ELND Chapter 57

Chapter 57

 The Woman He Desperately Desired

“Last night… you’re saying that was all a mistake?”

Rebecca didn’t realize it, but Cedric could feel it himself at that moment —
his voice trembled ever so slightly as he spoke.

“Rebecca can’t possibly be ignorant about the Marking… so why, now of all times, is she saying last night was a mistake?”

He couldn’t hide the wounded expression on his face.
Even pretending to be his usual composed self felt impossible.

Rebecca Twins.
She was the one woman who could render him utterly powerless in a single instant.

As a bitter sense of defeat crept over him, Cedric swallowed dryly.

Rebecca gazed up at him — her eyes uncertain, almost frightened, as though she didn’t quite understand what was happening.
That look made him ache all the more — resentful of her, yet pained by the fact that he couldn’t freely reach out to her.

“Cedric, last night I was… too drunk…”

Before she could finish, Cedric shook his head firmly.

“Let’s just leave.”

He said only that, turning on his heel immediately.

He didn’t want to hear that word — mistake — from her lips again.
If he did, the emotions he’d struggled to conceal might spill out entirely.

Forcing himself to take a step forward, Cedric tried to sound casual.

“The others will be outside to see us off. You should get ready quickly.”

“Cedric…”

Her voice came from behind him, laced with a strange urgency.

No… maybe it’s guilt. Guilt for having to reject me.

A faint, bitter smile touched Cedric’s lips.

Then, turning back toward her, he spoke quietly.

“Whether what happened last night was a mistake or not — I don’t care.”

“……”

“So there’s no need for you to feel sorry toward me.”

“Really…?”

A flicker of relief crossed Rebecca’s eyes.

“…Yes.”

At that, Rebecca began walking beside him again, as if nothing awkward had ever passed between them.

Watching her, Cedric was overcome by a complicated mix of feelings.

He had told her not to apologize, yet a part of him wished she would.
Still, his words had been sincere — it truly didn’t matter whether she called last night a mistake.

Whatever Rebecca thought of it, he had already been marked by her — and that was something that could never be undone.

And more than that… he didn’t regret it, not for a moment.

What mattered most to Cedric now was simple—

At least until the contract ended, Rebecca would never be able to leave his side.

That fact alone was enough.

The next morning, in front of the town hall of Grayzone Village—

A crowd had already gathered to see them off.

“I owe you much, Devon,” Cedric said, extending his hand.

The village chief clasped it firmly and shook his head.

“Owe us? Hardly. Considering how the Twins family has cared for us mixed-blood demons for generations, it’s we who should apologize for having hosted you in such humble lodgings.”

Standing beside Devon was his daughter, Jacqueline.
After greeting Cedric politely, her eyes darted to me, glancing briefly.

I smiled at her.

“I had a really good time yesterday, Jacqueline.”

She looked flustered and muttered awkwardly,

“All we did was have a drink after work. Nothing to be happy about…”

Her words were gruff, but the hostility she’d shown before was gone.
The same was true for the rest of the villagers around her.

“Well, if you ever get bored after returning to the Grand Duke’s estate…”

“…?”

“You could visit our village again. Or not. Whatever.”

I couldn’t hide my surprise and gratitude. Jacqueline, embarrassed by her own words, raised her voice.

“Don’t get the wrong idea! Just because we spent one night drinking doesn’t mean we suddenly trust you, Your Grace!”

“……”

“We’ll have to see for a few more nights to know! Right, everyone?!”

Laughter rippled gently through the crowd at her sharp tone.

Smiling softly, I looked at Jacqueline and the other villagers.

“Of course. I’d love to come again if you’ll have me. That honey mead you made, Jacqueline, was really delicious.”

Just then, several little children broke away from the crowd and ran up to me, their small hands full of the dolls and sweets I had brought.

“Your Grace! These are so tasty! Thank you so much!”

“The doll is adorable too! Mom said I have to thank you properly!”

The children’s chubby cheeks glowed as they chattered happily.
I gently stroked their tiny horns, smiling fondly.

“It’s been so long since I’ve seen horns like these. Lady Bianca rarely shows me hers, you know — I was disappointed. I find them so cute.”

At that, the children blushed and giggled shyly.

Then Bianca tugged at the hem of my dress and gestured for me to lean closer.

When I bent down, she whispered softly,

“When we return to our family’s estate, I’ll show you mine for sure. But you have to say mine are prettier than theirs, okay?”

She pouted adorably, and I couldn’t help but laugh and pat her head.

“Of course. I’ll say it a hundred times if you want, Bianca.”

Beaming, Bianca looked up at me with a bright smile.

The villagers around us watched the scene in quiet amazement.

Then a calm voice broke the silence.

“I never imagined I’d see such a sight from Your Grace.”

I turned to find Devon, the village chief, regarding me thoughtfully.

“Children cannot lie,” he continued. “Seeing how Lady Bianca adores you, it seems the maids were right — you have indeed changed, Your Grace.”

He then looked toward Cedric and added,

“And someone I trust deeply told me the same.”

After a pause, Devon spoke again with gravity.

“About the welfare foundation you mentioned — I think it’s something we should discuss carefully with the villagers.”

He bowed his head slightly before me.

“Your Grace, forgive me, but could you grant us a little time to think?”

Though Devon had always been courteous, I’d never felt that he truly recognized me as the Grand Duchess of Twins before.
His gaze had always held a faint trace of disdain.

But now, there was warmth — however small — in his eyes.

Relieved, I nodded.

“Of course. Take your time and discuss it together. Your place will always be open with us.”

With that farewell, we climbed into the carriage.

As soon as the three of us — Cedric, Bianca, and I — were seated, Bianca began chattering cheerfully.

“Last night, I spent the whole evening with the village kids! There’s a boy named Jeff — he’s really handsome and tells the funniest stories!”

Her eyes sparkled as she looked between Cedric and me.

“What about you two? Did you have a good night together?”

That was clearly the question she’d been waiting to ask.

Unfortunately, the atmosphere between Cedric and me couldn’t have been more awkward.

All because of that damned “mistake.”

Or rather — the awkwardness was mine; Cedric’s irritation was practically radiating from him.

Bianca seemed to sense it, glancing nervously at him — when suddenly,

“I did,” he said flatly, loosening his tie and frowning slightly. “Everything was perfect.”

Then he added, with quiet venom,

“Except for the fact that all of it was supposedly a mistake.”

At the same time, in the Demon Realm — the Montaire household.

Adrian held his father’s frail, withered hand, gazing down at the face that once commanded armies.
The once-mighty patriarch was now skeletal, his ribcage visible through his paper-thin skin, each breath a fragile rattle.

As Adrian wiped the cold sweat from his father’s brow, his elder brother, Elliot, entered and rested a hand on Adrian’s slumped shoulder.

“You’re here, brother.”

“Yes. I hear you’re returning to the Twins estate today?”

“Yes… I regret having to leave Father in your and Sister-in-law’s care once again.”

At Adrian’s lifeless tone, Elliot gave a somber smile.

“This hardship won’t last much longer. I fear it’s time we began to prepare ourselves.”

Adrian looked down again at their father’s hollowed face.

“Let’s talk outside, brother.”

The corridor was dark and silent, heavy with the sense of an ending.

Only the two of them stood there, sighing under the weight of sorrow.

As the night breeze swept between the pillars, Elliot turned suddenly to Adrian.

“Adrian, it’s time we made a decision for the sake of our family.”

There was determination in his eyes.

“But brother, Father is still—”

“Father would want this too.”

“……”

“Think of what he’s sacrificed to protect House Montaire.”

Leaning against the railing, Adrian lowered his gaze with a long, weary sigh.

Elliot gripped his arm firmly.

“Adrian — you must become the head of our house.”

His voice left no room for doubt.

“With your power, our family won’t just survive — it will grow stronger than ever.”

“Brother…”

“That’s what Father wants. That’s what all our retainers want.”

At those words, a faint ripple stirred in Adrian’s violet eyes.
But he shook his head slowly.

“…I have no desire to return to the Demon Realm yet.”

As he spoke, an image flickered through his mind —
Rebecca’s scarlet hair, her radiant smile glowing like sunlight.

“There’s something I want — something I’d risk my life to obtain. In the human world.”

A bitter smile touched his lips.

Elliot watched him quietly, then sighed and lifted his eyes to the dark sky.

“So… there’s a woman you desperately desire, then?”

Adrian didn’t answer.

But his silence was answer enough.

“Then all the more reason you must become the head of the Montaire family,” Elliot said firmly.

“Brother…!”

“If you take that position, we won’t just be powerful among the half-demon nobility —”
A sly smile crept over his lips.

“We could rival even the Twins family.”

Adrian’s eyes widened, rippling like a stone cast into still water.

“Gain power, Adrian.”

Elliot’s gaze bore into his brother’s as he spoke with conviction.

“And with that power—
claim what you desire most.”