Chapter 71.2

While deep in thought, a white hand appeared and applied medicine to Kieran’s bruised lips. Rosina smiled as she tended to him.

“You’re thinking too much.”

“I’m sorry. And thank you, Princess.”

Rosina moved her gaze from Kieran’s face to the view from the window.

“They say they can’t move the carriage because of the amount of snow. So, please stay in the Palace.”

***

She woke up at the sound of light tapping on the window.

Is it morning?

Lia tussled while rubbing her eyes. She wanted to get up, but her entire body felt like she had been beaten and her eyes were swollen from all the crying.

This was all because of the Grand Duke. What happened last night wasn’t a dream, not a mirage. It also wasn’t a nightmare.

Then, why did she cry so much whenever she embraced him? Because of pain? Or was she afraid of something?

She pulled the sheet around her and thought of every ache and pain.

The sound of tapping came again. She turned around to check what it was and her eyes widened.

Perched on the windowsill was the ash-colored hawk preening its wet feathers. This was definitely the hawk that had brought her the messages.

Lia forced herself up. She approached the window leaning on the pillar and chairs for support as she made her way to open the window. The cold wind blew through her hair.

The bird flew in and sat on top of the couch as if it had been waiting for an invitation to sit.

“How did you know I was here?” she asked the hawk with amazement.

The bird ignored her question and instead focused on his feathers. It hadn’t even brought a message.

That was odd. If someone sent it to her, then there had to be a message tied to it.

“What’s going on with you?” she asked the hawk.

Lia laughed and slowly approached the dozing hawk. She crouched in front of it and extended her finger as she gazed into its blue eyes.

It rubbed its head against her hand. It was an odd feeling as expected.

“He seems to like you,” said a voice from the bathroom.

The voice belonged to Claude who stood there wearing a robe.

There he was, so large, strong, and sexy. He smelled like fresh herbs.

She thought he had gone back to his room. She avoided his gaze while clenching onto the sheet that was covering her.

“I didn’t know you were here.”

“I shaved.”

He didn’t seem to care that she was embarrassed. Instead, he walked to the hawk and caressed its beak. Lia opened her eyes and looked back and forth between Claude and the hawk.

The hawk spread his wings. Claude rubbed its beak and the hawk perched on Claude’s arm. Claude frowned slightly in reaction to the hawk’s sharp claws.

“This hawk is yours?” Lia asked, stunned.

He scoffed, getting comfortable on the sofa, stretching out his long legs.

“You didn’t know?”

How could I have!

Lia stood up feeling betrayed. She quickly lost strength in her legs and stumbled back.

The hawk flew up and Claude’s hands supported Lia. He lifted her up all too easily.

Thanks to that she wasn’t hurt, but he embraced her and they landed together on the sofa.

“So clumsy,” he said, playfully scolding her.

Lia pointed at the hawk to blame it. It was now perched on the mantlepiece like a doll.

“That hawk brought me a message. So, you were the sender?”

“Of course. Since you didn’t send me a single message, I contacted you.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? I thought—”

She couldn’t say that she thought her mother had sent it to her. Talking about her mother would lead to mentioning Louvre and the anarchists. Claude would never let go of her clumsy lies.

“I didn’t know who knew my name. Plus, I was afraid—scared that the hawk might poke me or scratch me.”

“If it weren’t you, then the hawk would have.”

His bulky chest peeked through his robe.

Lia tried to avoid seeing it, but Claude was tenacious.

“Canillia.”

“Yes?” she asked while looking at the closet wondering what clothing she should put on. She had to get dressed right now—even if she wore female attire.

While she was pondering how she was going to hide her naked body, Claude grabbed her chin strongly and made her look at him. Lia blinked, unsure of what was to come.

“Sir?”

It was certain that he didn’t like something. He sighed a long sigh and smiled so beautifully while looking down.

“Claude,” said Claude, correcting her.

“Claude,” she said acquiescing.

He lifted his eyebrows in satisfaction and pressed his lips on a bruise.

“I will find out for sure today. Yesterday was too dark, but now is perfect.”

“Find out about what?”

“Everything,” he answered cryptically.

Lia gasped and shut her eyes. His tongue touched where the mark was again. She couldn’t hold back her reaction to the tickling sensation so she held his face and made him look at her. They kissed.

Last night’s snowfall began to melt, looking like rain coming down from the roof. People outside shoveled snow. Their kiss heated up and Claude looked like he was losing his patience.

Just then there was a brief knock on the door and the door swung open without permission.