Chapter 2
Winter had arrived.
The first snowfall in Betrico came down hard and fast.
William was in his study, handling affairs late into the night.
I made a warming soup and brought it over myself.
The guard at the study door stopped me. "My lady, Lord William said no one is to disturb him."
"I know," I replied softly. "I'll leave it and be on my way."
The guard seemed unsure what to do.
I handed him the food box. "Thanks for your help. Make sure he has the soup while it's hot."
I made myself as unassuming as possible, so the guard had no choice but to accept.
I stood outside the study, watching the warm light spilling out from within.
The cold wind whipped snowflakes against my face, stinging my skin.
I stood there for a long time, until my hands and feet went numb from the cold.
Finally, the study door opened.
William's advisors started leaving one after another.
William walked them to the door and immediately spotted me standing out in the snow.
He frowned. "What are you doing out here?"
My lips were so cold they'd turned blue, and I couldn't get a word out.
His expression grew even colder as I'd embarrassed him.
I followed him into the study, where it was as warm as spring.
The bowl of soup was still sitting on the table, untouched.
William sat down, picked up some documents, and didn't even look up. "What is it?"
"N-no, nothing," I whispered. "I saw you working late, so..."
"Then leave," he interrupted me, annoyance clear in his voice.
I silently bowed, ready to leave.
Guess I'd been standing out there too long, my legs were numb.
I wobbled, nearly losing my balance.
Suddenly, a hand caught my arm in time.
It was William.
I hadn't even noticed when he came to my side.
His hand was warm, and even through the fabric, I could feel that heat.
I was stunned.
William let go almost instantly, as he'd touched something unpleasant. "Can't even stand on your own two feet?"
His words were still laced with barbs, yet he smoothly shrugged off his fur cloak, still warm from his body heat, and tossed it over my head.
It fell over me, swallowing me up completely.
"Put it on." His voice sounded muffled through the thick fur.
I pulled the coat off my head, giving him a puzzled look.
William was already back behind his desk, flipping through his papers.
He didn't glance at me and threw out a cold line. "Don't go getting sick and making trouble for me."
I stood there, hugging his coat, still warm with his scent, a little dazed.
The cold didn't feel quite so harsh anymore.
System reported, "System Alert: William's affection level, 15%."
At this rate, progress was painfully slow.
Still, progress was progress.
I lowered my head, the chill still lingering on my face.
William, you'd better never let yourself fall for me.
Because I was afraid you wouldn't survive the consequences.
I didn't take that coat, still warm from his body, back to my own room.
Once I stepped out of the study, I gave it back to the guard. "Return this to Lord William."
I couldn't let myself keep it.
I was afraid I'd start longing for that warmth that never belonged to me.
Autumn Court was as cold and empty as ever.
The fire had gone out long ago, and the bedding was icy, offering no warmth at all.
That night, the wind and snow seeped into my bones.
The next day, I came down with a fever.
My fever wouldn't break, my whole body burning up, my mind barely lucid.
Lying in bed, it felt like that birthing chamber seven years ago.
The same icy chill, the same helplessness...
The maid only dropped off water twice, then vanished without a trace.
No one bothered to call for a physician.
After all, who would care about a matriarch who'd lost her standing and couldn't even keep her own son safe?
I lay there, burning up and barely conscious.
In my fever dreams, I saw Andrew.
He was still a tiny baby, nestled in my arms, cooing and giggling.
I called out his name. "Andrew, Andrew..."
An angry rebuke dragged me out of my fevered sleep. "She's burning up like this; are all the servants in this house dead?"
It was William's voice.
I struggled to open my eyes and saw him standing at my bedside.
He was dressed in dark clothes, his brows tightly knit, his face thunderous.
How long had it been?
How long had it been since he last set foot in Autumn Court?
I actually couldn't remember anymore.
Behind him, the butler and a bunch of servants trailed in, all looking nervous and on edge.
Charlotte had come as well.
Charlotte still looked as delicate as ever, her eyes red as if she might burst into tears at any moment. "William, how did Evelyn get so sick?"
She reached out to feel my forehead, but William stopped her cold with a sharp glare.
"Get out!" he barked.
With that order, everyone in the room cleared out in a flash.
Only the two of us were left.
The physician was called over right away.
From behind the bed drapes, I heard the physician's serious voice. "Lord William, Lady Evelyn is suffering from emotional distress and has come down with a bad cold.
"She was already weak after giving birth, and now it's gotten even worse.
"If we'd waited any longer, not even the gods could have saved her."
William was silent for a long time, long enough that I started to think he'd already left.
Then, I heard his voice, tight with barely suppressed anger. "Get her the best meds. I don't care what it takes; make sure she pulls through."
The physician accepted the order and took his leave.
The room fell silent again.
I felt a warm hand gently rest on my forehead.
His palm was rough, with thin calluses.
But it was warm.
Tears started streaming down my face without me realizing.
"Andrew..." Half-conscious, I called out the name again. "My Andrew..."
I felt his hand freeze on my forehead.
System reported, "System Alert: William's affection level, 20%."