Chapter 85.1
It was the middle of the day. The people of Ataer talked about nothing but the accident that occurred on the highway.
The culprit who deliberately caused the accident was Dornan, Marquis Vale’s guard. Dornan, who barely survived the accident, refuted that it had happened because Matisse had slept on the wheel. But that was far from the truth, and there were witnesses who testified that the car had moved just fine along the road.
The owner of the cafe also pointed out that Matisse drove slowly to attempt to park just before the accident.
Dornan then changed his testimony like flipping a coin.
He confessed with the words, “I did it.”
He confessed that he was the one who called the anarchists into the marquis’s house, gave them the diamonds, and made them accuse Canillia Vale. He also claimed that he caused the accident because he was afraid that his crime would be exposed.
All were lies. His testimony was colorless. The “why” was missing, but he took the fifth by appointing an attorney.
“So this is how it’s going to be wrapped up…”
Upon hearing the report telling him that it was unlikely Dornan would confess the truth, Claude killed the cigarette he was holding.
In the drawing room of the Grand Duke’s house, Owen felt as if he was walking on eggshells at Claude’s expression.
Ten days ago, Canillia, who was injured in the accident, had two major seizures. Every time she had a seizure, Claude grabbed the doctor’s collar and demanded he save her. As soon as she stabilized, he moved her to the hospital room in the Grand Duke’s manor.
Claude’s scars still hadn’t healed from that day.
He had jumped out of his car and pulled Canillia out, breaking his fingers. The vehicle exploded and the flames engulfed the road soon after he had.
Owen looked at Claude’s splinted hand, looked for painkillers, and placed them in front of him.
“Sir, take care of yourself, first. Archduke Ian Sergio is to be expected soon.”
Claude froze.
“He’s alive?”
“Yes, sir. He was discharged yesterday.”
“And the purpose of this visit?” asked Claude.
“He wishes to see Lady Canillia,” answered Owen.
“Ha. You must be joking.”
Cynical, Claude grabbed the arm of the chair and stood up. After swallowing a painkiller, he headed to the sunroom where Canillia was.
Inside, he was blinded by the sunlight. Canillia was fast asleep on a white couch.
There was a book dropped to the floor that she must have been reading, and the blanket that once covered her was pushed all the way to her feet. Surrounded by the light, she looked like a piece of soft candy.
After the accident, Canillia mostly spent the day here. Shocked that she was targeted, she became deathly afraid of the dark and startled at even the smallest of sound.
Claude cautiously approached her. Her innocent-looking face had become even more emaciated over the last few days. Her arms were wrapped around a cushion. Sitting on the floor in front of the sofa, he softly kissed her eyelids. Her soft skin smelled of dried flowers.
He passed the bridge of her nose and the corner of her mouth and kissed her on the lips. As he bit down on her lower lip, which was the color of red flowers, Canillia opened her eyes and looked at him.
Claude could see his own face in her sleepy eyes. He smiled and pushed back a strand of hair that had fallen to her face.
“Canillia,” he said softly.
“Claude…”
“You fell asleep here again.”
“Really?” asked Canillia. “The daylight was so warm I must have fallen asleep.” She closed her eyes again.
Claude touched the lobe of her ear and pressed his forehead against hers. As if her drowsiness was contagious, he felt languid.
However, an unwelcome visitor would soon arrive.
“You have to get up now.”
Claude met her lips again as an excuse to wake her up. Her soft eyelashes tickled his cheeks and boiled his body. He held her tightly with one arm and kissed her more deeply. Then he climbed onto the sofa and pressed her down. Canillia took a deep breath and opened her body to accept him.
The sunlight pouring down on their bodies was warm and soon became hot. He wondered if this was what heaven felt like.
If he was with Canillia, even the coldest of places would be warm.
***
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine, Pepe.”
Lia headed to where her guest was waiting, stroking her warm cheeks. Pepe stayed by her side.
After the accident, her muscles were damaged and there was still no strength in her legs. Sudden convulsions while walking often led to accidents.
The doctor said that she would regain her strength soon, but that was just the doctor’s opinion.
Canillia entered the waiting room nervously, looking down at her legs, which felt like they were about to twitch again.
The man sitting across from Claude turned his head toward the entrance. Lia covered her mouth with both hands as Ian slowly got up.
“You’re alive.”
Her voice trembled with swelling relief. Ian approached her and pointed to the wound on his lips and grinned.
“Except for a little scratch here.”
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