Chapter 28

With their pockets lined from the night’s consultations, the doctors scurried out of the deserted warehouse. The moment their figures vanished into the distance, Matthias gently scooped Odelliana back into his arms.

“I was thinking a short rest might be nice,” she murmured.

“The floor is filthy,” he replied. “Please, rest here.”

“But you’ll tire yourself out,” she protested.

“I’m not tired,” he retorted.

Matthias wouldn’t dream of letting her touch the grimy floor, not even under duress. The way he meticulously avoided letting her body contact the ground during the examination made it abundantly clear that his protectiveness wouldn’t wane now. Besides, his embrace offered such a haven of comfort that she saw no point in resisting.

“Why the heart medication, though?” she questioned.

“Perhaps they clung to the mistaken diagnosis of a heart ailment,” he offered.

The presence of psychiatric drugs wasn’t entirely surprising. Waking up in this body with a “lunatic” label already firmly attached, she’d suspected the real Lady Odelliana might have battled some form of mental illness. The contraceptives and sleeping pills, while unexpected, weren’t entirely outlandish. But the heart medication truly stuck out like a sore thumb.

Did they really treat a heart patient like that? The question gnawed at her. Her supposed caregivers didn’t just confine a ticking time bomb of a heart condition to a remote corner, they locked her in a contaminated space and actively protected the abusive staff. Did their actions truly reflect the concern of people who gave heart medication?

The servants, far from treating her as a patient needing utmost care, saw her as a bothersome obstacle. Back then, she’d attributed it solely to her inconvenient leg, but now it seemed stranger.

If her demise was imminent, wouldn’t Adella and the maids be most affected? Yet, they’d thrown a heart patient, sensitive to temperature, into a drafty room with no blanket. Meals were meager, barely fit for a healthy person, let alone someone whose heart condition could be exacerbated by malnutrition. And yet, she’d been in this malnourished state for a long time. It was a miracle she was still alive, a fact that felt increasingly bizarre.

“Whatever it is, at least your body seems fine,” Matthias said with relief.

Odelliana offered a noncommittal hum in response.

“By the way, why did you buy an abandoned warehouse?” Matthias inquired.

“The money I got from selling the gift from the Anatolian lord wasn’t enough for a proper building,” Odelliana explained. “I needed a hidden base of operations, and the abandoned warehouse was the only thing I could afford.”

“A hideout?” Matthias raised an eyebrow.

“One can never be too prepared,” Odelliana said cryptically. “The Duke’s residence might not be safe forever, and I might need a quick escape. Plus, it’s a good place to keep my money for now.”

The realization dawned on Matthias. “You’re planning to leave?”

“Surely you understand this isn’t a long-term solution,” Odelliana countered. “Confined or not, life here mirrors my previous situation. We can’t stay.”

“As soon as you pass the knight’s exam, we’re out of here,” Odelliana declared. “There are too many restrictions in this place. Now that I know my family isn’t exactly welcoming, there’s no reason to remain.”

“Do you have a destination in mind?” Matthias questioned.

“Yes, I have a plan,” Odelliana reassured him. “Don’t worry about it. Focus on preparing for the exam. I’ll handle everything else.”

A disquieting thought wormed its way into Odelliana’s mind. There was something she wasn’t privy to. One thing was certain: this place wasn’t entirely safe. Getting Matthias knighted and leaving as soon as possible was paramount.

The inconsistencies were numerous, but dwelling on them now wouldn’t be productive. For now, the knowledge that this body harbored no chronic illnesses offered a sliver of comfort.

***

Odelliana stumbled back home late, only stirring when the sun blazed high in the sky. Matthias, returning with lunch, helped her prop herself up against the headboard and settled a square tray laden with food on a nearby table.

“Good afternoon, Master,” he greeted, the awkwardness of the late hour hanging in the air. She remembered falling asleep in his arms, nestled against him on a galloping horse. Her memories trailed off after that.

“Did you change my clothes?” she inquired, blinking at him.

“Yes,” Matthias replied, his voice low. “You wouldn’t have been comfortable sleeping in your travel attire.”

“The bedding too?” she asked, glancing at the neatly arranged pillows.

He gave a curt nod. “Since we snuck out, asking another maid for help might have raised suspicion, so I handled it myself.”

A wave of gratitude washed over her. “Thank you. You must have been exhausted.”

A flicker of something unreadable crossed his features. “Doesn’t it trouble you?”

“What?” she blinked, confused.

“That I changed you,” he clarified, his voice barely a whisper. “I saw you without clothes.”

Odelliana tilted her head, genuinely confused. “Why would it? You simply changed my clothes.”

For Odelliana, shared living quarters were a norm from her mercenary days. Bare skin was a common sight, a necessity for tending to wounds or bathing in remote locations. Gender rarely warranted special treatment in those situations.

The only time nudity had ever embarrassed her was with Jocelyn. Intimacy with someone she loved felt different. Her heart hammered in her chest, a warm flush spreading through her body. It was then she realized the fiery heat was excitement.

However, the memory was bittersweet. Looking back, their first night together wasn’t particularly magical. While giving herself to him had been undeniably happy, it lacked the dizzying thrill of true passion. Perhaps their physical compatibility wasn’t ideal. Back then, the simple act of having his affection was enough.

“You’re so cute,” Odelliana teased. “Were you worried all day because you saw my bare body?”

Matthias didn’t reply.

“Why on earth would I be bothered? It’s not like this unattractive body is anything special.”

She peeked through her sheer nightgown, a flicker of self-evaluation crossing her features. Compared to her previous life, her current frame was certainly an improvement. Though thin from past neglect, her basic features held promise. With weight gain, she could develop a more alluring figure. However, in her current state, surrounded by voluptuous women, she doubted someone as stoic as Matthias would be drawn to her.

“Don’t worry about it,” Odelliana reassured with a casual shrug. “It doesn’t bother me at all.”

Matthias’s expression darkened. “I’ve felt this for a while, but you’re simply too defenseless.”

“Me?” Odelliana raised an eyebrow.

“Normally, people don’t brush off such things so easily,” he pointed out.

Odelliana bit back a laugh at his unexpected grumpiness. “So, you want me to be embarrassed in front of a child like you? Should I scold you for seeing a bit of skin?”

Matthias fell silent, speechless.

“Nothing happened,” Odelliana concluded, taking a nonchalant bite of her freshly baked bread.

Watching her chew with a hint of annoyance, Matthias sighed and pushed a cup of warmed milk towards her.

“Are you upset I treat you like a kid? You can’t help it, you are young.” Odelliana’s voice held a playful lilt.

“Not for much longer,” Matthias muttered, a hint of defiance in his tone.

“Oh really? Four whole years until you’re considered an adult.” She raised an eyebrow.

“”And you act like you’re ancient already,” he retorted. “We’re not that far apart in age, are we?”

“Five years is a big difference, sweetie.” Odelliana couldn’t resist the playful jab.

He scowled. “Please don’t call me that.”

Odelliana, struggling to contain her laughter, decided to let it go. Focusing on her meal, a glance at his still-sulky face proved too much. A burst of laughter escaped her lips, met with a glare that held a surprising spark of rebellion. With a haughty air, he tilted his chin upwards.

“Don’t underestimate me, Master. I’m the one holding back here.”

“Holding back? From what?” A shadow crossed his face as his long fingers swiftly bridged the gap between them. His touch, smooth and leisurely, grazed the thin shoulder strap. Odelliana snorted, her gaze dropping to his beautiful fingers.

“Ah, yes,” she drawled. “The natural curiosity a young man has for a woman’s body.”

“You’ve been admirably restrained,” she continued, voice laced with amusement. “You could easily overpower me, couldn’t you?”

Odelliana set down her cutlery with a clatter and wiped her mouth with a napkin. In one swift motion, she grabbed his hand, still hovering near her shoulder, and held it firmly.

“But that’s not who you are,” she stated.

“What if…” His voice trailed off, a flicker of something unreadable darkening his eyes. “What if I want you so badly that I can’t control myself?”

“There’s no need for hypotheticals,” she replied with a soft laugh. While the thought of Matthias desiring her was absurd, she knew the only answer in such an impossible situation.

“If you still feel the same after becoming an adult,” Odelliana began, her voice a husky whisper, “I’ll give my body to you.”

Speechless, Matthias could only stare at her.

“If you offer me the world, how could I not give you my body?” she continued, her gaze unwavering.

A frown creased his brow. “Do you think I’m merely interested in your shell? If I decide to have you, I would settle for nothing less than your core.”

“That much is out of my control,” she countered, a playful glint in her eyes. “It depends entirely on your efforts.”

Odelliana’s other hand reached out, gently cupping his chin. The touch, light as a feather, sent a shiver down his spine.

“Then try to make me love you,” she murmured, her voice laced with challenge. “I wouldn’t reject such a sincere effort.”

“Ah.” A slow, genuine smile curved Matthias’s lips. He leaned down and pressed a lingering kiss to the back of her hand. His eyes, however, held a spark of challenge. 

“You’ll have to take responsibility for those words.”