Chapter 27: The Couple’s First Night (2)
“…You.”
“What about me?”
He looked a bit awkward having such a casual conversation.
Honestly, Eleanor felt the same.
“The unpacking…”
“As you can see, it’s done. The room looks strange and unfamiliar, doesn’t it? I was also surprised to receive this room. Marie said you gave permission.”
“What’s so surprising about that?”
Startled by his grumpy voice, Eleanor widened her eyes.
He frowned as if annoyed again and said,
“…Whether you like it or not, you’re the duchess now. It’s natural, so stop acting like it isn’t.”
Ah.
“It’s natural? Even for me?”
“Yes. So why are you suddenly acting pitiful when it doesn’t suit you?”
“…”
In the past, she had wanted to hear those words so badly.
‘I just wanted to hear you call me your wife like that.’
Whatever he saw in her blank expression, he quickly added with a cold tone,
“Of course, don’t get the wrong idea. That’s as far as it goes.”
She laughed lightly.
“Oh my, as if I would forget. I’m only your temporary duchess.”
“Tsk.”
“Don’t click your tongue.”
“I give you a place to lie down, and now you’re trying to take control.”
“Can’t I even give a little advice?”
Even though he said mean things, Eleanor couldn’t completely hate or resent him.
There were sincere parts of him she recognized.
Kylus was a hardworking head of the family.
As his wife, Eleanor had often seen his bedroom lights still on late at night.
She’d thought of going in to give him something, like a plate of nicely sliced fruit, but was afraid he’d be annoyed—just like he was now—so she quietly returned without knocking.
‘Maybe I should have knocked on that door at least once?’
Even if he had yelled or looked annoyed.
‘Would things have changed if I had acted instead of just waiting?’
Even if the people from the Grace family became suspicious of her strange behavior.
‘No… If I had done that, I might’ve failed my revenge. I wouldn’t have been able to protect you. I would’ve lost everything.’
If that had happened, her father would’ve grown suspicious, and in the end, it would’ve been Carniel that was destroyed, not Grace.
So even if the ending was tragic, she didn’t regret the path she had taken.
She just felt a bit of sadness.
‘I just don’t want to leave behind regrets this time.’
That’s what this apology meant.
It didn’t mean she still loved him, or that she missed him,
or that she wanted to be his wife again and be loved.
Kylus closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again.
She could tell from his expression.
‘Is he trying to say something difficult for him to admit?’
She hadn’t realized it before, but the man who was her husband wasn’t perfect.
‘I always thought you were like a solid rock, but I guess I was wrong.’
That realization felt so strange and uncomfortable, like a thorn stuck in her throat.
At last, Kylus spoke.
“That thing my deputy did earlier…”
Why bring that up now?
Was he really about to apologize?
The man with the stubborn eyes opened his mouth, then closed it again.
It must have been hard for his pride to say sorry in front of the daughter of Count Grace.
His purple eyes flickered with internal struggle. He still didn’t trust her.
Just like Eleanor hadn’t forgotten his betrayal.
“I admit he crossed the line.”
Her lips slightly parted.
But she didn’t let her guard down.
Instead of apologizing sincerely, her husband let out a sharp remark.
“But don’t expect the family’s kindness to be served to you on a plate.”
There it was—his harsh side again.
They just couldn’t get along smoothly.
Eleanor swallowed a bitter laugh but didn’t want to back down. She stared at him firmly.
“Oh my, I don’t plan on just accepting things quietly either. I’ll be working hard, so don’t interfere.”
Their sharp eyes met with tension.
Neither of them had said what they truly wanted to say.
After eating the last piece of fruit, Eleanor set down her fork with a small clink.
“Did the count’s house starve their daughter or something?”
Oh, how childish!
She inwardly rolled her eyes at how little she knew about Kylus.
Then she shot back quickly,
“I told you, didn’t I? Thanks to my father, I became terminally ill. I couldn’t enjoy any meal there. But this place—your home—isn’t touched by him yet. That’s why I can eat in peace.”
And because it was you who brought the food.
Eleanor swallowed those words.
The thought itself was ridiculous.
How could she think that?
Whenever Kylus was near, she couldn’t think straight.
Even now, after she had given everything up.
“I see. That.”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s no doubt the Count is insane. But no one knows better than I do how arrogant, obsessive, and prideful he is toward his own family.”
As he spoke, Kylus reached out and picked up the empty plate.
His loose shirt opened again.
Muscular arms, defined veins, moonlight… and this bedroom.
‘You’re really crazy, Eleanor.’
Whenever she was in the room with him, those dangerous memories stirred her heart.
She bit her lip and scoffed.
Ridiculous.
There was no chance of anything like that happening again between them.
“That’s why I don’t trust you. The poison was real. They say there’s no cure.”
His deep voice and intense eyes made her back tense slightly.
Grace.
He seemed to be thinking of that name again.
And in his eyes, she saw flames.
Anger. Hatred. Resentment.
Emotions born from someone’s death.
“Why isn’t Grace protecting you?”
Eleanor couldn’t answer.
“The one who would selfishly protect his blood above all—why did he let you become terminally ill? Just because he married you off and you left his grasp?”
Well…
“Isn’t it suspicious, even to you? That’s why I can’t trust you.”
Because I’m not really his daughter.
She looked at him and gave the answer only in her heart.
That man had kidnapped her, made her pretend to be a daughter that didn’t exist.
Killed the real parents who begged to spare their daughter.
Destroyed a village, and tied a leash around her like a beast!
Just like you, I’m a victim too!
“Explain why the Count treats you so poorly. Until then, our contract is on hold.”
His hard face, cold expression—
It reminded her of when he first saw her in his room, filled with hostility.
But in that moment, Eleanor’s heart beat wildly with thrill.
This was proof she was truly alive.
Proof that she had twisted time and changed fate.
‘The old you never asked about such things. You wouldn’t have cared.’
Eleanor mixed truth and lies.
There was no need to reveal everything.
She needed to use Carniel smoothly as her sword.
“I told you. My father needs everything under his control, exactly at his feet and in his hands. Even his daughter. I was never an exception. I just happened to be especially talented, and…”
This much should be fine.
He probably suspected something ever since he saved her from drowning.
“You saved me the day I ran away from the Grace family. I tried to run away many times. I just wanted to escape him.”
But the man didn’t fall for it easily.
His narrowed eyes were like those of a knight interrogating a criminal.
“Too sloppy. Not enough.”
Eleanor added one more piece of truth to make her lie shine.
“I’m special.”
“What do you mean?”
She tapped her own head lightly.
“This. My mind is special. That’s why he wanted me by your side. In marriage.”
Eleanor spoke as if confessing.
“I remember everything I see just once. So he sent me to his most dangerous enemy.”
She pointed at the serious-faced man with her pale finger.
“You.”
His tightly pressed lips, furrowed brow…
But still, he looked so handsome with his sharp nose, intense eyes, and messy hair.
Even his prominent Adam’s apple was beautiful.
“He sent me to learn everything about Carniel.”
“…”
“How does that sound? Doesn’t it make sense to make me terminally ill and threaten me to obey?”
Now, what would he say?
Would he demand proof, saying he still couldn’t trust her?
She had many ways to prove her abilities.
Then, Kylus, with a stiff, frowning expression, finally said,
“If you can’t forget…”
“…?”
“That means you can’t forget even the painful things, right?”
Eleanor froze.
Why would he ask something like that?
Are you worried about me?
Why would you say that… you of all people?
Don’t sway.. Ellie.. don’t be a fool