MLHRGD 12

#12. Adaptation (3)

“People need sunlight to live.”

Muttering that, Sasha strode across the room and approached the window.

Shhhk!

She pulled aside the thick curtains, and bright sunlight streamed through the large window.

The dark room lit up in an instant, and Sasha smiled with satisfaction.

Meanwhile, Pavel squinted and grimaced in the sudden light, shouting in protest.

“What are you doing?! Close the curtains right now!”

Of course, Sasha paid him no attention.

And she didn’t stop there.

Click.

She unlocked the window latch, which had clearly not been touched in ages—thick dust coated it.

“…Is all this dust?”

Her fingertips were covered in grime just from brushing the latch.

“How could someone who’s already sick be living in such filth?!”

Appalled, Sasha flicked the dust off her fingers and threw the window wide open.

Whoosh—

Fresh outdoor air rushed inside.

“It’s cold! Close it!”

Pavel shouted, his tone fierce.

“I won’t leave it open for long. Just a little while. Let the stale air out and some fresh air in.”

“I said close it now—!”

Ignoring his growling complaints, Sasha opened every window in the room.

The musty air escaped, replaced by the cool breeze of early spring.

The freshness brought a smile to her face—but she didn’t take time to enjoy it.

Because Pavel was glaring at her, shivering violently.

He really is cold.

It seemed his complaints weren’t just an excuse to stop her.

Unable to ignore how pitiful he looked, Sasha picked up a blanket and walked over to him.

“What are you doing?”

Pavel glared at her suspiciously.

“You said you’re cold.”

“Yeah! That’s why I said to close the—”

“Wrap this around yourself.”

Before he could finish, Sasha knelt in front of him, making eye contact.

She wrapped the blanket around his small body so it covered him entirely.

Which meant she ended up in a position that looked like she was hugging him.

“Ugh…”

Feeling awkward, Pavel tried to scoot backward, but Sasha gently held him still.

“Just stay still for a moment, okay?”

“……”

Coaxed by her gentle tone, Pavel froze up without realizing it.

As Sasha carefully tucked the blanket around him, Pavel’s eyes darted about, unsure of what to do.

Too close!

Her face was way too close.

So close that if he exhaled a little too hard, she might feel his breath on her skin.

That close.

Pavel’s body tensed like a drawn bow.

“…You…!”

“Hmm? What’s wrong, are you feeling unwell?”

“Get… get away from me…!”

Sasha blinked.

He was fine just a second ago—why the sudden change?

To find out, she examined his expression.

His face was all scrunched up—and red.

Is he running a fever?

Worried, Sasha quickly raised a hand to his forehead.

“You have a slight fever.”

Feeling the warmth beneath her palm, Sasha bit her lip.

Could he have caught a cold just from the draft?

…Surely not.

Still anxious, she withdrew her hand from his forehead.

As her lukewarm touch left his skin, Pavel sighed in quiet relief.

His heart had been pounding so loudly he feared it might be audible from outside.

Stupid body. Even my heart’s acting up now, doing whatever it wants.

He grimaced inwardly.

His body had always been frail—prone to random malfunctions like sudden tremors or blurred vision.

His heart racing like this wasn’t entirely new, so he didn’t see it as too alarming.

Though he did worry a little.

If I faint or collapse, that woman will only get more annoying.

Just like on the wedding night… and now, again. Sasha treated his illnesses like they were some huge deal.

He was unfamiliar with such fussy concern and wanted to avoid it at all costs.

But his thoughts were cut short.

Bump—Sasha’s forehead touched his.

“……!”

Pavel froze like a statue.

She was even closer than before!

This wasn’t just close—it was contact.

“W-What the hell—?!”

He shouted in a shrill voice, too startled to process what was happening.

He was so tense, he couldn’t even pick up on the emotions Sasha might’ve been feeling.

“Hold still a second. I just need to double-check your temperature.”

Despite her soothing voice, Pavel struggled to pull away.

But for all his effort, Sasha had already pinned him gently in place.

“Just bear with me a moment.”

Unable to move, Pavel had no choice but to let her do as she pleased.

Her hand slid from his warm forehead down to his flushed cheeks, then to his reddened neck.

Whoosh!

His face turned bright red.

Earlier it had been a soft pink—now it was as red as an apple.

Since he was a baby, Pavel had never experienced this kind of physical affection.

Even when he’d been younger and needed adult care, he hadn’t received gentle touches like this.

His nanny treated him like a burden. Other servants avoided him entirely.

Even his father and uncle—his only family—had been cold or off-putting.

As he grew older, his prickly attitude kept others away, making physical closeness even rarer.

So for someone like Pavel, the warmth of another person’s hand was… surprisingly comforting.

And maybe even…

“…Goodness.”

Sasha clucked her tongue at his dazed expression.

He’s in worse shape than I thought.

She already knew his health was poor—but this was beyond her expectations.

To spike a fever from just a little breeze?

He’s so fragile, he could float away in the wind…!

It made her want to sigh endlessly.

But sighing wasn’t going to help.

If his frail body caught a cold, it could be serious.

She had planned to keep the windows open longer, but changed her mind.

This much is enough. Anymore and he might actually get sick.

She quickly went around the room, shutting each window tightly.

There. That should do it.

Satisfied that not a single draft could get in, Sasha turned to Pavel—who was now cocooned in blankets with only his face poking out.

“I closed the windows. How is it now? Still cold?”

“…Yeah.”

Pavel answered quietly.

Huh?

Sasha blinked, surprised at the calm reply.

What’s with him?

She observed him closely.

Pavel wore his usual scowl, but it didn’t seem like irritation. More like he was lost in thought.

What’s going on inside that little head?

Curious, Sasha studied him.

Now that his sharp words had ceased, she began to notice things she hadn’t before.

His chubby cheeks looked soft—like mochi. She wanted to poke them.

His pale skin contrasted with deep red eyes that gleamed like rubies.

And the beauty mark under his right eye added a strange charm.

His nose was well-shaped, his lips neat and delicate.

It wasn’t the face of some “demonic duke” like the rumors said—

He’s more like a baby angel.

As Sasha smiled to herself, Pavel glanced at her warily and grumbled.

“…What?”

“Hm? Oh, it’s nothing. I just thought you looked rea…”

She stopped herself—cute might annoy him.

“…Really handsome.”

“Hand…!”

Sasha had said it casually, but Pavel was so flustered he couldn’t even speak properly.

Seeing him stumble over his words, Sasha’s eyes widened.

He’s weak to compliments.

Suppressing a laugh, she added:

“Grand Duke Volkov is quite the looker too, and you look just like him. You’ll grow up to be stunning.”

“……”

Pavel stared at her in silence, surprised.

He rolled her words around in his mind.

The future…

That was something Pavel had never dared to hope for.

People said he wouldn’t live long.

That he wouldn’t reach adulthood. That he had no future.

But Sasha was the first.

The first person to talk about his future without pity or superiority—like it was the most natural thing in the world.

The very first.

“Hey, Pavel.”

Sasha spoke again, gently.

“Now that the window’s closed, it should warm up soon. But just in case… want me to call for some tea? Something warm might help.”

“……”

He nodded.

Sasha pulled the bell rope to summon a maid—and Pavel simply watched her in silence.

✦✦✦

Even after a long wait, no one knocked on Pavel’s door.

Suddenly, Sasha remembered what had happened on their wedding night.

Back then, too, no one had come—no matter how many times she rang the bell.

Frowning, she muttered in frustration.

“This won’t do. When someone finally comes, I’m giving them a serious lecture.”

She hadn’t meant to say it aloud, but Pavel responded anyway.

“Don’t waste your energy.”

“Huh?”

“No one’s going to come just because you pull the stupid rope. Don’t tire yourself out over nothing.”

His tone was as blunt as ever, but the words—if you looked closely—carried concern.

And when he continued, it felt even more obvious.

“They always make excuses and shift blame, so no one ends up coming. If you’re going to keep living here, you better get used to it.”

Was it advice? A warning? It was hard to tell.

Pavel gave her a pointed look, as if saying, Don’t bother pulling that thing again.

After a pause, Sasha let go of the rope.

Satisfied, Pavel gave a rare, faint smile as she sat down beside him.

“Pavel. Can I ask you something?”

“What?”

Still gruff as ever, but he didn’t shut her down.

Sasha was curious why he’d become so cooperative—but that could wait.

Right now, she had other questions.

One by one, she asked what she’d always wondered. And Pavel answered without protest.

After a few exchanges…

“……”

Sasha, now gazing solemnly at the floor, bit her lip.

She couldn’t believe what she’d just heard.

How could Pavel be treated this way?