His Duchess is a Ghost (Novel) - Chapter 35 (Patreon)

But as time passed, Alena returned to the duke’s chambers. She had wanted to stay outside, but in the end, she couldn’t stop herself from entering the room again. The fact that he was stabbed because he had tried to shield her while they were in the tub kept nagging at her. She didn’t like it, the way her mind was trying to confuse her.

But she firmly made sure that no kind of confusion would ever sway her. She was not naïve enough to simply believe in someone’s action, especially after everything that had happened to her. That must be just some kind of strategy to confuse her. Perhaps the duke thought he could manipulate her by performing such a heroic act. Perhaps he was trying to win her over so that she would cooperate with him because he realized that he still needed her to make his plans work.

Those thoughts were not impossible. In fact, Alena believed they were very plausible because she couldn’t think of any other reason why he would do such a thing for a person he had had killed. Yes, she still believed he was definitely the one who had her killed. Because if it wasn’t him, why can’t he just tell her? Why can’t he just start proving to her that he was not the mastermind? Why can’t he just answer any of her questions?

His low groan echoed in the quiet chamber, prompting Alena to draw even closer. Her face was set in a rigid expression as she looked down at him.

"But fine... I’ll at least stay here by your side, Duke," she muttered, telling herself that not leaving him to die alone should be enough repayment for him taking that dagger, even though she never asked.

"Seems Elkhart was right when he said you're the softest..." His hoarse and low voice echoed, causing Alena to freeze.

His eyes were closed, and there seemed to be a faint smile on his handsome face. Did he... hear her, and that’s why he said that? Or was he simply... dreaming?

"You... did you just... hear me?" she asked, seeking confirmation.

When he didn’t respond, Alena tried again. "If you think I’m staying here because I feel sorry, you’re terribly wrong, Duke. I’m simply here to make sure you die."

At her words, his brows furrowed, and then his jaws tightened as though he were in pain.

"Are you... finally dying?" she pressed, her face a mask of steely resolve. "You're finally dying, aren't you? Duke Donovian?"

"So noisy..." he managed to murmur, his voice weaker and raspier than before.

Alena found herself momentarily at a loss for words. So he could really hear her? And he had the audacity to call her noisy?

"So, you've been able to hear me this entire time, huh? Seriously... I can't believe how naive I've been... You really are an exceptional actor, aren't you, Duke? You must have been fully aware of my presence all along, haven't you—" Her accusation was cut short. Her eyes widened in shock as she felt his sudden grip on her wrist.

And just like that, her body was no longer translucent but flesh and bones once again. She shifted her gaze slowly onto his face only to find his eyes still closed.

Before she could even shake her head in utter disbelief, he pulled her and the next thing she knew, she was on the bed, right next to him, his arms wrapped around her.

“So… cold…” he murmured as his arms around her held her tighter.

“What in the world are you… doing?!” Alena finally spoke. “Let go of me this instant, duke!”

But her protest seemed to have fallen into deaf ears.

“You really are trying me, aren’t you? Do you really think I will just let you play me like this whenever you want?” she smirked and just as she began to struggle, she was shocked at the sheer strength of his arms around her. He was like an immovable stone holding her. Or was she just the one who was utterly weak because this wasn’t really her true body or something?

It was unbelievable how he was still so strong even in this state. She was confident a while ago that she could easily push him, but now… she couldn’t even push him an inch. Was his body forged from stone?

“Duke Donovian! What did I say? I told you to let…” Alena trailed off as she realized that his body was shivering even though he was burning like fire.

His arms around her kept tightening as if he was still seeking for more warmth from her body. She could feel her back pressed hard against his chest. She could feel his fiery breath against her cheek as he nestled into her neck. She could feel his powerful hands, searing as embers, clasping her shoulder and her hip firmly.

It was inexplicably warm...

It was like a man made of stone and fire was embracing her, as though it would kill him if he couldn't hold her tightly enough.

Alena bit the inside of her lip, eyes clenched shut against the sensation.

After a long while, she opened her eyes, released her bite on her lip, and relaxed. “I really… really hate you, duke Donovian,” she uttered, gazing into space. “So please…” Her lashes fluttered close again. “…just die, already.”

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CHAPTER 36>>