Angelus Carduus

Chapter 19: Warm Hands

Valeria was immediately given a health checkup. The doctor flashed the light in her nose before turning to Aelius who had been standing there the entire checkup.

"Fortunately it was only a nosebleed that could have been caused by stress and tension. It wasn't anything too serious." the doctor spoke, packing up his things.

Valeria sighed with relief, happy that she didn't need to eat more medicines than she already had to take. The doctor bowed and left the room leaving her and Aelius alone in the room.

She noticed how quiet he was so she looked up at him. His eyes were filled with worry as they stayed on her figure.

"I'm fine." she spoke, trying to ease up the tension between them.

He stiffly nodded but still looked at her with worry. Valeria shook her head and got out of bed. She began to move her arms and lightly jumped in spot.

"See? I'm fine. Stop worrying."

"...Yes.." Aelius answered back but soon trailed off.

Valeria stopped jumping and raised an eyebrow. "Do you have something to say?"

He shook his head and walked closer to where she was standing. A waft of a light cologne scent went up her nostrils. It wasn't too strong for her so she didn't mind the smell.

He stood in front of her inches away and extended his arms towards her. He paused his actions and instead brought his hand up to her head, lightly patting her. This reminded Valeria of her parents and how they used to pat her head every time they visited her.

It was pleasant for some reason. Her eyes fluttered shut as she allowed Aelius to pat her on the head.

"Don't get sick." she heard Aelius' voice which was as gentle as a feather.

When she heard that, she realised Aelius did not know she was dying.

"Uh-" Valeria lifted her head up as she tried to speak but when she saw the expression he had on his face, the words she was about to say got stuck in her throat.

Aelius gazed at her, waiting for what she wanted to say but she shook her head and muttered out, "Tired.."

"Go sleep, I'll leave the room." he replied, removing his hand away from her head.

Valeria nodded and slipped under the bed covers as he left the bedroom.

She closed her eyes shut, not wanting to think about why she couldn't utter out the words, "I'm dying." to him.

"I'll do it another time." she muttered to herself resolutely before falling asleep.

When she woke up, it was already the next day so she cleaned herself up and got dressed before leaving the room.

"Ah Your Grace please stay in your room, breakfast will be brought to you shortly." a maid spoke, blocking her from leaving the room.

Valeria frowned, clearly showing disdain towards the maid, "Why?" she coldly asked, her eyes sharply staring at the maid.

The maid straightened her back in fear before answering her question, "H-his grace has said to let you take a rest for the whole day..."

Hearing that it was Aelius who had ordered the maid, surprisingly her mood returned to normal.

"Oh."

Valeria turned around and walked back inside not before saying, "Myra is the only one allowed to come in and serve me."

She sat down on the chair near the window together with the books she had borrowed from the library and silently read.

Myra knocked on the door before coming in with her breakfast. Valeria pointed at the table before continuing to be invested in the books she was reading.