Page 79 of Dueling the Suitors

Cyrus sneezed again, and Astoria nearly curled her fists into the sheets at the wrenching sound. A moment later, he called back, “Say that again and I might fall in love with you.”

She lifted her eyes to the ceiling. “For goodness’ sake, keep quiet and stop hurting your throat further.”

He laughed again, followed by a few more sneezes. Astoria didn’t sleep a second time. After a few minutes of tossing and turning, when her guilt wouldn’t let her stay in her bed, she got up, pulled on a robe, and went into his room.

Cyrus raised an eyebrow at her, not hiding his surprise, but didn’t comment otherwise—too busy sneezing.

Clara came in with his tea, flocked by a few maidservants who stopped at the doorway and peered inside. Astoria felt the urge to dismiss them—strangely, she didn’t like the young maids being too keen about him—but seeing the concern on their faces, she held back.

They all loved him. She was the only one in the palace who didn’t.

Cyrus tried to leave his bed after he drank the tea, but Clara used her stern, motherly tone and told him he needed rest. If Astoria didn’t know about their dynamics already, she would’ve found it strange to see an Emperor being admonished by his housekeeper.

Cyrus protested, saying he had the weekly court meeting to attend.

“I’ll go in your stead,” Astoria blurted out.

“Yes, you tell him, Your Majesty.” Clara encouraged her with a look in her eyes that nearly startled Astoria. It looked almost motherly. Her heartstrings tightened with silent appreciation.

She turned to Cyrus with newfound confidence. “You can hardly say two words before you start sneezing. Take a rest; let me do this.”

Cyrus gave her a strange look. “Are you sure?”Sneeze.

Astoria bit back a groan. He knew how nervous she was about court meetings—or any meeting at all. She would fiddle with her hands and bounce her legs, and Cyrus’ hand would always be there to clasp over them. At first, she had been annoyed, but soon enough, she realized how his touch anchored her and gave her the courage to make it through the meetings.

Thus, she wasn’t sure she could do this—without him—but he didn’t have to know that.

“Yes.” She nodded.

Cyrus nodded back reluctantly and said the meeting was in two hours. Astoria retreated to her room to get ready and have breakfast, listening to Cyrus and Clara arguing about whether or not he should take bed rest. In the end, Cyrus won.

The meeting was boring. Astoria caught a few courtiers shooting her disapproving looks when they saw her bouncing her legs. She glared at them, and they looked away immediately, pursing their lips. Good. They better not forget what happened to Lord Garrett when he insulted the Empress.

She was barely needed there at all, as Rowan thankfully dealt with most of the matters himself. For someone of low birth, he carried out his position rather impressively, like he was cut exactly for it. When he gave her an exasperated sidelong glance in the middle of the meeting, Astoria gave him an encouraging smile.

No one turned to her for her opinion. No one but Cyrus did that after all. In every meeting, he would ask her for her thoughts, loud enough for only the two of them. If she had any, she would give them.

The meeting lasted until almost noon. After it was adjourned, she and Rowan walked to Cyrus’ study. When they entered, Astoria froze.

“Are you alright?” she asked, taking in Cyrus’ rather disheveled appearance. He would never look so disheveled when he was at work. “You’re not alright,” she decided and walked into the room.

“I think I’m running a fever,” he groaned, running a hand through his hair.

“Well, congratulations. You finally know what happens when you run off into the rain without cover,” Rowan said from behind, half deadpan and half sarcastic. “Seriously, Cyrus, what were you thinking?”

Cyrus fixed his gaze on Astoria, his eyes dancing despite the exhaustion written all over his face. “About my lovely wife.”

Astoria rolled her eyes and approached him in long, unladylike strides, placing the back of her hand against his forehead. “Heavens, you are burning up!” she exclaimed, jerking back and giving him an admonishing look. “To bed. Now.”

Cyrus threw his head back and laughed, immediately ending up sneezing, but he stood obediently. Astoria looped her arm through his and led him towards the door.

“Rowan, I need the update—”

“What youneedis medicine,” Astoria cut him off sternly. “Rowan, can you please get the physician and bring him to our chambers?”

“With pleasure.”

Astoria led Cyrus to their chambers. She expected him to start making teasing comments when they were alone, but he was surprisingly silent. Maybe he was too tired to think of one.

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