13

Before the war, when I first met Veronica, I couldn't say I was enamored with her at first glance. She had a reputation, one that many would rather avoid, but there was something undeniably captivating about her. Even with all the gossip and rumors swirling around her, I found myself intrigued.

She was rash, fiery, and unafraid to speak her mind—traits that didn't exactly make her popular with the high society women, but somehow, they made her even more interesting to me. In truth, I enjoyed watching her fight for my attention, even if it was a bit... chaotic at times. There was a charm to her boldness that I couldn't ignore. Maybe that's why, when her father proposed the idea of marriage to her, I didn't reject it outright. A part of me admired her spirit, and I thought perhaps it was time to make my own decision, regardless of the society's whispers.

Our marriage came sooner than I expected. Honestly, I wasn't sure how it would go. There were many things I wasn't ready for, least of all the weight of what marriage meant. But despite her sometimes rash behavior and our differences, I found myself fond of Veronica. I even found her cute in her own way, despite the chaos she often stirred up.

Then came the war. It was a time of unrest, and after our wedding, being thrust into battle was the last thing I wanted. I'd barely gotten used to my new role as a husband, and now I was supposed to leave everything behind to fight for my kingdom. I had no choice but to obey orders, though the anger I felt toward being sent away was something I couldn't hide.

During the war, I was consumed with thoughts of Veronica, and to my surprise, those thoughts became a source of comfort. The thought of her back home kept me going, even as I faced the harsh realities of war. I knew she was strong, but I couldn't help but worry. Had I made the right choice marrying her? What would happen to her without me there? But as the days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, my thoughts of Veronica shifted. It wasn't just worry anymore; I began to feel something deeper.

When I learned about the things Veronica had done for Audovera during my absence, my heart shifted in a way I didn't expect. The town, our people—she had put her own reputation aside and worked tirelessly to help those in need. She wasn't just the rash, hot-headed woman I had married; she was someone who had grown, someone who had changed for the better. My admiration for her deepened. I hadn't realized it at the time, but somewhere in the distance, I had started to fall in love with the woman she had become.

I returned home to find her... different. Not in a bad way, but I could sense the change. The woman I had left behind was no longer the same one who greeted me when I returned. She had grown stronger, more confident, more compassionate. But when I learned that she was considering a divorce, panic set in. I couldn't let her go, not after everything she had done, not after everything we had been through together. The thought of losing her was something I wasn't prepared for.

Now, as I stand here, unsure of how to approach her, I realize just how much I care for her. I've always found it difficult to express my feelings—one of my many flaws—but now it seems that I've taken too long. Veronica, despite everything, had been there for me, for our people, and I can no longer stand by and let her think that I don't see her efforts. I have to tell her how I feel, before it's too late.

---

I lay in bed now, unable to move. I was dressed and ready, but Henrick had taken care of everything. He insisted we were heading back to the Duchy today.

I had no choice. First, I couldn't move—Henrick had injured me last night. He had lost control, and as a result, my hip was broken. Secondly, the topic of the divorce was strictly off-limits.

"Veronica?" Henrick's voice brought me back to reality. "We're going home." I nodded in silence, not trusting my voice.

Because of my injury, Henrick carried me. As he did, I covered my face with my hands, feeling the eyes of the Audovera knights on us. Their stares were too much to bear.

This was incredibly embarrassing.

Henrick carried me all the way to the train. I made sure to hide my face, but at least he had rented the entire carriage, so no one could see us. We reached Audovera in no time, and upon our arrival at the castle, a whole group of maids and servants was waiting for us. They were smiling, but there was something off about their smiles. It made me feel even more self-conscious, so I kept my face hidden as Henrick carried me toward his room.

"Starting now, you'll be staying in my room," he announced, and then he left the room for a moment.

I wanted to roll around on the bed, but the pain in my lower body made it impossible.

It wasn't long before the family doctor arrived, prescribing various medicines and ointments. Lucy, the head maid, entered next, offering me tea.

"Welcome back, Duchess. As requested by the Duke, here is the pain-relieving tea and special ointment. Please ring the bell if you need any further assistance," she said. After placing the tea and ointment on the bedside table, she left the room.

"Veronica," Henrick's voice broke through my thoughts as he returned. He took the tea and helped me drink it, his gaze full of guilt. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration.

"I'm sorry, Veronica," he said, his voice strained. "I should've controlled myself last night. To make it up to you, I'll help you apply this ointment."

I looked at him, puzzled. "I'm alright, but what's the ointment for?" I asked, unsure of what to expect.

To my surprise, Henrick looked down, his face slightly flushed. "It's for... your private part," he admitted, his voice low.

I felt a flush rise in my cheeks, but I could see the sincerity in his eyes. Despite the awkwardness, I could sense that he truly regretted what had happened. This wasn't just about the physical pain; there was a deeper layer of care in his actions now.

Though I wasn't ready to fully process everything, one thing was clear: Henrick's feelings had shifted, and I wasn't sure whether that was a blessing or a curse.