Chapter 44
Floria’s hand paused mid-meal as she silently gazed outside.
The head maid attending to her leaned in and spoke.
“He’ll be fine.”
Her voice was steady.
At the elderly woman’s words, Floria looked up at her.
“Do you think so?”
“Yes. There have been times far worse than this.
Before His Grace reorganized the Sieff forces, there were truly dangerous situations.
But His Grace always returned safely.”
“But he has been injured before.”
She had seen the large scar on his waist in the bedroom.
That scar, longer than a handspan, was the mark of a sharp blade.
To say he always returned safely seemed contradicted by such vivid evidence.
“Yes, he has. That was when His Grace was younger.
They say he went to the battlefield without fear and fought.
I only heard the stories from the soldiers, but…”
“…”
“It was a time when he feared nothing.
But now, things are different.
The country has calmed down significantly since then.
There’s no need for Your Grace to worry.”
Though the elderly woman spoke firmly, Floria remained anxious.
Realistically, if he were to disappear, what would become of her position?
Such thoughts might arise, but her feelings went beyond that.
Thinking of Aidan brought a fearful, aching sensation to her chest.
Just imagining him returning with a more severe injury made her vision darken and her breath catch.
However, voicing further concerns to Grace wouldn’t change anything.
She had to maintain her dignity as the Grand Duchess.
At Grace’s words, Floria forced a bitter smile and set down the fork she was holding.
“That’s reassuring.
Thank you for preparing the meal.”
At Floria’s words, Grace slightly raised her eyebrows.
“Are you finished eating?”
“I have no appetite.”
“Please try to eat a bit more.”
It seemed she was worried, even though Floria had gained some weight since coming here.
“His Grace instructed that meals be prepared for Your Grace even in his absence.”
“Everything was delicious.”
The fragrant and soft bread pudding, thick smoked ham, hot tea, and cold juice were enough to make one’s mouth water.
There was so much to eat that it was hard to decide where to start.
So, her lack of appetite today wasn’t due to insufficient food.
“That’s enough for today.”
“But…”
Grace looked at Floria’s slender forearm.
“Shall I prepare some sweets instead?”
“It’s fine. You may go.”
With that, she placed the napkin down, and only then did Grace retreat.
Even after several more days, Aidan did not return.
On the night marking the eighth day of his absence, Floria wandered the garden until sunset and then waited by the window in her bedroom.
Around midnight, she dozed off.
Creak.
The sound of the door opening.
Floria, in a light sleep, quickly sat up.
During the day, perhaps, but at night, no attendants or other staff would enter the Grand Duke’s bedroom.
Entering without knocking was strictly forbidden.
Yet, someone was entering suddenly.
“Aidan?”
In the perfect darkness meant for sleep, a sharp sound accompanied a burst of flame.
A faint light appeared at the entrance, likely from a lit candle.
“Why aren’t you asleep?”
His low voice.
Her toes trembled at that voice.
And the unique scent that only Aidan carried filled the room.
It was him.
He had returned.
She stepped down from the bed and approached the light, revealing a man draped in a cloak.
“You’re back.”
“Yes.”
Seeing her husband’s face for the first time in over a week, her heart, which had been still, finally beat again. Fortunately, he appeared unscathed and neat.
Initially, the thought of marrying him was dreadful, but now, his absence was unbearable.
She regretted mentioning the deer story.
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