🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 22…………………………………………………
Cheroyan looked at Melina with deep, steady eyes.
“I told you, didn’t I? It doesn’t matter what kind of appearance you take. Don’t feel guilty. They are simply receiving the punishment they deserve.”
As if to soothe her, he gently brushed her face.
“I’m actually looking forward to it. To what you’ll do from here on out. I can only wonder how you come up with these methods.”
His calm smile seeped into her like the warm sunlight of spring, melting away Melina’s anxious thoughts.
“Thank you.”
Cheroyan wrapped an arm around Melina’s shoulders as she leaned into him.
“Let’s go back now. You must be tired from the journey. You shouldn’t push yourself.”
At his words, Melina burst into a small laugh.
“You’re the only one who would worry about the head of Temno like this.”
“You’re not the head of Temno to me. You’re simply my wife. Of course I’d worry about you.”
At those words—“of course I’d worry”—Melina’s heart sank heavily.
He said it so matter-of-factly, as if stating that the sun rises in the east, yet it warmed her chest.
Worry is only natural.
No one had ever said something so distant from her reality. Not even her biological father.
For a moment, tears threatened to spill, and she quickly lowered her head. Such a weak expression didn’t suit the head of Temno.
“Mel?”
Cheroyan bent down, his face full of concern. Melina avoided his gaze, trying to calm her eyes.
“Something must’ve gotten in my eye. I’m fine now.”
She lifted her head and smiled brightly. But his eyes remained full of worry.
“My legs hurt. Will you carry me?”
It was partly to distract him, but she also genuinely wanted to act a little spoiled.
He said worrying was natural. Surely he would accept this too.
After silently looking at her for a moment, Cheroyan knelt on one knee and offered his back.
“Get on.”
Seeing him comply so easily stirred many emotions in her, and she looked at his back for a moment.
“You’d better be prepared. I’m heavy.”
At her awkward threat, Cheroyan let out a soft chuckle.
“I know your weight well enough. Don’t worry and just get on.”
At his words, Melina quickly climbed onto his back.
Contrary to her concerns, Cheroyan stood up effortlessly.
“Heavy, my foot,” he muttered quietly, and Melina’s lips curled up even more.
Resting on his broad, warm back made her feel loose and calm.
She felt like no matter what happened, everything would be fine, and without realizing it, her eyelids slowly drooped.
* * *
“Has she fallen asleep?”
Noel asked when they returned to where the carriage was, seeing Melina on Cheroyan’s back.
“Yes.”
By now, she had indeed fallen asleep; her soft breathing could be heard near his ear.
“She must be very tired. It was a grueling schedule.”
Because Melina insisted she had plenty of stamina, their journey to the imperial capital had been made very tight.
She had even laughed earlier, saying they were treating the head of Temno as fragile, yet now she was fast asleep.
This was why he couldn’t help but worry. Her words that she was fine were never truly fine.
“Tell them to drive the carriage slowly. Mel shouldn’t wake up.”
“You really are something to behold,” Noel said with a satisfied smile.
Cheroyan carefully placed Melina in the carriage and laid her down on his lap.
“Mm…”
When she stirred slightly, he gently patted her, and she quickly fell back asleep.
She was sensitive and usually woke at the slightest sound, but in his arms she slept soundly.
It felt like proof that she felt safe only with him—that he was her only refuge.
At the same time, it made him ache to think of how constantly tense her life must have been.
He carefully brushed her red hair.
Like its fiery color, she was strong, passionate, and possessed a presence that made others follow her.
But no one saw what lay behind that intensity.
Or rather, they chose not to see it.
How much she hurt, how lonely she was, how exhausted she must feel.
At the very least, he thought, he should be the one to recognize her true self.
“To protect you, I’ll have to become stronger.”
They had finally entered the battlefield—the emperor’s domain. Not a single moment of carelessness was allowed.
“I will protect you.”
He whispered softly and pressed a light kiss to her forehead.
“Your Grace, we’ve arrived.”
Noel announced their arrival quietly, mindful of her sleep.
When Cheroyan lifted her to get out of the carriage, she instinctively burrowed into his arms again, which pleased him more than he cared to admit.
The servants lined up and bowed as he stepped out, though none of them spoke.
Noel had likely warned them in advance.
Cheroyan nodded slightly at Noel in approval.
Because he rarely came to the capital, most of the estate servants were unfamiliar to him.
“Stand up,” he said calmly.
The servants straightened immediately, though their eyes remained lowered.
A middle-aged woman stepped forward.
“Your Grace, welcome. It has been a long time.”
“Rizan, it has been a while.”
Rizan was the head maid and one of the few people Cheroyan was familiar with here.
Normally, the head maid managed the estate in the territory, while the butler handled the capital residence.
But since Cheroyan mostly stayed in the territory, Noel, the butler, had been managing it.
“Her Grace is asleep,” Rizan said, glancing at Melina.
For her, it was her first time seeing the Grand Duchess, as she had not attended the wedding.
She seemed pleased at the idea of serving Melina.
Cheroyan gave a brief nod.
“We’ll talk later.”
Rizan stepped aside, and the servants followed behind as he entered the mansion.
Only after he disappeared inside did they raise their heads.
“Did you see that?”
“Carrying the sleeping Grand Duchess…”
“So the rumors were true.”
“I never thought I’d see something like that in my lifetime.”
They whispered in amazement.
Noel, who had stayed behind, cleared his throat, and they immediately fell silent.
“Be careful with your words. And from now on, serve Her Grace with sincerity. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
Noel nodded sternly and walked inside, though no one noticed the faint satisfied smile on his face.
“Where is the bedroom?”
Cheroyan asked, and Rizan led the way.
Then he suddenly stopped.
“Did Noel inform you?”
“Yes. The renovation has been completed as instructed. You should find everything comfortable.”
Rizan answered immediately, understanding his meaning.
Before coming to the capital, Cheroyan had ordered that the duke and duchess’s bedroom be merged and redesigned.
A renovation was also underway at the estate in the territory.
Satisfied, Cheroyan resumed walking.
The bedroom was decorated in soft pastel pink tones, clearly tailored to Melina’s taste.
Without hesitation, he carried her to the bed and laid her down gently so she wouldn’t wake.
But as he tried to stand, she grabbed his collar tightly.
With no choice, he dismissed the servants and stayed to soothe her.
After a long while, her grip finally loosened.
Seeing her discomfort in her clothes, he carefully removed her outer garments, and her expression softened.
Thinking he might as well rest for a moment, he lay down beside her.
Damn it.
Her scent, warmth, and soft skin—all of it was dangerously tempting.
In the end, he forced himself up.
It’s better if I just work.
He quietly left the bed and headed to the study.
He had intended to wait until she was ready, but even he couldn’t say how long he would last.
* * *
“Gluck really released a new work. I’m glad I saw his previous piece in the territory.”
Melina looked out the window and spoke to Cheroyan. They were on their way to the opera house.
“I’m grateful he timed the release with the harvest season.”
“It’s amazing how perfectly the premiere date was set. It feels like even the heavens are on our side.”
There was a reason Melina was so focused on Gluck’s new work.
She needed to meet someone at this premiere.
Someone important for entering high society—and for her revenge.
“Even though we have a goal today, I hope you enjoy the opera too. He is your favorite composer, isn’t he?”
“I will.”
She smiled brightly, and Cheroyan smiled softly in return.
When they arrived, Melina stepped out of the carriage with his assistance.
Nobles entering the opera house recognized Cheroyan and looked surprised.
Inside the lobby, attention focused even more on them.
But they ignored the stares and went up to their box seats on the second floor.
“Grand Duke, it’s been a while.”
A man in his early thirties with a stern face greeted Cheroyan.
It was Edmund, the eldest son of Duke Cornwell.
“I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Nor did I expect to meet Your Grace at an opera house.”
“My wife likes opera.”
Edmund’s gaze shifted to Melina.
“Nice to meet you, Your Grace. I am Edmund Cornwell.”
Melina returned a graceful smile and looked at him meaningfully.
“Edmund, who are you speaking with?”
“Oh, Mother. I was just greeting the Grand Duke on our way in.”
A refined middle-aged noblewoman appeared behind him.
“Duchess, it has been a while.”
“Grand Duke, it’s been so long. I rarely see you in the capital, so this is quite unexpected.”
“My wife enjoys Gluck’s works, so we came.”
As Cheroyan looked at Melina warmly, the duchess slightly widened her eyes and covered her mouth with a fan.
“Fans of Gluck are always welcome. Your Grace, a pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
Melina smiled calmly as she greeted her.
Found you. The target for today.
