Saved By The Mad Duke
Chapter 174: A Permanent Solution

Chapter 174: A Permanent Solution

After the night when Aideen finally seemed to have shown some progress in her emotional recovery, Tillian couldn’t help but notice that she had turned into a completely different person.

While she still refused to leave their bedroom and continued to spend most of her time in bed, the princess began to show her husband how vulnerable she was, constantly clinging to him. It seemed as if she longed for his company, his touch, as if she didn’t want to let go of him when she felt like she was succumbing to depression again, as if Tillian were the only person that existed in the entire world and the woman was afraid to be left completely alone.

The duke did not really mind it; after all, how could he hate being so close to Aideen? Even the mere thought of her craving his presence was exhilarating, and yet, he still couldn’t help worrying that the princess’s desire for closeness was nothing more than a way to remove the heavy sense of sadness that was compressing her chest like a thorny vine.

The moments of ecstasy they shared together were the easiest way to cope with her overwhelming emotions, but Tillian knew that sooner or later, even that would finally stop being effective.

He had to find a permanent solution.

***

Standing before the tall mirror that leaned against the wall opposite the bed, Duke Valentine adjusted his thick coat and fixed the belts securing his weapons.

He hadn’t joined the patrolling crew for quite a long time while he was busy taking care of his wife and the castle’s affairs, but now it was time for him to venture outside as well.

Ever since half of the forest was destroyed during that massive fire, the magic beasts and monsters continued to roam around The North, getting dangerously close to the villages again. While the Raven Knights were successful in fending off the inhabited territories from their attacks, they needed to start eliminating them, which for them meant ’declaring war’ on the creatures and killing as many of them as possible.

Duke Valentine had to take the lead.

"Bella," the man stood before the maid, ready to leave the castle, "make sure Aideen eats something today. Bring her something light; a broth would be fine too. And keep making her that herbal tea that she likes. She started drinking a lot of it; I guess it is a good sign."

"Yes, I will do that, Your Grace."

The duke nodded at her and offered her a smile of appreciation before finally leaving.

Bella watched as the man disappeared into the corridor, then placed the towel she used to wipe the cups and sighed.

’Herbal tea, huh?... Perhaps the healing tea from the chapel would be a better solution. I have heard a lot of good things about it—it is supposed to help with sleep and improve one’s appetite... What else was there...? Something about the mood, too. Almost like a magic potion because the recipe is crafted by the priests themselves!’

"Safie!" Bella tugged the young maid on the sleeve of her dress and pulled her back to the kitchen. "Prepare some herbal tea for Her Grace and serve it to her when she wakes up. Then, instruct Martin to make some rabbit broth for lunch, and make sure he adds some herbs to it too. I will be out of the castle for the day."

"You’re leaving?" Safie widened her eyes in bewilderment. "Where are you going?"

Removing the neat white apron from her waist, Bella carefully folded it and placed it on the wooden chair as she explained,

"I will go to the chapel to get some healing tea. I cannot watch as Lady Aideen is slowly fading away like this. Something must be done! I have heard many good things about this tea, so I believe it might really help."

Safie was still confused. She, too, had heard a lot about this ’magic tea’ that her friend was talking about, but the thought of Bella going alone to get it was far from comforting.

"Bella, you cannot go alone. It is dangerous out there! Haven’t you heard both His Grace and Sir Stanis talking about the beasts? The knights might have cleared the lands of them, but wandering there alone is still quite dangerous!"

Bella rolled her eyes and gently flicked her friend on the nose, offering her some comforting words.

"I have grown up gathering wood in these lands; I know all the shortcuts and safe routes. I will be fine, don’t worry! If I go now, I will reach the chapel before dusk, and that means I will be back in the castle before tomorrow dawn."

That response, however, offered Safie little comfort. She shook her head resolutely and insisted,

"At least take a guardian knight with you! Come on, Bella, you cannot be this reckless!"

"It will just cause too much commotion in the castle. Besides, it is Lady Aideen’s job to grant permission for the guardian knights to leave their posts, and I certainly don’t want to bother her with that."

Stepping outside the kitchen, Bella gestured for her friend to follow her while she walked towards the maids’ quarters, continuing,

"His Grace left Lord Wiggles and Lord Giggles home today. I will take them with me. They are no worse than knights, believe you me!"

"Oh, Bella, I’m not sure this is a good idea... His Grace will be so mad at me if he finds out!"

Bella paused in her steps and turned around, positioning herself right before Safie. Then, she placed her hands on top of the maid’s shoulders and offered her a rather stern look.

"Safie, nobody has to know, alright? I will be back shortly, and if His Grace asks for me, then tell him I am not feeling well and am resting in our room. I am a grown woman; I do not need to be lectured on this."

Releasing Safie’s body from her grasp, she turned on her heels and resumed walking, adding to her instructions,

"Take the dogs and have them wait for me at the back gate; I will be out as soon as I get ready!"

Safie pressed both hands to her chest and sighed, her heart drumming loudly, and whispered,

"Oh, I will grow several years older while waiting for your return, Bella..."