Chapter 8 – A Child In A Man’s Body
The morning of my wedding was quiet.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror as the maids finished fixing my simple white dress.
It was nothing extravagant, just a plain but elegant dress fitting for a court wedding.
My makeup was light, and my hair was pinned back neatly.
“Are you ready, dear?” Grandmother’s voice came from the doorway.
I took a deep breath and nodded. “Yes.”
Grandfather stepped forward, giving me a firm look. “After today, you are Rachel Blake Crawford. No turning back.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I know.”
With that, we headed to Xavier’s house, where everything was already set up.
A judge was waiting in the living room when we arrived.
The butler stood stiffly in the corner, while Xavier’s nanny adjusted Xavier’s posture in his wheelchair.
Xavier sat blankly, his eyes unfocused as he made soft, childish humming noises.
He seemed completely unaware of what was happening.
I tried not to sigh as I took my place beside him.
The ceremony was short, almost emotionless.
“Do you, Rachel Blake, take Xavier Crawford as your husband?” the judge asked.
“I do,” I said firmly.
“And do you, Xavier Crawford, take Rachel Blake as your wife?”
Xavier blinked. Then, he let out a small giggle and clapped his hands together.
Silence.
I felt my face heat up in embarrassment.
“He does,” the nanny quickly said.
The judge glanced at Xavier, clearly uncomfortable, before moving on.
When it was time to sign the marriage certificate, Xavier just stared at the paper.
The butler sighed and stepped forward, picking up the pen and signing on his behalf.
I clenched my jaw.
This was humiliating.
Finally, the judge handed me the marriage certificate. “Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Crawford.”
It was official.
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I was married… To an invalid.
After the judge left, my grandparents turned to me.
“Starting tomorrow, you will be introduced to the company,” Grandfather said. “You will live here with Xavier from now on.”
Grandmother gave me a reassuring smile. “You’ll do great, dear. Just be patient.”
And then, just like that, they left.
I was alone with Xavier.
I sat in front of him, folding my arms. “Well, husband,” I muttered. “I guess we’re stuck together now.”
Xavier blinked, then reached out and poked my arm.
I sighed. “You don’t even understand what’s happening, do you?”
No response.
I shook my head and stood up. “Fine. If I’m going to live here, I might as well do something useful.”
I turned to the nanny. “You can leave for today. I’ll take care of him.”
Her eyes widened. “Madam, are you sure? He can be… difficult.”
“I’ll manage,” I said firmly.
She hesitated, then nodded. “Alright. If you need anything, call me.”
After she left, I knelt beside Xavier. “Let’s start with something simple. Can you say my
name? Ra–chel.”
He stared at me, tilting his head.
I sighed. “Rachel. Say it. Rachel.”
Nothing.
I picked up a book from the table and opened it. “Maybe pictures will help?”
Xavier reached forward–and knocked the ink bottle off the table.
Ink splattered all over my dress.
I gasped. “Xavier!”
He giggled.
“Oh, you think this is funny?” I crossed my arms. “Fine. You wanna play? Let’s play.”
I grabbed his face and smeared some ink on his cheek.
He blinked. Then, to my surprise, he laughed.
A real laugh.
I paused. It was the first time I’d seen him react normally.
Encouraged, I grabbed a piece of paper and handed him a pen. “Here. Draw something.”
Vauiar atarad at the non in his hand Than alowly ha mound it
Chectare & Child in A Man’s Body
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I gasped. Advien!
He giggled.
“Oh, you think this is funny?” I crossed my arms. “Fine. You wanna play? Let’s play”
I grabbed his face and smeared some ink on his cheek.
He blinked. Then, to my surprise, he laughed.
A real laugh.
I paused. It was the first time I’d seen him react normally.
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Encouraged, I grabbed a piece of paper and handed him a pen. “Here. Draw something.”
Xavier stared at the pen in his hand. Then, slowly, he moved it across the paper.
I leaned in, curious.
It was messy, just scribbles.
“You’re a mess,” I muttered, standing up. “Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
I wheeled him to the bathroom and filled the tub with warm water.
The butler entered just as I rolled up my sleeves. “Madam, I can assist-”
“I’ve got it,” I cut him off. “It’s just a bath.”
The butler looked uneasy. “But-”
“Look,” I sighed. “He has the brain of a child, right? It’s not like he understands anything.”
The butler hesitated, then eventually nodded and left.
1 turned back to Xavier. “Alright, let’s get you in.”
I gently undressed him, lifting him into the tub. He made small happy noises as the warm water touched his skin.
I laughed. “See? Not so bad, right?”
He splashed the water with his hands, giggling.
I shook my head. “As much as you act like a child, you’re not so bad to be around.”
Better than that ungrateful Ivan, at least.
I sighed, rolling my shoulders. The ink stains were still on my skin. “Guess I need a bath too.”
I reached for my dress, pulling it over my head.
Just as I did, Xavier’s hand suddenly reached out.
His fingers brushed over the faint scar on my shoulder–the one from the arrow wound.
I stiffened.
And then-
A husky voice, rough and demanding.
“What?”
I froze.
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too.”
- AA.
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I reached for my dress, pulling it over my head.
Just as I did, Xavier’s hand suddenly reached out.
His fingers brushed over the faint scar on my shoulder–the one from the arrow wound.
I stiffened.
And then-
A husky voice, rough and demanding.
“What?”
I froze.
Had he just… spoken?
