Chapter 37

Who did I meet? Julian couldn’t possibly know. Didn’t I tell him I wanted to invite Ari Eriant before the party? I answered calmly as if it were obvious.

“Who else? I briefly saw Lethe.”

“Lethe?”

“Yes. Lady Eriant didn’t attend the party. I had a few questions about that.”

Despite having answered sufficiently, Julian didn’t avert his gaze from me. Whether Viscount Lessa passed by or the attendants organized the carriage, it seemed none of that mattered to him. Even when an attendant approached to ask for his instructions, Julian continued to focus solely on me.

“Couldn’t you have asked in a letter?”

“You can’t read all the feelings between the lines. I wanted to know Lethe’s true intentions.”

“True intentions…”

Julian seemed particularly fixated on the word “true intentions.” Seeing him standing silently in front of the grand duchy was quite awkward. I had just been in a carriage accident and, though I wasn’t seriously injured, I was tired. I felt like asking him to carry me to my room.

“Julian, is there a problem?”

“No.”

His immediate denial indicated there was definitely a problem. I narrowed my eyes and looked at him inquisitively. A ridiculous thought crossed my mind.

“Julian, are you perhaps jealous?”

I asked with a playful expression. It couldn’t be, could it? Julian and I were just friends. There was no room for such foolish emotions as jealousy.

“Of course not.”

Julian answered promptly again. As expected, I shrugged my shoulders. Or I should have. Despite anticipating his response, a wave of disappointment washed over me. I licked my suddenly dry lips and spoke.

“Then there’s no problem.”

Even to my ears, it sounded like there were a lot of problems.

“Escort me inside.”

At my sullen words, Julian’s eyebrow twitched. He let out a long sigh and held my hand tightly. Usually, it was just enough to gently pull me towards him.

“Ouch!”

But this time was different. Beneath my gloves were bruises. As I couldn’t pull my hand away forcefully, I let out a groan, and Julian quickly released my hand, holding my elbow instead.

“Are you hurt?”

“It’s nothing serious.”

“Let me see.”

“I said it’s nothing serious…”

Despite my protest, Julian carefully took hold of the glove’s edge. Unlike his earlier roughness, he handled it delicately as if touching a baby bird’s wing. Julian murmured as he removed the glove from my hand.

“This glove isn’t yours either.”

“…How do you know that?”

Julian didn’t answer. He simply gestured for the attendant holding the lamp to come closer. Under the lamplight, my bruises looked even darker.

“You are hurt.”

“Considering it was a carriage accident, this is very mild. That’s why I said it was nothing.”

“Let a doctor take a look.”

I shook my head vigorously at his words.

“No.”

I disliked doctors. I didn’t trust them. They had never noticed the changes in my body, and they couldn’t do anything when my body was dying.

If, by chance, while treating this minor hand injury, a doctor discovered something wrong with my body, that would be troublesome too. Julian would know I couldn’t have children, and then he might look for another spouse.

I still needed Julian.

“Duchess.”

Julian spoke sternly, but his gentle tone, like a father soothing a child, made me laugh. I scoffed and waved my other hand in the air.

“A doctor for what? I’m really fine.”

“Why do you dislike doctors so much?”

“Dislike? Nonsense.”

I bent my elbow and pulled away from his grasp. Then, without waiting for an escort, I strode into the grand duchy. I could feel the attendants’ confusion, but I really didn’t want to see a doctor.

At first, there was no sound behind me. But soon, heavy footsteps followed, and before long, my elbow was caught again. The grip wasn’t firm. I could have easily shaken it off if I wanted to.

He was a man who could restrain me by force at any moment. No matter how much I had trained in swordsmanship, how could I win against a man who could lift a carriage with one hand?

Julian knew this, too. But he didn’t act on it.

“Laila.”

He called me heavily. Despite his gentle touch, his voice carried anger and frustration.

“I am your husband. I have the right to know about your health.”

At that moment, I felt a shiver down my spine. Julian’s words made it sound like he knew about my incurable disease. Still facing forward, I spoke to him standing behind me.

“It’s just a bruise.”

“Laila.”

He called my name again, firmly. I turned around abruptly and glared at him.

“Don’t forget that ours is a marriage of convenience. You can’t know everything about me.”

Julian’s face contorted at my words. He completely let go of my elbow. Julian glared at me with a fierce look. It was the first time he had ever looked at me like that.

“You only call me a friend when it suits you.”

I felt like I had been punched in the stomach.

“I understand.”

Julian slowly closed and then opened his eyes. His always intense red eyes looked wounded as they gazed at me. But only momentarily, he averted his gaze and walked past me.

I couldn’t do anything.

“Pathetic.”

I could only berate myself.

* * *

There was an old training ground in the Grand Duke’s mansion. It was a place rarely visited, accumulating dust due to the lack of staff in the mansion.

It was also the place I liked the most when I first toured the mansion after marrying Julian.

The training ground, though old, was very spacious and had a floor made of good material, making it less slippery. It received moderate sunlight and was well-protected from the wind, allowing light attire even in the middle of winter.

I had insisted that the mansion’s cleaning included this place because I wanted to come here occasionally for a change of pace.

I never expected to visit the training ground so soon in my new role as the Grand Duchess.

I set up a scarecrow on the training ground and swung my sword wildly. The scarecrows had to endure having their necks severed repeatedly.

While Anna rested, Sarah, the maid temporarily assigned to me, stood at a distance, looking horrified. She would only come running with water and a towel when I extended my hand.

I couldn’t clear my thoughts no matter how much I swung my sword and rolled on the ground.

What did I want from Julian?

I recalled my duties as I plunged my sword into the scarecrow’s chest.

First, I had to quickly gather rare magic stones and present them to the Emperor. Only then would the Emperor ease his vigilance towards Julian and me and believe in our loyalty.

I also had to meticulously create traps for Prince Cain and Kazak so that no one would suspect they were my work.

My remaining life was so short that even accomplishing these tasks might bring it to an end.

Engaging in emotional turmoil with Julian wasn’t part of my plan.

“Could it be that I actually like Julian?”

I laughed incredulously. That was utterly ridiculous. I had no right to like Julian. Being friends with him was already a privilege.

After finishing that thought, I shook my head quickly.

Gratitude? Julian was someone I needed to use. I had lied about being able to bear him a child, intending to exploit his power.

But Julian…

Unlike me, Julian had done his best for me as a husband and friend. His sincerity had undoubtedly made me foolish.

I gestured for Sarah to come over. Wiping my cheek with a towel, I gave her instructions.

“Prepare a bath and get ready to leave for the capital. Also, find out where His Grace is. Oh, and check if Viscount Lessa is behaving.”

Sarah bowed politely and left.

I planted my sword on the ground and pondered.

First, I would go to the capital and meet Kazak. If I could gather more information from him, that would be good. After returning from the capital, I would apologize to Julian and mend our relationship.

This wasn’t due to any selfish desire. A harmonious relationship with him would make my plans proceed smoothly. Yes, I concluded my thoughts and lifted my head. Sarah was returning.

“My lady.”

“Where is the Grand Duke?”

“Well… His Grace has gone to the capital.”

“Without telling me?”

I was taken aback by my own sense of disappointment. Who had drawn a clear line, saying it was a marriage of convenience just yesterday? Now I was feeling hurt because Julian had left without a word.

Sarah, noticing my silence, tried to comfort me.

“My lady, His Grace must have had urgent business.”

“…Right.”

With Sarah’s assistance, I walked to the bathroom. Would I be able to meet Julian in the capital? I didn’t know what to say if we met, but I wanted to see him.

Feelings I had no right to have kept surfacing.

TL NOTE: A more advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories.