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Chapter 8
So not only Anna, but Randel also added more watchers. There’s a limit to being thorough.
I stiffly held my neck in place and only moved my eyes to observe the surroundings. Even so, there was no way to tell who among them was a watcher.
Randel, who seemed to be thinking about something while leaving me in my unease, lowered his voice.
“Could it be surveillance rather than just a guard?”
“And if it is?”
“Sigh… no wonder. The way things have been going felt a bit off.”
Randel scratched the back of his head and tried to reassure me.
“Don’t worry. They don’t even know that Lady Elenore and I managed to slip away from there.”
“…Why are you telling me this? Weren’t you supposed to be Killian’s dog?”
“Dog?”
At the blunt word, Randel half-pouted.
“This is my first day on duty after the contract. I’m not that loyal, you see.”
He’s not following Killian?
Should I believe that?
I did ask him to do anything as long as it didn’t break the contract…
Protect me as a guard. Stay close to me at all times. If he only obeyed those two things, would he follow my orders?
“Sir Randel, can we keep today’s events a secret?”
“Of course.”
There was no hesitation in his reply.
I felt a moment of relief—but a tiny suspicion crept in.
‘Is this some scheme to earn my trust so you can report every word and action of mine to Killian?’
I glanced at Randel, and he quickly clarified with awareness.
“I’m trying to help. I just can’t understand it, attaching someone secretly to your wife.”
Randel made a coin shape with his thumb and forefinger.
“I do like money, but I’m a mercenary with some principles.”
Randel said five watchers were stationed outside the Lupin building in all directions.
I couldn’t stroll through the streets in my real appearance while avoiding their eyes, so I had to maintain my blonde hair and blue eyes until I got back to the Lupin restroom.
Once I reached the restroom and restored my hair and eye color to normal, I let out a hollow laugh.
“Was I an idiot?”
Only one person entered the restroom, but did two people suddenly appear when leaving?
A skilled mercenary like Randel could never have mistaken me for someone else just because of a hair color change.
Sigh.
I let out a quiet sigh at my own foolishness and hurried out of the restroom before anyone else came in.
Anna was sitting quietly, waiting for us with two strawberry cakes placed in the empty seats. As I approached the table, she smiled brightly at me.
“Milady! Did you choose the gift well?”
“Yes.”
I showed her the small box, no larger than a palm. I had hurriedly bought it because of Randel’s excuse to Anna.
“I said I was going to buy a gift for His Grace the Grand Duke.”
I wondered why I gave such an excuse, but there was probably no other way to explain why I suddenly went out.
I weakly shoved the gift into my pocket. Then Anna handed me a wallet containing gold coins.
“I was worried you might not have enough money to buy the gift, so I’m glad.”
“…I had some saved separately.”
Actually, I had borrowed it from Randel.
“By the way, your hair looks different? Your braid suited you well. Oh, and no bonnet either.”
Why is she so observant for no reason?
“It flew away in the wind. Let’s just go back.”
My cold tone made Anna roll her eyes.
Sorry, I didn’t have the energy to respond nicely.
My strength was completely depleted. Not only had I confirmed that the poison note was indeed from Killian, but I also learned there were more watchers, which dampened my mood further.
“Then… what should we do with the cakes? I even ordered one for you and Sir Randel…”
“I’m fine. What about you, Randel? Do you like sweets? No, right?”
Please say no. I’m too tired and just want to lie down.
Randel subtly nodded in response to my glance.
“Yes. The taste I had earlier was enough.”
“Can’t be helped.”
I thought about leaving them on the next table since it would be a waste, but Anna whispered cheerfully.
“Oh! Then it would be perfect to give this to His Grace the Grand Duke!”
“Huh? What?”
“Actually, I heard there’s tension between you two, but seeing you exchange gifts seems to mean that was a misunderstanding!”
“No, no. It’s not a misunderstanding.”
“I heard you enjoy tea after meals these days. You could have it together! I’ll wrap it for you.”
“No need—”
Before I could finish, Anna dashed to the counter like a flying squirrel.
“…I should’ve just let Randel eat it instead.”
As I watched her leave in disbelief, the wrapped cakes soon returned to me. I took the two palm-sized boxes and got into the carriage.
There was not a single jolt on the carriage heading to the Grand Duke’s castle.
The bustling streets lined with luxurious shops were smooth, and the coachman handled it expertly.
Still, I struggled to hold back nausea.
Killian is trying to kill me.
It was a proposition I had never considered.
‘I thought I’d die at Ramirez’s hands… or by the hands of a monster.’
My stomach felt tight. My head was dizzy, so I deliberately emptied my thoughts.
“Are you alright?”
Anna’s worried voice reached me.
“I’m fine. Really.”
I closed my eyes and listened to the sound of the hooves.
Even from the gradually slowing speed of the carriage and the shifting shadows on my eyelids, I could sense we were approaching the Grand Duke’s castle.
Finally, when the carriage stopped…
“Your Grace, we’ve arr—Oh my!”
Anna screamed in surprise.
“The Grand Duke is outside!”
I had planned to remain slouched until the doors opened, but I suddenly snapped my eyes open.
“Why is he…?”
The Northern summer sky was cloudless and blue. Under the blazing sunlight, the Grand Duke’s castle displayed its majestic beauty.
Rainbows arched over fountains where lion statues spouted water, and small birds fluttered around.
It was a scene that didn’t suit Killian, who could tear a lion statue apart with his bare hands.
No, maybe it suited him perfectly in a breathtaking way.
‘Or maybe my mind is just playing tricks on me.’
“Couldn’t this man save you?”
I scolded my brain for entertaining such a ridiculous thought. Then Killian rapped lightly on the window.
Before I could answer, he opened it and urged me in a gentle voice.
“Get down.”
Seeing him remain so calm while I struggled irritated me.
“Have you forgotten manners just because you only live by your sword? You should know not to open a carriage without permission.”
“As you can see, I haven’t opened it yet.”
“You also weren’t taught that peeking in is rude.”
“If you fall asleep in the carriage, I’d have to be even ruder.”
Killian smiled brightly.
“You’d hate it if I carried you down, wouldn’t you?”
Of course I would!
I quickly looked away and gestured for Anna to open the door. Anna looked at me with sparkling eyes, opened the door, and took the cake boxes from me.
She had no choice.
There was only one reason Killian would be standing outside the carriage.
Killian reached out his hand, seemingly intending to escort me.
I hesitated, then slowly placed my hand on his palm, conscious of the surrounding gaze. Killian gently closed his hand around mine, testing his strength, then firmly took hold and guided me.
“Did you enjoy your outing?”
“So-so.”
“What did you do that’s just so-so?”
“Just shopping.”
I answered briefly while my mind wandered.
‘When was the last time we held hands?’
Killian was always busy.
He was royalty, the Grand Lord of the North, and managed dozens of businesses.
On top of that, dealing with monsters every month left him with far too little time.
I, as the Grand Duchess, could at least talk with him like this, but other nobles could barely see him unless at parties hosted by the Grand Ducal family.
The last party was three months ago, and I attended alone, never needing an escort.
‘It’s been ages since we held hands.’
Perhaps we hadn’t held hands at all since our first night went wrong.
We’re not a normal couple.
Suddenly, the hand held by Killian felt unfamiliar, as if it wasn’t mine. I flinched at the fingertips, then snatched my hand away.
Killian, who held my hand firmly as if never letting go, surprisingly let me go easily, causing me to stagger slightly.
I tried to act unfazed and glanced at him.
‘Did I pull too harshly?’
He stared at his empty hand, looking slightly bitter.
Hopefully, he won’t suddenly act on his poison plan today out of anger.
‘…I really didn’t mean to give it.’
Standing in front of the main entrance with Killian, I finally pulled the gift box from my pocket and extended my arm to hand it to him.
“…What’s this?”
“A gift.”
“A gift?”
“Yes, a gift. My arm hurts, so take it quickly.”
I spread my hand wide while urging him. Killian cautiously took the box, careful enough to make me hold my breath.
The big hand dwarfed the small box.
“You may not know a husband’s duty, but I do. I’ve shopped plenty as a wife, so you deserve one too…”
Embarrassed, I babbled on about having bought it reluctantly. Then I suddenly stopped talking.
Killian’s sharp jaw seemed to soften, and his lips curved lightly.
A smile so gentle it could melt winter snow, so fleeting that looking away felt wasteful.
As I was captivated, Anna interjected.
“There’s also cake, Your Grace! You queued a long time at the most popular dessert shop to get it! You’ll have it together!”
Wait, when did I? That was your idea!
Flabbergasted, I looked at Anna. She winked, convinced she was right. I couldn’t close my mouth in disbelief.
“We’ll make time after dinner. Definitely.”
Killian’s smile deepened. Mischievous, teasing—clearly knowing I wasn’t aware, yet provoking me.
I wanted to retort, but as I opened my mouth, my throat suddenly felt blocked.
My head spun. My body grew heavy as if someone had grabbed my shoulders and pulled me down.
A familiar sensation.
‘No wonder I’ve been feeling okay lately…’
My vision darkened, and I swayed dangerously.
“Elenore!”
Killian’s urgent voice echoed in my ears. I leaned into his broad, solid chest, letting myself go.
‘Thank goodness. My head won’t break.’
