The Villainess's Secret Bedroom Service
Chapter 98: How Can I Say No?

Chapter 98: How Can I Say No?

"So, would you like to meet Illai, Your Grace?"

Rosalie swiftly rose from her seat and started walking toward the door, throwing that innocent question on the duke, whose joyous expression was now replaced with one of bewilderment.

"Illai? Pray, who is Illai?"

"That, Your Grace, is the boy’s given name. Rather charming, wouldn’t you agree?"

She remarked with a nod, continuing her resolute advance toward the exit. Damien, however, appeared reluctant to follow suit.

Just as she was nearly ready to step beyond the threshold, Rosalie paused, then rotated her entire form, emitting an exasperated sigh that carried a touch of evident theatricality.

"Well, it’s not as if he is clamoring to make your acquaintance, I must admit. He seems content with our friendship alone. And I find his constant companionship rather agreeable as well."

Taken aback by her audacious remark, Damien sprung to his feet with a sudden jolt, almost toppling the chair beside him. He hastily trailed his fiancée, assuming the lead as his resounding voice reverberated throughout the corridor.

"Very well, Lady Rosalie. Allow me to meet the lad."

In response to this entirely predictable reaction, Rosalie could not help but sport a smirk. She promptly pursued the duke, her voice mirroring his tone.

"Wait, Your Grace, you haven’t a clue as to his whereabouts!"

***

As they neared Lady Ashter’s chamber, Sir Logan conveyed that Illai was presently inside with Aurora. He added that the young boy adamantly refused to leave the room in her absence, a detail Rosalie found utterly endearing. Encouraged by this, she took it upon herself to open the door.

The instant she stepped inside the room, a surge of youthful enthusiasm propelled the boy from his perch on the bed. He rushed toward Rosalie with an exuberance that could only be described as adorable, clasping her hand with a grip that felt warmly familiar.

"Rosalie, you have returned!"

Damien, however, reacted with a subtle start, his focus shifting to the child.

’Is he addressing her simply as ’Rosalie’? Already?’

Noticing the presence of another unfamiliar male figure, Illai promptly sidled behind Rosalie, retaining his grasp on her hand. He sought refuge behind the shelter of her skirt, all the while casting discreet glances with his curious green eyes.

Lady Ashter gracefully pivoted her torso, her free hand tenderly resting atop Illai’s reddish head. Her voice, imbued with kind assurance, carried forth her soothing words,

"Don’t be afraid, Illai. This is the gentleman who came to your rescue last night. He is one of the kindest and most generous men I have ever met! Trust me, he is a good person too."

In response to these affectionate words, Damien, who had previously borne a tense and serious countenance, underwent a visible transformation. A blush tinged his slightly tanned complexion as he absorbed the warmth of her compliments. Observing this positive change in the duke’s demeanor, Lady Ashter subtly inclined her head, capturing his attention with a discreet gesture, and whispered for him to come closer.

As though under the enchantment of her words, Damien complied, cautiously taking a few measured steps forward, positioning himself in closer proximity to the boy.

"Illai, allow me to introduce you to Grand Duke Damien Dio. He is the esteemed proprietor of this stately mansion and—"

Abruptly, Rosalie found herself unable to carry forth. There were moments like these when she contemplated the nature of her relationship with the duke, and the answer remained a perplexing enigma. Could she now classify him as a friend? An ally, perhaps? True, there was the title, or rather, the role that she had imposed onto him, one to which he, too, was bound while their contractual ties remained. Both were entwined in their respective parts.

"And... he is also my fiance."

Upon this revelation, Illai stepped forth from behind Rosalie’s protective cover, his expression marked with a measure of astonishment.

"Fiance? Does that imply you will marry him in the near future?"

"Indeed, you are absolutely correct."

A visible blush now adorned Illai’s cheeks, and his entire demeanor assumed an unmistakably awkward air. With a subtle hand gesture, he implored Rosalie to lean closer to him, ensuring that the duke would not overhear their exchange, and in a hushed whisper meant for her ears alone, he shared his confidential message.

Upon receiving this secretive confession, Lady Ashter initially widened her eyes, then promptly covered her mouth with her free hand as laughter bubbled forth, her own cheeks took on a rosy hue, mirroring Illai’s. Damien, however, found himself clenching his fists, a gnawing sense of unease creeping over him while his glistening golden eyes bore down on the giggling child.

’What could he have possibly said to elicit such laughter? And why does it leave me feeling so disconcerted?’

Ultimately, Rosalie redirected her focus toward the duke, prompting him to extend his hand to Illai and complete their introductions. Clearing his throat with a somewhat awkward cough, Damien crouched before the boy, extending his large, calloused hand and finally spoke as well,

"I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Illai. My name is Damien Dio and you can address me as Your Grace."

Although hesitant at first, with the support of Rosalie’s reassuring nod, the child finally accepted Damien’s hand, awkwardly squeezing it with what felt like all his might and nodded, signifying that the feeling was mutual.

The sensation of Illai’s tiny hand in his own stirred a subtle tremor within Damien’s chest. His gaze shifted back to the boy’s scarred face as he inquired,

"How old are you, Illai?"

"Lord Kaylen told me I was ten, Your Grace."

Releasing the boy’s hand, the duke returned to an upright posture and bestowed a gentle pat upon the child’s tousled head.

"Well, Illai, for a ten-year-old lad, you display remarkable maturity. It seems we may indeed find a place for you here."

With a sudden comprehension of his words, Rosalie’s eyebrows arched in exhilaration as her hands clasped together, and she practically bounded closer to the duke.

"Is this for real? Can he truly stay?"

Damien, with a weary sigh, brushed his dark hair from his forehead, affirming her query with a nod.

"Indeed, Lady Rosalie, he is welcome to stay."

Inexplicably overcome by a surge of emotions, Lady Ashter found herself relinquishing control as her entire being seemed to move of its own volition. She enveloped the man in a heartfelt embrace, her head resting against his broad chest, and her voice, filled with elation, murmured an effusive stream of "thank you’s" into the fabric of his attire.

Subsequently, she took both of Illai’s hands in her own and began a spirited bout of jumping, akin to an exuberant child. Her jubilant voice mingled with the boy’s surprised laughter, creating a harmonious symphony of joy within the room.

Damien continued to observe the genuine emotions playing across Rosalie’s countenance and found himself unable to suppress a smile. It was an enchanting realization, how the simplest of things could evoke such profound happiness when they were connected to her.

’Seeing the sheer delight something I say or do can bring you, Lady Rosalie, how could I possibly find it within me to say no?’