The Villainess's Secret Bedroom Service
Chapter 141: Family?

Chapter 141: Family?

With a composed demeanor, the man settled his inner turmoil and managed a subtle smile before giving a nod of acknowledgment.

"Well, Your Highness, that fact still holds true. Might I inquire as to the source of your concern?" he asked.

Angelica, her bright azure gaze unwaveringly focused on the scenic landscape before them, responded in the same composed tone as earlier,

"What concerns me, Your Holiness, even though it is still just a mere game played by the Union, is how easily that power can be acquired by someone else who is not supposed to have it and used it for his own selfish benefit."

Pausing for a moment, she finally shifted her gaze to Altair. As the man ceased his stride to match her pace, she continued, her tone laden with a mix of urgency and curiosity,

"So tell me, Revered Altair, what would you do if you were to find out that there is no longer the need for such a charade? What actions would you take if you were to learn that the Holy Power is indeed real, and that there are people who actually possess it?"

Altair’s eyebrows arched in clear bewilderment at the princess’s words, his confusion almost palpable.

"I beg your pardon? Why... What are you trying to imply, Your Highness?"

Angelica emitted a long, contemplative hum, her mind weighing the words before she eventually articulated her thoughts,

"Nadir embodies the essence of the Holy Power, granting its possessor the ability to strip away the facade and lay bare the naked soul of the individual before them, revealing even the most deeply buried secrets they thought were long forgotten."

She locked her bright gaze onto his, a smile playing at the corners of her lips, as if sharing a secret only they could understand.

"The darkness cannot exist without the light, Your Holiness. When the time comes to choose between the two of them, the answer to that turmoil might be love. It does not really matter whom you love – a single person or the entire nation. We all deserve to harbor love, even if we cannot reciprocate it. Choose whom you love more and let that profound emotion guide you."

Angelica offered the man a slight nod and gracefully turned around, her steps quiet as she walked away, leaving Altair standing there as if he had become invisible to her.

Altair stood still, watching as the princess’s silhouette gradually disappeared behind the veil of the garden trees. Within him, his heart fluttered like a frantic bird, its wings beating against the confines of his rib cage, a tumult of emotions swirling inside.

In that moment, it felt as though Angelica possessed the gift of seeing through his very being, effortlessly discerning the conflicts that plagued his mind and the turmoil within his heart, as if they were an open book before her.

But as Altair grappled with the weight of her words, he could not help but wonder if her words held the answer he had been desperately looking for.

***

Damien lovingly poured his wife a fresh cup of fragrant herbal tea, the warmth radiating from the steaming liquid enveloping the space between them. With a gentle gesture, he nudged a generous slice of luscious strawberry cake closer to her, delicately placing a polished silver dessert spoon in her waiting hand.

Rosalie savored the first indulgent bite of the soft, delectable cake, a smile gracing her lips as the familiar sweetness stirred cherished memories, wrapping her in a comforting embrace.

Outside, the sun bathed the day in a gentle warmth, casting a golden glow over the tranquil scene. Despite the impending close of May, the weather seemed in no hurry to surrender its mild embrace, as if granting the residents of Rische the leisure to bask in the refreshing air of spring until the final moments.

Since Damien’s return, he had made it a point to arrange occasional meals in the expansive, resplendent garden of the mansion. This thoughtful gesture not only allowed Rosalie the freedom to move about more freely, but it also provided her with the invigorating embrace of fresh air, nurturing her delicate health.

For Rosalie, these moments spent outdoors were a cherished delight. Finally able to revel in the fullness of her affection for Damien, each shared instant felt like a fragment of a wondrous dream, leaving her with an insatiable hunger for more.

Occasionally, Damien’s attentiveness seemed to border on the obsessive, his protective nature sometimes overshadowing their interactions. Yet, Rosalie chose to view it as an expression of the deep yearning within someone who had known little of love throughout their life.

On this particular day, the serving of tea unfolded under the protective canopy of the magnificent oak tree. Its sprawling branches provided a comforting respite, sheltering Damien and Rosalie from the scorching assault of the sun’s relentless rays.

Illai, whose fondness for the duchess knew no bounds, trailed her steps closely, never wanting to be too far from her side. Presently, he found himself engrossed in a playful activity with Aurora. The maid, with a patient and nurturing spirit, was demonstrating to Illai the art of creating iridescent soap bubbles. Entranced by this newfound delight, the boy dashed around the garden, releasing delicate orbs into the air and gleefully bursting them, a radiant smile gracing his youthful, handsome face.

Observing Illai’s genuine joy echoing through the garden with every playful breeze, Rosalie’s heart swelled with a sense of profound contentment. Eager to impart this extraordinary emotion to the duke, she turned to him with a radiant smile.

"It’s a wonderful sensation, isn’t it? Almost as if we’ve carved out our own intimate haven, separate from the rest of the world. Like one big, harmonious family."

"Family..."

Damien’s reply was laced with an unexpected chill, his voice carrying a hint of frost as the word escaped his lips. Perplexed by this sudden shift in atmosphere, Rosalie cast a questioning glance at her husband, unable to comprehend how her innocent observation could have triggered such a melancholic response.

"I consider every individual residing within these walls as my family now. In my time as Lady Ashter, genuine affection seemed to elude me within the confines of my supposed family. Yet, here, with you and everyone else, I feel an embrace of genuine love that I have long yearned for," she confessed, her words carrying a weight of vulnerability.

Damien paused, his gaze drawn to Illai, whose contagious laughter resonated throughout the entire Duchy, infusing it with a joyous melody. His golden eyes, usually radiant, now held a hint of contemplation as he furrowed his dark eyebrows, lost in thought.

The notion of family remained an enigma to Damien, a concept he perceived as a vulnerability, a weighty load, an unattainable benchmark—an aspect of life he felt undeserving of. Throughout his existence, he had grappled tirelessly to secure the affection of a solitary soul, the fear of losing her gnawing at his heart every time the thought dared to surface. How, then, could he dare to entertain the audacity of craving for more, only to open himself to greater potential loss?

The prospect was something he vehemently shunned.

Rosalie’s concern heightened as she noted Damien’s prolonged silence, prompting her to take the initiative and shatter the quietude,

"Damien? Have you ever considered the possibility of having a family of your own someday?"

At the question, Damien visibly flinched, momentarily caught off guard. Yet, just as swiftly, he composed himself, offering a slight shake of his head in response.

"No. This is sufficient. Rosalie, please do not concern yourself with such matters. Our shared path ahead... children... I cannot allow myself to entertain such desires. Having you by my side is more than enough, truly. Your love is more than sufficient. The knowledge that your heart is mine alone brings me unparalleled joy, Rosalie."

"I... I see."

The duchess grappled with a perplexing sense of hurt triggered by Damien’s response. Although his affection for her was palpable and she couldn’t envision desiring more, an intangible part of her fractured at the callous dismissal of the phantom vision of a shared family future.

Damien had asserted that she was all he needed, that his love for her encompassed all her desires.

Yet, a troubling question persisted: what if circumstances demanded that Rosalie extend her love to another? Would he even allow that?