Surviving As A Cannon Fodder

CHAPTER 52

Herbie Verlock has been Young Duke Edward Frost's attendant for three years now. 

He was a young man in his twenties with orange hair and freckles on his face. His main job was to wake up the Young Duke in the morning and prep his clothes and other needs. 

Although by the time he came, the young Duke would already be up. He would prep the necessities for the start of the day.

The sun was still rising when Herbie knocked on his master's door. 

It was his duty to clean his master's body in the morning ever since he got cursed. He had a vessel of water and a towel in his hands. Normally he would walk in without waiting for a reply. But he had to gain permission to enter, now that the mistress of the house had arrived.

He knocked on the door again and there was still no sign of an answer. If he were to be late the priests would arrive.

Hence, he had no option but to go in by himself. He hesitated a bit before finally opening the bedroom door.

"Hheeekk!"

Herbie dropped the vessel of water in his hand while trying to hold in a scream. Taking a moment to recollect himself he closed the door and ran out, blushing all over his face.

Inside he had witnessed a scene that nor he or anyone should ever see.

The young ducal couple was sleeping in each other's arms.

It was more like the duchess was sleeping while hugging her husband. She had her head on his chest and his arm around her. Her hand was half inside his shirt. The quilt was thrown away and she had one of her legs on top of him.

Herbie had seen the forbidden.

"Hmmm" I sheepishly opened my eyes.

I thought I heard something. But there was nothing there.

It must have been a dream.

I closed my eyes and tried to go back to sleep. I was feeling warm and comfortable for some reason. I have not slept this well ever since my grandma died.

I was holding onto something. It was warm and a bit hard, yet comforting at the same time.

I rubbed my face against the warmth. It must probably be Chirpy snuggling with me again.

'But wait a sec... isn't his fur soft? Or is it grandma?'

I slowly opened my eyes and tried to look at the figure beside me.

'Is that someone's chest?'

I gently rose up and looked at the person's face. It was a handsome man with black hair.

I blinked trying to remember who it was.

Then it hit me. 

My heart stopped for a moment when I saw the position I was in.

"OH MY GOD!" I exclaimed, registering the state I was in.

I pushed Edward away and rolled to the other side of the bed till I fell to the floor on my butt.

"Oww" I dragged myself up while rubbing my back.

How?

I'm sure I fell asleep on the edge of the bed, as far away from him as possible.

How did I end up hugging him?

I do have the habit of hugging someone while I sleep. But it was always either Grandma or Chirpy.

Did I roll towards him subconsciously in my sleep?

"Hmmm" I tilted my head and zeroed my eyes on Edward looking for any movement.

'He's in a coma. There's no way he could have moved me. I'm just being paranoid' I told myself.

But still decided to do a few tests just to make sure. There was nothing wrong with being cautious.

I crawled on the bed till I got to his side. He was lying with his eyes closed shut. There were no suspicious movements.

'Or was he?'

I climbed on top of him again.

We've gotten used to this by now. I'm sure he would not mind at this point.

'I'm his wife after all'

At least that is what I tell myself to ease my guilty conscience.

Test 1: Poking

*poke* *poke*

"No reaction"

I tried poking all over his sid'es. But there wasn't even the slightest flinch.

*poke* *poke*

Test 2: Tickling

*tickle* *tickle* * tickle*

Still no movement.

"Tough one huh"

'What should I do for test 3? How about a raspberry? But won't that be crossing the boundaries a bit too much?'

I pondered for a while about what to do. Well, if he did wake up from this, I'll be dead before the month is up.

Analysis conclusion: SAFE

I took a pillow in my hand.

'Maybe I should just kill him and be done with it?'

"I can't do that to the male lead"  

I threw my head back in frustration.

"Gahhhh... this is driving me crazy"

Right then, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in"

'Sh*t! I said that out of reflex. This stupid mouth of mine!'

I need to get off.

I threw the pillow in my hand and was about to get up. But distracted by the opening door I slipped and fell face-first on top of him instead.

*thud*

"oh" 

I got up with the support of my hands when I heard a voice. 

OH NO...

It was the butler, Nathaniel.

OH NO...

And there I was hanging on top of his master.

OH NO NO NO NO...

"Forgive me for interrupting, my lady. I will be back at a later time"

'I know this position looks compromising. But... why are you running away? It's not what you think it is!'

I cried out in distress trying to explain the obvious misunderstanding brewing in his mind. But it was already too late.

"Wait wait. I can explain this"

Nathaniel closed the door and disappeared before I could say anything leaving me to my cries of misery.