Saved By The Mad Duke
Chapter 106: He Did Too?!

Chapter 106: He Did Too?!

The next morning, Aideen woke up alone again, but this time, the feeling of loneliness was not as palpable.

Sure, she still missed Tillian’s presence beside her and could not wait for the weekend to arrive because it would mean waking up right beside him. However, the pleasant and intimate time they spent together in the bathtub managed to fill her with so much love that she was willing to be patient enough to wait.

Stretching her body across the vast and soft surface of the bed, the princess closed her eyes, recalling her husband’s strong and warm embrace, savoring the memory of their closeness.

’Perhaps this is what real love is... Not the love described in fairy tales or romance novels, but the love between two real people... Just two people being there for each other, comfortable with each other, away from the hectic outside world. Even though we were both naked, Tillian did not force me to do anything because he was concerned for my condition. He truly cares for me... And I cannot get enough of it. I am truly happy.’

With that comforting thought in mind, Aideen got up from the bed, ready to begin her day, and noticed a small note left for her on the nightstand. It was written in Tillian’s handwriting.

After examining the note’s contents, the princess raised her thin eyebrows as it clearly stated that today’s lessons on magic were canceled by Ahspid himself.

"It was Ahspid who canceled the lesson? Why? I don’t think it is necessary. I am feeling completely fine, and I am sure we would not be doing anything too straining today anyway..."

Determined to convince the mage that such a decision was unnecessary, she quickly draped herself in a long silk robe to cover her thin nightgown and rushed out of the bedroom. There, in the chilly embrace of the second floor’s corridor, the lady noticed King Yuraon’s servants marching out of his bedroom with his bags packed and ready to depart.

Stunned and confused, Aideen watched the tall and robust men march one after the other in a strangely straight line until she finally noticed Safie, who was also leaving the young King’s bedroom.

"Safie!"

She ran to the startled maid, stopping her on her way towards the staircase, and asked, completely lost,

"What is going on? Why are His Majesty’s people taking his things outside?"

The young maid released a long sigh and shook her head,

"His Majesty the King is leaving now, My Lady."

"What? This cannot be!"

Widening her eyes in shock, the princess shifted her gaze to the King’s bedroom, unable to comprehend the weight of the situation.

"Why is he leaving already? Ahspid and I still need to figure out how to lift his curse!"

The moment that somewhat scary thought crossed her mind, Yuraon stepped out of his room following the last of his men. Aideen rushed towards the King, her face a mess of different emotions as she shouted,

"Your Majesty! Why are you leaving already?!"

The young King paused, offered the princess a rather cold look, and finally answered in a distant, though respectful tone,

"You’re up, My Lady. Well, I’ve come here to congratulate His Grace on his wedding, and now that the ceremony is over, I must leave for the Capital to attend the Crown Prince’s wedding next. I do not wish to overstay my welcome."

"But, Your Majesty, what about the curse––"

Yuraon interjected with a gesture of his right hand, urging Aideen to not continue.

"Enough of this, Your Highness. I entertained your attempt to practice your craft, but I do not think you should torture yourself over useless things any longer. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must keep going."

The young man took a step to the side, attempting to walk around the princess. However, she jumped right in front of him and stretched her hands to the side like a bizarre standing star, blocking his further advance while she still continued,

"No! Whatever happened yesterday was not your fault, Your Majesty! You absolutely cannot leave now! If it was His Grace who ordered you to leave, then I will convince him to change his mind! If you still insist, I will freeze you down to your bed if I have to, but under no circumstances can you leave before we try everything!"

All of a sudden, without prior notice, Yuraon burst into laughter, which only confused Aideen even more. Struggling with his soaring joy, the King covered his face with both hands and tried to explain in a shaking voice,

"I apologize, Your Highness, but you just looked too damn adorable when you got all serious with me. It is cute, but I must admit, it suits you very well!"

The lady could not help but pout, while Yuraon sighed and added,

"It is true that what happened yesterday irked the Duke. He is very sensitive when it comes to you, Your Highness, and I don’t blame him. He was truly scared for you, and I do not wish to be someone who can add to that fear."

Although somewhat flattered, Aideen shook her head, dispelling the young man’s unnecessary concern,

"His Grace was worried, but whatever he said to you, I am convinced he did not mean it. Please, Your Majesty, stay here longer. Stay until we are absolutely sure that there is nothing to be done about your curse."

The young King sighed again, still unsure whether prolonging his stay was indeed such a good idea. After all, he was still a little bit scared of the Duke.

Offering the lady a somewhat guilty look, he asked,

"Are you sure, My Lady?"

The princess nodded.

"Yes. As the Duke’s wife, I, too, have a say in it."

Then, she remembered the note left by her husband, turned back to Safie, and continued,

"Speaking of the curse... Safie, has Ahspid awoken already?"

The maid pressed her lips together as if preparing herself to say something disappointing, then shrugged her shoulders, and finally replied,

"Yes... But the mage left the castle early in the morning."

Both Aideen and Yuraon arched their eyebrows and asked in unison,

"What? He did too?!"