DCEB | CH 32

Chapter 32: Kylus (2)

‘Why am I doing this?’

He questioned himself, frowned, and ended up speaking his feelings.

It wasn’t good.

It really wasn’t good.

He let a strange woman lead him around, a woman he didn’t even understand, and now people were accusing him of being weak.

As he walked through the castle, he felt the stares of his family members who clearly felt betrayed.

Not that he cared much about their looks.

‘That woman, Eleanor… she’s strangely familiar with the castle’s layout.’

She turned down the right paths a few times even before he could lead her.

It was like she had lived here for a long time.

‘Like she really knows this place inside out.’

But that couldn’t be true.

‘Nonsense.’

Just like when she used a secret passage to enter his bedroom—this was just as crazy.

Eleanor was a Grace.

She had never even visited this place before.

He tried to clear his head.

After being dragged around the whole day, it finally ended when they came back home.

He remembered how she hated being hungry.

He also remembered her bright, childlike smile when she was given just a sandwich.

‘Food…’

‘What?’

His servant looked confused as he frowned.

In this estate, few people could answer his questions calmly.

‘Has the duchess eaten?’

‘Um…’

Maybe Mari had fed her, but that sharp yet naive woman didn’t seem like someone who would eat properly on her first day.

When he came back to his senses, he was already in front of the kitchen.

‘Why am I worrying about her meals?’

It was too late to turn back after walking all the way here.

Naturally, the head chef panicked when he saw the duke himself.

He wanted to ask for something simple, but he didn’t know what the woman liked.

‘Fruit.’

‘Huh? Yes, my lord?’

‘Bring some fruit.’

‘Uh… which kind?’

‘All of them. And don’t forget apples.’

From start to end, he was being ridiculous. This wasn’t like him at all.

Yet, she kept bothering him like a thorn stuck under his nail.

So annoying.

And when he saw her happily eating the fruit like a child, he almost smiled without realizing it.

And then, he was shocked at himself.

A smile?

Why was he smiling just because she was eating?

Was he going crazy?

He almost said “It’s good to see you eating well.”

When she calmly shared her day and even told him, “You must be tired,” his chest felt strange.

Who had ever said that to him before?

Even kind Mari never spoke like that.

‘How dare she talk like that to the Duke of Carniel?’

Someone who was supposed to be perfect.

Then, the calm feelings inside him started to stir again.

Talking with her always ended this way.

It would start soft but turn sharp like a beast with its tail on fire.

What made him angriest of all—

‘Her shoulder.’

When he realized what that bruise on her uncomfortable shoulder really was.

It was the scent of a magical ointment used for serious bruises.

Even though she probably tried to cover it, the mark was still faintly there.

That meant the injury had been really bad.

A Count’s daughter.

A noblewoman.

Now, the Duchess.

What kind of person could leave a mark like that on proud Eleanor?

‘The Count.’

It was him.

His anger boiled over without reason.

He was furious at her calm, guarded attitude.

Why did she act like this was all normal?

Why did she act so casual and free, like someone who had never lived a noble life?

‘Don’t make me feel sorry for you. I don’t want to.’

Even if she had a horrible father who hurt her and poisoned her—

Even if that were true, she was still a Grace.

‘Someone I should never trust.’

But why did that feel like an excuse to himself?

Kylus realized it.

He, who never let his mind wander, was now full of confused thoughts.

Being drawn to the daughter of his greatest enemy.

He could never accept that.

“Eleanor, you…”

Even when he whispered softly, she didn’t wake up.

She was a liar.

So terribly dishonest.

Like someone who had never had anyone on her side. And that—

‘Is just like me.’

Strangely, it was true.

Kylus’s eyes dimmed.

As her breathing grew louder, he raised a hand and covered his eyes.

He planned to wait until sunrise before doing anything.

When the room was empty again, and the servants saw him come back—

Just like she wanted.

Then the rumors would spread across the royal palace.

Just thinking about it gave him a headache.

“…Il…”

He suddenly heard a voice beside him.

He opened his eyes and looked next to him.

The woman who had stubbornly turned her back all night had now turned to face him, hair all messy.

“…Ka…”

“What?”

“Mm…”

“…”

Her wrinkled forehead, twitching lips, and sweat-covered face—

She looked like she was having a terrible nightmare.

He didn’t know who she was calling.

“Who are you calling?”

She looked so pitiful curled up like that that he clicked his tongue.

He thought he might help her get more comfortable.

But then, she suddenly grabbed his arm tightly.

“….”

He froze in place, unsure if she was awake or not.

Then he realized—she wasn’t awake.

She just desperately clung to his arm.

Like it was the only thing she could hold onto.

Her grip was firm, like she would never let go.

He frowned.

If he pulled away, she might wake up.

‘What does she want from me now?’

Time passed slowly.

Still stuck in that awkward position, he ended up lying next to her.

“This is crazy.”

Like she was satisfied, she held his arm tightly, like it was her favorite toy.

“Mm…”

“Hey.”

Her slim, smooth fingers wove between his big knuckles.

Her sweaty hand clung to his, creating a strange, new sensation.

Then Kylus saw her tense forehead slowly relax.

He looked at their joined hands, then rubbed his face roughly.

This meant nothing.

He could just pull away if he wanted.

Why should he care if she was having a nightmare?

“You idiot.”

He wasn’t even sure who he was cursing at.

He felt anxious and uncomfortable.

But he didn’t pull his hand away.

Until the morning light came, he kept holding her desperate grip.

He remembered a time long ago—

That same nervous feeling he had when he first rode a horse, full of fear.

Eleanor. It was because of her.

The daughter of his enemy, calling him husband without hesitation.

Then why wasn’t he moving?

Why couldn’t he pull away?

Was it just human sympathy?

But him? Feeling that way?

‘Why?’

That long night—

Kylus never found an answer to that question.

* * *

“Hm, I feel like I had a dream.”

Eleanor opened her eyes wide and looked at the bright morning sunlight.

Then she noticed her own hand, still holding on tightly to something.

And she felt the faint warmth left beside her, as if someone had just left.

It was a strange feeling.

She had gotten used to sleeping alone in a cold, empty bed.

But surprisingly, she didn’t feel bad.

“Looks like he stayed until morning…”

She stretched while imagining what kind of face he might have made.

She usually woke up tired, but today, she felt well-rested.

It was a good feeling.

With a clear mind, she quickly went over today’s tasks.

How far had the rumor of them sleeping in the same bed spread?

If her father had a hand in it, many people would be reacting today.

Kylus would be busy at the royal palace.

And so would she.

‘This is the beginning of the war.’

Her mother-in-law would surely come to attack her.

Maybe it was best to go to her first.

“What should I wear?”

Her eyes, green like a deep forest, sparkled with excitement for what was to come.