DCEB | CH 20

Chapter 20: The Owner of the Bedroom (1) 

Eleanor felt annoyed by his heavy stare and usual silence.

Everyone had stepped away, and as she turned around with a cold face, she spoke.

“Don’t talk with just your face. Use words. Be kind to the person you’re talking to and finish your sentences.”

“That’s pointless.”

“I said to finish your sentence.”

“You can’t even solve this yourself?”

Was he annoyed that she involved the head of the family in this issue?

Eleanor gave a short laugh.

“I didn’t marry into the Carniel Duchy to get along with the servants.”

“So you’re going to involve me every time?”

“Yes, whenever something like this happens. And let me remind you, our deal never included me being a kind daughter-in-law or perfect housekeeper.”

He let out a small sigh as he looked at her standing her ground. His eyelids twitched slightly.

From his gaze, Eleanor knew he was thinking about the conversation they had in the carriage.

That sigh—it was just a habit, not meant to upset her.

In the past, they would’ve already been arguing harshly. But now, her anger didn’t flare up like it used to.

“That’s not a good habit.”

“…I’ll try to fix it. Anyway…”

Kylus looked at the items being brought in from the Count’s estate, still frowning.

“Did you clean out their whole warehouse?”

“It’s a lot, but I think there’s enough room for it all.”

“Enough room? Where?”

“There, here, and over there. Plenty of space.”

As she watched him looking dumbfounded, Eleanor turned to the long line of jewelry boxes that hadn’t even ended yet.

“You should’ve expected this. Haven’t you heard the rumors about Count Grace’s daughter loving luxury and pleasure?”

Kylus scoffed.

“That’s a stupid lie. You don’t even like luxury.”

What was with his strange confidence?

Eleanor didn’t like how he acted like he knew her so well, but she just shrugged.

“Still, let me warn you. If you’re planning to spend the duchy’s money, forget it.”

“Oh, so you’re saying there’s nothing left to take?”

“Glad you understand. Whatever you’re planning, just know I won’t allow a duchess to act all spoiled.”

The servants of the duchy, watching the delivery of the “spoiled duchess’s” things, clearly looked unhappy.

They were probably whispering insults.

Still, Eleanor didn’t mind—at least they weren’t saying it out loud, maybe because her husband was standing nearby.

She raised one eyebrow.

She knew it made her look like her husband, but she couldn’t help it.

It was a habit from the past ten years.

“You shouldn’t say that. Maybe all this is to make up for the small dowry from my stingy father.”

Kylus suddenly stopped.

“What?”

His widened eyes seemed to ask if she was being serious.

Just then, she noticed people walking over. Their stiff faces were familiar.

They were his knights.

“Knights…”

Even though none of them were that knight, they were still trusted by her husband.

Suddenly, her face turned pale, and her hands felt cold and clammy.

Kylus noticed something was wrong and tried to speak, but Eleanor stepped back and quickly said,

“Your knights are coming. They’re probably here to report about the crowd of commoners outside.”

“Hey—”

“Go listen to them first. We can finish our talk tonight. Either come to me or send for me.”

Without giving him a chance to answer, Eleanor walked away quickly.

Even though she had just arrived at the duchy, she walked like she already knew her way.

She didn’t care how strange it looked. All she could think about was…

The dark basement. The horrible pain.

Her cursed memories were coming back again.

Her heart pounded, her hands and feet trembled.

“No. There’s no sword in my heart. I’m alive.”

She slowly breathed in and out.

After repeating this many times, her body finally relaxed.

“How pathetic.”

Even half out of her mind, she knew which room she had walked into.

“My bedroom…”

Ten years. She had stayed here for ten years.

It was empty, without her belongings, and felt lonely from being unused.

“This room had a good view of the garden.”

She remembered pulling a rope that led to a secret path, where Siran would come to report to her.

She gently touched the brown guest bed instead of her old red one and smiled bitterly.

Would this room become hers again?

Maybe, since they probably wouldn’t give her the main duchess’s bedroom.

As she entered this familiar, hated place, she realized just how tired she was.

“I’ve really been running nonstop.”

Since waking up from death, she hadn’t rested at all.

She thought fast, acted fast—desperate not to repeat the same ending.

She had escaped the Count’s estate.

“There’s still a lot to do.”

But at least for now, maybe she could take a short break.

She had many tasks ahead—find the outside forces hiding in the duchy, win over her father’s men, trade information with her husband, steal back what her father had taken.

She had to save the people her father would one day kill and protect those who once followed her.

“Siran, I guess I’ve been more tired than I realized.”

She whispered into the empty space where no one answered her.

Her whole body felt heavy, sinking into the bed.

“Siran, my love is over now.”

She had burned everything away—her life, her emotions—for that love.

Maybe that’s why she could sit calmly in front of Kylus now, pretending not to feel anything.

Even though her heart still burned with emotions locked tightly away.

The duchy hated her?

Well, she hated them back. No—she was hurt by the years spent here.

After betrayal came anger.

She still smiled and spoke sweetly, but inside, she was angry, hurt, and wanted to grab Kylus by the collar.

“Isn’t it funny, Kylus? You and I are in a contract marriage.”

Her past husband and this man now felt like two completely different people.

“It’s only been a few months—so why are you so different now? Why did you make me so miserable?”

She looked in the mirror.

A young, beautiful face stared back, but all she saw was her older self, coughing up blood and dying.

And then she remembered—there was another difference besides her changed husband.

“Katrina.”

She let out a quiet laugh.

That sly woman, always watching from the background.

Probably everyone was fooled by her innocent looks—except Eleanor.

But she had no proof, only suspicion.

“You’re not here now.”

In the past, Eleanor had to suppress her doubts because she was too sick.

But now they were growing again.

Katrina Blanche, that woman.

Kylus’s special person.

But was that really all she was?

‘If she shows up again…’

Eleanor wouldn’t let it slide this time.

She wouldn’t fall victim to the same lies again.

Even if she didn’t prove she was the real one—at least, she would make sure Katrina suffered from her own lies before Eleanor left for good.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.

Startled, Eleanor turned her head.

A knight stood there, clearly annoyed.

Trying to hold back her fear, she asked,

“What is it?”

“Why are you here? The Duke sent me.”

What?

Shouldn’t she be in her bedroom?

“Isn’t this my assigned room?”

Eleanor was confused.

Now that she thought about it, why hadn’t Laura and Daisy unpacked her things yet?

Then the knight answered, looking uncomfortable.

“This isn’t your room, my lady.”

“……”

What?

Time froze.

As she repeated the knight’s words in her head, one question became clear.

Then… where is my room?