Chapter 64
Ethan hadn’t stepped a single foot out of bed—not only because of Elisa’s terrifying threats but also because of his adorable little warden.
Noah, under strict orders from his mother to keep his father from leaving the bed, glared at Ethan with fierce determination.
“You don’t have to stare like that. I’m not going anywhere.”
Even when Ethan reassured him to relax, Noah refused to ease up. The boy’s stubbornness was uncanny—just like his mother’s. Chuckling softly, Ethan leaned against the headboard and patted the empty spot beside him.
“Come sit here and keep watch comfortably.”
Noah’s eyes flickered, tempted by the offer.
“I’ll even tell you a fun story.”
That sealed it. The boy hesitated for a moment before dashing over and plopping down next to him. The sight was so precious that a smile spread across Ethan’s face. He gently pulled Noah into his arms.
“What kind of story should I tell?”
Fairy tales would have been best for a child—but Ethan didn’t know any. At the age when most children heard bedtime stories, he hadn’t even learned to read.
His father, once a slave, couldn’t read either and never told him tales. His mother had been too busy keeping them alive.
It was Elisa who had taught him letters—Elisa who’d opened his eyes to literature, history, and art, things far beyond a commoner’s reach.
It was also Elisa who had taught him how beautiful it felt to love someone.
His parents had given him life, but Elisa Leslie had given him the world.
“Should I tell you how your mom and I first met?”
There was nothing else he could tell that would delight the boy more. Fortunately, Noah’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“I first met your mom when I was seven years old.”
Ethan stroked Noah’s hair and began his story. It was an old memory, yet so vivid it might as well have happened yesterday. Every moment with her—every glance, every word—remained clear in his mind.
Time passed quietly as he spoke. Eventually, Noah’s breathing grew even, and he fell fast asleep in his father’s arms.
Ethan gently laid him down and tucked the blanket up to his neck. The boy looked so much like Elisa when he slept. He had never imagined there would be another being who could make him this happy.
Now he finally understood what people meant when they said a child is so precious you’d bear them in your eyes.
“Thank you… for coming to your mom and dad.”
I’ll make you happy for the rest of your life.
Though the path to this moment had been long and painful, Ethan’s smile lingered, full of quiet joy.
***
“What’s this? I told you to keep your dad in bed, and you ended up sleeping in it instead?”
Elisa stood in the doorway, shaking her head at the scene before her. Yet a soft smile tugged at her lips.
As she set the box she’d brought down on the sofa table, Ethan carefully pulled the blanket up to Noah’s chin and slipped out of bed—without even using his crutches.
Elisa narrowed her eyes.
“Oh? I’m pretty sure I said you’re not supposed to leave that bed.”
“You also said I could if it was absolutely necessary.”
“And this is absolutely necessary?”
“Of course. I need to make sure Noah doesn’t wake up—and more importantly…”
In one smooth step, Ethan wrapped his arms around her waist.
“I need to do this.”
Always with the perfect answer. Elisa rolled her eyes and tugged him over to the sofa.
“Stop saying nonsense and check what’s inside the box.”
“What is it?”
“What else? Letters from people congratulating you for making it back alive and wishing you well. The gifts are in another pile.”
Sitting beside him, Elisa stretched her shoulders with a little sigh.
“There were so many that sorting them took me all day.”
“Sorry.”
She tapped his forehead lightly with her finger.
“This isn’t the time to say sorry—it’s the time to say thank you.”
“…Thank you.”
His quick correction made her laugh. Shaking her head, Elisa opened the box and pulled out bundles of letters tied with ribbons—first red, then blue.
“These ones—you can reply if you want, but it’s not necessary.”
Then she lifted the final bundle tied with gold ribbon.
“These, however—you must reply and send thank-you gifts, or you’ll have a hard time in society later. Especially from the Marquess of Sochi…”
Since Ethan was still new to the noble world, Elisa patiently explained who each sender was.
The whole time, Ethan simply watched her. Her voice, lowered so as not to wake Noah, was soft and soothing—like a lullaby. She looked lovely when she focused on something. And knowing she was doing all this for him made his chest ache with warmth.
“Are you even listening to me?”
“I am.”
He answered immediately. Still suspicious, Elisa frowned and held up one of the envelopes.
“Then tell me—who sent this one, and what did I say about them?”
Ethan answered flawlessly. Elisa, robbed of her scolding, pouted and grabbed another envelope.
Giselle Brianna.
Seeing the name jogged her memory of an old question.
“Ethan, what exactly is your relationship with Giselle Brianna?”
She didn’t doubt him—but she wanted to clear even the smallest shadow of suspicion.
“She did you a favor, and you two looked rather close last time…”
“We’re not close.”
His denial came instantly.
“Then why were you spending time together?”
“Because we had a contract.”
“A contract?”
“Yeah. To stop people from trying to set me up for marriage. Giselle needed a way out of her arranged marriage too, so we agreed to pretend.”
Elisa blinked. She hadn’t expected that answer.
“So… you can end it now?”
“Of course. The contract was only until you stopped being mad at me.”
Rumors had spread quietly that Ethan and Giselle were dating—or even planning to marry. Elisa had trusted him, but she couldn’t deny those whispers had bothered her. Hearing him say it was over eased her heart, and she smiled.
That smile made Ethan’s lips curve as well. He pulled her close, resting his chin on her shoulder.
“Were you jealous?”
Elisa stiffened, just slightly.
“…No.”
“Liar.”
His teasing voice made her cheeks flush. She ruffled his hair roughly.
“How’s your leg?”
“Fine. I could run if I wanted.”
“Denied.”
He’d hoped to sneak permission to move freely, but Elisa wasn’t falling for it.
“It’s suffocating, lying around all day.”
“Endure it until you’re completely healed.”
“Even light exercise can help recovery.”
“Not until the doctor says so.”
Her tone was firm, her glare sharp. But instead of being annoyed, Ethan found her utterly endearing. Laughing softly, he caught her small, pouting lips and kissed them.
Elisa froze for a second, then wrapped her arms around his neck, returning the kiss. The more they longed for each other, the smaller the space between them became.
Knock, knock.
Just as Ethan’s hand slipped under the hem of her dress, a sharp knock shattered the moment.
Noah’s right there. What am I doing?
Realizing it, Elisa pushed him away and wiped her lips with the back of her hand.
“Come in.”
Ethan waited until she had composed herself before speaking. The butler entered, bowing politely.
“Madam Tania Leslie has come to see Miss Leslie.”
