Chapter 13
‘Ah.’
The shrill sound of glass echoing in the peaceful banquet hall made Molitia close her eyes. In a short time, people’s booing and the Count’s angry voice quickly ran through her head.
“You must be exhausted.”
Instead of the sound of glass shattering in Molitia’s ears, the Duke’s voice was heard. When her closed eyelids were lifted, he placed the now spilled and empty glass on a nearby table.
“Otherwise, you would not have made such a silly mistake.”
He wiped his wet hands with a napkin. He frowned after he had rubbed his hands several times to remove the sensation left due to the sweet champagne.
“You’re tired, right?”
“Ah yes.”
She answered faster than she. It was right to say that she didn’t know herself because her own words overwhelmed her. She looked at him without even thinking whether he felt the overwhelming energy of the surrounding people.
“As expected.”
He relaxed his expression as if he liked Molitia’s answer.
“I’m afraid we’d better take a break for now.”
“Yes.”
She was sure that Count Clemence would scold her for disappearing before the reception was over, but it was important for Molitia to know how to survive from the Duke in front of her.
“My wife seems to be exhausted. May I take her?”
“Of course, Duke.”
The wives who were talking to Molitia excused her. Molitia, who had quickly stepped out of the reception hall because of Duke Linerio’s neat escort, looked around. The cold air touched her face.
“There is a room here.”
Her eyes questioned the Duke’s words, and the Duke’s brows slightly frowned, not knowing what he wanted.
“We could take a breath there, let’s get some rest.”
“Oh, yes.”
Molitia, trying to move at his words, frowned. The pain she had forgotten was felt strongly in her feet now. She took several steps while pretending to be calm, but in the end, she stood still.
The Duke ahead turned his head when the footsteps behind him stopped.
“What’s the matter?”
“That…”
Molitia Mumbled. Only a few hours ago, he threatened her to behave well. It was hard to tell him to move slowly as her feet hurt.
As Molitia’s reluctance continued, the Duke sighed and approached her.
“What is it?”
“I’ve remembered I have something to do. Go ahead, and I’ll follow you.”
“Do you know where the room is?”
Molitia was speechless again. He sighed when it became clear that she didn’t know the way.
“What do you need to do?”
“That…”
She hesitated but eventually stretched out her feet, which had been covered in a bountiful skirt. His pupils dilated when her swollen feet were revealed under the smoothly stretched calf.
“Why are you like this? Who stepped on you?”
“No. I was wearing new shoes.”
Can this be done by wearing new shoes? One of the Duke’s eyebrows lifted. He has tried new shoes several times, but his feet have never been swollen. He had neither seen nor heard of such a thing.
He sat down as he stared at her feet with a frowning expression. Moving the frightened Molitia a few steps back and carefully lifted her foot to observe.
Perhaps because of the white skin, the reddish wound looked more prominent. In particular, the wound on the heel had blisters and peeled skin.
“You were walking with these legs.?”
A small crack was carved into the Duke’s forehead. It was questionable how the foot that was a little bigger than his palm could hold her up properly.
If left like this, they may walk in the hallway all day long. The Duke thought so and stood up.
“Ah, wait!”
As he stood up, he hugged Molitia and lifted her. Surprised, she made a small protest, but the Duke stopped it.
“I don’t think so. Just hold on.”
His words shut her up. She couldn’t bring herself to speak in front of the angry Duke.
He made it to the lounge where it would have taken a long time for Molitia to reach on her own. The Duke, who opened the door, looked around and found a soft-looking sofa before putting her down there.
“Thank you…”
“There must be some emergency medicine.”
He turned away, not answering her, and as he looked around, he took out a medicine box on the side of the lounge.