Chapter 14: Spear and Shield (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 14: Spear and Shield (1)
When I woke up the next morning with the memories of the previous night perfectly intact, I found it physically impossible to get out of bed.
Every single detail of the atrocities I’d committed in the Grand Duke’s room was vivid—each one a sparkling gem of pure embarrassment. I remained buried under my covers for a long time, drowning in mortification, until Whitley arrived at my door himself instead of the usual maid.
“The Grand Duke is looking for me?”
My voice trembled helplessly, like a lost lamb.
“Why?”
“Well…”
Instead of accusing me with a ‘Because of the disaster you caused yesterday, obviously,’ Whitley offered a picture-perfect smile.
“Has Your Highness the Consort not requested a meeting several times? Since His Grace is staying in the castle all day today, he sent word that he would like to see you if you have the time.”
“Right… Yes, of course I should see him. I need to go and apologize for my mortal sins immediately…”
Whitley maintained his composure, even as he watched me mutter to myself like a madwoman.
It certainly wasn't a belated welcoming party. However, I was prepared to stand my ground and refuse to be kicked out.
He wouldn't have cleared out my room already, would he?
I didn't think the Grand Duke was that heartless, but just in case, I tucked a few of my bags under the bed before following Whitley out.
“Your Grace, Her Highness the Consort has arrived.”
The office door opened to reveal the Grand Duke, looking far more composed and formal than he had the night before.
Last night, draped in nothing but a robe and dripping with water—no, blood—he had been dangerous and lethally attractive.
Today, however, with his cravat neatly fastened to the top of his throat, he exuded elegance and nobility. Of course, he was just as intimidating either way.
Don’t chicken out, Annette! You can do this!
I straightened my back and marched into the office. At the same time, the Grand Duke rose from his seat and walked toward me.
“Lady Annette, it is a pleasure to meet you.”
Lady Annette? Seriously?
I wasn't expecting to be treated like his wife immediately, but wasn't this a bit much? It had been nearly two weeks since people started calling me the Grand Duchess. And "a pleasure to meet you"? Are you pretending to have erased last night from your memory entirely?
However, considering the bandage that must be wrapped around his arm, my sins were not light. I decided to be generous and overlook his slip-up. Instead, I looked at him and offered the back of my hand.
“It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Grand Duke.”
The Grand Duke’s sharp eyes narrowed. I could see the muscles in his jaw tighten at my bold demand.
Well, then. Could he really refuse the hand a lady had offered?
Could he… actually refuse? A few seconds passed. As my hand remained suspended in the air without a response, a wave of embarrassment washed over me. But I didn't pull back; I simply stared him down.
This is a battle of wills.
The Grand Duke surely wanted to confirm it for himself as well—whether it was truly alright for him to hold my hand.
After a moment of stillness, the Grand Duke lifted his head and met my eyes.
My shoulders instinctively hunched under his gaze, which was as sharp as a predator's.
He watched me intently, then slowly reached out and took my fingertips without breaking eye contact.
His hand was large enough to swallow mine whole.
His fingers were long and slender, but like someone who had held a sword for a long time, his knuckles were calloused.
In contrast to his icy expression, his touch as he supported my hand was incredibly cautious, as if he were handling shards of broken glass. And then…
It’s fine.
The Grand Duke was clearly thinking the same thing. I could feel the faint, vibrating tremor in his firm fingertips.
He gripped my hand as if slowly pulling me in, then leaned down and carefully pressed his lips to the back of my hand.
Even then, his eyes remained fixed on mine. It was a persistent, searching gaze, as if he were scouting for my reaction. I felt a shiver run down my spine from the intensity of his stare and gave a small shudder.
His warm breath tickled the back of my hand for a moment before vanishing.
This confirmed it.
The energy that had flowed smoothly through his touch was definitely not an illusion.
I was the only woman who could hold the Grand Duke’s hand without consequence.
Well, I suppose there’s Constine, so I should say I’m one of two.
But strictly speaking, it would be nearly a year before Constine met the Grand Duke. Until then, I was undoubtedly the only person who could ease his pain.
He let go of my hand just as slowly as he had taken it.
“Are you in any pain?”
His deep, low voice reached my ears.
I hesitated for a moment, unsure if he was referring to a physical injury or the pain of the curse.
“You injured your hand yesterday.”
“Oh, that? I cut my palm slightly, but it’s fine now.”
I held up my palm. I had unwrapped the bandage the doctor had applied as soon as I woke up this morning. It was such a shallow scratch that wearing a bandage felt embarrassing.
The Grand Duke frowned slightly as he looked at the thin, red line on my palm.
“Please, have a seat.”
A moment later, Whitley entered, pushing a tea trolley himself. The room was so quiet that the clinking of the teacups sounded unusually loud. The Grand Duke didn't say a word to me until Whitley had finished pouring the tea and closed the door behind him.
That was fine. I could be the one to talk. After all, the one who wants something most has to be the one to dig the well.
“How is your arm?”
The Grand Duke, who had been sitting with his mouth shut tight, flinched as if he had only just realized I was there when I spoke.
“It is fine.”
I stared pointedly at the spot where he had been injured yesterday.
“It looked like you were bleeding quite a bit…”
“It is nothing you need to concern yourself with.”
“My entering your room without permission was my fault, without excuse. I am truly sorry.”
Whatever else happened, I had to address this.
Barging into someone's room in the middle of the night was something even close friends would need to seek forgiveness for, let alone an unwelcome guest he had been avoiding. It was an act that deserved a hundred apologies.
The Grand Duke took a deep breath at my words and finally spoke.
“My Lady.”
Are humans truly such creatures of habit? I hadn't been called "Grand Duchess" for very long, yet hearing him call me "Lady" felt incredibly foreign.
Perhaps it was because the words came from my husband’s mouth.
“I will not beat around the bush. Please return to the capital.”
I was a bit taken aback by his sudden, direct strike.
Of course, it wasn't an unexpected request. When I was preparing for this "press conference" with the Grand Duke, the number one expected question was "State your purpose," and number two was "Return to the capital."
But you just held my hand, didn't you?
This must be the first time in his life he’s met a woman he can touch without pain. Shouldn't he be trying to keep me here? I’m literally the only solution to his agony.
“Why are you saying that?”
Though I was puzzled, I had my prepared response ready. I put on my most wounded expression and spoke.
“We are officially married, Your Grace. Blenheim is my home now. Why would you tell me to return to the capital?”
At that, the Grand Duke pressed a hand to his forehead.
“Surely you are well aware that we do not have that kind of relationship, My Lady.”
The Grand Duke had very beautiful lips. Even if they were currently uttering such terrible things.
“I will arrange an escort for you. A carriage will depart tomorrow, so please have your things packed. If necessary, I will provide servants to attend to you on the journey.”
I guess playing the sympathy card isn't working.
In the end, I pouted my lips in dissatisfaction.
“Why are you so desperate to get rid of me, Your Grace? Is it because I’m the daughter of Marquis Frais and you hate the sight of me? Or…”
“Or?”
“Do you perhaps have another bride waiting in the wings?”
The Grand Duke’s handsome brow furrowed at the unexpected remark.
“What on earth are you…”
“For instance, someone like Princess Pelianes of the Kingdom of Rondoris.”
The Grand Duke’s expression hardened instantly.
See? Big sister hit the bullseye, didn't she?
His face, now cold and stern, was every bit the terrifying Northern Grand Duke people whispered about.
“Are you planning to divorce me and remarry the Princess?”
The Grand Duke’s fingers, clasped together, twitched.
“If so, I’m truly hurt. To already have another woman in your heart when you have a new bride.”
“But a divorce requires the agreement of both families. My father would never allow it. Oh! That’s right.”
I covered my mouth with my hand as if something had just occurred to me.
“If the marriage isn't consummated, you could apply for an annulment!”
The Grand Duke’s eyes darkened.
“Is that why you keep trying to send me away? To prove that the marriage was never consummated?”
Watching the Grand Duke, whose mouth opened and closed without a word, I drove the final nail in.
“What a shame. I have absolutely no intention of leaving.”