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Chapter 62
At the faint break of dawn, Lyle quietly rose from bed.
He hadn’t slept properly. Was it because of the excitement — the day he had long been waiting for was finally coming? Or was it because of something else…
Lyle turned to his side. Elaina was still sound asleep, showing no signs of waking. He gazed quietly at her sleeping face.
It was the first time he had ever looked so closely at a sleeping woman — Elaina, specifically. So he didn’t know how others might look, but to him, Elaina’s sleeping face was quite beautiful. Then his brows furrowed slightly.
Beautiful, huh.
Only half a year ago, he hadn’t cared in the least about how a woman looked.
If anything, she was much more glamorous and stunning when dressed up for a ball or going out. But strangely, the times when Lyle found Elaina truly beautiful were moments like this — when she slept peacefully with a serene face.
Or when she smiled brightly with a messy flower crown made by a child on her head, instead of some diamond-studded pin.
After wordlessly watching her for a while, Lyle finally rose from his seat.
His next stop was Knox’s room. He picked up the blanket that had fallen halfway to the floor and gently tucked it back over the boy.
Last night, Marion Bonaparte had attended the ball — the only noble who had agreed to come.
A small smile tugged at Lyle’s lips as he recalled how stiff and awkward Knox had been around Marion.
He reached out and brushed back the boy’s tousled blond hair — bright like his mother’s, soft and fine. Unlike his own.
After leaving Knox’s room, Lyle changed into his travel clothes. He had already asked the butler yesterday to place his armor and weapons in a guest room for convenience.
“You must be tired. Why not rest a bit longer?”
“When you get older, you start sleeping less,” Lyle said lightly.
Though dawn had barely broken and the sky was still dim, the butler was already waiting for him outside Knox’s room.
“Everyone arrived early. They’re changing and waiting for you, my lord.”
“Are they?”
“Yes. Youth truly is a blessing — not a hint of a hangover on their faces. Still, I’ve prepared some food for the journey, so they can eat before setting off.”
The butler assisted Lyle in putting on his armor. Over the newly fitted suit, Lyle fastened a crimson cloak — the symbol of House Grant.
“It’s light,” he murmured, flexing his arm.
“It should be. The madam took special care in its making.”
To fend off the fangs and claws of monsters, armor had to be sturdy — but if it was too heavy, it would sap his stamina.
Knowing this, Elaina had commissioned the same lightweight material used by the royal knights, introduced through Leo. Lyle had told her it wasn’t necessary, but she’d been firm — saying she wouldn’t spare expense when his life was on the line.
“You seem to be thinking of something pleasant, sir — judging by that smile.”
“Me?”
At the butler’s words, Lyle touched his lips, surprised.
“Yes. You smiled, as though something delightful came to mind.”
“…Hardly,” he muttered, blinking, caught off guard.
They left the room together. But when they reached the corridor, Lyle had to stop — for standing there, arms crossed in her nightgown, glaring at him, was Elaina.
“So you were just going to leave without even saying goodbye?”
Lyle hesitated, searching for words to soothe her obvious disappointment. But figuring out what not to say to make her more upset — that was a different matter entirely.
“You were sleeping deeply, so I didn’t want to wake you.”
He spoke honestly instead of offering excuses. But Elaina immediately raised her voice.
“Still! You should’ve woken me. What if I never get the chance to see you again?”
“Why are you so angry?”
Lyle’s tone was calm — he didn’t want her last memory of him before he left to be one of anger or hurt. His gentle question caught her off guard, and she fell silent.
“If I did something wrong, I apologize. But that’s all it was. You were exhausted — you put so much work into preparing yesterday’s event.”
At his even tone, the frustration drained from her eyes.
“I’m not angry,” she muttered. “Just… a little sad.”
After all, they had spent an entire season together — and now, on the day of his departure, she wouldn’t even get to see him off properly. That coldness hurt more than she wanted to admit. She sighed deeply.
“I can sleep anytime. I’ll take a long nap afterward — no one will complain if I sleep till noon.”
Her gaze swept over him. In his new armor, Lyle looked broader, stronger. His freshly washed hair was still damp.
“How’s the fit?”
“Comfortable.”
“That’s good.”
The conversation faltered. Then Elaina, after a small pause, said softly,
“Don’t get hurt.”
She’d said the same thing yesterday, but it still weighed heavily on her heart.
“I’m not just saying it — please, really be careful. I know you and your knights are strong, but monster hunts are… different.”
As she spoke, Lyle slowly knelt before her.
It was a scene she had seen once before — though back then, it had been in broad daylight, and she’d been dressed elegantly. Now, it was dawn, and she was in her nightgown.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
He didn’t answer — only extended his hand. Reluctantly, she placed her own in his.
Lyle pressed his lips lightly against the back of her hand.
“When I proposed, I promised to be a faithful husband for the duration of our contract. You have my word — I won’t die or abandon you. So don’t worry.”
“Who said I was worried about that? What kind of person do you take me for?”
She bristled at his teasing tone — then realized he was smiling, joking. Her face heated, and she mumbled under her breath,
“Why do we always have these moments in the hallway…”
“Next time,” he said with a faint smile, “I’ll find a more suitable place.”
Then he rose smoothly to his feet.
“It’s cold out. If you’re not planning to greet the knights in your nightclothes, you should go back to your room.”
He escorted her back to her door. When she hesitated to close it, he added,
“It won’t be long. I’ll be back before summer ends.”
Spring was nearly over. The mornings and nights were still cool, but soon, summer’s sleepless heat would arrive.
Leo had estimated about six months for the campaign, but Lyle thought differently — three months. He planned to finish the monster hunt and return before the end of summer.
“Because I want to see you wearing a crown of evening primroses again,” he said quietly.
A full moon night, the fountain garden filled with blooming evening primroses — he wanted to share that beautiful sight with her once more.
“…Take this.”
Flustered, Elaina finally handed him the real reason she’d come out: a handkerchief embroidered with his initials.
“I don’t know if it’s true, but there’s a superstition — that carrying this keeps you from harm. I didn’t do a great job, but… take it anyway.”
Every noble lady was expected to have at least one refined talent — conversation, music, art, embroidery. Though Elaina was gifted in many areas, she was terrible at anything that required delicate handiwork.
Even so, she had spent days pestering Sarah for lessons, determined to finish the embroidery herself. Lyle smiled at the crooked stitches.
“Don’t laugh.”
“I’m not.”
“You are!”
“Am I? I didn’t notice. Though, I must say — it has… a very distinctive style.”
“If you’re going to tease me, I’ll take it back.”
“But you said it protects from injury — so I must keep it.”
Feeling teased, Elaina tried to snatch it back, but Lyle quickly raised his hand, holding the handkerchief high above her reach.
No matter how she jumped, she couldn’t grab it from the tall man’s hand. When she finally gave up, breathless, Lyle lowered it — and tied it around the hilt of his sword.
“I’ll keep it close. That way, every time I see it, I’ll remember your words — not to get hurt.”
“…And write letters. Regularly. So I know you’re safe.”
It wasn’t clear whether she meant for Knox’s sake or her own, but Lyle nodded silently.
Just then, the butler returned to say that preparations for departure were complete. It was truly time to leave.
Elaina stepped back into her room. From behind the door, she heard the faint sound of Lyle’s footsteps down the corridor.
She went to the window and watched quietly. Outside, the knights gathered as Lyle mounted his horse. Soon, they passed through the great gate.
Elaina stayed there until their figures grew small, watching long after they had disappeared from view.
