Chapter 33

"DAMN IT ALL," Daniel cursed as he finally reached his bed and crashed on it. He threw his two canes to the floor.

"You are doing great, Daniel," Paula reassured him. "You just need to be a little more patient."

"That is not a quality I possess, Aunt Paula." He grunted as he heaved himself to stretch his legs on the bed and lean on the headboard.

Paula did not even attempt to help her stubborn nephew because she had already tried many times, but he had pushed her away every time.

"The Dragon Bone poison is out of your body," she told him. "So, your healing powers should start working very soon."

"That is great news." He nodded. "If I have to spend one more day in this room, I might lose my mind."

Paula smiled softly. "Have you spoken to Magnolia?" Paula ventured.

"No." His answer was clipped. It did not leave room for any follow up questions.

"Aright, I will be on my way then," she told him. "I will come by later to check on you."

"Thank you, Aunt Paula." She cupped his face for a moment before walking away.

Daniel sank in his bed and sighed. It had been a few days since he last saw his wife.

"May I come in?" Henry asked while peeking from the door. "I knocked a few times."

"Yes, of course," Daniel motioned to his assistant and friend. "Sorry, I didn't hear the knocking."

Henry brought a chair closer to Daniel's bed and sat. He studied his friend for a bit and noticed that his complexion was much better today.

"The duchess is still handling everything impeccably," he started. "No one suspects that it is not you doing it. We have also successfully postponed the meeting with the elders for two weeks so that you can attend."

"That is great to hear."

Henry's report was the same as every day. Magnolia had surpassed every expectation as the Duchess of Salicera.

"I did need to get your permission for one of her decisions though."

"Oh? What is it?"

"She has ordered Victor to deliver the severed head of Cross to Baron Pruice." Daniel's eyes widened. "Obviously, she ordered him to make sure that they cannot trace the package to House Van Konigl," Henry explained further.

Daniel covered his mouth and chuckled, which surprised Henry. "I would have done the same thing." He pushed his hair back.

'It appears I have married my soulmate.' He smiled.

"I am not sure whether that is a comforting thought or a scary one," Henry joked.

"Tell Victor to do as he was told."

"Alright." Henry shifted in his seat as he hesitated to ask his question.

"Is there anything else to report?" Daniel eyed his friend for a moment. "What is it?"

"Daniel, have you talked to Her Grace?" The duke frowned.

"Why is everyone asking me that today?" He sounded frustrated.

"She has been overexerting herself in work," Henry explained. "She has not been eating properly or getting enough rest. She has also been keeping to herself, not even checking on Geoffrey." Daniel stared at him for a moment, lost for words.

"If the work is too much." The duke finally found his voice, "I am much better now, I can do it."

"I don't think that's the reason behind her behavior, Your Grace."

"Then, what is it? Is something wrong with her health?" Daniel sat up, his face full of worry.

"I don't know all the details about what happened on that day, but do you think your wife is…a monster?" Henry almost whispered the last word.

"What?" Daniel said in disbelief.

"I believe the duchess thinks you do not wish to see her because of what she has done on that day." It took a moment for Henry's words to sink in. "That's why she has been keeping away from you."

"That is ridiculous." Daniel raked his hand through his hair. "If there is a monster in this house, it would be me. I have killed way more people than probably anyone else in the kingdom." A chilling silence befell the room. Henry waited patiently for Daniel.

"On that day…" the duke finally uttered after some time. "I have never felt as weak as I did. I was disgusted with myself, disgusted that I could not protect the woman that I love."

Henry eyed his friend in surprise. Daniel was never one to share his feelings with anyone.

"Those bastards dared to touch her, and I could not do anything about it," he said through gritted teeth. "I had to watch while pathetically lying on the ground, unable to even move."

"Daniel, you were poisoned," Henry tried to console his friend.

"What a joke," the duke resumed, as if he didn't even hear Henry's words. "The great Ice Sword of the Kingdom, not even able to protect his wife."

"Daniel–"

"You do not understand," he roared, meeting his friend's eyes. "All those kills will haunt her for a long time, and she had to go through that because of me."

Henry was silent. He understood what Daniel was saying, he had been to war too. But he did not want him to drown in a whirlpool of blame and guilt like he did when his parents died. It nearly destroyed him. Unfortunately, he had no idea what to say to him.

"I think I know why Magnolia might think that," Daniel uttered, remembering his behavior the morning after the attack. "I will clear this misunderstanding."

'Thank the Gods.' Henry rejoiced silently.

"Has Marcus found anything new about her family, since we are certain that she is of noble blood now?"

"He has not returned from his trip nor sent a message yet," he answered. "I will inform you as soon as he does."

"I have a bad feeling about this whole situation, Henry." Daniel pressed his lips together. "It is too strange. Someone has definitely removed the family records from the archives."

'I pray that it's not who I think it is.'