My Disfigured Duke Husband Helps Me Plot My Revenge
Chapter 243: Winding Down

Chapter 243: Winding Down

Leonor had realized innumerable times before that Desmond’s measure of her state was always through temperature. He would come into a room, feel her, and ask someone to adjust the fire accordingly.

He treated her like an egg that needed occasional turning and constant warmth even if he had to suffer for her to stay warm. Especially when he was still hiding himself away, he wore long sleeves and hoods.

She wanted him to be comfortable as well. That’s why she complained less unless he felt she was lying by grabbing her hand or feeling her cheek.

Instead of fighting his insistence to keep her warm, Leonor relented by leaning into him and embracing his care. She felt tired and wanted the pampering that he would give her whether it was met with resistance or not.

The golden strings that kept the front of her dress together were loosened and Desmond deftly pushed the dress off of her shoulders, revealing the top half of her body, tightened with a corset.

Even though her breasts were pressed together and on display, he still preferred her body soft and natural for his hands to explore.

With her gown on the floor, pooling around her feet, Desmond helped her out of her underskirts and the corset until all that was left was the chemise.

It was her turn to help him.

There were a few buttons to undo on his jacket before she could open it and start to push it off of him. With the adornments, it was extremely heavy. She helped him out of his forest green jacket, his medals clanging as she pulled it off and placed it on a chair.

"You looked so dashing in this," Leonor uttered. "Yet I still prefer what’s underneath."

He placed his hands on her waist which was only covered with her chemise and pulled her closer to him as she undid the pin at his neck and buttoned the white shirt that was underneath his jacket.

"All the time I sweat because of all the layers I insisted on wearing when you didn’t know who I was. It feels like a waste," he admitted. "I feel idiotic keeping myself from you."

"You weren’t," she insisted. "I’ve seen the harsh gazes you’re subject to. Those people don’t deserve to have eyes."

He thought it was amazing how those words could burrow into his heart considering they came from the most beautiful human being he had ever witnessed. He was trying to hold back but he had to kiss her forehead to communicate his thankfulness for her.

Leonor then only went so far as to help him undo his pants but that action often led to something else. She wasn’t sure if she was feeling too tired and didn’t want to lead him on.

"I’m looking forward to seeing the bathroom," she admitted.

With Desmond in undershorts and Leonor in a chemise, they were able to explore the bathroom. It was yet another room that took their breath away.

The entrance of the bedroom was down a hallway and it was no wonder because it took up the entirety of that internal wall.

It lacked windows but the golden fixtures made it seem like it was made of sunlight.

Feeling humid upon entering the space, Leonor knew the tub was prepared nice and hot and she was looking forward to thawing herself out in Desmond’s arms.

Her eyes widened as she approached the tub, shocked at the sheer size of such a vessel. Not only was it large but she had to walk up two steps just to sit on the edge of it.

"I believe I could float a boat in this bathtub," Leonor uttered, amazed as she walked forward and put her hand in the water that was only a few inches below the edge of the square tub.

The water was at a perfect temperature and a pleased smile splayed on her lips.

As she turned to see what Desmond was doing, she was surprised to see him shamelessly stepping out of the shorts he had pushed onto the floor. He bore his naked body for her, scars and all, and walked forward and up the steps.

Rather than waiting for Leonor, he settled down in the tub with a relaxed sigh. His arms rested along the side and the water rose and splashed over the side.

However, underneath the edge were drains that didn’t let a drop of water fall down the stairs and create a hazard.

Feeling just as daring and inspired by his free attitude, she stepped out of her chemise and sat at her husband’s side. His arm rested along the tub behind her and she leaned her head against his shoulder.

"I still haven’t even seen the house we own on the outskirts of Coeurvalle, but this feels like a fair trade off," she joked. "Except I find things like this easy. Will you be alright spending all of your time in the center of the capital?"

"While I don’t like the idea, I suppose Stephano is right in saying there will be fewer eyes on us if we don’t have to travel back and forth from the castle to the other estate," Desmond admitted. "I just don’t quite understand why he must be secretive when he makes decisions such as this. It’s as if he desires a strong response to everything he does. You would think the King isn’t bored."

Leonor bit the inside of her lip as she tried to hold back her instant reaction.

The image she had of the former Crown Prince was that of solitude and it didn’t change when he became the King. He was a red wildflower in the middle of a forest that had long since burnt down. He was a vivid crimson while everything around him was dark and dead.

She thought that perhaps Quinn could be his comfort but she found that his feelings were still as complicated as ever. Instead, they felt like two parallel lines that were always beside one another but never meant to meet.

However, she couldn’t ignore the glances she noticed Stephano occasionally shoot Quinn when he wasn’t looking. Something about the mage was making the monarch miserable.

She could understand his behavior considering the way Quinn was avoiding him.

"I think that His Majesty may be lonely," she admitted quietly. "He doesn’t have romantic pursuits and he trusts very few people. I don’t know why else he would escape to Montclair in such a way. Even if it was a planned move by him it tells me that he seeks companionship. I wish I could find someone compatible with him, but he’s expressed many times that his heart isn’t open for anyone."

Leonor sunk lower in the water and let out a light huff. Even if she couldn’t tell Desmond everything about Quinn or Stephano’s situation, she said something that surprised her husband.

"I just wish everyone I cared about could have someone the way I have you," she admitted. "I’ve never felt more content with another person in my entire life."

He couldn’t ignore her words and she found her lips occupied with his soon after her last word was spoken.