My Disfigured Duke Husband Helps Me Plot My Revenge
Chapter 32: Unexpected Visitor

Chapter 32: Unexpected Visitor

An inexperienced mage like Leonor was unaware that constantly depleting her mana was equally bad as allowing a deep cut to bleed without trying to stop it.

When she woke up the next morning, something heavy fell onto her chest and someone was yelling at her. Her eyes felt blurry and it felt like she was submerged in water.

After a few blinks, the sunlight filtering into the room through sheer curtains entered her eyes, and she realized it was daytime. It was not only daytime, but it had to have been in the afternoon based on where the sun was in the sky.

Francia was standing over her with a worried expression on her face. The Count was next to her.

"You missed your tutor this morning!" the Count snapped. "But you’ll be useful in other ways. It seems the Royal Family has decided to summer in Burien for a bit longer. Get into something presentable. Don’t make your father look poor for the Crown Prince."

Leonor sat up, pushing her hands into her soft mattress as she tried to absorb the words harshly thrown in her direction. Her dark eyebrows knit together and she blinked a few times.

"Yes, My Lord," Leonor managed to respond appropriately.

Even though her father cast her a look of utter disgust, he allowed her privacy to get ready so she could present herself in a better light than she was under.

"My head hurts so badly," Leonor groaned when the Count was no longer there. "I feel dehydrated."

Francia’s mouth opened a couple of times before she sighed.

"I- I hid the letter before the Count could see it, my lady," Francia admitted. "Please be more careful in the future."

Leonor’s chin quivered as memories of the past few days resurfaced. She could only nod, not finding the right words to say. It felt like her heart was crushed. She didn’t know how to face the Crown Prince when she felt so miserable. Seeing his smug face would only remind her of the night she met him.

The night she kissed Valerio for the very first time.

"We have no time to waste," Francia urged as gently as she could.

The maid had prepared water in the bathroom connected to Leonor’s room. There wasn’t time for a full bath since the Prince was already at the manor.

As Francia peeled off Leonor’s clothing, she gasped at the bruises that littered Leonor’s back and ribs. With tears in her eyes, she gently toweled down the lady. The water had a light floral oil inside, giving her a wonderful scent and soothing her skin. However, Francia regretted not bringing in something more healing. Unfortunately, there was no time to waste.

She had to hold her tongue, unwilling the Count to overhear her grievances. All the maid wanted to do was rant about how awful he was to both his daughter and late wife. He was given beautiful, kindhearted women yet he trampled on them without thought.

Once Francia was done with Leonor, the lady had a long-sleeved yet light enough gown on that she wouldn’t be too hot. It was a pale yellow color that made her olive skin stand out even more. Unfortunately, she worried that if Leonor moved a certain way, the Prince might see the bruises underneath her collarbone if he looked at her hard enough.

The dubious nature of Prince Stephano’s visit filled Francia with concern, but she couldn’t go against the orders of the Count.

Francia assured Leonor’s wavy hair was set with light oil so it would remain tamed as long as she stayed out of the wind. Although that wouldn’t be difficult considering the picturesque day they were having outside.

"Go, my dear," Francia said. She helped Leonor step into flat shoes and guided her towards her door so she could clean up the mess left behind while she quickly got the lady ready. "Don’t upset your father further. Perhaps the Prince is kinder than he looks."

Leonor cast Francia a look full of doubt. It was clear there were opinions she was holding about the situation but she couldn’t do anything about it. The men in her life were the current and she was a mere leaf without a say as to where she was going or when she would stop.

She felt dizzy as she held her skirts and grabbed onto the railing that would guide her to the main floor of the manor. Perhaps if she behaved correctly she would be rewarded with food. All she wanted was to eat something.

When the person at the bottom of the stairs waiting for her was the Count, she felt like she was the victim of a cruel joke. He wanted to act like a doting father despite having beaten her with the very belt he wore. She strangely felt relieved it wasn’t his guards who beat her instead. She didn’t want people to witness her in such a pathetic state.

Leonor couldn’t train her expression when he offered his elbow and she flinched when he started to speak.

"His Majesty has requested tea in the garden," the Count explained. "He enjoyed the main garden the last time he was here."

"Yes, My Lord," Leonor responded, though she had to force her mouth to say the words because her throat felt dry. Being next to her father made it feel like the wind had been knocked out of her.

Silently and painfully, the father led his eldest daughter to a small table underneath the gazebo. The Prince was already sitting there, staring at the garden as he was lost in thought.

Leonor curtsied for the Prince just as she was trained to do. The square neckline of her dress adjusted enough that one of the bruises Francia had tried to hide peeked out and caught the Prince’s attention.

"Good afternoon, Your Highness," Leonor said. "I hope you weren’t waiting for long."

"Please, don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything, Your Highness," the Count said. "I will be in my study."

Count Mikael bowed before he left in respect for the Crown Prince. However, he cast Leonor a look of warning that only she could see before he fully made himself scarce.

All the lady could do was stare back at her father and try not to respond to his silent threat.

The Prince wasn’t oblivious to the situation at hand.