MHHC Chapter 6

Obsession

"In any case, it's difficult to make a judgment right now. Whatever the case, it's still a miracle. I'll write you some prescriptions that will be good for his health."

He said this while busily packing the bag he had spread on the floor. Adelheid urgently took a step toward him.

"Instead of that, could you stay in the territory and observe His Grace for just a few more days?"

Adelheid made her request while deliberately avoiding Valentin's gaze that clung to her face. Having the healer stay in the territory would require considerable money. With Ansgar territory's usual financial situation, it would be tantamount to madness, but now they had gold received as spoils of war.

"If you don't have urgent business, just two more days..."

Adelheid's voice gradually lost confidence and trailed off. Would this be alright? She was acting rashly without consulting the butler. However, when it came to matters related to the Grand Duke's welfare, she couldn't seek permission from subordinates for every little thing.

And the healer looked almost ready to let out a joyful cheer.

"Of course, I'd welcome it. This precious experimental subj— I mean, just the opportunity to attend to His Grace closely would be a great honor."

"Then, the money... how much..."

Adelheid's cheeks flushed slightly red. It was still the butler, not the Grand Duke who had just recovered consciousness, who held the financial authority. If the healer demanded more money than she could handle, she would ultimately have to ask the butler.

Adelheid glanced at the head housemaid standing by the door. At that very moment, she felt a strong grip on her wrist.

"Ugh..."

It had been just moments since Valentin's eyes started becoming fierce. Thinking that the head housemaid and healer were making her nervous, his thoroughly sharpened face turned toward them.

At that menacing look, the healer hurriedly held up five fingers.

"I-I'll also be gaining materials, so I'll only take five gold coins per day."

Adelheid inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. That much could be managed with the money she had gradually saved by selling embroidery.

Just then, there was a sound from outside the door. When permission to enter was given, a maid appeared carrying a tray.

"I'll bring something light to eat."

On the tray were soup, soft bread, and water mixed with honey. Since it was his first meal in a long time, everything was chosen not to strain his stomach.

When the tray was placed on the nightstand beside the bed, Hermann naturally prepared to attend to him. Adelheid carefully pushed Valentin's shoulder away.

"Well then, Your Grace. Please rest now. I'll take my leave..."

"No, no... not..."

The moment Adelheid made a motion to withdraw, Valentin discontentedly threw off the blanket covering him and urgently grabbed her arm. Forgetting that he was barefoot, he carelessly stepped on the cold floor.

"No, no... nooo..."

Irregular sounds burst from Valentin's mouth. He was almost ready to kneel. His desperate hands gripped Adelheid's slender waist, while his other hand caressed her soft cheek and nape. Valentin's elegant eyes were instantly filled with resentment.

As if asking how she could say such things to him, as if she had tried to abandon him and leave forever.

"Adel, no, Adel..."

The only thing he could pronounce properly was her name alone. In the moment when Adelheid's body lost strength at the awkward feeling, he powerfully pulled her into his embrace. Adelheid staggered for an instant and was thrust into his arms.

"Grugh, ugh..."

It was almost like the growling of a beast. The behavior of someone with only the instinct to not let his possession be taken away.

Adelheid couldn't see what kind of murderous expression Valentin directed at the others in the room. Her cheek was pressed against his solid chest, and he was a full head taller than most adult men.

"Then, if it's not presumptuous, would Your Grace look after His Grace's meal. We'll withdraw so he can rest..."

Even the head housemaid, who was usually stiff as a board, managed to stammer a few words with a deathly pale face before closing the door and disappearing.

Adelheid stared blankly with a dumbfounded face at the door they had shut and vanished behind. Silence quickly settled over the room.

"Adel."

Valentin, who had brought his chin to rest on the crown of her head, let out an extremely satisfied breath. Her name pronounced from Valentin's mouth sounded almost like an exclamation. He very carefully stroked Adelheid's disheveled golden hair with his fingers.

The embracing arms gradually tightened. Little by little, breathing became stifling. When she squirmed, Valentin quickly let her go.

"......"

"......"

Their gazes collided. Valentin had persistently stared at her from the beginning as if it were a natural phenomenon. Even during their brief standoff, the food was cooling quickly. Adelheid swallowed a frustrated breath.

'Look after his meal.'

What on earth was she supposed to do...?

When Adelheid, who had been pondering briefly, moved toward the table, Valentin almost reflexively grabbed her wrist. Deep wrinkles appeared on her husband's brow, looking as if he was endlessly worried about her.

He probably thought Adelheid might suddenly collapse while walking.

'Who's worried about whom, really...'

In Adelheid's eyes—no, in anyone's eyes right now—Valentin would look more concerning. She used the wrist he had grabbed to gently pull him.

"Please sit over here."

Valentin hesitated but obediently sat in the chair Adelheid pointed to. With people gone from around them, he seemed to have regained a bit more composure. Even with food in front of him, he rested his chin on his hand and stared at her for a long while.

Growl.

He didn't seem to hear the sound coming from his own stomach. If he had been 'frozen' for over ten days, he should be terribly hungry. Adelheid tilted her head.

Did he not know how to eat? Or perhaps he didn't even understand the concept that he needed to eat food? Since they said he had forgotten even instincts, maybe that was the case.

Adelheid hesitated a little. But if he were a small child, maybe... she couldn't very well bring a spoon to the lips of a robust young man.

"Please eat."

When she lightly pushed the tray, this time Valentin tilted his head. Adelheid had no choice but to pick up the pewter cup containing honey water and demonstrate drinking.

"Like this..."

Valentin carefully observed her actions. The way she held the water cup, the angle of her arm when bringing it to her lips, the shape of her lips, the motion of setting the cup back down...

The flow of his gaze was so thick and slow that she had the illusion that time itself was passing slowly.

Adelheid pushed the pewter cup in front of him.

"Try it."

Valentin narrowed his eyes like someone facing a problem of unprecedented difficulty. He slowly reached out and brought his fingers to the pewter cup.

Crunch.

Adelheid's eyes widened in surprise. That sturdy pewter cup crumpled beyond recognition in an instant. If not for the water dripping from Valentin's large hands, she might have thought she was hallucinating.

"......"

Valentin placed the crushed cup on the table, looking slightly embarrassed. Its flattened, crumpled appearance was stark. Adelheid's lips trembled with shock. Come to think of it, just minutes before, those were the same hands that had been grabbing her arms and waist.

If he had made a mistake, her wrist might have ended up in that state, she thought, and a faint chill ran down her spine.

'I just thought His Grace was a bit strong... I never imagined he couldn't gauge his strength at all.'

Was that how all men's grip strength was? It was difficult to judge. Even when Oskar occasionally grabbed her wrist, he was rough, but it hadn't seemed to that extent...

As Adelheid pondered, she saw Valentin reaching for the spoon. She urgently grabbed his wrist. This time, he looked at her in surprise.

"I-I'll do it. Your Grace."

Adelheid found it difficult to tell whether he understood what she meant. He simply seemed pleased that she had initiated contact first, his eyes curving prettily.

Really, was this the same person as the husband who had been so cruel to her?

"......"

Adelheid firmly suppressed her pointless suspicions and scooped up a large spoonful of soup. This was better than having spoons and dishes break, turning the room into a complete mess.

She carefully held the dish containing soup and brought a large spoonful toward Valentin. He pulled his head back slightly, as if not wanting to obstruct her path. Adelheid was perplexed, holding the spoon in mid-air.

"Um, Your Grace... Please bring your head a little closer."

"...?"

"Even if you dislike it, please try to eat by force. That way, you'll be able to take your medicine too."

He seemed uncomfortable with various objects blocking the space between him and Adelheid. Perhaps he didn't understand. You're telling me to come closer, so what are all these odds and ends doing here? His haughty eyes seemed to ask thus.

Valentin reaching out as if he couldn't understand and Adelheid bringing the bowl of soup a little closer to his lips happened simultaneously. The soup bowl that collided in mid-air splashed all over her hands.

"Ah..."

Adelheid's eyes crumbled slightly with dismay. Soup dripped from her hands down to her forearms. A few drops even splashed on her face. When Adelheid reflexively licked the soup that had splashed on her lips with her tongue, it happened.

He grabbed her wrist, which was covered in soup, and lifted it up.

The lips that wouldn't open no matter how earnestly she offered food gently touched her fingers.

"Y-Your Grace!"

Adelheid cried out in shock. Those lips parted and a tongue red as sin licked her fingers. Adelheid squeezed her eyes shut. Her lips, her jaw, trembled mercilessly.

It was hot and ticklish too. Wet and sticky, the tongue moved, grazing her skin painlessly with sharp teeth.

His lips moved very leisurely. From fingers to palm, from palm to wrist, and below...

"Adelheid."

At his call, she finally breathed and opened her eyes.