KDYG l CH 28

Chapter 28 

Curtis was holding that damned amethyst ring.

When did the ceremony get to this part already?

Seeing Chloe’s startled face, Curtis smiled — beautifully and brightly — but then leaned close to whisper so only she could hear:

“I know I told His Majesty that your charm is in your foolishness, but do you really have to play the role perfectly?”

“…”

“If you don’t want rumors spreading that the future duchess is an idiot, snap out of it.”

To the guests, it looked as if the duke was whispering sweet words while giving her the ring. In truth, his voice was cold as ice.

Chloe twisted her lips into a faint smirk. The words worked — she was suddenly wide awake.

But the next thing he said made her freeze again.

“I, Curtis Siarnach An Ivanez Berck, present this ring to Chloe Ambroise as a sign of my love and sincerity before God.”

Chloe knew exactly what that meant. It wasn’t “as a wedding gift” and not “to Chloe Berck.”
She looked at him in disbelief.

The duke, unfazed, stepped closer and slid the ring onto her finger.

Through gritted teeth, Chloe whispered,

“What are you doing?”

“Seems like the navy didn’t teach you lip reading. When did you learn it?”

Of course she hadn’t. She wanted to argue, but hundreds of eyes were watching.

Ignoring her, Curtis brought her gloved hand to his lips and kissed it, whispering again:

“Think of it as a special bonus.”

A bonus? This was a bonus? Did she misunderstand the definition? A bonus was like buying two loaves of bread at the market and getting a free cookie.

Who gives a national treasure as a bonus?!

She was about to ask what his scheme was, when he continued:

“Or… think of it as compensation for damages.”

Compensation?

Her eyes narrowed sharply. Chloe wasn’t stupid — she already knew she was getting quite a reward from this marriage.

But bonus? Compensation?

What kind of damage was he planning to cause that he’d throw her something so priceless?

Curtis offered no explanation. He simply rose smoothly, adjusted her slightly messy veil, and didn’t meet her eyes.

“Your Grace,” the priest coughed politely, urging the duke.

“Gifts for your bride can wait for another time. This is the moment to make your vow before God.”

“My apologies. I have a separate token for the wedding itself.”

Smiling leisurely despite the scolding, the duke signaled to a servant, who brought another box.

Inside was an enormous diamond necklace that sparkled so brightly it almost hurt to look at. It was likely another piece from the queen’s collection.

He approached and placed it around Chloe’s neck, murmuring,

“It looks a bit odd over your uniform. A dress would’ve been better if we’d had time.”

“What do you mean, compensation?”

“Well… if you keep asking with a face like you’re about to die, what should I say?”

Was she really making such a sour face? Chloe felt confused.

“I, Curtis Siarnach An Ivanez Berck, present this necklace to Chloe Le David Berck as the token of our wedding vow before God.”

Apparently, “Le David” was the middle name they’d decided on for her. Curtis’s middle name was shortened to “Shan,” so hers would be “Le” or “Da” — not that it mattered much. She wouldn’t be using it for long anyway.

What mattered more were the things that were now hers forever — like the ring on her finger.

How much is this worth?

She felt happy just looking at the amethyst, but then the reality hit her.

Wait. No, I shouldn’t be happy about this.

If he was going to give her something, why not something easy to sell?

The “Sacred Flame” was practically a national treasure — something she couldn’t just sell to anyone. She’d need a specialist jeweler and days of negotiation. And even then, who would dare buy such a famous gem?

Worse, if word got out that the duchess had sold her wedding ring, it would cause a scandal across Ibanes. She wouldn’t be able to sell it for a long time.

If he was going to talk about “compensation,” he should’ve given her cash.

Still, she didn’t hate it. It was valuable, after all.

But really… How much is this thing worth?

The glitter of fine jewelry can cloud anyone’s judgment. Chloe was no exception, and so she failed to think more deeply about that ominous “compensation” comment.

That was her mistake.

“Now, the couple will seal their vow with a kiss.”

…Excuse me? Seal our what?

By the time Chloe lifted her head, it was too late. Curtis’s gloved hand tilted her chin upward, his thumb brushing her lips.

A strand of her navy-blue hair that had been caught at the corner of her mouth fell away, grazing her cheek. Her pink eyes widened in shock, but she couldn’t move before it happened —

Their lips met.

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Someone in the honor guard dropped a sword with a metallic clang.

***

Later that afternoon

Because the ceremony had started late, the sky was already glowing red with sunset when they exited the temple.

People admired the scene, chatting in the open space out front.

“Well, that vow ceremony was something… but there’s no wedding feast?”

“That’s the Duke for you. He hates inviting people to his mansion.”

Indeed, he had prepared nothing except the vow ceremony itself.

Lieutenant Noel had timidly suggested a small reception, but Curtis had rejected it coldly:

“With the king’s spies crawling all over the place, a reception at my mansion would only cause trouble.”

The gossips, unaware of this, continued to chatter:

“He won’t even let people touch him. Why would he let guests flood his home?”

“Really? Is he that bad?”

One man stroked his mustache and complained,

“He pretends otherwise, but he’s unbearably rude.”

They recounted old stories — like the time the daughter of Count Vermont gently touched the duke’s arm, only for him to discard his jacket on the spot.

Given how much he disliked other people’s scents or touch, it made sense he wouldn’t host a reception.

“But… Did you see how he kissed the duchess?”

“Oh, yes. That was something else.”

Many had been curious to see how such a touch-averse man would handle the traditional vow kiss. Usually, it was brief and symbolic.

Curtis, however, ignored convention — after brushing her lips with his thumb, he kissed her deeply, enough to make some conservative guests blush.

“Did you see the priest’s face? Priceless.”

“The bride looked shocked too!”

Indeed, Chloe herself had flinched in surprise — clearly not expecting such a kiss in front of everyone. The crowd had chuckled, and the priest had missed his chance to scold the cheeky groom.

Then, someone lowered their voice:

“So… maybe the whole ‘Glintland’ rumor was just bad timing?”

“What timing?”

“You know — the gossip that he was marrying someone random just to defy the king.”

The listeners exchanged knowing looks.