Count Lockwood has been suffering from a rare disease that is caused by exposure to Lavaborne, a kind of moth-like creature that releases a scent that can be fatal for many.

Although he survived, he had been suffering from the illness for the past several months.

His skin has turned red because of inflammation, and his body barely works. He could barely eat anything and needed support to do the basics of things.

During his tough times, the ones who stood beside him were his wife and a few servants. While it was the duty of the servants to help him, Melissa wasn’t bound to do those trivial things for him.

From feeding him food to helping him bathe, she has done it all without a complaint for the past ten months.

Although the Count was sick, he realized who stood beside him all this time.

And thanks to her care along with the medic’s support, Count Adam Lockwood could finally move around and talk, albeit not regularly.

Sitting with his back against the bed frame, he looked at his wife who was peeling an apple for him.

Looking at her calm expression and how she fondly fed him, his heart was filled with warmth.

“I must’ve saved….countless lives in a past life… to be blessed with a wife like you.”

Melissa momentarily became stunned.

This…might be the first time she heard him calling her, his wife.

Her eyes turned round, the usual frost Countess Melissa wears around her like a cloak could not be found.

She….was shocked beyond belief.

Adam held her hand, her cold skin provided him with some relief as he said, “I got married to you…just out of concern for Adrian. I never thought I would be able to move on from my past …never believed I would ever be able to love someone again.”

With a gentle smile, he added, “But now I realize how wrong I was.”

Moisture started accumulating in Melissa’s eyes upon hearing those words

For so many years …she has dreamt of this. She just wanted to receive even a fragment of his affection. She didn’t want him to look at her and steal his gaze just because Melissa reminded him of his ex-wife.

How many days has she spent in loneliness…just with the hope that one day…something might change?

And finally, her dedication was answered. Her love was reciprocated.

Drawing closer she leaned her face on his chest and hugged him.

Adam wrapped his arm around her frail and trembling back, feeling the pain she must have gone through.

The lady who has been administrating the County with a strong front and rational measures has completely faded, and a lonely woman has taken her place.

Adam softly ran his hand on her back and soothingly whispered, “You have suffered a lot…I should’ve been with you.”

Melissa sniffed, not trying to hide her tears and pain in front of the only man to whom she could show all of her emotions.

They might not have had a good bond before because of Adam’s undying love for his ex-wife, but Melissa hoped that things would change from here…she hoped to finally make a place in his heart.

After Adam calmed his wife, he asked, “Where are Ryan and Averis?”

With her eyes still closed, Melissa responded, “Ryan is at the training ground, and Avy has gone out shopping.”

Adam hummed. His elder son is training hard these days since he will be enrolling in the academy next year. And his youngest child was living her life as usual.

After a brief pause, a smile adorned Adam’s lips when he said, “Can you send a letter to Adrian and tell him to meet me? It has been like ages since I have seen him.”

Melissa momentarily flinched…Adrian….

She hasn’t told him about the contract they made.

She has yet to reveal the fact that his eldest son has left the family, letting go of the title of Lockwood.

Melissa knew if she told him now, then this initiative her husband had taken to fill the gap between them…he would back off again and the gap might become bigger.

Even if she says that Adrian willingly left the family, he would receive a severe shock.

“Melissa?” Upon not getting any answer, Adam grew anxious and called her out.

The blue-haired lady hummed instantly, “I will ask him to return. Don’t worry.”

She still has no clue how…but she has to bring him back. Even if it’s just for once.

°°°°°°°°°°°

Nineteen questions later:-

The Aegis Academy: 40 pts

The Runebound Academy: 40 pts

Etherveil Enclave: 8 pts

Blackthorn Institute: 4 pts

The Aegis and Runebound were dominating the quiz not only because they had academic monsters in their groups but also because they never made a mistake after pressing the buzzer.

Eitherveil has failed once, and Blackthorn took advantage of it. However, considering there were only five points left, the last two did not have the motivation to continue.

They require twenty marks to qualify, and it wasn’t the first time that only two schools survived until the third round. There has been an occurrence when only one school qualifies, but it’s rare.

Elana had a frown of displeasure on her head. They were five points short. She wanted to be at the top of the leaderboard. The Professor might not say anything even if they rank second but she wants to be the best.

…there was a hope that she might get another hug….so she must try her best!

“Okay then, the last question:” The announcer looked at the four groups, everyone held their breaths and amidst the pin-drop silence, he announced something unexpected,

“This question holds twenty points, but upon answering wrong, five points would be deducted.” A few students gasped and a few rejoiced. Those two at the bottom had nothing to lose but everything to gain.

The announcer added, “Since this a special question, not only the students, but the Professors can participate too.”

That took the whole conference room by surprise

This has not happened in the past, and even if it had, the reaction of the people clearly told that they hadn’t heard about it before.

“Professor….” Aries lifted the buzzer she was holding and handed it to Adrian, who was still in a daze.

Adrian couldn’t remember if something like this happened in the canon…or more like, this round was completely skipped.

Regardless, he couldn’t do anything about it.

‘Let’s see what kind of questions would even test the knowledge of the teachers…’

°°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep