Saved By The Mad Duke
Chapter 45: The One Whom You ’Truly Know’

Chapter 45: The One Whom You ’Truly Know’

If Count Crueder’s abusive behavior were only physical and stemmed from his own insecurities; something that might eventually heal or vanish without a trace, Valon’s torments were intricate, personal, and never failed to take root. They reached deeply into her soul, trampling all over it and leaving behind only endless suffering and nightmares.

But she did not want to say it all.

"His Highness... Prince Valon and Prince Yanad are the only members of the Royal Family whose appearance I actually know. However, while the Crown Prince is someone whose face I don’t really mind having engraved in my memory, his younger brother... Valon is the man whose silhouette haunts me no matter where I go."

"His silhouette?"

Tillian arched his eyebrows as the princess wrapped her arms around her shoulders, burying her face in them. Her voice took on a trembling tone as she tried to explain,

"He made me remember him. In entirety. Everything about him—his voice, his breathing, his heartbeat, his laugh, his face, his... body. His entire body."

"What?"

The Duke widened his eyes, utterly shocked by the lady’s revelation. While he was aware of Valon’s perverted nature, he could never have imagined it was to such a hideous extent.

"Your Highness, how did––"

"I apologize, Your Grace."

Aideen did not let Tillian continue; she did not want him to. She was already disgusted with herself for being unable to free her soul from that dreadful experience, and she did not want to burden someone else with it.

She longed for understanding, craving someone to listen without judgment, but was that even possible?

The princess still feared that even someone as kind-hearted as Duke Valentine might not be able to accept her as she truly was—raw, broken, damaged, unwanted, and lost.

But did he have to?

Her silent, frantic struggle was interrupted by Tillian’s warm and gentle touch.

Carefully, he placed his large hand under Aideen’s chin, slowly lifting her face away from her tense arms. Then, he unwrapped her arms, took both of her hands in his, and spoke in a kind, quiet voice,

"They say that sometimes new memories can replace the old ones. Your Highness, would you like to try and see if the memory of my face can replace his?"

"Excuse me? You want me––"

"Yes, I want to be the one whom you ’truly know’ as well. Perhaps, if you find enough affection for me, whenever the memory of Prince Valon dares to haunt you again, you can think of me and feel better."

Without giving Aideen a chance to retort, Tillian brought her hands closer to his face. After a brief hesitation, he finally placed them on his forehead, eliciting a short gasp from the princess as their skin made contact.

He then gently moved his hands away from hers and added,

"I want you to know how I look, Your Highness. I... want you to remember me too."

Aideen swallowed the invisible lump in her throat and took a deep breath. Although she wanted to move her hands, an inexplicable fear held her back, even though she wasn’t entirely sure why.

’It’s ridiculous. I want to know... I want to know too.’

Her fingers began to move at last. Slowly and with great care, she traced her soft fingertips over the smooth skin of his forehead, gliding down to the elegant shape of his thick yet neatly groomed eyebrows. Her fingers gently outlined Tillian’s closed eyes, and the princess noted the thickness and length of his eyelashes. His nose, small and perfectly shaped, felt like tracing the nose of a flawless sculpture. His high and prominent cheekbones complemented his strong jaw.

Finally, Aideen’s fingers moved above the Duke’s chin, pausing as they reached the soft, warm contour of his full lips. She could not resist it; memories from their first dinner together tingled in her mind, prompting her hand to move almost of its own accord. Slowly, she traced the surface of his lips, and with each brief exhale from Tillian, the warmth of his breath sent tiny goosebumps rippling across her body.

Regaining control of her body, the woman finally withdrew her hands from Duke Valentine’s face but remained silent.

Anxious to learn her thoughts, Tillian whispered,

"Your Highness? What do you think?"

Aideen curled her lips into a subtle smile and whispered in return,

"You are beautiful, Your Grace."

The Duke could not hide his child-like happiness and allowed a contented smile to grace his lips too.

That was all he needed to know; Aideen finding him handsome was everything to him. He cared little for the damage wrought on his body through countless battles with humans and beasts, yet he never allowed anyone to touch his face. It belonged solely to Aideen.

His face had to be perfect for her. He was never sure of his attractiveness, but at least he made sure that no scar ever marred his features.

While Tillian continued to gaze at the princess’s smiling face, his lips mirrored the warmth of his own smile. Perhaps, in that shared moment, he finally found all he needed to feel truly at ease.

"Your Highness?"

The Duke whispered, but Aideen did not respond. Her even breathing, calm expression, and relaxed body indicated one thing – she was finally resting; she was finally asleep.

As quietly as possible, Tillian rose from the bed, adjusted the thick blanket over the lady’s slumbering body, then knelt down before her, gently stroking her soft, dark red hair.

Covering his left wrist with his right hand, he felt the familiar softness of the old silk ribbon tied tightly over his skin and could not help but sigh as the same melancholic thought that had been following him around for years settled in his mind once again.

Shifting his glowing red eyes back to Aideen’s beautiful face, he curled his lips into a bitter smile and whispered,

"Perhaps you have forgotten me because you never had a chance to ’truly know’ me... Now, I can only pray that you will never forget me again."