When Orius and Valerie entered their room, the Duke's attention was immediately on his wife's neck. He made her sit on the couch and observed it right away.
"It's very small, not even that noticeable," Valerie said when she saw the concern in her husband's face.
"I'm sorry," Orius muttered as he finally shifted his gaze from her neck. "I should have control myself while you're in their hands but..."
"I saw that immense hatred in your eyes, Orius," Valerie pointed out before Orius could finish talking. "Do you know how much I hate myself when you were forced to lower yourself before him? You abhor that person more than anyone else and I can see that but... you kneeled and begged him because of me. I felt like dying at that time."
"That was nothing," Orius muttered as he caressed her face. Leaning closer, he planted a kiss on her forehead. "I will do anything to save you. My pride and hatred? I can put them away rather than lose you."
"Orius -"
