He was different from the other knights as he had a special ability, so how could the knights fight with a person whose eyes they could not meet?
The knight had looked for the duke in the middle of the battlefield, at the risk of seeing his eyes, perhaps the rumors were exaggerated.
The Duke may possess the ability to freeze a person, but it seemed like this could be prevented or avoided.
“Madam, about Knight Delrose’s expedition…” Etra spoke softly, noticing that Ilyin was deep in thought.
Ilyin nodded:
"Yes.
What's their plan?"
Etra looked at the map in front of Ilyin as she spoke:
“Although the exact date is a secret, they will be out soon.”
Ilyin knew this would happen, but that didn't mean she couldn't get some clues about her dream before they left.
She looked at the map of Biflten and although the knights knew where the place was within a second, it took a while for her to find the location that matched what she had seen in her dream and Etra waited calmly to avoid putting pressure on her lady.
“Are they heading west?” The place Ilyin found on the map was the mollies' territory in the west.
"Yes." Etra seemed surprised by his guess.
Ilyin agonized over what she should do.
If she tried to warn them, she doubted they would believe her and how could the riders avoid an unexpected avalanche even though they were used to snow?
“I heard that His Grace will be on this expedition.” Etra whispered.
Ilyin froze in shock at this news.
***
Ilyin moved to the seventh floor that night and the resident doctor smiled with satisfaction to see that she was doing very well.
“A medicine to strengthen the body?” The old doctor suggested, with a pleasant smile on his face.
"However, since it might cause problems, let's go with the Empire's medicine first.
We need to make you stronger before you can take the medicine made here."
His words were warm and Ilyin couldn't believe that this was the same person who scolded the Blue North maids.
“Also, I will let His Grace know that you are okay, and please let me know if His Grace is too harsh.” Those were the doctor's parting words and Ilyin blushed at his wink.
Etra had told Ilyin that the doctor was one of the few people who could harass the Duke among the Delroses.
The seventh floor was quite different, Ilyin noted as he sat in the large room.
The maids prepared various types of liqueurs for Ilyin, as it was known that Biflten liqueurs would not harm her unlike herbs.
“This tastes like peach and can be drunk easily, despite being quite strong” The waitress explained.
Ilyin knew it would come in handy when she was sitting alone at night as the lights could go out at any moment, she lifted the small cup filled with the light pink liquid and tasted it, it was warm as it went down her throat but felt sweet on her tongue.
It was delicious and Ilyin took a few more sips, unlike his usual self.
Suddenly, the lights went out and a moment later, Ilyin went still as a warm hand touched hers.
“Do you like to drink?” He gently picked up the bottle as if he could see in the dark and placed it on the table and Ilyin quickly looked at the floor.
She didn't want to confirm whether or not she would freeze if she looked into his eyes and even if she didn't, it could cause other problems.
Allowing such rumors to continue meant that the Duke had some use for them and saying anything about it was not a good idea.
"In truth no."
“So, do you like this one?”
She heard him tip the bottle and pour some into a glass.
Ilyin felt him tap the glass she was holding and he took it from her.
‘Does anyone hear better in the dark?’ she thought.
Ilyin heard him drink and then it sounded as if he stood up, probably thinking that standing still was impolite and she heard him place the glass on the table.
“It tastes like peaches.” she said softly.
The smell was so close to her that she froze.
The Duke tilted his head towards her to kiss her on the cheek and whispered:
“Your cheeks are flushed.”
"Can you see me?" she asked, feeling self-conscious.
Ilyin had asked this question because she couldn't see anything in the darkness, so how could he see her?
She heard a small laugh.
“Are you curious?”
Come to think of it, he must be able to see in the dark, how else could she explain the first night they spent together.
Ilyin's face flushed again as she was swept off the floor.
"What are you doing?" Her surprised voice was drowned out by his laughter, which was close enough for a kiss and Ilyin closed his eyes as he took a deep breath.
He placed her on the table and she opened her eyes slightly as she tried to balance herself, her feet were dangling in the air and the Duke leaned against her as she tried to find a place for her hands to rest.
“The table is here.” His warm hands guided hers as he kissed her upper lip and whispered:
“I can smell you.”
Ilyin thought he was talking about the liquor and his hand gently caressed her cheek.
His kiss was short, but it devoured her.
He then bit her tongue tenderly as if it were a soft fruit.
Ilyin's hands trembled slightly on the table, while his body felt weak.
His hands were in hers tighter and their fingers intertwined.
The Duke kissed her cheek again and then leaned down to kiss her nose and lips.