Chapter 84
Karden sighed lightly and ran his hand through his hair with a tired expression.
“Lady Etrin must have been troubled. I apologize for this situation.”
When Karden bowed his head respectfully, Olivia’s face turned as red as a ripe tomato.
“N-no, not at all. The Countess probably just wanted to see her grandson, Your Grace. I can understand that feeling.”
Olivia clasped her hands demurely and gazed up at Karden.
She looked so lovely and elegant that any man would likely fall for her at first sight.
“It’s wonderful that you’ve come to the capital. The Countess will be truly delighted.”
“Is that so?”
Karden responded stoically. An awkward silence fell again.
I observed the two of them carefully before cautiously speaking up.
“Actually, I asked Lady Olivia to become Your Grace’s healer.”
No sooner had I finished speaking than Karden roughly set down his teacup.
“Why would you make such a request? Shushu?”
His gaze toward me was as sharp as a blade. I was startled by his unexpectedly harsh reaction.
Is asking her to be a healer such a wrong thing to do?
Olivia quickly spoke up, as if trying to defend me.
“Ah, it came up during our conversation. Shushu mentioned that being a healer was too burdensome, so she asked me for help.”
“I see. Lady Etrin must be busy with your clerical duties, so please don’t concern yourself with this.”
Karden spoke in a businesslike tone with a rigid expression.
Olivia looked bewildered but clasped her hands together and looked at Karden.
“But… if I can be of help to Your Grace, I would gladly become your healer. Just let me know anytime.”
Perhaps Olivia’s sincerity reached him. Karden’s tense jaw relaxed slightly.
“For the capital’s finest healer to say such things, I am grateful.”
Karden stood up and bowed his head toward Olivia.
“I came today because of Shushu’s matter, so I’ll see you another time when the opportunity arises.”
He’s sending Olivia away already? That’s too quick. They should have more time to talk.
I was about to say something to Karden in my urgency, but Olivia stood up first.
“It was an honor to meet you, Your Grace. I look forward to seeing you again with the Countess next time.”
Olivia greeted Karden with a gentle smile, then gave me a warm eye-smile as well.
“Shushu, thank you for your help today. I’d like to invite you to a tea party soon, if that’s alright.”
“Kaang. Of course. I’m staying at the Grand Duke’s villa.”
“Yes. I’ll send an invitation.”
Olivia is truly a well-educated, dignified noble lady. She maintains her composure in any situation.
I watched admiringly as Olivia left the drawing room.
After she left, I glared at Karden.
“Why did you suddenly send Lady Olivia away?”
“That’s what I should be asking you, Shushu.”
Karden replied curtly, still with a stern expression.
“I heard you came to choose a dress today. Did you select one?”
Caught off guard by the sudden question, I answered reflexively.
“Huh? Oh, yes, I did choose one.”
“Then change into the dress and come out. I’ll wait in front of the carriage.”
His cold tone, like giving orders to a subordinate, made my blood boil. Why is he suddenly angry?
Karden left the drawing room without giving me a chance to speak.
I bared my teeth at the closed door in frustration.
“Kaaang! What’s wrong with him?”
Though irritated by Karden’s sudden cold attitude, I couldn’t leave behind the dress Yudis had chosen for me.
First, I transformed into human form and put on the chemise. When I rang the silver bell, a boutique employee entered.
With the employee’s help, I put on the corset, changed into the sky-blue dress, fixed my hair, and then went outside the boutique.
A four-wheeled carriage was waiting in front of the boutique’s main entrance, with Karden standing before it.
He still had a serious expression, his face deep in thought.
Sensing my presence, Karden looked up. I could clearly see his pupils trembling for a moment.
Karden opened his lips as if to say something, then firmly closed them.
He lowered his gaze and extended his hand to escort me into the carriage.
I carefully climbed into the carriage, holding the layered lace dress.
He was still avoiding eye contact with me.
What’s wrong with him?
I couldn’t understand why Karden was angry.
Now, beyond anger, tears welled up from a sense of injustice.
When the carriage door closed, it slowly began to move.
I sat in the corner of the spacious carriage seat, deliberately not looking toward Karden.
While I was gazing at the splendid scenery of the capital passing by quickly, Karden spoke.
“Shuvelia. Look at me.”
A low but deep voice called me. Already thoroughly upset, I pretended not to hear him and stared out the window.
I heard movement, then Karden’s large hand grasped my chin.
My face was forcibly turned to meet his eyes. In those eyes, confusion and anger were swirling together.
“Your Grace…?”
“Why did you ask Lady Etrin to become my healer? What does that mean?”
I bit my lower lip hard. My mind was in turmoil about how to explain to him.
But at times like this, a direct approach is needed. Let me be honest.
“Because I want to quit being your healer.”
At my resolute statement, Karden’s eyes trembled slightly with visible shock.
“You want to quit being my healer?”
The hand holding my chin loosened slightly. I escaped from his grasp and straightened my posture.
“It’s because I lack ability. Originally, I’m not a healer but a shapeshifter. I thought you needed a professional healer.”
Karden’s thick neck tensed.
Was it my imagination that flames flickered in his eyes as if to devour me?
“Haa, that’s for me to judge. I told you that you’re my only dedicated healer.”
I lowered my gaze and clasped my hands tightly.
“You told me before to stay in the capital. Since I can’t be your healer while in the capital, I recommended Lady Olivia as my replacement.”
“That meant staying in the capital for about a year. I was planning to stay in the capital for half a year too.”
Ah… so that’s what he meant.
The meaning of what he said at the villa on our way to the capital.
But nothing changes.
If I stay by Karden’s side, I might crave his magic even more.
I’m most afraid of becoming like an evil spirit craving magic.
Steadying my wavering, weakening heart, I forced out the words I hadn’t yet spoken.
“I… can’t do it.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Facing Karden’s pressing manner, I forced strength into my shoulders that wanted to shrink.
“I’m not healing you; I’m stealing your magic. Like prey… It would be better to have a stable healer instead of me!”
That was my sincere truth.
I don’t know why my heart aches so much with each word I speak.
But I want to prevent him from being harmed because of me.
Suddenly, Karden grabbed my shoulders. I was pulled into his embrace.
“I don’t care. Even if I become your prey.”
“Y-Your Grace…”
I tried to tell him not to say such nonsense, but my lips were blocked by his hot lips rushing roughly against mine.
“Shuvelia…”
My name, flowing from his mouth,h sounded so desperate that my lips parted involuntarily.
His large hands gripped both my shoulders.
His lips covering mine hungrily were so hot they seemed like they would leave burn marks.
He cupped my cheeks and breathed into my parted lips.
A moan escaped me as I struggled to breathe.
The sensation sweeping through my mouth made my head melt like wet clay.
The carriage rattled and shook at high speed, my hair tangled against the carriage wall, and my new dress wrinkled mercilessly.
The carriage filled with hot breaths. The windows fogged up from the humidity created by our heat.
Karden buried his lips in the nape of my neck. The sensation of his hot lips made my fine hairs stand on end.
Karden placed his nose against my collarbone and breathed deeply.
“I can’t be without you, Shuvelia.”
His low murmuring voice was so desperate that it took my breath away.
“Eat all of me to your heart’s content. I’ll gladly give you everything. So, never again say you’ll leave my side.”
“Karden…”
He cupped my cheeks and fiercely explored my lips as if to devour everything.
Pressed against the carriage wall, I fully received his kiss. Clinging to his collar, I could only let out sweet moans.
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