Chapter 2: Sick Night

Lavina sits up on the bed clutching her chest in hyperventilation, the curse mark on her left breast burns as if on fire. "Curse the gods," Lavina mutters to herself.

"Are you alright?" A concerned voice asks Lavina.

Lavina turns around to see Nol sitting on her bedside and quickly pulls up the blanket to cover herself. "What are you doing here?" Lavina wants to ask but couldn't bring herself to make an audible speech.

Nol relaxes a little and straightens up his back. Lavina looks startled and the stillness of her body makes her look evermore fragile. Nol can't imagine her as the Battle Queen for what she is known as. "Your maid came to me in a panic saying you're running a fever," Nol explains as he places the back of his palm on Lavina's forehead. It's hot.

Lavina immediately flinches back upon contact. For a moment Nol's cold hand seems to be so comfortable on her head like a cool gentle wave submerging her. "Don't mind me," Lavina manages to push Nol's hand away, "this is a daily occurrence."

"Daily occurrence?" Nol tilts his head a little to the left. Did he hear it right?

"You're violating the contract." Lavina breaks eye contact and turns away from Nol, feeling a little embarrassed. When was the last time someone saw her in this miserable state?

Nol grabs the bowl of water and towel the maid has prepared. He then wets the towel and squeezes out the excess water. Nol walks around the bed to Lavina's side. She looks puzzled, but so is he. This is the first time he has to care for another person. Nol gently wipes her forehead in an attempt to reduce her body temperature. "This should help."

Lavina couldn't move away as if her body was frozen. It's almost like Nol's touch can relax her entire being. "What do you think you're doing?" Lavina says in a sheepish voice, struggling to keep her eyes open.

With one hand on Lavina's neck and the other on her shoulder, Nol lays her head down on the pillow. He then grabs her arms from under the blanket and pulls them on top one after another. It's not just her head, but her whole body is on fire. Is she really okay? It would be ominous if his wife were to die on their first night as a married couple.

"You're violating my boundaries." Lavina reminds Nol of the contract they created just a few hours ago.

Nol ignores her and starts wiping down her arms. "It is your honor that I am taking care of you."

Lavina shakes her head. "No need, I'll be better in the morning."

Nol removes the towel, wash it, and starts wiping her arms again. What a stubborn woman that he's married to.

Lavina makes an effort to pull back her arm but it's all in vain as Nol has a tight grip on her.

"Will you just relax?" Nol pulls Lavina by the arm towards him as she tries to roll over to the other side of the bed.

"You should know that I can annihilate an entire army if I so desire." Lavina threatens.

"No, you won't be doing anything in this state." Nol places the towel back on Lavina's forehead, her body is cooler now than when he first walked in. It didn't occur to Nol that this is how he would spend his first night of marriage, taking care of a person that he shouldn't get involved with.

Although Lavina hates having physical contact, she couldn't help feeling at ease in Nol's presence. Lavina can feel herself falling into the seduction of sweet slumber.

Nol waits until Lavina is fully asleep before he tries to get up. However, without him noticing, Lavina's hand is locked onto his.

"This is not good," Nol says to himself in a whisper as he attempts to pull his hand away without waking her up. Nol can see himself having another round of disagreement if Lavina wakes up. That's not good either.

Nol sits on the bedside and waits for Lavina to loosen her grip. After a long hour of waiting Nol eventually falls asleep.