Esme's POV
"Ow ow." I leaned over the door while Merlin held me up. I leaned on his arm, holding my stomach that was on the verge of blowing up.
Something did go wrong. I got a stomachache.
I had expected it, but wasn't brave to stop myself from eating all those snacks within a short time.
He was stronger than he looked to hold me up. Or perhaps I had no regard for the strength he could have possessed.
I stepped out of the bathroom with dizzying steps. His arm found its way around my shoulder again.
"Do you want to lie down?" he sounded worried.
I nodded once. If only he knew this was a very self-afflicted result of my greed.
The surroundings changed.
I plopped down on a bed and my shoulders eased. Even the bed threatened to eat me whole and keep me warm inside of itself.
This was too tempting or I could try to spend the night here. I rolled to my side, holding my stomach. The moment I felt better, I should leave.
I stayed with the lonely Duke enough.
"Stay."
