Chapter 36

Knox shot a glare at the noisy butler, but he soon turned around when Vivian was tossing and turning herself.

He settled her in an utmost comfortable posture that was possible before caressing her hair.

It was just lovely to see this red-haired lady who was breathing ever so softly. It would have been far better if only he could see it in much detail. His hand, which was filled with desire, eventually moved downwards.

The Grand Duke had opened his eyes wide enough to contain almost everything as he touched those coveted cheeks of hers, just before his face turned into an expression of wonder.

The texture of her cheek was a tad different from that of yesterday’s as he held her in his hand. When he touched it even closely, it definitely felt like it was a little bit swollen. At least, it was better than the bulging cheek she had before, but still, it was undeniably true that she had been hit—mercilessly.

The Grand Duke then moved his hand as slowly as possible. His hand slid down to her neckline before touching Vivian’s arm softly. When he was caressing her arm, his hand had unexpectedly discovered a bandage. Eventually, his doubt was overturned with certainty.

Did you get beaten again?

The Grand Duke immediately frowned. The rumors that were surrounding the Count and his wife were just plain obvious.

Greedy and selfish. He had always thought that they were exactly the same as those other nobles who had been stuffing their stomachs up, which was why he believed that there were no differences in choosing either one of them. Even though Knox had already known how the couple—the Count and his wife—had a terrible temper, he disregarded it entirely.

Nevertheless, it was absolutely different now. Even if they were her own parents, it was utterly unacceptable for them to be striking on a girl who would soon become his. The fact that she had been hit this much was enough to tug at Knox’s heartstrings.

He raised his hand once again before touching Vivian’s eyes affectionately. Knox’s expression took a more serious turn when he felt a bump, which wasn’t there before.

“Why on earth……”

Are you trying to cover up the facts? Knox could only swallow those words, instead of saying them aloud as he proceeded to hug Vivian tightly.

Having said that, Vivian still didn’t open her eyes. She could have opened her eyes due to the suffocating hug of his, but she was breathing steadily as she slept like a log instead.

And you are now sleeping without a care in the world. He burst into a quiet laughter as he recalled how adamantly she was while holding back her urge to sleep.

As he slid even closer, her burning warmth was reaching even towards Knox himself. Hence, Knox carefully placed his hand on her forehead before he knitted his eyebrows—hard.

“Perhaps I should just call him.”

Knox then began to cautiously raise himself in order not to wake Vivian up, before calling upon his butler yet again.

***

As her heavy body gradually became lighter, sounds had begun to resonate within the surrounding area.

Vivian had already accustomed herself to sleep quite well despite not being in a soundproof room. However, it was strangely disturbing for her at that particular moment. The murmurs seemed like they didn’t want to wake her up, but as the whispers grew louder by the second, she eventually opened her eyes.

“Oh, you’re up.”

Vivian unknowingly drew a smile towards Knox, who was approaching her as soon as she was already conscious.

“Your condition wasn’t that good, so you got treated by a physician.”

“A physician….?”

It only took a mere moment. Vivian, who was pondering on Knox’s words, immediately turned her eyes. The person who was right next to him straight away smiled at Vivian as he greeted her amiably.

“It’s me, My Lady. Do you remember me?”

Vivian’s face stiffened in contrast to the laughter of that person who had shown up right at that moment. Without a doubt, he was the same physician who had treated her yesterday.

My hat! Vivian quickly fumbled over her head.

She wanted to hide her face by pressing her hat down, but there was absolutely nothing on her head. To begin with, under no circumstances would Knox allow her to wear such an uncomfortable hat to sleep.