Later that night, Hadrian went into the room he shared with Rheannon.
Rheannon who was reading closed her book as soon as Hadrian sat beside her.
"I thought you were asleep," Hadrian said.
Rheann shook her head. "I was waiting… for you," she said. She put the book aside. "How's the doctor?"
"Prince Axelle must have taken very good care of you." Until you can talk and walk like this, Hadrian added to himself. "The doctor said the initial state when you were found was sufficient..."
"Terrible. Serious. Can't be helped," Rheannon continued calmly.
"Yes." Hadrian's throat constricted from asking the question, "May I know how?"
"I won't… answer." Rheannon cleared her throat. "Later."
Hadrian slowly let out a long breath. Later, repeat in the heart. Either "later" will ever come to them or not. "Why later?" he continued to investigate.
Rheannon shrugged. "Peoples think… The King is good," she replied. "Including Your Grace."
"So you don't think the King is good?"
[If I answered yes, would you kill me?]
Rheannon's smile made Hadrian furrow his brows. "His Majesty the King's orders are not like that," he pressed with a hint of annoyance.
"What are… the orders?"
"I'm not going to answer that," Hadrian returned Rheannon's answer.
[Looks like we already know our positions in this battle.] Rheannon slowly lay down on the bed. Her eyes were still on Hadrian. "Was I right?"
Hadrian was also still looking back into her eyes. "I did what was best for Rexton," he said. "If King Rexton V shows unworthiness, I might as well turn away."
"There is doubt… in your heart."
"Yes, that's true," Hadrian confirmed without hesitation. "Since seeing Prince Axelle and..." Hadrian's eyes gazed deeper into Rheannon's golden eyes, "meet you."
"Under these circumstances," Rheannon continued.
"May I ask you something as your husband? Please stop reading my mind."
[I don't read your mind, Marquess Hadrian. Your thoughts and heart are seeping everywhere.] Rheannon whispered those words in an amused tone. "Strengthen your heart," she added. "Rest assured."
That is, be sure of one thing. Stick to one position. Don't stand in the middle.
"My heart… is that weak?" Hadrian whispered.
"Rest assured, Your Grace," Rheannon repeated more firmly. But then she smiled. [You better rest now. It must have been a tiring day for you too. Or do you still want to do something else?]
Hadrian closed his eyes for a moment, then lay down beside his wife. "The doctor said no."
"Is that so?" Rheannon looked amused. "I'm sorry… if that's disappointing."
"I wouldn't be disappointed over something like that," Hadrian said. He doesn't know why he was ashamed of himself. "The most important thing right now is your health. Duke Colton and the doctor have warned me."
"I'm glad… you're understanding." Rheannon was silent for a long time. "Because I don't… want to do… it either."
Hadrian's guess seems correct if Rheannon had guessed (or even knew) the King's real purpose. The King wanted another demon controller, their children. But what can Hadrian really do? This also concerns his future son. Hadrian was as saddened as Rheannon at the thought of their son's fate.
"We'd better not think about that now." Hadrian tilted his head, facing Rheannon. "It's only the first day of our marriage. We should be happy."
His hand slowly reached out, then rubbed Rheannon's head gently. Rheannon inched closer, nudging her head closer to Hadrian's rough hand. Such a response was not what Hadrian anticipated.
"Your hands… are rough," Rheannon commented. "But I like it."
That night, Hadrian kept rubbing Rheannon's head until his wife fell asleep.
***
Because Rheannon's condition yesterday was not good, Desmond lost the opportunity to be close to his new family member. Even the next day, today, Desmond still couldn't get close to Rheannon.
Apparently, his uncle's wife was very sick.
But, what Desmond secretly asked, why would his uncle who is a strong marquess of the border guards wants to marry a weak woman? It's not that Desmond hates Rheannon–Chas says she's his kind-hearted cousin, so Desmond believes it too. Desmond also enjoys being close to a demon controller for various reasons. It is just…
"Eh? About that? Hahaha. You'd better–uhm–Young Master ask His Grace himself." That was Ichabod's answer when Desmond asked.
"When the time comes, I will tell you." And, that was Hadrian's answer.
Desmond could sense that the people around him were hiding something about Rheannon's whereabouts. They were alert, restless, and, oddly enough, a little frightened. The appearance of Rheannon and all the news circulating about her sounds terrible, but Desmond doesn't think Rheannon is that scary.
Rheannon was just an ordinary woman. Right now she is even sick and very weak.
Desmond actually felt comfortable around Rheannon. The aura surrounding Rheannon felt different from most people. An aura that Desmond hadn't felt in a long time from anyone other than his late mother.
But why are people afraid of Her Ladyship? thought Desmond
"Yana, am I really not allowed to see Lady Rheannon now?" Desmond asked, picking leaves in the garden.
The maid who was accompanying him was immediately confused. "My apologies, Young Master. It was His Grace himself who told me not to get close to Her Ladyship," Yana replied. "There will definitely be a time."
When will that be? Desmond thought. Yet tomorrow they will start the journey back to Paiton.
"How about Young Master asks His Grace for permission again?" Yana's suggestion. "I heard from the other maids, Her Ladyship's condition is better than yesterday."
"Is that true?" Desmond's eyes lit up for a moment. "Where is His Grace now?"
Hadrian was in the stables, directly checking the condition of his horses who would take his group back to Paiton tomorrow. It made Desmond reluctant to approach, afraid to disturb. But before he could leave, Hadrian had called him first.
"What is it?" asked Hadrian.
Desmond watched his uncle for a moment. Since yesterday Hadrian has changed a bit. The dark aura around him was not as dense as it used to be. Desmond thought it was because of the sacred item he was wearing. But… there seems to be another reason.
"May I see Lady Rheannon this afternoon? Just a moment to say hello," Desmond asked.
Ichabod who was within earshot coughed at that.
Hadrian gave Ichabod a glare before turning back to Desmond. "You really want to see her, don't you?" he asked. Desmond nodded firmly in response. "Okay, you can accompany Rheannon to lunch in her room. But you have to remember that she can't talk and move much."
"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you, Uncle!"
Desmond immediately ran into the kitchen and asked for Rheannon's lunch. He wanted to be the one to deliver the lunch himself.
***
"That's terrible," Ichabod snorted. "Young Master Desmond calls his mother 'Lady'?"
Hadrian snorted. "Desmond calls me 'Uncle'. What's wrong with that?"
"You're family. Do you want to keep calling like that?"
"You know for yourself what His Majesty the King ordered," Hadrian reminded. "I don't think it's perfect to develop feelings that are too deep between Desmond and Rheannon."
"I'm sorry, Your Grace. But from what I see, Young Master Desmond is already in love with Madame Rheannon."
Madame Rheannon, Hadrian repeated to himself with an odd feeling. Since Rheannon was already his wife, she was now Lady Melchoir. Everyone in the townhouse had called it that, even though it sounded awkward at times–perhaps not used to it. But even Hadrian still refers to Rheannon by the name, "you", as well as "Lady", which Desmond later imitates.
"There's no harm in changing the call, Your Grace," said the stablekeeper who happened to be listening. "Young Master Desmond is still a child. He definitely needs a mother figure."
"Also a father," added Ichabod. "Sounds like a good time to change your calling."
Honestly, this kind of thing had never occurred to Hadrian before. He didn't mind being called anything with Desmond as long as it wasn't "Your Grace" or "My Lord".
"Changing the vocation could bring Your Grace closer to Young Master Desmond, you know."
Closer to Desmond! That was Hadrian's original goal of bringing Desmond all the way to this capital city. Well, in the end Desmond also got a new mother at once.
"Okay, I'll think about it later," said Hadrian. In his heart he was still confused about how to start the change of vocation in his new family.
As if he could read his mind, the stablekeeper spluttered, "For starters, Your Grace can change your address to Madame Rheannon in front of Young Master Desmond."
"What does it mean?"
The stablekeeper smiled meaningfully. "Start calling Madam 'my wife' or 'Dear'."
HUH?!