My Disfigured Duke Husband Helps Me Plot My Revenge
Chapter 128: Almost Forgotten

Chapter 128: Almost Forgotten

Desmond stared at Leonor briefly, measuring the sapphire eyes that stared daggers through him.

He knew she wasn’t lying when she said she would leave. She would return to her room even if she stumbled all the way there. To make matters worse, she would likely refuse his help because he was the reason for her storming away.

Leonor was different from the timid girl he knew. Even though she was passionate and full of life as a teenager, she lacked a certain stamina she had as an adult. Perhaps it was years at the Academy making her more confident and stubborn when she was comfortable with someone.

It further made him imagine what it would be like to properly love her. She wouldn’t let him walk all over her while she wouldn’t walk all over him. While she recuperated, he treated her as fragile but she was strong. The times he witnessed her sparring sessions with Stephano only proved as much.

That’s why the guilt destroyed him when he saw her on the floor with pale skin. Someone so strong was taken out because she wanted to help him when he felt he didn’t deserve that level of care.

"Fine," he uttered, bowing his head.

Finally relenting, he disappeared into the ensuite bathroom and came back out wearing comfortable clothing and the same silk robe from the night before. There were plenty of pillows on his bed so he went towards his usual side and pulled blankets over himself.

There was one candle left burning on the table next to his bed and he turned his head towards it even though his back was flat against the bed.

The silence felt heavy, knowing she wasn’t asleep and he wasn’t either, but Desmond didn’t know what to say.

Since the beginning of the festival, many events stirred up both of their feelings and there was a new nervous energy. They both felt strangely vulnerable at that moment.

Leonor thought of the things she had come to terms with the night before, not knowing he felt the same way she did. However, the difference was that both people she loved were the same. If he knew her feelings, it would be much easier to come clean with the truth.

The bed was smaller than the one at the King’s Hunting Cabin. If Leonor rolled over, she would touch Desmond’s shoulder.

For a while, she lay there and listened to his breathing, realizing he didn’t seem to be going to sleep either.

There was a soft rustling as Leonor turned her head towards the duke who was looking away from her. His right hand lay on his chest while the other was underneath the blankets and at his side.

In a daring moment, Leonor extended her right hand until her fingers brushed against Desmond’s. He flinched at first but didn’t pull away and she moved her hand under his, lacing their fingers together. She brushed her pinky against the ring that signified their marriage.

When he was given the piece of jewelry, she never thought they would have gotten even this far with one another.

He returned the embrace of their hands by closing his large fingers over the back of her hand. His thumb went almost entirely over the back of her hand, showing how large he was compared to her.

As she gazed at the hooded head turned away from her, she wished she could do more than that. His responding well to her touch was only the first step of many things. The contact made her heart feel unsettled. She knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep for a while.

"Thank you for taking care of me," she whispered. "I’m sorry for worrying you."

Her words were what made him finally turn towards her.

"I will always take care of you," he said.

His hood fell over the scarred side but she could see his pale face well even though the room was dark. He seemed to be studying her more than he normally did. She thought that perhaps he knew he was hidden.

Considering the state of dress he was in while he slept the night before, there was no doubt she saw the extent of his body and scars. The thought bothered him when he woke up but it wasn’t enough to eclipse seeing her there practically lifeless.

Even though he didn’t wish to be known in such a way by her, her willingness to touch him felt like a good sign.

"I feel lucky getting to know you better," she said.

Considering what she had confessed on the night she drank too much, Desmond felt miserable. They were so close to new revelations about one another but he was too much of a coward.

The way he cared for Leonor screamed for her to notice his love, though she remained tight-lipped.

"I feel the same way," he whispered.

She offered a lethargic smile in response.

With his hand still in hers, Leonor couldn’t hold back anymore and her eyes felt heavy.

"Go to sleep," he urged.

She nodded, already almost asleep and no longer fighting the weight of her eyelids.

Their hands remained clasped together and they shared each other’s warmth. At that moment, Desmond was much warmer than her.

When he was sure Leonor was sleeping, he cautiously reached his large hand outwards to stroke her cheek. He was unable to resist all the feelings he had been bottling up.

However, Leonor was between awake and asleep. Her body begged to shut off but her mind was still conscious. She nearly flinched when a warm finger gently slid over her cheek.

"I’ll tell you soon," he whispered. "Then I’ll be as brave as everyone says I am. Although facing you is more terrifying than facing a dragon."

His words were her last thought before she finally did go to sleep. Despite sleeping for an entire day, she had another few hours inside of her.

Before the sun could break over the horizon, Leonor woke up with an almost silent gasp.

Valerio.

She dreamed about Valerio and he gave her lilacs on the first day they were together.

In a panic, Leonor grasped the locket on her chest and she climbed out of bed. She wasn’t trying to be quiet as she scrambled to leave the room and find light.

The candle in the duke’s room had burnt out.

When was the last time I healed the flower?

She could tell she wasn’t fully healed because her head was pounding but she had to see the lilac and ensure it was okay.

Coming across a nearly burnt out candle in a sitting room close to her bedroom, she slowed her panicked pace and cautiously approached. With shaky hands, she held the locket up to the candle and her wide eyes witnessed a travesty.

The moment the golden locket was open, dry flakes were what was left of the flower.

She used all her mana the day before. Eve couldn’t have even helped her with healing if she tried.

A sob escaped Leonor’s lips and she raced to her room.

She needed to fix it.

How could she?

How?