When My Contract with the Misanthropic Duke Ended, I Filed For Divorce, But My Husband's Obsession and Doting Became Unbearable - Chapter 14

“Ahhhhh…!”

The first thing I did when I woke up was hold my head. It wasn’t like I was drunk or anything—I remembered everything perfectly. And yet… the way I acted toward the Duke! On top of that, I actually hit someone for the first time in my life. I was completely overwhelmed, but that’s no excuse. Besides, this isn’t even the Duke’s mansion, right? This must be the royal castle.

Sleeping in the audience hall… that’s unheard of!

I couldn’t even imagine what happened after that. I wanted to ask what became of everything once I fell asleep, but I had just woken up, and I needed a little time to collect myself. What in the world had I done, right in front of the royal family…

As I was groaning to myself, the door suddenly opened.

“Ah, sorry. You’re awake already.”

Without knocking, Reed stepped in. Maybe he hadn’t expected me to be awake, because he immediately apologized, though his tone was light. But really, I was the one who should be apologizing, so there was no way I could be bothered by it.

“Reed, I’m sorry! I can’t believe I fell asleep like that…!”

“It’s fine, it’s fine! Though I didn’t think anyone would actually fall asleep in an audience chamber.”

“Ugh…”

Reed laughed out loud, clearly not bothered at all, teasing me with a bright smile. I, on the other hand, couldn’t say a single word in return.

“Father and my brother aren’t angry, so don’t worry. No one who was there is stupid enough to spread the story around, and the criminals who can’t be trusted are locked in the castle dungeon, so it won’t get out anyway.”

“Thank you… really.”

He said it like it was nothing, but I had a feeling Reed must have done something to help. I was so lucky to have such a good friend—but I felt guilty for always depending on him. I really wanted to repay him someday.

“It’s nothing at all! Anyway, how are you feeling? You okay?”

“Huh? I was just asleep, so… yeah, I’m fine?”

“Ah—so you don’t remember, huh?”

I tilted my head at his words. Why was he worried about my condition just because I’d been asleep? And what was it that I supposedly didn’t remember?

“Did I… forget something?”

“You forgot a lot. After you fell asleep, you got a really high fever and went into a critical condition. I was seriously worried, you know?”

“What?”

It was worse than I expected, and I couldn’t help blurting out in shock. My body felt completely fine when I woke up, so I’d only been thinking about how much I’d embarrassed myself.

“So yeah, I just came to check on you today. I didn’t expect you to be awake yet, so I came in without knocking…”

“Sorry… I don’t remember any of that at all.”

“Well, you were unconscious and looked like you were suffering pretty badly. Maybe it’s better you don’t remember.”

I mean, it didn’t feel right to forget something that worried him so much—but maybe not remembering something painful was… better?

“If you’re feeling alright, then the doctor said you just need to rest for today. If nothing seems wrong by the end of the day, you can start moving around tomorrow.”

“I see… thank you.”

“If you’re going to rest, I can cancel today’s visitors for you. Want me to do that?”

“Visitors?”

Did that mean people had come to the royal castle to see me while I was unconscious? It felt rude to turn them away if they’d come all the way here for me… Wait, did he say today’s visitors?

“Yeah. Your family and Duke Bandage.”

“My family…? Not just my brother? And even the Duke?”

“I was surprised too. Your family came up with some silly excuse about wanting connections with royalty, so I didn’t let anyone but your brother enter the castle. So I guess they don’t really count as visitors anymore. Anyway, your brother’s coming today since he heard your condition stabilized. As for Duke Bandage—he’s been coming every day.”

“That’s… kind of embarrassing for me, honestly. I hope they didn’t say anything rude or cause trouble. I don’t think they’d have the nerve to talk back to royalty, but still… And the Duke’s been coming every day?”

The thought of my family’s foolishness, mixed with the happiness of knowing the Duke had visited daily, left my mind a total mess. Honestly, from the moment I woke up, I hadn’t been calm at all.