Chapter 44
During the war, Ethan often wore that same look—but usually only when spies or unwanted ears were nearby.
Could it be… here, too?
Howard tensed immediately, lips clamped shut. Instinctively, he hunched down and turned toward the direction Ethan was watching.
But Ethan’s gaze was fixed on the tightly shut bathroom door. Beyond it, only Elisa and Noah. There were no windows, no chance of an intruder slipping in.
Then why… no, surely not?
“Wait. You mean to tell me you’re shushing me because you don’t want Miss Elisa Leslie to know you’re injured?”
It was a wild guess, but Ethan blinked in confirmation.
Howard let out a disbelieving whistle.
“How badly are you hurt?”
Even as he asked, he felt ridiculous for playing along with Ethan’s nonsense.
“My foot. Just a little. Nothing worth worrying over.”
Ethan’s tone was flat, unconcerned. And indeed, he hadn’t limped or shown any visible discomfort.
“Show me.”
Howard demanded it anyway, just in case. Ethan’s jaw tightened.
That hesitation was unlike him. He despised suspicion, so for him to stall now could only mean one thing.
“I said, show me, Ethan Esteban.”
Howard dropped his voice to something like a command, and Ethan—grudgingly—rolled up his trouser leg.
The moment Howard saw it, his face hardened.
“What the hell is this.”
Ethan’s leg was grotesquely swollen, the kind of injury no one should have been walking around on.
Of course. He’d fallen from a cliff—what would have been strange was not being injured. Howard grimaced and leaned in to study the bloated leg.
“Is the bone broken? Have you seen a doctor?”
“No. I caught the train back to the capital, so I haven’t had the chance.”
“You lunatic. With your leg like this, the last place you should be is—”
“Your voice is too loud.”
Ethan’s eyes flicked toward the bathroom door, a sharp warning.
This bastard’s out of his mind.
Utterly mad—about Elisa Leslie.
Howard already knew it, but every time he saw it up close, it was staggering. To care for someone this much… it almost didn’t seem human.
“Fine. We’ll see a doctor. No, it’s late—they’ll be closed. At least a local clinic—”
“You already told Elisa everything.”
Howard froze, hand halfway to his coat.
“I could have sworn I asked you not to. Am I wrong?”
“Well, about that…”
In the blink of an eye, the tables had turned.
Howard sank back into his chair, hands folded neatly on his knees, staring down at the checkered table surface.
He didn’t believe he’d done anything wrong. The circumstances had demanded it—he’d make the same choice again.
If anything, wasn’t it thanks to him that Elisa and Ethan had their tearful, miraculous reunion? If he hadn’t revealed the truth, she’d never have come this far. He was the one who’d brought her here.
The more he thought about it, the more right he felt.
Yes. He wasn’t wrong.
“Elisa learned, just like you did, that Count Leslie had deceived her. How could I possibly stay silent?”
Howard lifted his chin, meeting Ethan’s gaze squarely.
“That’s why I told her. A contract might be important, but there are limits. What Count Leslie did to you and her—he broke every rule of honor.”
Ethan offered no rebuttal, no defense. He simply looked at Howard, calm and unreadable.
That silent scrutiny was unbearable. Howard, who moments ago had been defiant, found himself shrinking under the weight of it, like a guilty man in the dock. He turned his eyes away.
“S-so… anyway—”
His voice trembled now, and mercifully, a knock interrupted him. The aide had returned.
“You’re back!”
Howard jumped to his feet with relief, greeting him as if he were a savior.
The aide, bewildered by such an overreaction, glanced at Ethan as if to ask, What’s wrong with him? Ethan only shrugged.
***
It had taken longer than expected to bathe Noah—partly because she had to keep the water away from his injuries, and partly because the boy, in unusually high spirits, insisted on splashing and playing.
“There. All done.”
Elisa finally wrapped him snugly in a large towel rather than dressing him right away. She reached for another towel to dry his damp hair—
But Noah, impatient, flung open the bathroom door and scampered out.
“Noah!”
Elisa hurried after him, flustered. The little boy’s short legs carried him straight toward Ethan.
And of course, he latched onto Ethan’s injured leg.
“Wait—that’s—!”
“It’s fine.”
Howard had started forward in alarm, but Ethan stopped him with a hand.
Calmly, he adjusted the slipping towel around Noah and took the fresh one from Elisa, beginning to dry the boy’s hair himself.
“Tsk. So it’s not just Elisa Leslie you’re tender with.”
Howard clicked his tongue, but despite his words, a smile tugged at his lips. It was a touching sight—father and son.
The prince’s aide smiled too.
Only Elisa did not.
She should have been happy—this was a moment she had dreamed of. Yet instead of joy, a fierce ache welled in her chest.
Her throat tightened, her eyes stung. Tears spilled hot down her cheeks before she could stop them. She turned away quickly, wiping them with trembling hands.
“Are you crying?”
Ethan abandoned what he was doing and strode straight to her. Every eye in the room followed him.
“Why are you crying?”
“I’m not crying. Who said I was?”
“Then what’s on your cheeks?”
“This—this is…”
They bickered softly, eyes wide and voices quick, like children caught in mischief. Noah tried to toddle toward them, but Howard caught him up in his arms.
“There’s only one bed here.”
He spoke suddenly, out of nowhere.
“Looks a bit small for three people. Don’t you think?”
The aide gave him a puzzled look, then answered.
“Getting another room is impossible. As you know, this inn is fully booked.”
When they had arrived, only two rooms had been left. Howard and his aide had taken the one with two beds; the other, with just one, went to Elisa and her family.
The bed in question was large enough for two adults, but with a child squeezed in, it would be cramped.
“If you’re suggesting we switch rooms—”
“Switch rooms? So what, you and I cuddle up on that bed together?”
Howard pointed at the mattress with a wicked grin. The aide’s face darkened instantly, his disgust plain.
“I’ve no interest in sharing a bed with another man, either.”
Howard shuddered theatrically.
“But with a cute little one like this—it’s perfectly fine.”
At last, his meaning dawned. Eyes widened all around.
“Of course, only if the little one agrees.”
Howard crouched to meet Noah’s gaze.
“What do you say? Want to sleep with me tonight?”
Noah’s lips wobbled. He reached desperately for his mother. Elisa was about to intervene when Howard bent to whisper something in the boy’s ear.
Noah froze. His eyes flicked from Elisa to Ethan, then back to Howard.
Howard smiled slyly and nodded.
“It will really happen.”
Noah’s small mouth pressed into a firm line. He gripped Howard’s hand with surprising resolve, his young face set with determination far beyond his years.
“So it’s decided.”
“You’re really taking Noah?” Elisa’s voice shook as Howard swept the boy into his arms.
“Of course. Don’t worry, Miss Leslie—I’m quite capable of looking after a child.”
His tone was confident, almost boastful. And Noah, shy around most strangers, was nestled quietly in his arms. Elisa had no choice but to nod.
Ethan, however, had narrowed his eyes from the moment Howard began his odd little scheme.
“Oh, and one more thing,” Howard added, pausing in the doorway as if just remembering. He looked at Elisa.
“I noticed earlier—Ethan’s leg is injured. So, I’ll leave him in your care.”
