Chapter 36

Edwin clenched his teeth without a word. Elicia had been left completely isolated the moment she married into Lombard. There was no one here who truly followed her. The servants who came with her were not her loyal people. They were spies placed by the Capital. Spies who dared to poison their own lady.

‘Bringing in a poison master and calling him a physician was ridiculous.’

He had known who Lord Rotter really was from the beginning. He also knew what they intended to do to Elicia. If the Duke of Lombard did not even know who entered his own territory, that would have made him a fool.

He waited, wanting a perfect justification to remove those people from Lombard forever. He needed to prevent the Capital from ever reaching for Elicia again. His plan was set in motion the moment they used the mine collapse as an excuse to summon Lord Rotter to her side.

‘So even the title of royalty meant nothing in the end.’

Her father’s sudden death shifted the succession to her uncle. Any political value she once had as a bridge to the Marcen Royal Family had vanished when her uncle married a Marcen princess instead. She became a thorn in their eyes, a threat rather than an asset.

‘So this is how they choose to handle her.’

But Elicia was now a Lombard. By marrying him she had become the most noble woman in the entire north. He would never allow outsiders to harm her again.

Yet she did not simply sit still to be protected. She faced the scorn of the people head-on and continued to uphold her own convictions. Her actions slowly changed hearts. Even his.

He knew she was avoiding him. He knew he did not deserve to approach her. Yet he was drawn to her anyway. Without realizing it he found himself searching for excuses just to speak to her.

‘Brother, before going back, do you have a moment’

‘If Elicia calls me then of course I do. What is it’

A familiar voice reached him outside the small dining hall.

‘So that is Brother Vincent.’

He had heard she was close to a certain monk through the eyes he placed around her. He reminded himself that he had no right to interfere. Even if it was another man, if she chose to befriend him then he would respect it.

But when he saw them together in person…

‘I’m not interrupting a good moment, am I’

Heat flooded his head. Brother Vincent was no simple monk. That sinister aura, that predatory gaze. How could someone who wore the eyes of a beast who had tasted blood be nothing more than a newly appointed priest

Edwin recognized him. Even if the man did not recognize Edwin.

‘Anyone but that man.’

The innocent smile she showed Brother Vincent cut sharply into him. Maybe because they touched so naturally. Maybe because he knew the truth about that man. Maybe both.

The resolve to keep his distance shattered. His mouth moved before his mind could stop it.

‘It seems you misunderstand’

‘Misunderstand’

‘I planned to stay here for a few days as well.’

Her parted lips. Her blue eyes trembling. He felt a pang of guilt. But he was the Duke of Lombard. He had a duty to protect his duchess.

Watching her sleep. Wiping her tears…

“That man is not allowed near you.”

It was not personal desire. He was not forgetting his place. He knew exactly how shameless it was.

He needed to protect her from the beast she could not see, so she could finally have the life she wanted. That was all. Or so he told himself.

* * *

‘From now on I should remove my brain every morning.’

Chirp chirp.

I woke to loud birds and instantly regretted everything I did last night. People always got emotional at night and wanted to strangle their past self in the morning. That was me. Completely me.

‘Anyway, where is the Duke…’

I stretched out on the thin straw mattress, then froze. He was still here. Fast asleep with his upper body resting on my bed, breathing softly, completely dead to the world.

I waved a hand.

“Hey. You asleep”

No reaction.

I even muttered louder.

“Seriously”

Still nothing.

So much for his terrible insomnia.

I shrugged and stepped outside to find food. Anything edible. But someone charged at me.

“Good morning, Madam”

“Yeah…”

Technically nobody in Lombard was allowed to speak before I did. Protocol nonsense. But I always thought that kind of formality just got in the way.

And more importantly…

This woman had the best body I had ever seen in both my lives.

Tall. Broad shoulders. Even under a heavy coat her tightly packed muscles were obvious. Nobody would ever try picking a fight with her. I looked like a fragile bean sprout next to her. Life was unfair.

I kept walking. She kept following. Practically glued to my shadow. After a long silence, I stopped.

“Who are you”

“Ah!!”

Her battle-cry scream echoed through the dining hall.

* * *

My name is Berry. I am twenty-two. Most people my age have already married and started happy families. I still have no idea what to do with my life. Which is why I remain single.

My father is one of the best carpenters in northern Lombard. My mother is the greatest hunter in North Belln Village. With parents like that it was only natural everyone expected great things from me. And they were right. I was born good at both.

But carpentry and hunting were both lonely jobs. I loved being around people. So choosing either career felt difficult.

Still as the eldest daughter I needed to decide soon.

One day my father gathered the courage to speak.

‘Berry, what do you think about becoming the Duchess’ personal maid.’

I thought he was insane.

Mother hit his shoulder and half the house collapsed. That was normal. Father would fix it later.

But buried under wood he shouted something that shook me.

The Duchess truly cared for her people. But she was surrounded only by those from the Capital. She needed someone who could understand the voices of locals. Gilbert himself had recommended me.

He even showed the Duchess’ seal.

Mother’s eyes nearly popped out.

‘Our Berry will serve the Duchess.’

‘I know you wanted her to be a hunter but…’

‘Forget that The Duchess needs her.’

Then the other half of the house collapsed.

So I agreed. It was my chance to repay her for saving my father and brother. Also I was curious about what kind of person she truly was.

Castle staff came to train me. There were too many rules. No this. No that. No blinking too loud. My brain almost melted. Yet I tried my best.

‘But I messed up instantly.’

When I heard the Duchess came to the outer wall alone, I rushed to the monastery before sunrise to help. I even met a few wild beasts on the way but we settled our differences.

And then the first moment I met her…

I spoke first.

I forgot to introduce myself.

Her beauty crashed into me like divine punishment.

“I messed up so bad…”

I panicked and grabbed a nearby chair. It turned to dust in my hands. Sawdust scattered all over her dress. I was done for. I lay flat on the ground, ready for execution.

Then suddenly…

“Get up.”

The Duchess herself reached her hand out to me.