บท 7: Fragile Beauty

*The Duke's Manor*

In the luxurious chambers in Duke Rosewood's Manor, a petite figure could be seen lying on the four-poster bed through the sheer soft pink curtains. The room was decorated in soft shades of pink and white, with delicate lace curtains framing the windows and plush carpets covering the floors.

The Old Duke, Callen Rosewood had a worried look on his face as he rushed past the maidservants and entered the bed chambers of his lovely daughter. When he saw the fragile and delicate girl laying there on the silken sheets, with her complexion as pale as porcelain and hair as fair as the sun, his heart seemed to be filled with a poignant feeling.

"Silla," he called out in a gentle tone.

The Duke had never been this gentle with anyone. Not even with his only son. But he poured all his gentleness on his daughter, Drusilla Rosewood who was the dearest to his heart.

The sickly girl seemed to have heard his call as she stirred in her sleep and her brows furrowed up. She peered open her eyes, "Daddy?"

The Duke's heart melted the moment he heard her kitten-like sweet voice that seemed to have scratched the deepest part of his heart.

He sat down beside his daughter and inquired, "What happened to you?"

Drusilla coughed softly and tried to sit up. Despite her illness, her eyes were shining with fierce determination, a deep shade of purple that seemed to radiate with an inner light. The blankets that swathed her thin frame slid down a little as she sat up.

With a tremulous smile on her lips, she said, "Daddy told me two days ago that my fiancé would be coming in a few days. I wanted to present my prettiest self to Royal Highness so that Daddy's prestige isn't hurt. Who knew, I'd suddenly fall ill? I had always been in good health. I don't know what suddenly went wrong." She looked cautiously at her father, "I wonder if His Highness would dislike me? What if he refused to marry me saying that I'm a delicate and sickly girl? I don't want to put Daddy in a difficult place."

Duke's expression had turned solemn since Drusilla started talking about the Royal Highness, Rhys Crown. He knew that his daughter had always been lively and perfect in health. He couldn't understand what went wrong. Then he vaguely recalled that there were rumors in the Capital regarding His Royal Highness. They said, since he lived in the demonic energy all year round, his own existence was no different from a demon.

Anyone associated with him won't end well.

The Duke hadn't taken those words seriously. Even now, he didn't want to think about it but he couldn't believe there could be such coincidences in the world. Just as he talked about Drusilla's marriage with Rhys, Drusilla fell ill.

But suddenly recalled the King's stance regarding this betrothal. He could only sigh and shake off these unnecessary thoughts. He couldn't let his mind wander off at this point. There was no going back.

"I'll call for the healers," said Duke Callen. "We'll figure out how you fell ill. You should focus on recuperating these days and recover as soon as possible. There is still time before His Royal Highness' cortége gets to the Duchy. You should be able to recover before that with proper rest and care."

While the Duke was frowning in deep thought, he didn't notice how Drusilla stiffened a little and lowered her head to hide the emotions in her eyes. Then, she took a deep breath before raising her head and saying, "Daddy, then can I move to the estate in the suburbs to recuperate?" Duke raised his eyes to look at her as she added, "I mean, the environment there is better for recuperating from illness. Besides, seeing the green fields and vineyards would put me in a better mood and would help me in recovering. That's what the healer said as well."

Duke Callen looked over at the healer who stood with her head bowing down and when prompted, she repeated the exact words as Drusilla and even added.

"Lady Drusilla needs a change of environment. Fresh air and peaceful ambiance would be good for her health."

Duke Callen contemplated and looked to be in a difficult position, "But Prince Rhys could be coming here in a week to meet you."

Drusilla coughed weakly and looked dejected, "I thought I could have a meeting with the Prince in the estate. It'll also allow us to cultivate feelings without the interference of anyone else. But since Daddy doesn't think..." She slowly trailed off and didn't continue.

Her words had already planted ideas into Duke Callen's head as he said, "Alright, you can go. But you should take some senior servants with you."

"Daddy, I want to bring Sister Aradia," proposed Drusilla. "Instead of those senior servants, I trust sister more. And she also takes care of me better than anyone else. Can't I take her with me?"

Duke Callen was already doing everything according to his dear daughter's ideas, how could he refuse her now? He called out, "Call Aradia here."

And Aradia who had been standing outside the door all this while, stepped inside when she was called. Her purple eyes first fell on Drusilla who looked so weak before she lowered her head and stood beside Duke Callen, "Uncle!"

Duke Callen didn't look at her. He only instructed, "You should follow Silla to the estate and take care of her health. Help her in recovering."

"Yes, Uncle!"

Duke looked at his daughter, and asked gently, "Are you happy now, sweetie?"

Drusilla smiled back at him lovingly, "Daddy is the best."

From the side, Aradia looked at this lovely daughter, doting father, act before her, and sighed mentally. She had been gone for just a week and right after coming back, she was told that Lady Drusilla was ill. She had a very complicated look in her eyes as she looked at Drusilla's sickly and fragile body.