TDLOT 36

Chapter 36. Just Because He’s My Husband

It had seemed strange. Dominic Molly always bragged that he knew everything about the Duke, even though he was only two years older. So when Dominic pretended he knew nothing after hearing about the secret vault, Muriel found it suspicious.

“There was a secret vault? That’s news to me. Goodness, what would we have done if the lord hadn’t woken up?”

But the real reason Muriel didn’t question Dominic sooner was that nobody knew how Frida had survived in this dukedom better than he did. He’d seen the lord’s wife eat in the kitchen with the servants and go out to the fields, even though she would be bedridden for two days after overdoing it. He kept quiet for three years, but only because a normal person would.

Muriel grabbed Dominic by the collar and let out a bitter laugh.

“I forgot that Dominic Molly isn’t a normal person. He’s the ‘cold heart’ who would sacrifice anything for his lord.”

Dominic’s nickname was famous among mercenaries and knights. Dominic Molly, the man who lived only for Daniel Richard. For the duke’s sake, he would give up dozens or even hundreds of lives without blinking. That’s why, even though the other nobles laughed, the Duke of Richard always went to war with mercenaries, not knights. The Molly mercenary band was famous not just for their skill, but also for their strict rule: “Daniel Richard comes first.” For the mercenaries, Daniel Richard mattered more than their own leader, Ricardo, or even Dominic. There was even a rumor that those who sacrificed themselves for Daniel got a huge payout, enough for their families to live like nobles.

Muriel now understood why the mercenaries were so proud and loyal.

“So you’ve been secretly piling up gold coins, huh!”

She realized why the Molly mercenaries were so hard to hire and why so many nobles wanted them.

Dominic just smiled, still letting Muriel hold him by the collar.

“Everything happens for a reason. Just like the Rosibalt family has lasted for centuries by making connections everywhere, right? Octopus Lord Rosibalt.”

“Octopus” was a jab at his family’s way of surviving by clinging to different connections. But instead of getting angry, Muriel just let go of Dominic’s collar. In the distance, a wolf howled sadly—he had no more time to waste here.

“I’d love to stay and let you beat me up, but I have something urgent to do.”

Muriel gave a dry, sarcastic smile.

“The wolf howled, so it’s time for Dominic Molly to go. If you see the wolf, tell him to practice more. His howling always sounds awkward, while the owl gets better every day.”

Dominic knew his “wolf” spy was the weakest of the bunch.

‘Idiot. If you have no talent, at least try harder.’

Dominic shrugged.

“I’ll be sure to tell him. Oh, and by now the lord should have found the duchess, so don’t worry. Our lord is an expert at tracking people down.”

“How can I trust you?”

“Then don’t. I heard the lord told the lady about the secret passage…”

“Secret passage?”

No wonder the duke could sneak around the castle so easily. Dominic had known and still kept it secret!

“Where is it?”

Muriel glared at Dominic, promising to get back at him someday.

“Why do you think it’s called a secret passage? It’s a secret. I don’t know. The lord never told me. Anyway, I have to go.”

Dominic stopped and looked back.

“Oh, and if you find anything strange while searching the lady’s room, don’t try to go in. If you go in the wrong way, you might never come out. I’m serious.”

“Liar. Didn’t you just say you don’t know where it is?”

Dominic smacked his forehead.

“Ah, right. Silly me.”

As he disappeared into the darkness, Muriel’s angry curses followed him.

Even from the front, her handsome husband was good-looking. Even with his head turned, he looked just as handsome. He’d left her without a word, but at least he’d come back to find her.

“You managed to find me.”

Frida pulled her cheek away from Daniel’s hand.

“Ow.”

She rubbed her stiff neck and shoulders, looking at the man in the fading firelight. She had been annoyed with him, but seeing him sweating and tired, her anger melted away. He must have really run around looking for her; he was still catching his breath. Frida looked up to see the sky was already black.

“Oh no…”

Staring at the stars, Frida sighed deeply and reached out to Daniel.

“Help me up, please.”

She had no idea how much trouble she’d caused. Daniel, surprised by her calm attitude, offered his arm and reminded her.

“Everyone in the castle has been looking for you all evening.”

“Of course. I’m pretty important in Munheim Castle, after all.”

If no one had looked for her, she’d have been hurt. Frida shook the dust off her skirt, then walked to the fireplace and poked the dying embers. If she hadn’t found the old firewood, she’d have been stuck in the dark. She considered burning a book if she ran out of wood, but Daniel showed up in time. Maybe she’d forgive him for leaving her alone earlier.

“I thought Muriel would come for me. I didn’t expect the duke.”

“Does Sir Rosibalt know about this place?”

He had met her in the hallway earlier, acting like she had no clue where her lady had gone. Daniel frowned, remembering the stubborn knight.

“Of course not.”

Frida bent down to pick up a book. The air in the library was stuffy and hard to breathe; she’d sold everything of value in the castle except for this library. The library was special to her—she couldn’t sell it, even for money. Now, dust covered everything.

“I sometimes come here to clear my head, especially when I need to find something or be alone.”

Her plan had been to search for an herbal book and then sneak back to Marian Hall, but she’d lost track of time. By the time she realized, the sky was dark.

“I was just going to find a book, but…”

She’d spent too long reading and lost track of the hour.

“On my way back, I saw it was too late. Even if I left, I’d have to pass through Scadi Hall, and it’s dark at night.”

They were saving money, even on lamp oil, so it was pitch black. She’d decided to stay put. The fireplace made it safe enough for spring. If Muriel found her, great. If not, there was nothing to be done. She never expected Daniel to come for her.

“I didn’t know the duke knew about this library.”

That comment bothered Daniel more than he wanted to admit. Maybe even more than her calling him “traitor.”

“Just because I was unconscious doesn’t mean I forgot the castle’s layout.”

“That’s not what I meant…”

Frida quickly made an excuse.

“It’s just that you never seem interested in books. I thought you didn’t care about the library.”

“Who told you that?”

“Dominic.”

That annoying guy—making him look like an idiot! Daniel clenched his teeth and, without warning, threw all the firewood into the flames.

“That’s all we have left…”

“Let’s sit down.”

Daniel spread his jacket on the floor by the fire and nodded for her to sit. Frida sat quietly on his jacket. Daniel watched the fire and spoke softly, still looking at the flames.

“I’m sorry I left you alone. And for making you go through this.”

As soon as Frida called him a traitor, Daniel realized how much she trusted him. She truly believed he’d always save her, enough to ask him to help fool even Rosibalt. No matter how angry he’d been, he should have taken her to bed first, then gone to Ricardo. She believed he’d take care of her—just because he was her husband.

The fire in the fireplace grew stronger as Daniel rested his arm on his knee and looked into the flames. He decided it was better for her to hear the truth directly from him.

“That time, many people died because of what happened.”