# 3
### Chapter Three
Harold took Kayden's hand away from me and stood in front of me. His wide back completely enclosed Kayden, making me feel completely protected.
“Did you really let this woman into the house, brother?”
"Yes."
“Huh. Oh my god...”
Kayden ran his hand through his hair and looked at Harold as if he had lost his mind.
“So, what are you doing at my house? I don’t remember giving you permission to visit today.”
“This isn't just your home.”
“Right. Just my house.”
Kaiden furrowed his eyebrows as if he had heard something unbelievable.
But Harold didn't care. He just raised his chin and smiled in that aristocratic way.
“Go back to your place. I have no intention of letting you wander in here uninvited.”
“Brother, I am the son of the Baisen family.”
“And I am a duke.”
“…”
In this tense confrontation between the two brothers, I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Wow... yeah, these two really hate each other.
There was no escape, however. The brothers have been enemies since birth. Harold was the late Duke's legitimate son, born to his wife, while Caiden was the son of the Duke's mistress, who took over after the death of his first wife. To make matters worse, Kayden was born while his first wife was still alive. In other words, he was an illegitimate child.
“Kayden, my dear little brother, if you want to be dragged outside like a dog, just stay there.”
Harold's tone was soft, but his words were deadly. In the end, it was Kayden who backed down.
“...I apologize. I will make sure to announce my visit properly next time.”
“Hmph. No need. I’ll throw it away without reading it. Don’t waste the paper.”
As I was peeking behind Harold, observing the entire scene, Kayden shot me a murderous glare.
Yes!
My murderous glare made me quickly hide behind Harold again.
'You know I'm not the reason you came here, so why are you staring at me!?'
However, considering what Diana did, it was no wonder he would be upset…
As Kayden's footsteps slowly faded away, I glanced warily again, only to find my eyes crossing with Harold, who turned to look at me. I froze awkwardly for a moment before quickly straightening up.
'Oh no...Does he think I was the one provoking Kaiden?'
Given Diana's usual behavior, I couldn't help but feel worried.
"Duke! I swear I didn't approach Kayden first! I was trying to avoid him! Right, Anna?"
I immediately called for support from the trusted maid standing next to me.
“Yes, just as Mademoiselle says.”
Great, Anna.
“I know. I have eyes, you know.”
You could have said that sooner. I smiled comfortably.
Harold gave me a strange look before turning to walk away.
“Let's eat. Who knows how much time I've already wasted waiting for you.”
“Yes, come quickly.”
I followed Harold. The quiet hallway seemed like a dream compared to the chaos moments ago.
As I was walking, I thought about the previous situation between Harold and Kayden.
Honestly, Kayden couldn't stand tall in front of Harold. If Harold had not contracted a fatal disease...
Maybe that's why Harold hated Kayden so much. Harold's sudden decline and decision to spend all his fortune, leaving nothing for Kayden to inherit, cannot be a mere coincidence.
The hero went through hell cleaning up the mess left by Harold after becoming a duke.
'And to think that Diana was going around declaring that Kayden would be the next duke in front of someone like that…'
Was she brave or just blinded by love...?
I remembered when Diana first fell in love with Kayden.
Diana was the daughter of a count, but her family treated her as an outsider. Her brother, who hated her, once dragged her to a hunting event with the other nobles and then abandoned her in the middle of the forest.
While she was walking around, thinking she was going to die, a bear appeared. She thought it was the end for her, but then an arrow flew from somewhere, killing the bear. Diana ran in the direction of the arrow, hoping to meet her savior, but all she found was a handkerchief embroidered with the Payson family crest.
Later, at the party held after the hunt, Caiden was the only member of the Bison family present. So, naturally, Diana became convinced that Kayden was the one who saved her and began to fall in love with him.
It was a first love so strong that even when she was kicked out of her home, she made sure to take that handkerchief with her, along with mementos of her mother. Honestly, you should have taken some jewels instead of the handkerchief.
"Yes!"
Lost in my thoughts, I ended up hitting my forehead against Harold's back when he suddenly stopped. His back was like a brick wall. I was the one who was hurt, but Harold gave me an annoyed look.
“Maybe you should watch where you're going instead of just staring at my back.”
“Yes, sir. Sorry...”
Considering all the tricks Diana pulled, I quickly apologized and lowered my head.
* * *
The meal was very luxurious.
I immediately started eating as if I hadn't seen food in days.
“…I invited you here to discuss business, but it seems that dismissing the servants was in vain.”
"Huh? What?"
“Never mind. Just keep eating. I won’t take it away from you, so stop eating like a wild animal and slow down a little.”
I looked around, realizing that I might have looked a little wild. Apparently I was too impulsive with food.
“It's just... so delicious... I used to live on the hideous bread they distribute at the temple. I lived on it for days.”
“…I see you managed to survive.”
“Aren't you? Even I'm surprised. My bread was almost stolen by beggars, and I was almost kidnapped by traffickers, but I held on.”
Now that the hard times are over, I can laugh when I talk about it.
But as I laughed, Harold's face darkened.
...Wait, could he be upset that Diana didn't die? Or maybe he's just annoyed that I talk too much. Anyway, I decided to shut up and focus on my food.
“You used to eat like a bird, eating only bread, and now you are devouring rich food?”
"Yes. I have special abilities, after all."
“Is that so... lucky you are...”
His voice trailed off as he suddenly placed his hand on the table. He clenched his fingers tightly, making his nails turn white. Then he grabbed his chest and bent down as if he was about to collapse.
“Ah…”
A painful moan escaped his lips.
“Your Highness the Duke!?”
Doctor—Wait, no! I have my powers!
I took a deep breath and rushed to his side. I tried to take off his gloves, but his fists were so clenched that it was impossible.
"You need to take off your gloves. I can't help unless you do."
“Just… get a doctor… quickly… ah.”
He was in a lot of pain but he chose a doctor over someone he wasn't sure about. Frustrated, I ditched the gloves and rolled up my sleeves instead.
“I'm really sorry! This is all for your own good, so please don't be angry with me later!”
I stated quickly, lifting his shirt to get as much skin contact as possible. Then I pulled him into a hug, pressing my face close to his.
Fortunately, using my holy powers wasn't difficult. The moment we touched, I felt energy flowing automatically.
I had only healed myself before, so I was a little worried, but fortunately, it worked.
As I wrapped my arms around him, Harold grabbed my shoulders as if to pull me away. But as the sacred energy flowed into him, the strength of his hands began to fade.
I closed my eyes, focusing on his recovery.
At one point, Harold buried his face in the crook of my neck, surprising me, but I remained focused.
His irregular heartbeat slowly stabilized.
'Hugh… that should be enough.'
I exhaled deeply, spooning my dry lips. Now that the tension was gone, I became very aware of the fact that my body was pressed against his.
I looked down and immediately blushed when I saw his rock-hard abs.
Wow...this is...impressive.
As someone who is easily influenced by appearances, this was truly… more important. Maybe I shouldn't think like that when he's sick. I quickly forced myself to stop.
Feeling embarrassed, I turned away from Harold, letting go of him. But while I was backing down...
“…!”
Harold grabbed my arm and pulled me into his embrace again, pulling me into his broad chest.
It was as if he didn't want to give up the only lifeline he had. His strong arms wrapped tightly around me, holding me firmly in place.