Chapter 16

The next day, we only went shopping for souvenirs to bring back to the duke and the personnels at the mansion.

"What would Duke Reed like though?" Noah asked.

"Give me that." Kye grabbed one bag from my hand and was the one who held it.

"Perhaps a pen?" Mia suggested.

"He already has an excess of pens." I said, I was always in the Duke's office before discussing my future plans and a few important things to discuss.

"The Duke already has everything he desires..." Caz sighed.

"Why not try a brooch? Or how about cufflinks?" I proposed.

"That's actually a good idea, but the duke already has a lot of those." Ara stated.

"Then let us add some more. And let's buy the Duke some eye glasses." I winked. I always wanted to see the Duke in glasses, he does wear it sometimes, but every time I enter his office, he removes them before I even see it completely.

How shy...

We went to a men's boutique and purchased a brooch and a cufflink. We also search for eyeglasses and after we buy them, we head back to our rest house and get ready to leave since we have to leave before the sun sets.

"Ah, it was fun." Ara stretched her arms.

We have just arrived on the ship that will take us to Helwyn.

"I know..." Mia said.

"I do want that dress though," Ara pouted after remembering her desired dress.

Caz shook his head at the sight of Ara sulking over a dress.

The ship set off for Helwyn at exactly seven o'clock in the evening. It took two days to return to Helwyn.

"My butt hurts..." I mumbled.

We're finally inside the carriage, on our way back to the Duke's mansion.

"I'm feeling nauseous," Noah grunted.

"Keep it in!" Ara growled.

She was the one in front of Noah so if things went wrong, the unwanted substance would go straight to her.

"I don't think I can..." Noah decided to tease Ara who was in panic.

"Stop!"

I sighed. They're too loud.

I close my eyes and place my head on Kye's shoulder.

We'll arrive at the Duke's Mansion in a few minutes. I haven't gotten enough sleep while we've been aboard the boat. Perhaps because my recollections of being on a boat continue to haunt me.

After a time, I began to nod off and was only awakened by the light tapping on my cheeks.

"We've arrived." I yawned when I heard Kye's soft voice.

The door opened, revealing Sir Arch and Ravin in his normal neutral expression. Sir Arch assisted us ladies in descending. I dashed over to Ravin and yawned in front of his face.

"Where have your manners gone?" He was irritated.

"Oh, sorry." I handed him a bag of chocolates and patted him on the back. "You're very welcome."

I immediately headed towards my room, carrying my bags and without changing my clothes, I jumped on my bed and immediately slept. I felt somewhat dizzy and I could feel a headache coming on.

I guess I'm going to get sick.

...

"Avi... wake up."

As I heard a calm and pleasant voice close to my ears, I cautiously opened my eyes. It was hazy at first, but as it became clearer, I saw Mia and a rolling cart with hot soup, medicine, and warm water alongside her.

I slowly sat down and felt my neck. It's not that hot, I guess just a mild fever.

"It's past dinner, we have just finished eating our dinner." She said,

"You should've woken me up." I said as I felt the punches inside my head.

My head feels heavy...

"I tried, I already called you dozens of times, you know." She said, positioning the cart in front of me so I wouldn't have to budge from my spot., "Now eat before taking your medicine."

"You should've changed your clothes." She said, watching me eat.

"I fell asleep as soon as I laid down."

Thank heavens I can taste the food. I hate it when I'm sick, the food tastes bitter.

"By the way,"

"hmm?" I said to her as I blew on the hot soup.

"I heard the duke will be home soon," she said, wiping the food from the side of my mouth.

"Really? Is there something wrong in the mansion?"

Isn't it a little bit early for the duke to return?

"Nothing. I heard he took care of his job soon so he can go back home soon, too."

I slowly nodded.

She offered me some medicine to take as soon as I finished eating.

"Bitter..." I said, almost wanting to spit it out.

"Perhaps you overdid it during our vacation. Or is it because of the unexpected temperature change?"

I shrugged.

Perhaps both?

She left after that. I dragged myself to the bathroom to wash my face and change my clothes before returning to bed.

"I wonder what time it is..."

I wanted to stand and turn on the lights, but I was too fatigued from returning from the bathroom. My head feels heavy as well as my body.

I sighed before closing my eyes and fell asleep once again.

...

"Are you feeling better now?" Caz inquired as soon as he saw me exit my room.

"Yeah, I believe my body isn't adapted to temperature changes." I followed him to the library, where the others normally gather on a weekend morning.

Mia checked my forehead as soon as I got close to her to see if I was still unwell.

"It's gone, that's good." She said, smiling.

"Thank you for last night." I said.

"Always welcome."

"You're here early." We turned back to the door and saw Ravin.

I heard he'll be out of school for a week..

"I heard you were sick yesterday." He said, looking at me from head to toe, "I guess you're doing well now. That's good."

Huh? What's with that attitude?

Ah… must be the chocolates.

"So when's the duke coming back?" Noah asked.

"A month from now, I guess."

A month...

Hmm... Is it because of Ravin's graduation ball?