Betrayed by Blood: My Second Life as a Queen novel Chapter 26

When she walked back into the bedroom, she noticed Lucian had already thoughtfully set up a makeshift bed on the floor.

It hit Willow that she had been so swamped the last few days, she had completely forgotten to buy him a mattress.

But it was late now, the furniture stores were closed, and she couldn't buy one even if she tried.

Thinking back to that 'First Prize' voucher, a wave of guilt washed over her. "Do you... want to sleep on the bed?"

The moment the words left her mouth, she instantly regretted it.

Lucian hesitated for a second. Remembering his carefully crafted 'fiancé' persona, he faked a look of absolute delight. "Willow? Have you finally forgiven me?"

He held his blanket close, his eyes sparkling with hope. Willow swallowed the rejection on the tip of her tongue.

Whatever.

The bed was a queen size anyway, and she was small enough that there would be plenty of room.

Consider it compensation for everything he had done.

Nodding, Willow grabbed an old throw pillow and placed it squarely in the middle of the mattress as a boundary line.

The pillow was incredibly worn, but it was obvious the owner cherished it deeply—there wasn't a single tear on the fabric.

He figured her parents must have bought it for her. Maybe she had never received anything like it growing up, so even though it was faded and outdated, she couldn't bear to throw it away.

A sharp pang of sympathy hit his chest. In that moment, he wanted to buy her a whole house full of pillows, just so she wouldn't have to look so pitiful clutching onto that old one.

Uncharacteristically quiet, Lucian laid down stiffly beside her. Even with the pillow between them, her unique, sweet scent wrapped entirely around him.

It was so intoxicating it made his mind race.

Lucian shifted slightly, doing his best to keep his reactions completely hidden.

After a brief moment of awkwardness, Willow eventually drifted off to sleep.

She slept for twelve straight hours.

At first, Lucian assumed she was just exhausted and let her rest.

But as the hours ticked by, he realized something was wrong. He reached out and pressed the back of his hand against her forehead, only to realize she was burning up!

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify