Chapter 19

（I've already messed up...!!）

Amelia was in a panic over her clumsy move, which involved banging her head against the headboard in a way that looked like something a dull and awkward young girl would do.

Her breathing was shallow, and cold sweat dripped down her body. She was in a mild state of panic due to just waking up.

Logan, however, mistook Amelia's appearance for someone in pain.

"You don't seem to be okay. Let me take a look."

Logan leaned over Amelia.

"A..."

She involuntarily let out a sound.

The sweet citrus scent that wafted around her, the silver hair that tickled her nose, and Logan's broad chest that covered her field of vision, which she could feel even through his clothes.

The unexpected zero distance made Amelia's body temperature rise sharply.

Logan, with a serious expression, examined the spot where Amelia had hit her head. It looked as if he was hugging her head.

Amelia was worried that Logan could hear her heart pounding.

"Hmm... There's no blood... It doesn't seem to be cut."

Logan's voice, heard from such close proximity, made her heart beat even faster. If it had been cut, Amelia imagined blood gushing out of her head like a fountain.

"I'll touch it a little... Does it hurt?"

"No..."

Amelia's voice, strained with tension and embarrassment, was so soft that Logan didn't hear it. With a serious face, Logan murmured:

"Should I call a doctor, just to be safe?"

"No, no, no, no, no, I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine!"

Amelia couldn't let him go to such trouble over something like this, so she regained her composure and said:

"It's just a minor bump, and it doesn't hurt. Really, I'm fine!"

"But you seemed different just now."

"Well, I was... a bit surprised, I guess."

"Ah, I see..."

Logan stepped back, looking as if he understood.

"I'm sorry for startling you. I touched you without thinking, please forgive me."

"N-no... It's nothing at all..."

On the contrary, Amelia felt embarrassed for showing such an awkward face again after yesterday. She felt a puff of steam rising from her head.

Logan suddenly seemed to notice something and looked at her intently.

"Did you take a bath?"

"Yes, Sylphie showed me the way."

"I see."

After a moment of hesitation, Logan said:

"You look clean."

Her heart skipped a beat again.

The surprise of the sudden comment and the joy of being noticed.

And the words "you look clean" – which she thought had nothing to do with her – seeped into the depths of her heart.

(No, I shouldn't get too excited...)

Amelia shook her head. Logan was just talking about hygiene, not her appearance.

It must be so.

Amelia had lost all confidence in her appearance due to the constant negative comments she had received.

She tried to convince herself that getting the wrong idea would only lead to future heartache... but she couldn't control the smile on her face. This was not good; it was a rather undignified expression.

"Lord Logan, why are you here?"

To change the subject, she asked the original question. She had heard that he would be busy for the next three days.

"Just checking in. My morning work progressed faster than expected, so I thought I'd come and see. I have to go to the next appointment directly."

"I see..."

After a slight pause, Logan continued:

"Also, because of what happened last night. A bit, at least."

(Ah, I see...)

Seeing Logan slightly avert his eyes, Amelia realized:

(He was worried about me...)

Thinking about the head bump earlier and the incident last night, she felt a warmth in her eyes.

"What are you so worked up about?"

"It's just... rumors can be unreliable, can't they?"

"Rumors?"

Oops, Amelia covered her mouth.

"I'm sorry if it offends you..."

"It's fine. Speak."

After hesitating, Amelia said:

"...The Tyrant Duke."

Logan's eyebrows twitched.

"Lord Logan... I heard you are quick to anger and prone to violence, hence the nickname."

"Ah, I see. The rumors have developed that far."

"Developed?"

"Half true, half false. I didn't want to get married at all. So I spread some rumors to discourage young ladies from wanting to marry. The rumors about being cruel, merciless, and stern were likely misinterpreted. ...I didn't expect it to be taken as far as hitting women, though."

"I see... So that's how it happened."

Amelia nodded in deep understanding. Logan's actions and words were so far from the rumors...

Logan continued with a self-deprecating tone:

"Being rigid, unapproachable, and cold is true, though."

"No, no!!"

Amelia spoke up.

"Lord Logan... I think you are a very kind person."

"Me?"

"Yes, very."

Looking straight into Logan's eyes, Amelia said the words that came to mind:

"I am truly grateful to have such a kind husband."

At Amelia's unwavering statement, Logan scratched his head awkwardly.

"You're a curious one, aren't you?"

"Not as much as Lord Logan."

...Speaking of which, why was she chosen? As soon as this question came to mind, Logan asked:

"But... how did you end up marrying me?"

"Huh?"

"Even as a duke, a normal person wouldn't want to marry a man with such rumors, right?"

Logan's logical point made Amelia look down and speak:

"...It was the only path for me."

Noticing the change in Amelia's atmosphere, Logan frowned.

"What do you mean by that..."

Knock, knock.

At that moment, a knock sounded at the door.

"Excuse me... Are you busy?"

It was Oscar. Upon seeing them, he smiled slyly rather than his usual cheerful grin.

"We're not busy."

"Is that so?"

Oscar feigned disappointment before switching to a serious expression.

"Lord Logan, it's time."

"...Ah, I understand."

Logan stood up and, before leaving, turned to Amelia.

"I'll come back when I can."

"Y-Yes! ...Ah, right!"

Amelia suddenly remembered something, got out of bed, rummaged through a cabinet, and handed a small bag to Logan.

"What is this?"

"It's a herb called Tazirin. It has a nice scent, and I recommend making it into tea. It has relaxing and fatigue recovery effects."

"Hmm..."

He said this because he had never drunk it as tea before.

When she lived at home, Amelia didn't have the equipment to make tea, so she would chew on the leaves whenever she was extremely tired to regain her energy.

"Since you seem quite tired..."

Amelia worriedly pointed out the dark circles under Logan's eyes. Logan's eyes widened at her words, but he eventually smiled and took the small bag.

"Thank you... I'll drink it during my breaks."

When Logan said this, Amelia beamed and replied, "You're welcome!"

Seeing her, Logan scratched his head.

"Then, I'll be going."

"Yes, have a good day."

Logan left.

Although it was a short time, Amelia was glad she had the chance to talk to Lord Logan.

Feeling relieved, Amelia fell back onto the bed. Her body temperature remained high for a while afterward.

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