The Villainess's Secret Bedroom Service
Chapter 88: The Love They Write Books About

Chapter 88: The Love They Write Books About

Damien could not help but feel somewhat disheartened by the frosty reception he received. However, upon taking a closer look at Lady Rosalie’s visibly distressed state, he found it impossible to summon even the slightest hint of resentment.

Meanwhile, Rosalie found herself engulfed in a disconcerting blend of fear and embarrassment. The abrupt appearance of the duke, instead of Aurora, caught her entirely off guard. Yet, the root cause of her turmoil lay squarely in her own appearance. Her hair, typically sleek and well-kept, now hung in a disheveled bun – a style she had often worn back in her world when alone at home. Her complexion, once radiant, now appeared pallid to the point of appearing unwell, accentuated by the presence of dark circles beneath her eyes. To complete the ensemble, she wore a somewhat haphazard outfit, hastily selected by Aurora in an attempt to ensure her lady’s comfort, all culminating in the snug embrace of a white fuzzy blanket.

’Oh God, I must look like a complete mess right now! Why on earth is he even here?’

Though Damien certainly could not ignore the noticeable change in his fiancée’s appearance, his concern was not centered around her beauty, but rather, it stemmed from genuine worry about her well-being.

As he continued to observe Lady Rosalie’s disheveled state, Damien’s thoughts were firmly focused on her health.

Noticing the duke’s intense gaze fixed upon her, Rosalie attempted to discreetly conceal her appearance by burying her face deeper into the cozy blanket. Her voice, muffled by the fluffy fabric, emerged awkwardly.

"I wasn’t expecting you today, Your Grace. Is there something amiss? Do you require my assistance with anything?"

A fresh wave of embarrassment surged through Damien as he grappled with the realization that he now had to divulge the purpose of his visit. After several prolonged moments of inner turmoil, he mustered a deep breath, approached Lady Ashter’s bedside, and took a seat beside her, gingerly placing the array of gifts at her feet.

"Miss Aurora mentioned that you were not feeling well, so I brought these, hoping they might bring a smile to your face."

Rosalie cautiously peered out from beneath her blanket, her eyebrows gently arching, while the duke continued, his words gathering pace into a slightly hurried mumbling,

"I endeavored to gather things you favor, Lady Rosalie. I remembered your fondness for pink roses and chocolate-covered strawberries. The kind lady at the store also suggested that light cherry wine might help alleviate the pain... Additionally, I brought some books, just in case you find yourself in need of entertainment. I understand there might not be much amusement in my mansion, but if you don’t find them to your liking, I will—"

"No, Your Grace."

Lady Rosalie’s voice, laden with emotion, cut him off. Her eyes welled with tears, yet her plump, pinkish lips curled into a contented smile. This paradoxical display of feelings caught Damien off guard, causing him to flinch and widen his eyes. His expression shifted, reflecting a mix of concern and confusion.

"Lady Rosalie, why are you crying?"

Rosalie’s hands instinctively moved to her face, hurriedly wiping away the bothersome salty tears clouding her vision. Yet, amidst the laughter that bubbled up, an unexpected surge of joy coursed through her heart.

"No, it’s just... Thank you, Your Grace. This is truly wonderful."

While a hint of worry still lingered, hearing Lady Ashter’s heartfelt appreciation allowed Damien’s heart to finally ease from the vice of anxiety. A subtle smile danced at the corners of his mouth as he rose from his seat.

"Well, I am delighted you are pleased with the gifts. I will leave you to rest, then—"

"Wait, are you leaving?"

Rosalie’s voice, amplified in the tranquil serenity of her bedroom, reverberated through the space, leaving the duke momentarily bewildered, his thoughts adrift once more.

"I apologize, but do you wish for me to stay?"

In truth, Rosalie, perhaps stirred by her tumultuous emotions, found herself in a vulnerable and lonesome state. She did not mind the prospect of sharing some time with someone who had gone to such lengths to demonstrate his concern for her. At that moment, she wanted to allow herself to be a little bit selfish. Se wanted to savor the feeling of being cared for. Just for a day.

"If it wouldn’t trouble you, Your Grace, I would greatly appreciate your company."

***

"This is...far more intricate than any tome on international politics I have ever perused."

Damien set aside the book titled "The Prince’s Personal Trainer" and glanced down at Rosalie, her head comfortably nestled in his lap. When she had initially suggested this position, the duke had been fraught with unease, primarily due to his lack of confidence in his ability to control himself when touched by the lady. However, as Rosalie had gently convinced him of the soothing effects of this arrangement, he eventually had to acknowledge that the moment he relinquished his anxious reserve and allowed himself to draw nearer to her, an unprecedented level of intimacy had taken root, sowing the seeds of warmth and affection his heart had not known it craved.

"How do you find it intricate? It’s simply a tale of two people deeply in love, with no foreseeable happy ending in sight."

"Do you frequently indulge in such stories, Lady Rosalie?"

Lady Ashter responded playfully, lightly resting her index finger atop her lips and emitting a melodious hum.

"Let’s just say I used to be quite the avid reader of such tales in the past. Exploring the captivating love lives and meaningful adventures of others provided a sense of solace during my solitary days."

"But how does reading about romance alleviate your loneliness? I’m afraid I struggle to grasp that concept."

While the duke was certainly no stranger to loneliness, the idea of dispelling its persistent shadow with the comforts of a romantic narrative remained a distant concept to him.

"I believe that when we immerse ourselves in a work of fiction, we often seek a form of wish fulfillment, For instance, someone who has endured a lifetime of bullying might find solace in a story where a character, much like themselves, transforms from a position of vulnerability into one of strength, ultimately gaining the respect of their tormentors."

With a sense of contentment, Rosalie delicately placed a chocolate-covered strawberry in her mouth, her lips curving into a gratified smile as the sweetness danced upon her tongue. She continued, her words carrying a wistful undertone,

"And for someone who grapples with loneliness, yearning for even a semblance of love in their life, they might seek out a book that grants that wish through the pages of a heartwarming, tender romance. I, too, desired to be loved. Yet, the only love I could find resided in the ink on the pages, devoted to someone else."

In an attempt to mask her hurt, the girl mustered another feigned smile and reached for another strawberry. However, her hand encountered an abrupt halt as Damien’s large palm enveloped her delicate wrist. His long fingers gently guided her hand away from the box, and with his other hand, he selected a strawberry and delicately placed it between Rosalie’s parted lips, allowing the sweet confection to coat them with its melted chocolate.

As Lady Ashter found herself almost swallowing the entire berry due to this unexpected gesture, the duke, entirely unfazed, slid his thumb across her lips, deftly removing the lingering traces of chocolate. He then placed his thumb in his own mouth, casually licking it clean, his countenance bearing an air of nonchalance, as if this were a routine he had performed countless times before.

She continued to scrutinize his typically impassive, albeit somewhat darkened countenance, while still resting on his lap. Damien’s eyes remained fixed on her face, as though meticulously deciphering every nuance of her expression. Finally, he withdrew his thumb from his lips and spoke in a hushed, somewhat solemn tone,

"Among the multitude of people I’ve encountered, Lady Rosalie, I believe you deserve love above all. The kind of love that fills the pages of the books you like."

With the book once again in his grasp, the duke resumed his reading, while Rosalie found herself gazing vacantly at the book’s blue cover, struggling to quiet her racing heart.

’What... in the world does that mean? Does he... truly have feelings for me now? Then what about Evangelina?’

None of this was adding up for her – neither his newfound attention and tenderness, nor his kind yet profoundly melancholic words. But what frightened her the most was her own growing frustration and bewilderment.

She found herself entangled in a web of confusion, grappling with Damien’s contradictory signals and the fluctuations of her own heart. Above all, she was gripped by fear – fear that everything was shifting, veering away from its intended path, and ultimately, it would be Damien who bore the brunt of it all.