Chapter 10

　　Although Elizabeth survived, she had a high fever and was constantly drifting in and out of consciousness. Arthur would come to see Elizabeth every day, sneaking past his wife. Every night after he had coaxed Jessica to sleep, he would come to Elizabeth and stay with her until dawn. For some reason, during this period of time, he could only sleep soundly when he was by her side.

　　Elizabeth’s lips had cracked. She woke up after somebody had put a few drops of water on it. Slowly, she opened her eyes, and in the candlelight, she could vaguely see a figure sitting on her bed. The man seemed to be Arthur. She thought, maybe she was really ill and confused.

　　The boy who had sworn to himself that he would marry only her. He was but a part of her past, he could never come back. And yet even though he had been the one to hurt her, he sat at her bedside.

　　Upon seeing that she had opened her eyes, he asked, \"Does it still hurt?\" Even Arthur was surprised at himself. What happened to him?

　　Her eyes seemed to pierce his heart.

　　Involuntarily, Arthur slowly raised his hand to reach out for her. Elizabeth looked at the big hand. The veins showed through his light skin. In the dark, his image gradually faded into the boy from many years ago.

　　It was just her mind playing tricks on her. She dismissed her thoughts.

　　Arthur also came back to his senses. He quickly withdrew his hand. \"You were in a coma for days. Your high fever would not subside.\"

　　Tears gleamed in the corners of her eyes. She swallowed a few mouthfuls of her own saliva. “Why are you here?\"

　　\"Where did you learn the poem you said before you were in a coma?\"

　　She gazed into his eyes, and yearned for it. Her eyes reminded Arthur Mu of something, but it was too dark, he could not be sure.

　　Was she the girl?

　　\"Elizabeth...\"

　　Elizabeth looked longingly at Arthur Mu. Her hands tensely clutched at the bed cover. If he kept asking her, she would tell him.

　　A maid knocked on the door. \"Lord Duke, the Duchess is not feeling well. She has been crying in pain.\"

　　Instantly, she returned to her senses and laughed at herself. Yes, how can she forget that there was someone else between him and her.

　　There’s no going back. We can never go back.

　　\"You\'d better go and accompany your wife. I\'m fine.\" Although she was his concubine, she must never let herself be in love with him. She must act, and feel, like a stranger.

　　Arthur stiffened.

　　Elizabeth bit her pale lip and got up with difficulty. Her forehead was covered with sweat, but she stepped out of the bed and bent her knee. \"My Lord, thank you for visiting me.\" Arthur\'s face was gloomy and his eyes were burning. He stared at her for a long time and then he left.

　　After a while, a maid said outside the door, \"The Duchess is having a difficult pregnancy. The Duke orders you to move to the Plum Garden beginning tomorrow. You are to serve her, as her maid.\"

　　Jessica was pregnant! Elizabeth felt dizzy. She sat, cross-legged, on the cold ground. The candlelight reflected on her pale cheek.