As soon as she saw the familiar chamber of Duke Rufus, she arose from her bed.
He was completely absent from the room. Only his tuxedo remained on the couch when he removed it.
Today, Duke Rufus’s tuxedo was really stylish. Ellie was so scared that she couldn’t even fully look at him, but the dress he wore reminded her of his graduation celebration, which she saw from a distance.
Ellie believed that she would never attend a party with Duke Rufus.
Ellie couldn’t quite believe she had attended a party with him, despite the fact that it was for business reasons.
The bathroom door then opened, and Duke Rufus in a robe emerged. On the injured hand, neither the handkerchief nor the bandage were visible.
“Duke.”
She ran to his side and grabbed his hand. The wound was oozing with blood.
“Please wash your hands. Why is it not treated yet?”
Ellie snorted at seeing his damaged hand. Then he revealed bright blue eyes.
“You attended the imperial ball.”
Her blue eyes fluttered frantically in response to his certain remarks. And in a flash, her form vanished.
Ellie awoke and reached for the cushion next to her.
“What ought we to do? I must be insane!”
Upon seeing him emerge after washing his hands without treatment, she got momentarily concerned and yelled inappropriate comments.
He is unaware that he is Ellie Miller.
Yes, almost everyone at the imperial ball was aware of his injury. It was equally stranger not to realize that a riot occurred.
As long as they didn’t discover it was Ellie Miller, it was okay that the investigation’s scope was reduced.
Ellie once again regained her breath and closed her eyes. She was still unable to quiet her shocked thoughts, but it was a stressful day, so she fell asleep soon.
“You came up today for no apparent reason.”
Duke Rufus approached Ellie as she awoke in bed.
“I expected you to be absent all night.”
“Sorry. I did not vanish intentionally. If I’m surprised, I don’t realize it until I wake up—”
Duke Rufus peered carefully at her while offering justifications with a hesitating expression.
“After all, you are a young lady from a prominent aristocratic family.”
Ellie’s eyes widened in response to his soothing remarks.
“If I asked you who you were at the imperial ball, it would probably be from a family that I already know, no?”
Thankfully, he did not seem to have any suspicions that she was Ellie Miller.
“I have no idea. However, you’re more interested in me than I anticipated. I believe that you said that you didn’t want to know who I was.”
He exhibited a little frown in response to her statements.
“I’m not curious.”
Then he responded with a direct tone.
“That’s good fortune. I was concerned that you would develop a sudden interest in me.”
“Why are you anxious?”
He inquired with a confused expression.
“You said it. I was just decluttering my thoughts. We will continue to meet one other at future social functions, but I don’t want the Duke to discover who I am and make things difficult.”
As soon as she completed her response, his countenance went icy.
“I’m feeling terrible for whatever reason.”
Duke Rufus murmured gently to himself. Ellie scanned the bedroom but could not detect his presence.
She saw a first aid package laying behind the bookcase.
“Fortunately, a first aid package is available. Can I use it momentarily?”
“Of course.”
Ellie retrieved a first aid kit from the bookcase before approaching Duke Rufus.
“Can you show your hand to me? This should not be dismissed as a minor injury. When it comes to inflammation, the situation is really complicated.”
Ellie retrieved a bandage and ointment from the first aid box.
“Why are you so anxious if you’re decluttering your mind?”
“Things are in the process of being worked out, but they have not yet been resolved. And it is normal to be concerned for the ill.”
“You are not required to treat a critically sick patient with such a wound.”
He stretched out to her while groaning in a discontented voice. Ellie administered medicine and wrapped his wounds with care.
He stared at her in silence.
“You remind me of someone.”
“Who?”
While securing the bandages, Ellie fixed her gaze on him. It was difficult for her to establish eye contact with him while she was in her normal shape, but since she was in a new form, she felt more at ease and her undiscovered bravery increased.
“Someone who will never love me.”
“The woman you told me previously? Do you like her? Why do you keep on talking about her?”
He waited briefly in response to her query. ‘Do you like her?’
‘I was a bit envious of the lady, but I didn’t even recognize her.’
“Well. Once upon a time, I believed that if I had to get married, I would do it with this lady.”
He responded in a hushed tone while stroking his dripping blonde hair with his unwrapped hand.
Ellie was unaware that Duke Rufus, who hated women, would elicit this kind of emotion.
Her heart hurt momentarily. Not having expectations does not guarantee that you will not be hurt.
Her head was filled with jealousy.
“You like her.”
Ellie said nonchalantly as she attempted to assemble the first aid bag.
“That’s not the case. It is just comfortable.”
“If that emotion grows, wouldn’t it become better?”
“Why? Are you intending to provide me with dating advice as I organize my emotions?”
In response to his direct inquiry, Ellie hastily shook her head.
“I do not believe that will occur at this time. I’m really a bit envious.”
Upon hearing her words of envy, his sculpted face broke into a contented grin.
“I do not believe that this feeling can be readily sorted out.”
“You’re correct. If I don’t want to annoy the Duke, I’ll need to resolve this swiftly.”
Ellie rose from the couch and returned the first aid box to its original location.
“Please take your time.”
The Duke’s quiet voice could be heard in her ear as she flipped over the pages of the book. When she turned his head, she saw a face that was slightly flushed.
“Yes?”
“You seem to be more handy than I had anticipated.”
Ellie had a grin on her face while seeing his hasty explanations.
“That’s good fortune. It’s not like it’s only irritating. Today, should we utilize this book?”
The title of the book was ‘I met you in the dead of night.’ I liked the title of a novel that paralleled my position.
“Do anything you feel like.”
He responded while laying in bed. Elli approached him with a book, sat on a chair, and opened the book.
As she read the book without hesitation, her face instantly became crimson. I chose this book based only on its title, yet it was more sexual than I anticipated.
“His hands were tied with lace—”
When he saw that she had stopped reading, he stifled a smile.
“Why are you not reading it?”
“I believe I made the incorrect choice. Again—”
“What kind of book is this? I’ll see it.”
He snatched the book from her grasp.
“No.”
Ellie hastily extended her hand towards him. She grasped his hand, which had already opened the book, in a hurry. Consequently, her body was positioned halfway on the bed.
Their eyes locked in mid-air. The space between them was so close that their breaths might have touched. Ellie hurriedly stood up after realizing that she was getting too near.
“It’s not to my liking, so don’t misunderstand me.”
She fanned her face with her palms in an attempt to chill it.
“All well, bring up another book.”
“Okay.”
I chose a book with a well-known title this time. This book, titled ‘Armian,’ was a classic literary text I studied while attending the academy.
It was quite monotonous, but she believed it would be an excellent sleep aid. While seeing her comfortably reading a book, he fell asleep gradually.
Ellie gazed longingly at his sleeping face with loving eyes.
Ellie, who went for work a little earlier than normal, had a cup of hot coffee before beginning her shift. The phone then rang.
“This is Ellie Miller.”
[It’s me… how’s the job?”]
Arthur’s voice was audible across the receiver. Ellie smiled and opened her lips to speak.
“Yes. How is your injury??
[It is more difficult to lay in bed than to be working endlessly.]
Arthur was a very active individual. As someone who likes hunting, horseback riding, and shooting, Ellie expected the stagnation to be more frustrating.
“In that method, you will recover quickly.”
[I know. I almost long for the duke’s nagging. I was unaware that laying down was so unpleasant.]
“Please hold on a little longer and cheer up.”
Ellie offered words of encouragement in a quiet voice.
[It’s true that you attended the royal ball with the Duke yesterday, correct?]
Had Arthur already heard of the rumor?
“Yes. How did you find out?”
[If the Duke arrives with his companion, there will be no peace and quiet. I heard it was a major event. Is it okay?”]
“Yes. However, the Duke is slightly injured.”
[I’m pleased you weren’t wounded. I called out of apprehension. You do not yet have a telephone at home.]
“I appreciate your care. But I don’t believe it’s time for the Aide to be concerned about me.”
Arthur’s jovial laughing was audible across the phone. Although he was ill, he was a really lovely person.
At that time. Ellie’s eyes were drawn to the image of Duke Rufus entering the aide’s office with a chilly expression.
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