Chapter 32: Fevered Whispers

"Ethan…"

Ethan froze.

His mind was still reeling from that dream—Lillie feverish and teasing, her breathy whispers turning his world upside down. He had bolted awake in a cold sweat, only to find her still asleep, her real fever raging on.

But now…

Now, she was calling his name.

And she was awake.

"Ethan…"

There it was again. Soft. Fragile.

Slowly, he turned.

Lillie lay there, her sapphire-blue eyes glistening with unshed tears, her expression raw in a way he had never seen before.

His chest tightened painfully.

Lillie Bai—the ever-composed, ever-dignified White Bird—was crying.

"Don't leave me…" she whispered, voice trembling.

Thud.

His heart clenched.

She looked so small, so breakable, and it terrified him.

"I won't leave," he said, forcing himself to stay calm. "I just need to call for—"

"No! Please, Ethan… don't leave me…"

Her tears spilled over, soaking into the sheets.

Ethan panicked.

Without thinking, he rushed to her side, frantically unwrapping the blanket burrito he had secured her in earlier. The moment she was free, she clung to him, burying her face against his chest.

His body tensed at the sudden warmth, her feverish skin pressing against his.

This was different from his dream.

This wasn't teasing, nor was it playful seduction.

This was real.

Lillie was afraid.

His arms tightened around her instinctively, one hand cradling the back of her head while the other smoothed down her trembling back.

"Shh… I'm here," he murmured. "I'm not leaving."

Her small sniffles filled the silence.

Ethan could feel her breath against his collarbone, could feel the uneven rise and fall of her chest. He knew she could hear how fast his heart was beating, because it was hammering like crazy.

After a moment, she shifted slightly.

"…Your heart is beating so fast," she mumbled.

Ethan stiffened.

His ears turned a deep shade of red.

He coughed, scrambling for an excuse. "I got tired from tying you up."

…Wow. Smooth, Ethan.

Lillie blinked at him, her fevered mind processing his words at a sluggish pace. "…Why did you tie me up?"

"You went crazy." You tried to strangle me after I tried to dry you up. 

"…Oh."

Silence settled between them.

Then, her weight grew heavier against him.

Finally, she had fallen asleep.

Ethan exhaled slowly, carefully easing her down onto the bed. He pulled the quilt up, tucking it securely around her. To his relief, her fever had gone down slightly—though she was still warm to the touch.

Body heat works wonders after all.

Slipping out of the room, Ethan spotted a servant in the hallway.

"Call the doctor," he ordered.

Minutes later, the doctor arrived, checking Lillie's pulse before letting out a disapproving sigh.

"She's highly sensitive to the cold," the doctor said. "I'd guess she was submerged in cold water for at least an hour."

Ethan's jaw clenched.

Lillie stirred, blinking groggily. "I… don't know how long," she admitted. "I must've fallen asleep in the bath."

Fallen asleep?

In cold water?

Ethan inhaled sharply through his nose, forcibly schooling his expression.

The doctor continued, "No cold food, no stress, and absolutely no work. She needs plenty of rest."

His gaze flickered toward Lillie, sharp and unreadable.

The doctor finished prescribing medicine, then handed Ethan the instructions. "I'll leave her in your care."

Mistaking Ethan for her husband, the doctor added, "You should listen to your husband, Madam."

Lillie said nothing.

She let it slide.

Ethan, on the other hand, merely raised a brow, neither correcting nor acknowledging the assumption.

Once the doctor left, the room fell into silence.

Lillie shifted under Ethan's piercing gaze, discomfort evident in her expression.

"…You've been careless."

His voice was quiet, yet firm.

Soft footsteps neared her bedside. The mattress dipped as Ethan sat down, his presence looming over her.

"Two more days left before we return home," he said. "Spend them resting."

Lillie said nothing.

Sighing, Ethan reached out, his hand warm as it smoothed over her hair in a feather-light caress.

Then, without another word, he stood and walked away.

The door clicked shut behind him.

Alone, Lillie lay still, her mind hazy.

After a long moment, she slowly pulled the quilt down, her gaze lingering on the empty space where Ethan had been.

She stared at the door.

At the spot where his silhouette had disappeared.

A quiet, wistful look settled in her eyes.