Chapter 94: Exchange Body Heat
"Truthfully, most symptoms of late awakening resolve themselves within a few hours," Neville said. He touched Princess Soleia’s forehead with the back of his hand and frowned. "But the princess is a lot colder than usual― it could be due to her own body’s weakness. Has she been eating or sleeping well recently?"
Neville was looking at the Duke, expecting him to reply, but it was Sir Ralph who opened his mouth instead. "No, she has not. We were mostly on foot during the journey to the palace and we slept in makeshift shelters. Food was scarce."
"I see..." Neville and Sven both shot Duke Elsher disapproving glances.
Even if he did not care for his wife, there was no need to treat her so unkindly. Not even nobles treated their maids so harshly when they made a mistake!
To think this man was now demanding that they treat his wife. Sven tutted disapprovingly and spoke up.
"If you cared more for Princess Soleia’s welfare to begin with, she would not have gotten to this point. Back then, when Princesses Bellaflor and Celestina awakened their abilities, they merely shivered for an hour― an issue easily resolved when they put on their winter coats and sat next to a roaring fire with a cup of hot tea in hand. As a husband, you have been utterly remiss in your duty."
Orion bit the inside of his cheek as the scolding battered him. Neville elbowed his colleague discreetly, advising him to quit while he was ahead.
"It wasn’t that bad," Orion protested, but it felt like a weak denial to himself.
Suddenly, Orion could recall incidents where he and Elowyn had thrown Soleia out of the carriage, expecting her to walk and find her own shelter at night. If not for Ralph’s help, she would have perished in the cold. His cheeks heated with shame.