Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Adelle, open the door."
"I already told you, Sir. Madam suddenly felt unwell after the incident just now, and Madam also said that she doesn't want to be disturbed." Anna bowed slightly, showing respect and an apology for refusing Calsius's arrival.
"That's why I came. If Adelle is really sick, I will help."
"No, Sir." Anna refused again. When Calsius was about to argue again, Anna interrupted. "Madam will get even sicker if you come in. You know that, don't you?"
Damn it. Whose side was this employee on? Oh right, Adelle's, of course. Anna was as blunt as her Madam. Both refused to back down in an argument. But Calsius wouldn't be Calsius if he didn't stand firm on his convictions.
The door was knocked on repeatedly again. Calsius ignored Anna, who kept reminding him. Her voice even got louder and louder. Adelle hid under her blanket, covering her ears as if she would fall asleep immediately if she didn't hear that voice anymore.
But what could she do? The heat made her give up, it felt stuffy to keep hiding under the blanket. This was annoying!
"Calsius, damn it. What do you want? Don't you have any pity for me?" Adelle shouted as she emerged from under the blanket.
"Open the door, Adelle. Or I'll break it down, the cost of repairing this door is nothing if I want to."
Adelle became even more annoyed. She didn't want to lose to that stubborn tall man. Finally, in one breath, Adelle said, "Alright. Let him in!"
Calsius smirked at Anna. And reluctantly, Anna obeyed, opening the bedroom door, then closing it again and waiting outside.
He grabbed Adelle's hand, pulling it along with his other hand that pulled her lower back. "Let go," Adelle said. Her small hands hit Calsius's broad chest, trying to resist.
"I'll let go after you agree to do what should be your responsibility."
Adelle's movements were still locked. Their eyes met, with Adelle's head tilted up. "Why is he so tall?"
"I'll give you time to think." Calsius whispered in Adelle's ear, breaking their eye contact. Hot breath spread around her neck. Damn, Adelle shivered.
"I-I can't agree if you haven't told me what I have to do! D-don't just whisper in my ear like that!"
Adelle's face turned crimson. She averted her gaze so as not to look at the man's body, which was unfortunately right in front of her, almost touching her because of how close he was.
Adelle pushed Calsius's chest with all her might, which made Calsius shift slightly. Giving Adelle a chance to take a fresh breath. Although, her wife's gaze was still far from 'fresh'.
"I told you, do your duty." Calsius reminded her again.
Adelle swallowed her saliva roughly. After avoiding him for so long, this time he was asking her openly in the middle of the day? Seriously!
"Alright, let's go. I'll do my duty."
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"This?" Adelle blinked her eyes several times. Then she turned to look at Calsius, who responded with a nod.
"This is the task you left behind. And this is still your responsibility because you are still the wife of Duke Eddenberg." Calsius took a stack of report documents, invitation letters, and several other documents from Rico.
"Still? That means there will be a time when you divorce me, right? You're so mean," Adelle quipped, resting her hands on her chest, her lips pouting slightly, indicating she was sulking.
"You always interpret things your own way. Just start working again, I know you're bored living like that. Finish it as soon as possible."
"Oh, so it's my fault for interpreting your words?"
Calsius furrowed his brow. "What did I say? I just told you to do your duty as a Duchess."Adelle admitted it was her fault. But she showed it with a stomp of her foot, telling Anna to help her carry the document to her study. Before leaving, Adelle glanced out of the corner of her eye.
"I'll finish it as soon as possible."
Calsius smiled faintly. He then turned to another report on his desk.
"Sir, are you sure the Duchess will be alright? Judging by her foot stomp just now, she seems very angry." Rico whispered slightly to Calsius.
"It's her own fault. Besides, aren't you happy that your workload has decreased?"
Rico smiled broadly. He then cheered excitedly for being free from that heavy burden. He could now focus on his work and didn't have to work hard until late at night like before.
"But, this seems wrong. You can report back to me, you can report this document after it's finished."
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For three full days, Adelle didn't stop working on the punishment Calsius gave her. In fact, during those three days, she was sleep-deprived. Her sleep schedule was ruined and messy.
Anna had reminded Adelle repeatedly not to push herself anymore. Adelle's body wasn't used to working yet, so if she pushed too hard, her body would get sick.
But Adelle was stubborn. She didn't want to move from her desk. Being ignored repeatedly made Anna tired herself. So she just waited outside, just in case Adelle asked for something to be brought to her.
"Is Adelle still working?"
Anna nodded, while holding back her surprise at Calsius's arrival, which she hadn't noticed. Daydreaming at work was not good.
Calsius understood, Adelle truly proved her words. "Let me in, at least her sleep shouldn't be disturbed."
Anna didn't forbid it. Because, the woman agreed with what Calsius said. Adelle shouldn't get sick.
Calsius opened the door, silence was the first atmosphere he felt. His eyes were fixed straight ahead, at the woman who had dropped her face on the table. Her hand was still holding a pen, her mouth slightly open, plus the soft snore that Calsius missed so much.
Calsius lifted Adelle's sleeping body. It was understandable, Adelle must have been very exhausted. He excused himself to Anna to take Adelle to her room.
The slender body was laid down slowly, especially the head part. Calsius was very careful when putting Adelle to sleep. As if she was a baby who would cry loudly if woken by him.
Calsius exhaled a sigh of relief after laying the body down. Now, it was time for him to sleep too. Calsius immediately turned around, but Adelle whimpered and sounded almost like she was crying.
"Don't... Don't go," she said softly and sounded painful.
Adelle's hand held the edge of Calsius's sleeve, forcing the man to stop and look at her. Calsius tried to gently put that hand down. But it was no use, Adelle really didn't want to be left alone.
"I'm sleeping here because you asked me to. So, now sleep." Calsius pulled the blanket, using his arm as a pillow for Adelle and pulling the woman's waist closer.
A very familiar scent wafted into Calsius's nose. The man stared blankly at the side behind Adelle, he realized one thing. They had become so estranged.
Calsius searched for the reason their relationship had become so strained. Closing his eyes, Calsius tightened his embrace around Adelle's waist again. He gently kissed her forehead and stroked the top of her head.
"Sweet dreams, Princess."