My Adopted Sister Rejected the Comatose Duke, So I Married Him and Became His Duchess Chapter 02

My Adopted Sister Rejected the Comatose Duke, So I Married Him and Became His Duchess Chapter 02

Half an hour later, I saw Alexander himself in the recovery chamber of Windermere Castle.

He lay thin and pale against the pillows, clean white linen wrapped around his head and medicine bottles covering the table beside him.

The court physicians took turns keeping watch by his bed.

The Duchess wiped away her tears sorrowfully.

“He suffered a severe head injury. The physicians have stabilised his condition, but he still needs time to recover. It could take as little as six months or as long as three years.”

“We want to preserve the dignity of our family, but we also genuinely wish to find someone willing to stay by his side. Did Vivian truly think that a castle as vast as Windermere could not afford servants and that she would have to handle every little task herself?”

According to the physicians, although Alexander’s body was asleep, his mind might still be aware of the world around him.

If someone spoke to him every day and reminded him that he was still connected to the outside world, it might help him awaken sooner.

However, his condition could not be exposed to outsiders.

The Duchess also had to reassure their vassals and manage the affairs of their lands.

Vivian had originally been the most suitable person for the responsibility.

Now, that responsibility had fallen to me.

Alexander’s spirit stood beside the bed, his face ashen.

“I believed Vivian would remain by my side too. I never imagined she would disappoint me so deeply. All I wanted was someone dependable who could read royal decrees, tax reports, and news from the merchant caravans to me each day. Why is that so difficult? I wonder if Evelyn will be capable of it.”

After listening to him mutter for a while, I gradually understood what had happened.

His body and consciousness had temporarily separated, which was why I could see his spirit.

Once he truly awakened, his spirit would naturally return to his body.

After considering it, I explained my plans to the Duchess.

“Every day, I will read Alexander official documents and news from the estate. I will also invite minstrels to take turns reciting epics and playing music for him.”

“I’ll tell him about the weather each day and let him smell flowers, herbs, spices, and different foods. I will do everything I can to awaken his senses to the outside world. As for washing him and turning him in bed, if Your Grace does not object, I would like to take care of those things as well.”

The Duchess and Alexander’s spirit clearly assumed I was merely saying what they wanted to hear.

Neither of them believed I could remain so attentive and patient for long.

But when the Duchess returned the next day, she saw me in an entirely different light.

I had just finished trimming Alexander’s beard, making him look considerably more presentable.

An elderly minstrel sat beside the fireplace, quietly reciting an ancient epic about a legendary knight.

A stack of estate documents sealed with wax rested on my lap.

Every so often, I selected an important passage and read it aloud to Alexander.

A cup of tea I had blended myself sat beside his bed.

I had even ordered a narrow bed to be placed in the corner of the recovery chamber so I could remain with him day and night.

The Duchess was deeply moved.

“You may return to your guest chamber to rest at night.”

I smiled and told her that as long as I did not have to return to the Gray estate, I could sleep peacefully anywhere.

“Besides, staying here will help Alexander become familiar with my voice. It may help him awaken.”

After speaking, I secretly glanced at his spirit.

He already looked far less gloomy.

“Vivian has been pampered since childhood. Even if she had come, she would never have taken proper care of me. Evelyn, on the other hand, is remarkably dependable. Perhaps this disaster has not been entirely unfortunate after all.”

Excellent.

I had passed Alexander’s personal test.

Everything that followed would be much easier.