When My Contract with the Misanthropic Duke Ended, I Filed For Divorce, But My Husband's Obsession and Doting Became Unbearable - Chapter 17

Well, before anything else, I should organize what I heard from Reed before the two of them arrive.
I don’t remember much, but I was in critical condition with a high fever, right? I must’ve been unconscious all that time, and the royal castle took care of me. Come to think of it, I forgot to ask how many days have passed since that day of the audience.

I haven’t washed myself since that day, but I don’t smell bad, right? I don’t feel gross or dirty, so someone must have wiped my body and changed my clothes for me. My hair doesn’t feel uncomfortable either, so they must have taken care of that too.

Even though I showed such an embarrassing sight before going to sleep, I just keep troubling everyone.
But according to Reed, His Majesty the King and His Highness the Crown Prince aren’t angry about what happened during the audience, so I guess that’s something to be relieved about.
I’m really glad they’re kind people.

Since my brother came to visit, he probably already knows the situation. I’ll just thank him for worrying about me and for coming to see me. I should also make sure that our parents didn’t take their frustration out on him for not being allowed into the royal castle. They’ve always been gentle with him as the eldest son, but still, I can’t help but worry.

And… yeah, putting all the circumstances aside, I’m honestly just happy to see my brother again.
He’s the only family member who didn’t reject me for liking men, and he never changed his attitude toward me even after he found out.

“Come to think of it, I wonder if he’s married yet?”

Over the past three years, all my letters have been thrown away. It’s possible one of them contained a wedding announcement. So, I’ll have to ask him directly. If he is married, I’ll be the worst brother ever, having never congratulated him. I know my brother wouldn’t get angry after hearing what really happened, but I’d still feel guilty about it.

I guess that’s about all I have to talk about with him. Though, when we actually meet, I might end up saying something completely different. But this time, the Duke will be here too. Even if they don’t come together, we might run into each other. Maybe I should’ve asked Reed to arrange separate visits.

But if the three of us do end up together, I’ll just have to go with the flow. At least I should organize in my head what I need to say to the Duke — just the basics. You could say I need time to calm down and think everything through. After everything that happened at the audience, and all that occurred while I was unconscious, I’m pretty confused. I didn’t even realize I was in a coma — I thought I was just asleep.
Was I actually on the verge of crossing the River of the Dead without realizing it…?

“Wait… wha—”

“Sha… ron!”

Just as I was thinking that, I suddenly heard noise coming from outside the door. I couldn’t tell what they were saying, but raising one’s voice in the royal castle must mean something serious happened.

But wait… that voice… it sounds familiar, and it’s getting closer—

“Sharon!”

“Duke!?”

“Ha… ha… too fast… talk… ha… listen, damn it… Duke…!”

The door burst open with a loud bang, and the Duke appeared, shouting my name. Behind him, Reed was panting heavily, clearly exhausted and muttering curses under his breath. Reed was never good at physical activity, and when he overdoes it, his true colors tend to show.

“Sharon… you’re really… awake…”

“D-Duke?”

When I turned my gaze back toward him, the Duke whispered something softly, his voice trembling. Then, without taking another step, he just stood there — and tears began to fall from his eyes.
I froze in shock.

“Thank goodness… thank goodness you’re really okay…”

“Whew… honestly… as soon as I told him we needed to reschedule the visit, he threw his work aside and started running, shouting your name all over the place,” Reed said, exasperated.

From the sound of it, the Duke had been working somewhere in the castle. So right after I asked Reed to deliver my message, he must have gone to find the Duke — and that’s why the Duke got here so fast.
But still, I wasn’t ready for this at all. And now the Duke is crying… I have no idea what I’m supposed to do.

At least Reed is here with me — that’s the only relief.

Even so, it’s clear the Duke was really worried about me. Maybe that’s why, more than being flustered by the suddenness of it all, I felt this warm, prickling happiness inside. Because if he was that worried — to the point of tears — then it means he truly cared about me.