Chapter 33

Brother Vincent slowly ran his tongue over his lips as he stood up.

His muscles twitched like a beast about to explode but the Duke crossed the dining hall with effortless calm and completely ignored Vincent as he took the seat across from me.

Of course Baron Conte immediately offered up his chair with nothing more than a single glance from the Duke. No words needed.

‘The Baron is acting normal but Vincent is…’

I remembered what I saw just moments ago.

A face I never could have imagined from a timid priest.

That eerie glint. Those eyes were no different from the crazed gaze of an Inquisitor I once encountered long ago. The clanking woman bound in iron. Muffled screams full of agony echoing within. Blood trickling thick through the cracks. And the gaze of the old Inquisitor watching it.

He believed God’s will had descended upon him. Those exact eyes.

‘Why would Vincent…’

But by the time I looked again he was already seated calmly.

His eyes still fixed on the Duke but as he tilted a cup of cold wine his expression was smooth and deep like still water.

As if I imagined it.

‘He must have been startled.’

That could happen. This was the Duke of Lombard. Ruler of the North. Strongest warrior on the continent.

I saw that reaction from so many people that it felt as normal as breathing.

Though Vincent’s reaction had been… quite dramatic.

‘How fragile is he if just seeing the Duke makes him look like that.’

I let out a silent sigh and lightly patted Vincent’s shoulder before meeting the Duke’s gaze.

Vincent looked confused but I ignored it.

“What brings Your Grace all the way out here. You must be very busy.”

“I happened to be nearby and heard that you were here so I stopped by.”

The Duke’s dagger-like glare finally softened as he smiled. Strangely only after staring holes into Vincent’s shoulder.

I remained perfectly polite.

“The meal has already ended. Will you be alright.”

“It is a pity to miss the monastery’s food but fortunately I have eaten earlier. More importantly I heard outside that you intend to stay here a few days.”

“Yes.”

I quickly cut in before he could say more.

“Even if Your Grace tries to stop me my decision will not change.”

So that was the reason he suddenly appeared here in this tiny monastery.

He would not like the fact that I planned to stay somewhere he could not fully control. In Lombard Castle everything is in his hands. Here outside the inner wall he could not monitor me completely.

And if the Duchess wanders freely it could spark unwanted political rumors.

But I was firm.

Why force myself to work overtime in the castle when I could lie around comfortably here. Only a crazy idiot would walk into the office voluntarily.

There are those crazy idiots. Just not me.

I stressed again that I would sleep at the monastery tonight. The Duke looked thoughtful.

“I think there is a misunderstanding.”

“A misunderstanding.”

“I should tell you that I will also stay at the monastery for a few days.”

“…What.”

What nonsense.

He knew there was only one extra room for guests. Surely he was not suggesting we share. Surely not.

“Your Grace. I apologize but our monastery is too humble to host someone such as yourself…”

Even the monks and villagers pretending not to listen were clearly shocked. One brave friar spoke.

“The Madam who has lived a far more noble life than you is staying here.”

“Well yes but…”

His courage evaporated immediately.

Are you kidding me. Resist. Learn resistance. Fight back.

“The Madam is making every effort to learn the lives of the people. If I, their lord, sit idle it would be shameful.”

“Ohhh…”

Everyone nodded in admiration. This was bad. At this rate I would have to share a room with the Duke.

“Your Grace. As you already know…”

Abbot Filio stepped forward bravely. He couched his words in flattery to soften the blow.

“This monastery rarely receives visitors so there is only one guest room. It may be uncomfortable to spend the night there.”

“Aha.”

The Duke finally nodded as if something clicked.

Yes. Exactly. That is the problem.

“We are husband and wife. Why would we mind. One room is plenty.”

Excuse me.

My brain screamed.

I had insisted too passionately that I must stay here to observe the lives of the people so I could not take it back now.

Running away was impossible too. It was too late and wolves and bears roamed at night. My escort was only Baron Conte and the coachman.

Sleeping in the nuns’ room crossed my mind but their sleeping spaces were as tight as coffins. Literally impossible.

The pilgrim guest room was the only one that was remotely tolerable. Everything else was basically monk sized storage.

‘Damn. Only way is to buy time with a seven hour bath.’

I could do it. I would. I would drown in bathwater before sharing a bed with him.

“You should go inside first and rest. I always bathe before I sleep.”

“Would it not be better to have the bath brought to the room.”

“The guest room is too small.”

I had seen it. A bed a tiny table and a narrow desk for copying scripture. If a bath tub came in something would have to be thrown out.

The nuns helped me up.

“We will heat the water for you.”

“Thank you. Sorry for the trouble.”

The Duke’s eyes followed me as I left. Then his gaze shifted to the man sitting across from him.

His eyes gleamed savagely.

Gone was the warm gentle smile he showed in front of me. Now he looked like a starved hound that had found prey.

Vincent met that gaze and the corner of his mouth lifted in a strange wicked smirk.

* * *

Long story short I ended up wrapped like a burrito in the Duke’s cloak and lying on the bed.

“Are you alright.”

“…”

My clenched jaw shook.

I originally planned to soak for seven hours. That was the plan.

The problem was I forgot how brutal this climate was.

Not seven hours. Not one hour. I lasted ten minutes before feeling like I would die.

The wind cut through the thin walls like knives. The water that was boiling hot turned ice cold instantly.

Every breath felt like my lungs would freeze solid.

‘Right. I forgot it was hell cold here…’

The nuns had asked several times if I was sure. That should have been my warning.

Still I endured. Because freezing to death felt preferable to sharing a room with the Duke.

‘Madam are you alright.’

‘We will rescue you right now please stay calm.’

But after twenty minutes of silence the nuns panicked and burst into the bath.

They found frozen Elicia. And delivered me straight to the guest room.

Receiver. The Duke.

He took one look at my blue face and immediately piled every blanket in the room over me. Then he scooped me into his arms and laid me on the bed while cupping my cheek to check for fever.

His hand was calloused large and warm.

The motion was so natural. Like something he had done many times.

‘Edwin cough you must return to the castle before it gets too late.’

‘Don’t say that. How could I leave someone sick behind.’

‘But the sun is setting. What if a dangerous animal appears.’

‘Then I will stay here and protect you. If a beast comes near I will chase it away.’

When I was small I was sick often. He was always the one taking care of me.

But in this life he never had to care for anyone. He grew up as a noble prince.

He noticed my strange stare and gave a weak smile.

“You can look at me like that but you are not my type.”

This motherf*cker.

Any warm feelings vanished like smoke.

He spoke on while I glared absolute murder at him.