บท 32: Chapter 32: Longing Gaze

"Ethan..."

Abruptly stopping from his tracks, Ethan couldn't believe what he just heard.

Did she...did she just called his name?

"Ethan..." There is it again!

Turning around, he saw Lillie, with tears streaming down her sapphire blue eyes.

Ethan felt something squeezed his heart as he saw Lillie's rare, tender expression.

He watched as how Lillie would stared at him with glistening eyes, staring directly into his soul.

"Don't leave me..." She softly cried.

'Squeezzeee'

His heart...it hurt so much. It feels like there's a hand grabbing it harshly and squeezing it from its place.

He really didn't want to leave her. He just wanted to call someone to call the doctor.

"I won't leave, I just need to call for—"

"No! Please, Ethan, don't leave me..." Her tears welled up furiously and dampened the bed sheets.

Ethan was like a headless chicken as he frantically came to her side, untying her binds and hugged her.

This was the first time he tried to comfort anyone, not even his little sister when she cried when the game 'Nightingale' was sold out.

He had personally contacted Lillie's company back then just to have them develop one more game, no matter the price.

Ethan caressed her soft and fragrant hair, whispering sweet nothing into her ears.

"Shh...don't worry, I'm not leaving." Ethan's positive that Lillie could hear how fast his heart beats because her head is literally on his chest.

Lillie finally stopped crying, thought she is still sniffing. She seemed to have finally calmed down.

Ethan stealthily moved his head down to see if she fell asleep.

Oh...her eyes are wide open.

"Your heart is beating like crazy." Her voice indicates that she is already quite sober.

Ethan felt his ears turn red from shyness. He coughed and said, "I got tired from tying you."

Wow, great excuse Ethan.

Her eyes were still hazy but her conscious is slowly turning back. "Why did you tied me?"

"You went crazy." He bluntly said.

"...oh."

After a few moments of silence, Ethan felt heavier. Finally, Lillie fell asleep.

He gently placed her on the bed and covered her body with the quilt. Her fever has miraculously cooled down even without medication.

Don't underestimate the power of natural cure for cold, body heat. [1]

Ethan found a servant roaming around the halls and called her. He asked her to call for a doctor.

The doctor came and checked on Lillie's pulse before giving her some medicine.

"Her body is quite sensitive to the cold. I'm guessing you've been soaked by cold water for about an hour." The doctor explained, scolding Lillie for being careless.

Lillie nodded, she didn't know how long she'd been soaked in cold water. She must've been really tired and immediately fell asleep at the bathtub.

"She's not allowed to eat any cold food. Don't allow her to work or stress herself, she need a lot of rest." The doctor no longer mentioned that she's been over fatigue and have not slept properly.

The doctor told everything Ethan needs to know about Lillie's cold and gave him the medicine Lillie needed, assuming that he is her husband.

"You should listen to your husband, Madam. I'll leave everything in his care." Lillie didn't correct him and let it slide.

"Thank you for coming, Doc." Ethan bowed in gratitude.

Haruka also thanked the doctor for coming and saw him off.

Lillie was left alone with Ethan, whom had a very serious expression. Feeling uncomfortable by his gaze, Lillie shifted and lie down, covering her head.

"You've been careless." Soft footsteps came near her bed. Lillie felt her body moved as the bed sank when Ethan sat.

"Two more days left before we go back home. Spend those days to recuperate." Lillie was silent.

Sighing, Ethan caressed her head before leaving her alone to rest.

Hearing the door closed, Lillie moved the quilt off her eyes and stare at the place where Ethan's figure disappeared, with longing gaze.