Chapter 69

* * *

Waves could be heard from far away.

Like something rising up out of deep water, my drowned consciousness slowly floated back to the surface.

“Are you coming to?”

Still hazy with sleep, I opened my eyes slowly.

The first thing I saw was the inn ceiling. The stove warmed the whole room and felt good, and then a familiar face in my sight made me relax.

“Edwin.”

“…”

It felt like I’d been dreaming, but I couldn’t remember a single detail.

Only the image of tears falling down a pale cheek lingered in my head.

‘I hope you find happiness.’

He’d been my friend without pretension, stood by me when things were hard, and after he became an administrator he supported the Lombard I dreamed of as if it were his own.

I had sworn to live within my place and thought I had kept to it, but—

Reaching to touch the wetness at Edwin’s eyes, my limbs felt heavy. There were bandages wrapped around my wrist.

How could I have gotten hurt when all I do is sit at a desk—

“Madam, are you awake?”

“…?!”

The moment I heard madam, reality slammed into me.

Had I gone mad?

Half-dreaming, half-awake, I’d almost called the duke by name like before.

Flustered, I stumbled over my words, and Edwin, seeing I wasn’t well, didn’t press the mistake.

“I’m glad you’re awake. We were worried since you didn’t regain consciousness for a long time.”

“Ah, r-right. I must’ve been so tired…”

My face burned with embarrassment.

I babbled meaningless things for a while until I could pull myself together and asked how long I’d slept.

“You slept quite a bit. How long, a day?”

“Four days.”

“What?!”

“You were unconscious for four whole days.”

Edwin’s face had a shadow in it when he said that.

If this wasn’t a dream, if my eyes weren’t playing tricks, then he genuinely seemed worried about me.

‘That proves it.’

I had expected the worst when I was dragged into the thieves’ den, but I believed Gareth could protect me and I figured Ramon and Baron Conte would notify the duke as soon as they realized I was missing.

Even so, given the time it takes for news to travel, it should have taken at least ten days.

Bellamare had autonomy partly because it was so remote.

‘Turns out it wasn’t just ordinary thieves, it was a bigger incident…’

If the duke hadn’t rushed here I wouldn’t be alive.

Bitterly tasting my mouth, I suddenly shouted.

“Ah! The governor!”

“Yes?”

“I should have searched the governor’s office and residence before he noticed and seized evidence!”

“If that’s the case it’s already done.”

“Huh?”

While I blinked in confusion, Edwin explained what had happened while I lay unconscious.

He’d sent Ramon and troops to the governor’s residence before the governor suspected anything.

They collected proof of all the governor’s tyranny and prepared to file a formal complaint with the Rockscrown Council.

But Edwin hesitated for a moment.

“There’s one issue. My uncle escaped.”

“Escaped? Then we must capture him. If he could evade the troops there must be accomplices inside. We have to root them out quickly and…!”

“Regrettably, he was recognized by the townspeople during his escape.”

I got it.

From Edwin’s awkward expression I could guess the rest.

Bellamare’s people were already furious.

They wouldn’t just pass him by without throwing stones, and with the duke and the duchess involved the fall was certain. He probably didn’t die a dignified death.

‘It’s a shame he couldn’t be formally tried.’

If the people felt some release from this, perhaps that’s not such a bad outcome.

A legal case would have dragged on for years.

“…”

I gathered my thoughts and looked up at the duke.

He looked worn.

This life, Edwin rarely showed emotion, yet his drawn face suggested he’d been by my side for a long time.

Even I couldn’t pretend not to notice this time.

Edwin rose from his seat when I looked at him.

“Your complexion is poor. The duchess’s physician is here. You should be examined.”

“My lord.”

I grabbed his sleeve right away.

If Gilbert or anyone else were in the room I would be too embarrassed to say this out loud.

Edwin glanced at my hand on his sleeve, then sat back down.

“Speak.”

“Um, well, the thing is…”

Pull myself together.

My parents didn’t raise me to be shameless.

Abbot Filio taught me that people aren’t made to live only for themselves.

I can do this. I can say it.

“Thank you.”

“…”

“So, um, about you rescuing me. If you hadn’t come so quickly I wouldn’t be here now.”

I couldn’t exactly announce that I’m the duchess in this ragged state.

Besides, who would believe a filthy woman and who among the low ranks would recognize the duchess’s seal?

“I misjudged you. I thought you’d hate me because of what happened before. But you’re truly kind and human.”

“No, that’s not so.”

“Huh?”

A vein stood out on his jaw. He avoided my gaze and murmured low.

“It was I who failed to protect you. While you lay like this, I did nothing.”

“How is that your fault? It was my choice.”

“But if I’d paid a little more attention…”

I kept glancing at his jaw. He might grind his teeth to bits at this rate.

Insomnia, a tendency not to show feelings, and small habits I wouldn’t have expected made this Edwin different from the one I knew.

It felt oddly comforting.

“What’s the matter? You look fine now.”

Trying to show I was okay, I shot up from the bed.

Or tried to.

A searing pain tore through my ankle and I screamed.

“Ahhh!”

“Madam?!”

Edwin grabbed me as I flailed and nearly fell.

Maybe it was the terrible pain in my ankle, maybe it was because I was collapsing in an undignified way. My heart pounded so hard I thought it would burst.

“Madam, are you all right?”

“I-I don’t know. My ankle hurts so much…”

“Your ankle is broken.”

“What?!”

“It’s not a major fracture. There’s a hairline crack, but you’ll need rest for at least two months.”

I stood there stunned.

So in the end my precious ankle was destroyed because of that damned governor.

Suddenly it seemed like he died too easily.

While worrying how to avenge my ankle and whether his body could be found, Edwin scooped me up.

“Hold on to my neck.”

“I can walk!”

“No.”

He sat me upright against the headboard, propped cushions so my upper body could rest comfortably, and tucked the rumpled blanket up to my waist.

“You may have strained something when you almost fell. I’ll call the physician.”

“My lord.”

“Yes madam.”

I took a breath and spoke something I’d wanted to say for a while.

They say when a woman has the upper hand it’s about momentum. If I didn’t say it now I might never get the courage again.

“This has been on my mind for a long time, but being called madam feels so awkward. Could you just call me by my name?”

“But…”

“I know you respect me as your wife. Still, I can’t stand it.”

Looking back now, he’d called my name on a few urgent occasions. He probably didn’t even realize it then.

It wasn’t a rude request.

After a moment of thought, the duke answered cautiously.