If I Disobey the Duke

The wind that hides in the tower (2)

Her eyes were itchy in the sunlight.

“Lily.”

A muffled low-pitched sound tickled her ears. Lily, who had been buried in her bed, opened her round eyes and stretched.

As he sat down on the bed, her body leaned to one side. Then she turned around and looked at him.

At first glance, as usual, he looked neat, but it was only after she regained her focus that Lily quickly realized her husband’s condition.

“Perhaps… Did you stay up all night? Are you sleeping now?”

“I came in just to see your face. I had to leave right away, so I woke you up.”

She got up and sat down. The blanket that covered her shoulders slid down and crumpled around her waist. The neckline slid down one side of her shoulder because of her baggy nightgowns.

Lily looked at him anxiously. “Do you have no time to close your eyes?”

“Something happened in the morning. I probably won’t be able to come in for a while.”

His expression was quite dark. He turned her head away from her, as if trying to hide his expression.

When she pressed on something to the limit, such a characteristic gaze leaked out. The indifferent eyes pushed all emotions to the side. And as if not wanting to be found out about it, he closed his eyes gently and then opened them.

Fortunately, Lily was still not fully awake.

She yawned slightly and mumbled. “You haven’t slept well since I did. I’m worried…”

“Instead, I will wake you up every morning and go.”

“Yeah?” She opened her eyes “No. You don’t have to come in every morning because it’s too much. Now I don’t really care if you’re not here.”

“…”

Vlad’s eyes narrowed. Thanks to a complete awakening from her sleep, Lily was now able to interpret his gaze at a glance.

This was a distinctive look when she gave an answer he didn’t like.

… I don’t think there was anything that could be a problem in our conversation…?

“Does that mean that you are no longer lonely without me?”

She nodded her head proudly. “Yeah. Of course.”

“…Are you really okay without me?”

“…Ah.” At that moment, Lily realized his meaning.

Her eyes grew round like drops of water, and then a scorching heat rose from her neck and colored her cheeks.

“No. Not really,” she grunted with her mouth slightly open.

His heart—which he had not known could be like this until now—was beating wildly.

The corners of her lips trembled, then she bit her lips tightly. She wiggled her toes in her blanket.

“If you want to see me, I can go to you on my own… Because I wouldn’t want to disturb you from work…?”

“…”

“Because I think of you, I’m sure it’ll be favorable for you. Well, so… ”

It felt like a heated cloud was floating in her head, so the words couldn’t come out.

Lily finally looked up at him shyly, biting her lower lip.

The corners of his lips twitched. “Then that’s it.”

Finally, her lips drew an arc as if it was difficult to control her feelings.

“You kept thinking about me, and if you want to see me, you come to see me.”

The tone seemed to have changed subtly. Anyway, the fundamental meaning was not different, so Lily nodded her head awkwardly.

Seeing her feel better in an instant, his heart tickled.

That’s weird. Something a bit…

I think it’s cute.

He didn’t know anything about it, but his stomach was very itchy and strange. If he left her alone, he felt like his body was going to be twisted.

She, who had been shaking her feet for nothing, finally lifted her head. The moment their eyes met in the air, he wrapped his arms around her neck and crouched down.

Instinct knew first what it meant.

Lily slowly closed her eyes. As the shadow approached, a soft, warm touch fell on her forehead.

“…”

It was a short forehead kiss.

She slowly opened her eyes and saw him. Under the thick, straight eyebrows, the eyes were sharp like a sword. And the gray eyes inside.

Lily blinked. Belatedly, her face brightened with fire.

Am I the only one expecting…?

She wanted to bury her face in the pillow in embarrassment. Lily lowered her head as if trying to hide her blushing face.

He grinned as he ruffled her hair. “It was good that you will come to see me. Also.”

All the unpleasant things that started this morning seemed to have disappeared somewhere far away.

The feeling that had disturbed his stomach was also changed to a different color in an instant. Clear green like her eyes, pink like her lips. Anyway, it changed.

She slowly raised her head and looked at him again.

His eyes were sincere. He seemed to be looking at something truly precious.

Her heart pounded once more. “Uhm, Vlad. How about going a little later? In an hour….”

At that moment, a voice came from the door that they had not heard in a long time. “When are you going to let me in? I’ve been riding horses day and night for a week, but I slept on the stone floor with the Conde in the next room, and I’m dizzy and I can’t live. I will just give up. Hello, everyone…”

Vlad furrowed his dark eyebrows.