The Villainess's Secret Bedroom Service
Chapter 87: The Things That Can Comfort A Lady

Chapter 87: The Things That Can Comfort A Lady

"Are you absolutely certain about this?"

Damien inquired, casting a questioning gaze upon Felix, his trusted aide. In response, Felix emitted a prolonged, weary sigh and shook his silver head.

"Yes, Your Grace, I am completely confident in this course of action."

"I still fail to comprehend how confections could possibly aid someone with such dire physical ailments."

The duke surveyed the shop, his dark eyebrows knitting together. Despite the calamities that had befallen the Harvest Festival, swift action by the authorities and the Emperor’s urgent directives had ensured that the most crucial sectors of the Capital, including the Shopping District, were swiftly restored. They now continued to operate as if the recent misfortunes had never transpired.

The dessert shop Damien found himself in was renowned enough to consistently attract long queues of eager customers, all patiently awaiting their turn to savor freshly baked pastries or handcrafted chocolate and marmalade candies. The cakes on offer here were truly exceptional, and those fortunate enough to indulge in them, as they would fondly recount later, carried the memory of their taste with them for the rest of their days.

As the line gradually advanced, urging the two men to take a few more steps forward, Felix surreptitiously peered from behind a statuesque maid standing in front of him and continued speaking with an air of nonchalance, almost as if it were an everyday matter,

"When you are feeling down or uneasy, there is something about comfort food that works wonders, at least on a physical level. You mentioned that Her Highness Princess Angelica noted Lady Rosalie’s fondness for strawberries, correct? Well, let me tell you, this establishment boasts the finest chocolate-covered strawberries you will find anywhere in the entire Capital."

Now it was Damien’s turn to heave a sigh. The enigmatic therapeutic properties of desserts still eluded his understanding. Nevertheless, he found himself without much room for skepticism. Thus far, Felix was the sole individual in his circle who could confidently profess any knowledge regarding the intricate, delicate art of navigating the world of women.

Once the prized chocolate-covered strawberries were acquired, Damien’s quest to find comforting things for Lady Rosalie continued.

"Now, Your Grace, it is not just sweet treats that can provide comfort. It is equally crucial to demonstrate your care for Lady Rosalie and your desire for her to feel as comfortable and at ease as circumstances permit."

"How can I convey that?"

Damien inquired, his eyebrows arching in curiosity as he looked to Felix for guidance.

Felix gestured toward a small flower shop, its bright pink walls and ornate entrance adorned with an array of petite bouquets and potted plants, making it stand out from the surrounding buildings.

"Well, you see, women have an affinity for flowers, and if you select flowers that she personally adores, Lady Rosalie will undoubtedly appreciate the thoughtful gesture of your remembrance."

"Ah, I understand now."

Felix adjusted his round glasses, perching them carefully on the tall bridge of his nose, and regarded his lord with an appraising gaze. It was truly fascinating to observe someone as formidable and feared as Grand Duke Damien Dio suddenly shrink, seeming almost vulnerable, all in an attempt to placate a woman he professed to love. As unsettling as this stark transformation in His Grace’s demeanor was, deep down, Felix could not help but feel a sense of relief, and dare he say it, a touch of happiness.

Stepping out of the flower shop, Damien clutched a substantial bouquet of vibrant pink roses in his right hand, while Felix, with a giant stuffed bear snug under his armpit, accompanied him. Their expedition, it seemed, was far from over.

"Was the bear really necessary? After all, she is not a child."

The notion of gifting a grown woman a colossal stuffed toy struck the duke as rather absurd. Yet, he felt even more awkward contemplating the idea of himself offering it to Lady Rosalie. Damien, having never experienced a childhood, held no illusions about others reverting to a childlike state, especially after a certain age had passed.

Once again, Felix’s response manifested as little more than a faintly exasperated sigh. His lord had quite a journey ahead of him, and the path to Lady Ashter’s heart, at least from Damien’s perspective, appeared to be an endless and potentially vexing adventure.

"Think of this bear as a charming, endearing entity rather than a mere plaything, Your Grace. Not everything requires a distinct purpose or significance; people can imbue their own meanings into objects. It is now merely something soft and plush, a comforting presence to touch, hug, and find solace in."

’Something to touch and hug..?’

A peculiar, prickling sensation surged through Damien’s chest, leaving behind an unsettling trace of bitterness that seemed to permeate his entire being like poison. Was it jealousy? Could he genuinely be envious of a stuffed bear?

In a swift, almost dismissive shake of his head, Damien attempted to dispel such absurd conjectures when he became aware that he now stood before an old yet still relatively grand bookshop.

"Are we venturing into the realm of books now?"

Felix simply nodded, carefully swinging open the shop’s door and gesturing for his lord to enter first, all the while continuing his guidance.

"Considering Lady Rosalie will be confined to her room, the possibility of boredom looms large. Thus, I deemed it wise to procure some delightful books to keep her occupied."

The duke casually surveyed the vast expanse of shelves, laden with a diverse array of volumes, and responded with an indifferent shrug, appearing unimpressed by Felix’s suggestion.

"I possess a library housing hundreds of books. I am confident Lady Rosalie can find something of interest among them."

Felix could not help but release yet another exasperated sigh. Truly, even someone as formidable as Damien Dio could be a somewhat challenging case.

"Your library is undoubtedly vast, Your Grace, but it primarily houses books on politics, history, economics, and warfare. I have full confidence in Her Ladyship’s intelligence, and I am certain she could grasp the content of such volumes. However, given her present condition, I believe she would appreciate something lighter in nature... perhaps a romance novel?"

"Romance?"

Regrettably, reading for leisure was not a pursuit Damien relished, and romance novels were undeniably outside his realm of interest. Consequently, he nodded to Felix, allowing his aide to lead the way once more.

He then perused the store, his fingers skimming across books adorned with captivating covers, their titles shimmering with glitter, and their pages graced with alluring illustrations.

Perhaps, if circumstances permitted, he might even consider indulging in one of them in the future. For educational purposes, of course.

***

As the clock struck noon, Damien found himself stationed before the entrance to Rosalie’s chamber, cradling the multitude of gifts he had procured during his excursion to the Shopping District. His thoughts were an empty canvas, devoid of any clear direction on what his next move should be. Felix’s words of encouragement had initially bolstered his confidence, yet as he finally approached the door, that newfound resolve evaporated in an instant, leaving his once stalwart heart quivering like a fragile bird.

’This is absurd. I have battled thousands of soldiers and faced menacing magical creatures. Yet, here I stand, trembling at the prospect of addressing a lady. How have I come to this?’

Finally summoning the resolve to confront his anxiety, Damien knocked gently on the door. Almost immediately, Lady Ashter’s somewhat plaintive "Come in" extended an invitation to enter.

Upon pushing the door ajar, endeavoring to maintain a grip on the multitude of items cradled in his arms, Damien’s gaze met Rosalie’s. There she was, sitting perched on the bed, wrapped in a plush white blanket akin to a snow rabbit, her shimmering gray eyes widening with sheer astonishment.

"Your Grace..?"