught a cold.

Her whole body ached, and her head felt heavy and foggy.

“A summer cold, of all things…”

Shivering, Felice wrapped herself tighter in the covers and swallowed hard.

Knock, knock.

“Miss Felice?”

Just when she needed help, the sound of a knock and the butler Ben’s voice came from outside her door.

“Uh… Yes, Butler. Cough, cough. Please, come in.”

Felice managed to answer and struggled to sit up.

“Oh dear… You’re not feeling well, are you? Are you alright?”

Ben, who was standing at the door, urged her to stay in bed and assured her it was fine.

“I’m okay. What brings you…?”

“I just noticed you skipped breakfast and I was concerned. Let me call the doctor.”

“No, it’s alright. It’s just a cold.”

Felice gave a tired smile, suppressing a cough.

“If you could just bring me a cup of warm water, I’d really appreciate it.”

She looked at Ben apologetically.

“A cup of warm water? Of course. Please, just stay in bed for now.”

Ben hurried off down the hall. He stopped a passing maid and asked her to take a cup of warm water to Miss Felice, then immediately went up to the third floor and knocked on Claude’s study door.

“Master, it’s Ben.”

“…Come in.”

Claude, seated at his desk looking over something, looked up.

“Miss Felice has caught a cold…”

“A cold?”

Claude shot up from his chair.

“Yes, she’s unwell. I was just about to call for the doctor—”

“Do it, right now.”

Without waiting, Claude brushed past Ben and hurried out to the second floor.

Ben stared blankly at the open door, realizing he’d need to keep a much closer watch on gossip among the staff from now on.

He pressed his fingers to his forehead and sighed.

* * *

Claude had just reached the second floor when he ran into a maid carrying a tray with a steaming cup of hot water.

“Good morning, Master.”

“That water—is it for Felice?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I’ll take it.”

Claude took the tray from her without another word and headed straight for Felice’s room.

He knocked, waiting for a response, and soon heard Felice’s hoarse voice from inside.

“Felice, I brought you some water.”

“Ah… Cl-Claude? Cough, cough Ah! One moment, please!”

“Just stay in bed. I’m coming in.”

“No, wait—!”

Felice rustled around inside for a moment before the door opened.

Maybe it was the fever, but her face was tinged with pink. Claude’s brow furrowed in concern, but he quickly stepped inside, set the tray on her nightstand, and handed her the cup.

“Are you feeling really sick? Maybe you caught something at the hospital yesterday. They say hospitals are full of germs… I shouldn’t have let you come with me. I could’ve gone alone.”

Felice smiled faintly and insisted she was fine, though she looked even more delicate than usual.

Claude told her to lie down, but she insisted she could sit up, settling lightly on the edge of the bed.

“I’m okay. I’m a little weak, but it’s not too bad.”

But as soon as she finished speaking, Claude reached out and placed his hand on her forehead.

“You’re burning up… Just wait for the doctor. Take your medicine, and rest today.”

At that moment, Felice let herself lean into his cool hand, closing her eyes and letting out a soft sigh.

“…Your hand feels so nice and cool.”

Claude froze at those words. He swallowed hard, suddenly aware that the two of them were alone in her small room.

Of course, Felice was sick, and any thoughts running through his head had better stay there.

“Drink your water and lie back down. The doctor will be here soon.”

Felice nodded, her eyes fluttering open as she leaned back a little. Claude watched to make sure she sipped her water.

Maybe because she was sick, even her lips seemed pale and slack. As Felice swallowed, a trickle of water escaped her lips, running down her white throat.

Claude involuntarily took a sharp breath.