CH 15.6

Lila’s eyes opened of their own accord at dawn. She couldn’t tell when she’d fallen asleep, as he was even more feral than usual.

Still, Lucas was the reason she was awake. His body was very hot, as if he had a fever.

“What’s wrong, are you sure you’re okay?”

Muttering in a hushed voice, Lila slipped her hands into his forehead and nape.

He was so deeply asleep that he didn’t wake at her touch. If he was just sleeping, it wouldn’t be a concern, but his occasional grunt made her worry.

“Secret pouch,” Lila whispered softly against the crystal ring.

“Secret pouch.”

The pouch she had hidden in the ring Michael had made for her popped out. Opening it, she whispered again.

“☆☆レ☆.”

When she was Yoon Seol, she suffered from severe migraines from nervousness, so she always kept her medication in her makeup box. Not just her makeup box, but everywhere.

“Will this work?”

The box said it was for fevers caused by colds, so it seemed like a good idea to give it to him. Lila thought for a moment, then put her hand to Lucas’s forehead.

He was still flushed like someone with a feverish cold, and she reached for the pills.

Pouring water from the pitcher on the nightstand, Lila pondered again. She paused for a moment to consider how to give him the pill.

Bringing the pill to her mouth, she immediately parted Lucas’s lips and let the water run down them. But Lila was nervous, so she slipped her arm under his head to support him and poured more water over him.

He gulped, happy to have water in his sleep. As he reached for the water once more, he was suddenly turned over.

“I never thought my wife would tempt me like this…”

Lucas stared down at her, barely able to open his eyes.

“Are you awake?”

“Yeah…”

Judging by his slurred speech, he didn’t sound completely awake. Lila pushed his shoulder. Pulling herself up, she poured water into a cup and handed it to Lucas.

“Can I get you some more water? You’re so hot.”

Lucas mumbled as he took the cup from her.

“That’s how it is when I’m in heat, don’t worry.”

Emptying it in one gulp, he pressed his moisturized lips to hers.

“Sleep more.”

Lila said, pressing her body against his. Lucas looked up at her with wide eyes.

“It’s weird to be with someone when I’m in heat… It’s almost dreamlike…”

The speed of the horse slowed down and the sound became choppy. Lucas mumbled so softly that even he himself couldn’t understand what he was saying, and fell back asleep again.

Lila’s heart skipped a beat at his uncharacteristic defenselessness.

Nuzzling his cheek as he breathed evenly, she spoke softly.

“You’re cute…”

He chuckled softly, and she let out a long yawn as she rested her head on his arm. He was sleep deprived, she was too.

* * *

Lucas was immersed in thought as Vincent waited on him.

‘Why is the heat out of the cycle?’

Sure, being with Lila made him feel hot, but it was a different sensation altogether.

Until last night.

“Hmm…”

Lucas scratched his head as he checked his outfit in the mirror.

“Do you want me to get you some other clothes?”

Vincent asked, feeling that this was the attitude of someone who didn’t like the clothes.

“Vincent, do the capital mansions have alchemists?”

“There aren’t any in the current manor, you moved them all to the North last year.”

“I see… Well, I’ll have to use someone to send them to the north.”

“Yes, Duke.”

“It’s important, so speak to Owen and have him arrange it.”

“Yes, I understand.”

After fixing his cravat, Vincent bowed and left the room. Lucas ran a hand through his neatly coiffed hair before leaving the room.

They had woken up late and decided to have lunch together for their first meal.

As he made his way to her room with light steps, Lucas thought to himself, ‘I feel so good.’

When he had been in heat, the aftermath would linger until the next day, but he felt unusually well today.

A moment of doubt crossed his mind, but it was quickly dispelled by the sight of Lila coming out of her room.

“Wife.”

Lila was dressed lightly, her long hair hanging down, and the way it moved at his call reminded Lucas of a jacaranda.

“Lucas.”

Lila called, taking his hand. Lucas squeezed her hand lightly, feeling its warmth.

“The cool weather is nice today, so I asked to prepare us lunch in the garden, is that okay?”

“Sure. I wanted to eat outside today, too.”

Looking up at him with a smile, a thin silvery silk was wrapped around her neck. Lucas smiled at the way she had managed to cover up all the marks he had left behind last night.

The urge to mark her body so strongly that she couldn’t cover it up was overwhelming.

Lucas’s expression was grim as he considered his lustful thoughts. Lila quickly caught on and rolled her eyes.

“No.”

Lucas pretended to be annoyed and answered.

“It doesn’t seem like it’s not true.”

Despite his blunt tone, Lucas chuckled.

“It’s not that it’s not.”

“Hmm, really?”

“Yes, really.”

“Ha!”

Even Lila, who was lightly pinching his side, couldn’t hold back her laughter.

After lunch, Lucas and Lila headed out into the city center, her curiosity piqued when he mentioned that there was someone he wanted to introduce her to.

As they got out of the carriage and started walking, Lila asked.

“Who is it?”

“They’re the people you met once. I thought it would be good for you to meet them before you go into the beauty cream business.”

“I’ve met them before?”

“Yes.”

Lucas nodded slightly and headed to Branch 3.

Lila followed Lucas’s hand through the door and entered.

Her heart fluttered at the unfamiliarity. Besides the mansion, she’d only been in a few other places, and they were all shops.

She’d never been in an office like this before.

Lucas flung the door open.

“What? Duke!”

Inside the office were two men with bloodshot eyes, and Karin, whose eyes widened at the sight of Lila.

“Oh my God! Oh my God!”

Karin, who had been sitting on the couch, rubbing her chin in boredom, ran over to Lila excitedly.

“Look who it is!”

Karin exclaimed, grabbing Lila’s hand.

“Do you know how far I’ve been looking for you, and here we are, it’s so amazing…”

“Where you looking for me?”

“No, you know that cream you gave me back then, you know the one? I put it on and my face blossomed, just like a white rose in the morning dew.”

Karin sounded so cute, even quoting her hand gestures, that Lila just smiled wryly.

“I’m glad to hear you’re getting along with your skin.”

“What do you think you’re doing!”

Joshua exclaimed, jumping to his feet, startling Karin and Lila, who looked up, their eyes round.

“That’s enough.”

Lucas stopped Joshua. And Gale, who hadn’t been sleeping well lately, recognized them in hindsight.

“Huh? Aren’t you that couple from back then?”

Joshua’s eyes lit up and he snapped at Gale, who looked dazed.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Gale, you know who they are!”

“What, Mr. Branch Manager, what the…”

“Let go of her hand right now, Karin. She’s not the kind of person you can hold hands with recklessly.”

“I know.”

Lucas couldn’t stop Joshua. Not that he didn’t know his loyalty.

“Gale and Karin, must not know, but these are the Duke and soon-to-be Duchess of the North.”

“What?”

“Yes?”

Gale and Karin’s pupils widened at Joshua’s introduction.

“I mean, you’re the highest ranking member of the nobility.”

At Joshua’s helpless words, Karin released her grip on Lila’s hand and Gale jumped to his feet.

Lila gave Karin an embarrassed look as she hurried away. Lucas seemed to know what she wanted, but there was nothing he could do about it.

“Du, du, Duke! Hikk!”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize. Please forgive me this time!”

Like panicked people, Gale and Karin begged with contemplative faces. Lila let go of Lucas’s hand and walked over to Karin.

“Karin, I hope you don’t freak out too much, you didn’t know because we didn’t tell you, and I’m so sorry.”

“Come on, don’t apologize!”

Lila gently grabbed Karin’s hand. Karin’s mouth fell open as she watched her narrow her eyes.

Part of it was a surprise, but she was still mesmerized by the beautiful face. It was the same for Joshua, who watched Lila and Karin in a daze.

Lucas watched the commotion in disbelief, then walked over to Lila and took her hand.

She had another hand, but he took it out of Karin’s grasp. Then he said.

“Let’s sit down and talk.”

At Lucas’s glance, Joshua shook the bell. He trudged to the secretary who came in.

“Tea, get some tea.”

In an orderly fashion, Lucas, Lila, Karin, Gale, and Joshua drank tea in silence.

Lucas set his mug down and asked.

“So, how’s the training going?”

Joshua answered his question with a glare.

“I’ve been working on the training since the day you spoke to me. I can’t afford to slack off, but I need a little more time.”

“Hmph, I see. Yes, the education should be clear.”

“Thank you for your understanding, Duke.”

“Still, it must not be too late.”

Lucas smiled brightly at Gale, who was looking at him blankly.

“Did you hear the story well?”

“It’s…”

Gale still hadn’t quite gotten the picture. He recognized them as the couple they had met, but the fact that they were high ranking nobles that commoners like them would probably never see in their lifetimes was hard to accept.

“So, are you saying that these two will sell beauty creams?”

Lucas smiled softly at Lila’s question.

“Yes, they will.”

“Ah, in that case, do you think you could help me with something today?”

“Yes?”

Joshua reacted to her words. He was flustered that the training wasn’t over yet.

“Oh, it’s no big deal, just in case, and you’ll only need to help me while I’m doing the event.”

“This is the first time I’ve heard that?”

Lucas asked, unable to hide his surprise.

“Well, word of mouth is everything.”

Lila grabbed his hand and shook it, raising an eyebrow. Lucas could only smirk at her adorable behavior.

“Whatever you want, wife.”