Chapter 136: The Same Yet Different

When Leonor finally responded to Desmond, she was closer to the door than he thought she would be.

He realized she must have walked to him but wouldn't open the door.

His gloved hand covered her doorknob but he didn't turn it or push the door open–not when her voice was heavy with something he couldn't quite place.

Despite the secret she possibly learned that day, he was relieved to hear her talking to him at all. 

However, she said she wanted to be alone and Desmond put a fist against the door, willing that not to be the case. 

"I can't give you space right now," the duke admitted. "I'll sit here until you're ready to talk to me if that's what it takes." 

To Leonor's surprise, she heard a shift of material as the duke lowered himself to the floor in front of her door. She could hear his metal sword slide against the hard wood that the hallway floors were made of. 

If he was going to be stubborn, then so was she.