18. Shaking Heart
The news that the Duke had cut the lady's lanyard with his own sword and taken her back to the castle quickly spread throughout the Tisse estate. The case was closed when the maid, who was the new suspect in the Marchioness's murder, committed suicide while being taken to the capital.
'The Red Veil' published an article claiming that the King had used the Marchioness as a watchdog for the Duke, and then killed her when she was no longer useful. It was also revealed that there had been an attempt to blame the Duchess for the crime, as she was ill, and serious questions were raised about the morality of the royal family.
There was also sensational news about Prince Johannes, the next heir to the throne. The royal family was turned upside down by the news that he was seriously mentally ill and depended on a medium, and that he was killing people with powers according to the medium's instructions and performing sacrifices with their blood.
The royal family was now suspicious of who the publisher of the 'Red Veil' was, so they immediately offered a reward and worked hard to find the publisher, but no matter how hard they tried, they were unable to find any evidence.
Chloe, physically and mentally exhausted from her two-week imprisonment, heard various news about the outside world while recovering at Birch Castle. This was thanks to the Duke's mother, Priscilla.
“Isn’t it obvious that Damien wouldn’t get involved with that ridiculous woman? Even His Majesty the King is going too far. I understand that his son is mentally unstable, but why on earth would he be so wary of the Duke?”
Priscilla was furious that the King had a spy on her son, and that Damien's scandalous involvement with so many women he had never actually met was clearly a royal plot.
"...Madam."
“Call me mother!”
Priscilla raised her voice at Chloe, who tried to stop her for fear that someone would hear.
“I should have seen you flatten Isabella’s nose while she was playing the fox. I could tell just by looking at her eyes. She is the kind of evil person I hate the most! God must have punished her.”
Priscilla felt delighted that Chloe had humiliated her in front of everyone with her aristocratic manner. It was the first time she had come to like that Chloe, who seemed so gentle and kind, was actually not a pushover.
“No matter what, I don’t think we should carelessly bring up the death of someone close to the Duke...”
“Hey, Chloe. Do you think you’re smart?”
Priscilla cut her off, her long eyelashes rising. Chloe didn't know how to respond, so she kept her mouth shut.
“That’s right. You’re smart.”
“...”
“But sometimes there are parts that make people’s clothes burst.”
Chloe pursed her lips and tightened her grip to keep them from falling, and Priscilla began to explain calmly and politely.
“I may have read fewer books than you, but I know one thing for sure. If my son and that woman had been really close, wouldn’t Damien have shown some sympathy at her death? Wouldn’t our kind and affectionate Duke have laid a flower on her grave?”
Of course, there were some parts of her words that she could not agree with, but Chloe realized later that Priscilla's guess was not completely off. She had not had time to think about the panic during the trial, but Damien's reaction immediately after confirming the death of the Marchioness Isabella was at least not that of a lover.
“I don’t know what they’re doing without writing down information like this, whether it’s a red veil or a black curtain. Huh!”
But... even if Isabella wasn’t Damien’s lover, would the relationship between her and the Duke change much? Chloe didn’t want to think about it any further, so she cautiously opened her mouth to Priscilla.
“Mom, I’m afraid someone might hear.”
It would have been bad if she had revealed the name of the banned newspaper and the sparks had fallen, but Priscilla was proud.
“Listen if you want to. If something happens to Johannes, have you forgotten who will be next in line for succession?”
Chloe then remembered what she had forgotten. It was a royal family where descendants were precious. If a King died without any other children besides the Prince, the first in line for succession would be the Prince, the successor, and the second would be the King's sister, Princess Priscilla. And the third would be her son, the Duke of Tisse.
“If I had even the slightest interest in the succession to the throne, there would have been bloodshed in the royal family. How could you spy on me without even knowing that my son died fighting for the royal family?”
“Your Highness.”
Priscilla nonchalantly glared at Chloe as she tried to smile to change the subject.
“Even if you call me mother. Now I think I understand why the Duke loves you so much. You are clearly the last person who can maintain the dignity of a nobleman who has fallen to the ground.”
“...”
“I never imagined that he could love a woman so passionately.”
Priscilla blinked with emotion as she took her hand.
“It’s strange to think that I will soon be able to see my grandchild.”
Chloe couldn't correct Priscilla's misconception. She couldn't honestly say that Damien and she had never slept in the same bed before. Chloe avoided answering and smiled faintly at Priscilla.
“Could you tell me more about his childhood, the Duke?”
“Huh? It’s not that hard. Let’s see. Where should I start...”
***
Chloe entered Damien's bedroom. Since she had recovered, the Duke had called her every night. The meeting was not particularly long. The Duke told her about the schedule of the castle that needed to be organized as the seasons changed, and Chloe listened to every word he said, occasionally writing them down in her notebook.
“It’s okay to just go today.”
Chloe looked up at him. Damien, who was always perfect, looked a little disheveled today. Was he tired? She could guess that his relationship with the palace had become strained due to the recent articles in the gossip magazines. And the cause was the Marchioness’s death.
“You look a little tired.”
“Is my appearance that messed up?”
“No way.”
Damien sank into his chair and smirked as he watched her flustered. Chloe felt strangely uneasy because his hair was messy and his shirt was unkempt, unlike usual. She thought she could understand why he always kept his appearance impeccable. Damien, who let go of the reins, had a peculiar air of danger.
What would this man have been if he had not been born a nobleman? Chloe thought back to the night she had first seen him. Damien, who had given a speech to soldiers who were losing their morale before a tough battle, would probably have succeeded as a revolutionary.
“What are you thinking so deeply about?”
“Oh, no.”
Chloe shook her head, snapping out of her reverie. She had a habit of daydreaming in too much detail that she had never been able to break since she was a child.
“Lavender helps you sleep. Even if you’re tired, be sure to have a cup of tea before you go to sleep.”
“Today I feel like drinking alcohol instead of tea.”
“Excessive drinking is poisonous.”
Damien snickered as he watched Chloe speak with a tutor-like expression.
“Sometimes small amounts of poison can even serve as a cure.”
“I... Your Excellency.”
Chloe opened her mouth cautiously. To Damien, she looked like she had been absent-minded for a while. From what he had experienced, that kind of attitude meant she had something to say.
“There is something I really want to tell you.”
There's a good chance it was going to be a tough ask.
"I'm tired."
Damien cut her off from saying anything about wanting to go to Verdier's estate. Chloe then held his gaze with a puzzled expression.
“I just want to say one thing.”
“I’ll do it tomorrow.”
“I’m saying this because I don’t think I can do it tomorrow.”
Damien put down his teacup as he listened to her slightly trembling voice. Chloe took his silence as an affirmation and mustered up the courage to open her mouth.
“...I sincerely thank you for helping me, Your Excellency.”
Damien didn't seem particularly impressed by her words.
“Do you want anything from me?”
“No. I just wanted to thank you for taking my side, even though I knew it would be difficult for you to have a relationship with the royal family.”
“It took ten days just to say thank you?”
“I thought you already knew that my walking isn’t the only thing that slows me down.”
Damien let out a small laugh. It was a bright laugh that showed off his even teeth.
“Ah. Chloe, you’re really good at making people shut up. Yes. I’ll take your sincerity. Do you have anything else to say?”
“I’m sorry, but my thanks aren’t over yet.”
Chloe took a calming breath as she watched Damien barely contain his laughter.
“Yes, try it. Where.”
It didn't matter if he laughed at her like he was teasing her. She felt as if it weren't for today, she wouldn't have the courage.
“Your Excellency did everything you could for me in the courtroom. There were lies in that situation, but in the end, no one was hurt.”
Now, no one ignores Chloe. Those who had been muttering incomprehensibly about the Duke's marriage completely acknowledged that she was the Duke's companion, and no one denied it.
“When you came to the prayer room, I made the mistake of putting my pride first instead of trusting you as my husband and asking for your help. I sincerely apologize.”
“You must be upset that I didn’t convince you, even though I knew the maid was the real culprit.”
Damien looked at her blankly and asked her a question teasingly, but Chloe shook her head quietly.
“I know very well that the Duke was in a situation where you could not turn your back on the royal family.”
“I could have kept my mouth shut and let you die.”
“But you didn’t do that.”
Chloe knew that he had tried until the very end to find a way for everyone to live.
“If you sugarcoat it too much, people can’t help but be suspicious, Chloe.”
Damien poured cold water on Chloe, but she ignored him and continued talking.
“Even though you speak harshly, I now know that the Duke has the virtue of keeping your promises. I also know that while I was imprisoned, you worried about me and sent a separate telegram to my father, who had collapsed, to reassure him.”
Damien silently looked at Chloe, who was trying to hide her trembling voice while saying everything she wanted to say. The anxiety and fear that filled her eyes that always looked at him were still there, but something was different. A cautious trust was sprouting. At this point, she was no different from an animal that was lurking in front of him, asking to be caught.
"So?"
Damien's voice cracked a little.
“Your Excellency, you have fulfilled all your duties as my... husband. You have risked your life to clear my name. You have turned against the Crown, even though you had no reason to be hostile towards it. That means a lot to me.”
It was something that could come out of the mouth of someone who knew Damien well, who had even married into a humble family to prevent the royal family from being controlled. Damien clenched his fists and unclenched them as he felt an instinctive desire welling up in his chest. Blue veins stood out on his arms as he rolled up his sleeves.
"So?"
“From now on, I will be your loyal servant as Duchess Chloe von Tisse.”
“Are you saying that you’ve only tried halfway so far?”
“Damien.”
Damien's expression, which had been snickering, changed strangely. He finally got up from his seat. The lips of the woman who had called his name without permission trembled thinly.
“Go ahead, Duchess.”
“May I ask why you do not exercise your right to the first night on my behalf?”
Damien stared at her for a moment. Chloe heard him lick his dry lips and finally spit out his answer slowly.
“Because the situation is not so dire that I would exercise my power to embrace a woman who does not like me, Duchess.”
Chloe's face turned completely red. The answer to the question that had taken all the courage she could muster had left her speechless.
“If that answers your question, then please go back.”
Damien's order to leave fell on her, who didn't know where to look. Chloe got up from her seat belatedly, flustered. Damien even opened the door for her, perhaps out of consideration for her embarrassment.
Click.
Chloe hurried back to her bedroom and placed her hand on her chest behind the closed door. Her heart was pounding so fast that she thought she might collapse from hyperventilation. The candlelight flickered by the bedside, illuminating her shadow as she stood there helplessly.
How much time had passed? Chloe slowly turned around. Tick, tick. She could hear the second hand of the clock on the wall. If this night passed, she might never have the courage. Chloe walked to the door and stood in front of it without even being able to sort out her confused mind.
The reason why a man who seems like he would take her without hesitation and not care about manners backs off in the end is because he respects her, as he said, or because he feels no romantic attraction to her at all?
The reason she vaguely guessed that it wouldn't be the latter is because of the kiss with him that shook her soul. Because she's seen the burning desire in his eyes.
Chloe's cheeks grew hotter as she stood with her back to the burning fireplace. She couldn't stop thinking, no matter how hard she tried. The problem was that nothing about Damien was certain.
Just two weeks ago, her judgment of her husband had been clear. He was cold and cruel. He was rude, arrogant, and self-willed. In fact, even now, she could not come up with a completely different definition of him.
Damien had a uniquely arrogant personality, and he had an incredible ability to help people while also making them feel bad about themselves. As you could see from the conversation just now, he was a person who prioritized solving problems over acting with consideration for others' feelings.
Chloe covered her flushed face with her hands. She wanted to avoid it, but on the other hand, she felt like she had to say it now. There was only one thing she wanted to say to Damien.
I don't want to be a half-wife.
Chloe wanted to build a normal relationship with Damien, just like everyone else. Even if she couldn't love him, she didn't want to hate him, and it would be even better if they got used to each other over time. To do that, she had to take a step forward with courage. If things continued like this, they would be nothing more than strangers acting as a couple forever.
Chloe's trembling hand touched the doorknob. She was worried that her heart would burst. She squeezed her eyes shut and opened them, but when she opened the door, Chloe froze, holding onto the doorknob.
Damien was waiting for her, standing in front of the door, as if he had known she would come. Their eyes met in midair.
“Your Excellency. I... I...”
“The worries took longer than expected.”
So, you're out of luck, Chloe.
Damien didn't give her a chance to make excuses or explain. The hand that had scared Chloe grabbed her face and kissed her. The beautiful demonic face that had made her unable to look away was thrust into her pupils.
The bedroom door that separated the couple swung open with a loud noise. Chloe closed her trembling eyes as she heard the sound of her dress being ripped.
“I’m not trying to hang you.”
Chloe opened her eyes because of Damien's words, which he spat out with a smile. Her trembling eyelashes rose and closed again. It was because Damien's lips had lowered.
“Are you cold?”
“Please let me put on some clothes.”
As soon as she finished speaking, a hot body temperature touched her instead of her clothes. Chloe's body jerked as she felt her pajamas and Damien's robe clinging to her toes.
"Ah...!"
A new, scream-like moan burst from Chloe's lips.
“Please come down, Your Excellency.”
He lifted her into his arms, causing Chloe to squirm. Damien moved her legs to wrap around his waist, then lifted his chin toward her, who was now taller than him.
“Your Excellency, please.”
“Your skin is as white as your face. I wonder where the dark places are on your body.”
Chloe's whole body, which was exposed to him in its entirety, turned bright red. She tried to hide it with her hair, but it was no use. As Damien crossed the bedroom, two naked figures were reflected on the table of the ornate side table. Chloe felt as if her head was going to burst into flames.
"Mom...!"
Chloe's words came out of her mouth as she collapsed on the soft bed. Damien twisted his lips as he leaned his weight against her.
“I think you're past the age where you can look for your mother.”
Chloe held her breath without making a sound as large, hot hands gripped her soft flesh.
“You need to breathe.”
A deep breath burst out when Damien kissed her neck. Damien's lips scanned her body without hesitation. It felt like the sense of touch that had been dormant until now was awakening, running through her whole body. A dizzying feeling that tingled all the way down her legs, where she had lost feeling. When Chloe grabbed the sheet, Damien released her hands and made her wrap them around his back.
“Can you feel me on the verge of going crazy?”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
“You’re crying, Chloe.”
“Oh, I’m not crying.”
Chloe flinched at his words. She was nervous about what was going to happen, but she wasn't crying. Damien smiled meaningfully and stroked her body. Chloe realized the meaning of his low-quality joke that made her face burn, and was about to push him away when Damien whispered in her ear.
“You kept your promise not to cry.”
Her head felt like it was going to tangle at the rough, hot voice. He raised his head and looked at her. A dark light was flashing in Damien’s eyes. She could feel that the emotion was desire. And a very dangerous kind of desire.
“I apologize in advance, Chloe.”
His voice was low and tightly shut. His heart pounded against his chest with each ragged breath.
“You don’t have to apologize. You’re my... husband.”
As Chloe let out a trembling voice, Damien stroked her lips with his thumb.
“It was a good decision to get married.”
He muttered softly, but Chloe couldn't continue her words because his hand had slipped into her mouth and was licking her tongue.
“It’s okay to bite hard if it hurts. It doesn’t matter if it gets cut.”
It felt as if she was tied tightly to Damien's blue eyes. Her soft brown eyes slowly widened as Damien's thumb was trapped in her teeth. Her pretty eyebrows turned to her temples, and her round forehead wrinkled. Even though her body felt like it was being torn in half, she did not push him away.
Instead, Damien licked the tears that were falling down with his lips. He started to move gently, kissing her entire body. It felt like she was out of breath, but it was still bearable. If this were a wife’s duty, she could endure it.
Damien, who had been watching her breathing closely, finally took his finger out of her mouth. The bite marks on his thumb were clear, but he didn't care. Instead, he whispered in a completely cracked voice.
“Now, can we begin?”
“What... what?”
Her words, which were about to ask if it had already begun, could not come out. He had taken control of her lips and had finally, completely, taken control of her entire body. That was the real beginning. The slow movements from before were nowhere to be found. The feel of the bed sheets crumpling beneath her body was vivid.
“Your Excellency, please...!”
“You are the one who allowed me to exercise my right to vote.”
The night was long and hot. The bedroom was filled with heat. Chloe had been realizing all night, from below and above him, why the arrogant man had to apologize. She could feel him, whether she was looking into his eyes or not.
At dawn, when the blue sky was rising, Damien held Chloe, whose lips were all over her body, tightly in his arms. Chloe frowned slightly, but soon took a deep breath. Damien whispered in her ear as if reciting a spell while she was sleeping soundly.
“You will love me.”
Her slightly parted lips proved that she was not awake. Damien kissed her and repeated the same words several times. He mixed his tongue thickly, hoping that his words would be heard in the dream.
***
Among the maids and servants of the Duke's house, rumors that would make them blush spread everywhere. It was spring, when the green grass began to sprout new shoots. The master and mistress's good marriage was not a bad thing at all to them, and in fact, it was something to be welcomed.
It was almost a given that the Duchess had given orders not to enter the bedroom except when she rang the bell, and that the Duke never left his wife alone for a moment. People would often talk about the affair in the icehouse, and the amorous acts they had accidentally witnessed between the Duchess and her husband.
“Madam, are you going out for a walk again?”
“Yeah. I think the weather has cleared up a lot now.”
“That’s right. It’s a rare clear day in Tisse.”
Chloe didn't refuse Margaret's offer to bring her an umbrella, as it might rain suddenly. She left the castle, using the umbrella as a cane.
The birch forest of the Birch Castle was the path leading to the village of the servants, and beside it was a completely melted lake. Chloe slowly crossed the bridge over the lake, trying not to think about the events of last winter. On the other side of the lake were the hunting grounds, and that was where Chloe would take her walk today.
It was a place that she had decided to visit at least once after hearing the gardener say that it was only open when hunting and that people were not allowed to enter normally. Alice was a pro at liking forbidden places, but wasn't she also one of the officials with the 'No entry allowed for authorized persons' sign?
Chloe reminded herself again of the strange fact that she was the mistress of this castle, giving it some validity.
The forest she entered quietly was quiet as she had expected, as there were few people. The space was filled with sunlight, and the rustling sounds of small animals were not threatening. The sight of the birds flying around, bouncing around, made her laugh. Chloe took a deep breath as she walked slowly along the forest path. It was a place that reminded her of Verdier’s forest.
Rustle.
Chloe looked up at the sound. Who could it be? She heard the gamekeeper was definitely on vacation. If any servant showed up, she would have to come up with some annoying excuse for her presence. In her experience, hiding was the way to go in these situations.
“It is against one’s dignity to play hide-and-seek like a child.”
A familiar voice came to Chloe's ears from her hiding place behind the old tree. Chloe couldn't figure out why Damien, who had gone out, was here now.
“Then why is Your Excellency here today, contrary to your schedule?”
“Who said I have any dignity?”
Damien approached the old tree and slowly circled it. Chloe, who was circling the large tree that must have been at least 100 years old, bumped into him as he changed direction.
“You called me savage last night.”
Chloe's face blushed silently.
“No, was it this morning?”
“Can you please not interrupt my picnic?”
Damien smiled slightly at the sight of cookie crumbs stuck to her lips.
“What else is in the bag besides almond cookies?”
“A book, some stationery, ink, and a pen.”
“You’ve come very well prepared to play by yourself.”
“I’ve finished all my morning schedule. So, please be careful on your way home.”
As Chloe blinked and spoke, Damien's eyes sparkled slightly. She knew that was the expression he made when he was displeased with something, so he thought it would be better to leave now.
“Well then, goodbye... sigh...!”
Chloe's eyes opened wide like a rabbit's. Chloe's lips were red and wet as she panted.
“Why is your expression like that?”
“Your Excellency, you are really...sudden.”
“Does this mean you want me to give you a warning the next time I kiss you?”
“That, that’s not it...”
“I’m going to kiss you now, so get ready.”
The Duke added with a smile, looking at Chloe, who didn't know what to do.
“It’s going to take a while.”
The dark clouds gathered in the sky just as Chloe's basket and umbrella fell from her hands. Thump. Raindrops fell on her flushed cheeks, and then thunder rumbled loudly. Damien slowly raised his head and looked up at the sky.
Suddenly, the number of water droplets increased, and soon, with a whoosh, it started to pour down rain.
“I have to go back quickly!”
The Duke suddenly picked up Chloe, who was packing her basket, and strode into the forest.
“The castle is over there. Where are you going?”
“If you go to the castle like this, you’ll get drenched in rain.”
He quickly crossed the hunting grounds and arrived at a small chapel. The octagonal stone building, open on all sides except the ceiling, seemed more like a decoration than a chapel, but it seemed like a good place to take shelter from the fierce rain.
“I didn’t know there was a place like this here.”
Chloe looked at him with a curious expression, then opened the basket she was carrying and took out a handkerchief.
“Wipe it.”
"You?"
“Your Excellency, you are wetter than I.”
Damien closed his eyes instead of taking the towel from her hand. His eyelashes rose as Chloe slowly wiped his chiseled face. Chloe stared into his eyes. A storm rose in the blue eyes, and the towel fell from her hand.
Damien slowly kissed her fingers. She tried to bite his hand because it tickled, but Damien didn't let her go. Chloe's body finally entered his. Chloe hugged Damien's neck and slowly closed her eyes.
Sunlight sparkled where the rain had stopped. A fresh scent spread from the grass that was soaked with moisture. Chloe buried her face in his shoulder and whispered in a completely exhausted voice.
“Why are you so persistent, Your Excellency?”
The throat that had been crying his name ceaselessly was slightly hoarse.
“It’s personality.”
There was nothing to say. Chloe tried to pull away from him without saying a word, but failed again. The Duke took a deep breath as he wrapped his arms around her small back. Chloe squirmed in his arms and finally opened her mouth with difficulty when he tried to move again.
“Hey, hey, Your Excellency.”
Damien rested his forehead against hers.
“I don’t think it’s necessary to try so often to get pregnant.”
From that day on, Damien never slept separately from Chloe. Chloe also had to fulfill her duties as a wife to him day and night. Damien smiled a little as he watched Chloe say in a word that it was too much.
“Do you think I’m doing this just to have a child?”
In fact, that was the biggest reason Chloe dared to enter his bedroom in the first place. At first, the act was so painful that it almost brought tears to her eyes, but as it continued, the pain disappeared and a secret joy bloomed inside her body. However, it was true that as she opened her eyes to new sensations, she also became inexplicably afraid. Lately, she had been having dreams that made her blush after waking up.
“Well, that’s the important purpose. And I don’t really like doing things without a clear purpose...”
Damien snickered and bit her cheek with his teeth.
“It hurts.”
Damien whispered clearly in her ear as she cowered.
“I want pleasure with you, Duchess.”
"Yes?"
“Your body makes me happy.”
Chloe's ears were burning hot. How could Damien say such secret and embarrassing things so confidently?
“And the more you try to get pregnant, the better.”
Just as Chloe was about to retort, she thought she heard something moving in the grass. Chloe was startled and whispered to him.
“I think there’s someone there.”
"I don't care."
Damien took a deep breath.
“Don’t worry about it, Chloe.”
I'm sorry to say this, but Chloe couldn't do that. The Duke, who was looking around, trembling, untied the cravat that was wrapped around his shirt. The long, folded cravat gently closed Chloe's eyes.
“When you’re with me, or even when you’re not with me, you just have to think about me.”
Damien swallowed dryly, staring at her slightly parted lips in surprise.
“Because that is the Duchess’s duty.”
The moment Damien dug into the back of her neck, her lips opened wider. The mountain birds flew away in surprise.
Chloe thought, moaning, dizzy at the savage pleasure her husband gave her. Even without love, this level of married life was enough. On the other hand, she wondered what he would be like to the person he truly loved. Could he be more passionate than this? No, was it possible for the Duke to love someone from the beginning? Wait. Why am I thinking about such things?
“I told you not to think about anything else.”
Even though her eyes were covered, Damien seemed to have read her mind completely. As Damien buried his face in her secret place, all her shameful thoughts completely flew away. Fortunately, she didn't have to hide her flushed face.
***
If someone were to ask Chloe, "What do you value most about your master?" she would hesitate before answering.
“Is it because he plans well?”
"Yes?"
Margaret's curious eyes were filled with amazement. If Chloe had asked what she disliked about her husband, Margaret could have given a dozen detailed answers, even though she was a maid of the Tisse family.
“Wherever he goes, he tells me where he's going. If something happens, he tells me. Most of the time.”
Margaret, the maid who was stroking her hair, burst out laughing.
“What is that, haha. Is that an advantage?”
“Yes, then. That’s okay.”
Margaret had probably never been a victim of improvisation before. Chloe sighed, even though it was in the past, as she recalled the hard times she had endured because of the moodiness of her closest family members, Alice and the Viscount Verdier.
“Madam, doesn’t your heart melt under the master’s warm gaze?”
Margaret, the maid who looked just like Alice when she was younger, had mischievous eyes. Chloe looked at her reflection in the mirror with a faint smile.
“The Duke’s gaze often feels like a frozen lake or a blizzard.”
“Look at him, he came back in just five days after going to the palace this time. All the servants say that the Duke is deeply in love with his new bride.”
“I guess things got done sooner than planned.”
“He came to the castle after midnight and immediately looked for you. He didn’t even call a coachman from the train station, but rode his horse right over to you.”
Chloe's pretty brows furrowed as she recalled the Duke who had called her out at midnight two days ago. After he finished his report, he hugged her as if it was only natural. Margaret seemed to be lost in romantic fantasies, unaware of her feelings that seemed to require ten bodies to deal with the Duke, who was clearly possessed by the demon of pleasure.
“He can’t stand being away from you for even a moment. Considering that since he became a cadet at the Royal Military Academy, he's only spent a handful of hours at the castle.”
When Chloe smiled faintly instead of answering, Margaret, who had lost interest, quickly changed the subject.
“Oh, by the way, why did Gray have to leave? He was one of the most polite servants in this castle.”
“What does that mean?”
Margaret's eyes widened in surprise as Chloe's expression suddenly hardened.
“You didn’t know?”
“Gray quits?”
“I heard he told Mr. Paul that he was quitting the day before yesterday. Well... the trial matter was something the master said he would just let go of, but maybe it was difficult for him to continue to stay in this castle. I thought you would know that, Madam.”
“Margaret, do you know when Gray is leaving?”
“I heard he's taking the train tonight. Oh, Ma’am!”
Chloe jumped up from her seat.
“Madam, dinner is coming soon. His Excellency is also scheduled to arrive.”
Chloe checked the time. If she hurried, she could make it on time.
“Has the Duke not returned from his outing yet?”
“Yes. But...”
“I'll be back soon.”
Chloe left the castle, leaving Margaret behind, and headed for Gray's cottage. There was no reason for him to be looked down on by the other servants in the castle for something he had not done, and there was even less reason for him to leave. The Duke had also made it clear to Chloe that he would cover up his crimes (or rather, the ones he had made up for her alibi) after the trial.
Her hands, which were tightly gripping the cane, turned white. She passed the greeting servants with an indifferent expression, but her heart was beating fast. She couldn't let Gray go like this without saying goodbye. She had to tell that boy, who was quiet but more affectionate than anyone else, that she was grateful.
Gray, it was thanks to him that she was able to survive Tisse's harsh winter.
"Ha..."
As Gray's cabin finally came into view, Chloe barely managed to control her breathing, which was rising to her chin. Her brow furrowed slightly as she approached Gray's house, for she could see the horse trudging in front of his cabin.
Why was the Duke's horse, who had clearly said he would be out today, there? Even if he had returned earlier than scheduled, the stables were quite far from Gray's cabin. This was because Chloe had insisted that Gray's quarters should not be next to the stables.
Chloe's slow, muffled steps were an unconscious action that came out of nowhere. Through the slightly open door, a sharp voice that had become familiar could be heard.
“Why are you hesitating? I’m sure you were told to disappear from my sight once the trial was over.”
Chloe held her breath and froze in place. It became clear to her in an instant what was going on. She couldn't help but want to know what the Duke was talking about.
“I needed some assurance.”
"... assurance?"
The Duke snorted and laughed at Gray's words. Chloe felt her mouth go dry, and she gripped her wand tightly.
“I am certain that the Duke would not harm Miss Chloe...”
Crap. Chloe's eyes widened as she heard the sound of something collapsing. When she opened the door in surprise, she saw the Duke clearly holding Gray by the collar.
“It seems my suspicion that I had a bad feeling from the first time I saw you was not wrong.”
“Your Excellency!”
A shrill scream burst from Chloe's lips. The Duke turned his head to look at her, then frowned and smiled at Gray again.
“This is what I wanted.”
“Your Excellency, let go of Gray!”
Chloe approached him and shouted at him, but the Duke only grabbed Gray's collar more tightly.
“Did you wish to appeal to the Duchess’s sympathy? Or did you dream of having one last secret meeting here?”
Gray's face turned bright red as he was strangled. He struggled, but he could not shake off Damien's hand. Chloe eventually approached Damien and grabbed his collar.
“Please stop.”
“Please step back, Ma’am, you might get hurt.”
“Your Excellency!”
“Don’t you hear me telling you to get out of here and stop making me angry?”
After Gray struggled to shake him off, he kicked Damien hard in the shin. A muddy footprint left its mark on Damien's untouched trousers.
“Don’t speak to me like that, young lady. You don’t deserve to be insulted by anyone.”
“It seems like you don’t care about your life, seeing as you are talking nonsense.”
Damien's cold eyes turned sharp. The moment he punched Gray in the face, Gray completely collapsed on the floor along with the low table. Gray immediately realized that the opponent in front of him had overwhelming power. Gray could also be said to have been a veteran in physical combat, but Damien had systematically learned how to fight and had used it abundantly in actual combat.
“Who are you?”
“Your Excellency, please stop.”
Chloe clenched her fists, her face turning pale. Gray spat out bloody saliva. A broken molar came out with it.
“Who the hell are you?”
Just before another punch could fly, Chloe fell down and blocked Gray's path.
“Please stop. Please, Your Excellency.”
Damien glared at Chloe, whose face had turned pale and whose lips were quivering. Her arms, spread wide, were trembling.
“Don’t make me mad anymore, Chloe.”
“He is the one who helped me. He is the one who testified to save me in court. A child who cannot lie lied to God for me.”
A mocking smile appeared on Damien's face. How could she be so stupid? He began to wonder if she was pretending not to know the obvious, or if she really did not know. Either way, he had to make her see it for herself.
“It wasn’t a lie that I spied on the private lives of the Duke and Duchess.”
“That’s what you and Gray were talking about!”
“I wonder if you would side with that servant even if you knew who spied you and me beyond the bushes in the hunting grounds ten days ago.”
Chloe tried to refute Damien's unexpected words, saying that it couldn't be true, but she couldn't say anything after seeing Gray's gaze waver.
"Gray..."
“I was just worried that you might get into trouble.”
Chloe soon understood his sincerity. She knew Gray's personality well, so she didn't think he had any ulterior motives and was trying to spy on them. But the problem was that Damien didn't trust him at all.
“Your dark nature is too obvious to me to be wrapped in mere loyalty, Gray Wilson.”
Chloe thought that she should not have come here, but it was only a belated regret. Damien twisted his beautiful lips and spat out cold sarcasm.
“People like you just fear and worship others without permission, and you’re desperate for painful love. But do you know what your emotional blind spot is?”
Gray was breathing heavily. His kind eyes were dark and shaking messily. Damien did not hesitate to point out his weakness and cruelly display it before his eyes.
“You dream of a love that can never come true.”
Damien quickly picked up Chloe, who was feeling weak.
“Chloe von Tisse is mine, Gray Wilson.”
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