Chapter 38
Life Pawned –
“…No. I misspoke. My apologies.”
His voice gradually softened.
Decant bowed to the Grand Duke, his beard fluttering, then hurried away.
After all, it was the Grand Duke who held the right of succession.
Once he disappeared, Arensha looked truly apologetic as she apologized again to Irina.
“I will make sure he is held accountable. Please, Duchess, don’t let this sour your mood.”
“Thank you for your understanding, Your Grace.”
Arensha had come to see Irina, but feeling guilty, she offered only a brief farewell and left.
Irina poked Howard in the side again.
Then she leaned closer to his ear and whispered,
“Serves him right! Does that jerk have anything worth stripping from him? He said I was sold here because of debt. Make sure he pays.”
Howard chuckled quietly at her words.
The Marquis of Decant really must have run home, for he did not appear again until the banquet ended.
When the banquet ended, Arensha Ringester, the Grand Duke, called Howard and Irina aside.
“The reason I called you… I wish for the succession to be expedited.”
She said she didn’t want any more disgraceful incidents.
It would allow the ascension to the Grand Duke’s position to proceed smoothly.
After a long discussion, it was agreed that the succession announcement would be made before the end of the year.
Around Thanksgiving, she said.
“Thank you for helping the Duke reach his decision.”
“Oh, I didn’t do anything.”
Irina, holding Arensha’s hands, smiled awkwardly.
She truly had done nothing.
“I will summon you again soon. I hope to see you then.”
When they left the banquet hall, darkness greeted them.
“The Marquis must have had fire lit under his feet. Not a trace of him.”
Irina looked around as she descended the stairs.
“He never expected that.”
“With that ratty mustache… I did well, right?”
“Very. I had been waiting for the right time, so this should unfold easily now.”
“Good. Who does he think he is, calling me a bought woman.”
Irina growled, remembering him again.
They got into the carriage without delay.
With the bright lights of the palace behind them, the carriage began to move slowly.
Even the lively music faded away.
As they traveled along the now-familiar road, the mansion grew nearer.
Irina, tired, began nodding off.
“Come here.”
“Hm?”
Irina, half-asleep, leaned into Howard.
Feeling the gentle motion of the carriage in his arms, she drifted into a brief sleep.
“Is it already this late? We must’ve left too late.”
When they arrived home, the moon was bright in the sky.
It was past midnight — too late to stay longer.
Both of them had to prepare to return home starting tomorrow.
The touch of his hand holding hers radiated clear reluctance.
“Go in. Rest.”
“Yes. You rest as well, Irina.”
Howard answered, yet stood in place like a statue.
He seemed like he had something to say — or nothing at all.
“Why aren’t you leaving?”
Howard took her chin gently and lowered his head.
Irina’s face lifted naturally.
Soft lips touched hers.
A brief kiss. Lingering longing.
Howard spoke first.
“May you have good dreams.”
“Mm. You too, Howard.”
Her cheeks flushed, Irina turned and entered her room first.
Howard stayed there a long moment before finally leaving.
Not long after parting, Irina came searching for him again.
After bathing with Casey’s help and lying down, she fell into a nightmare.
She woke almost screaming and was too terrified to return to bed—
for it looked soaked in blood.
She debated pulling the bell cord, but instead grabbed a pillow and left the room.
She headed straight for his.
Irina knocked on his closed door.
No answer.
“Is he not here?”
Just as she turned to leave—
Creak— the door opened.
His silhouette appeared.
“Irina.”
Howard, lightly dressed, looked down at her.
His brushed-back hair fell gently forward, shadowing his eyes.
His face looked softer than usual.
His gaze took in Irina.
She was holding a pillow her size under her arm.
Her milk-tea-colored hair hung loose to her waist, and she was wearing only her nightgown.
“Were you asleep?”
“No. It’s cold in the hallway… Have you been wandering like this?”
“No. I came straight here.”
“Please, come in.”
Howard let her in.
“Then… excuse me.”
Following his guidance, Irina entered the room hugging her pillow.
Howard led her to his bed and sat her down.
She clearly hadn’t come for tea — she brought a pillow.
Then he knelt on the floor before her, looking up at her.
Dressed lightly, he looked even more relaxed.
“It’s well past bedtime.”
“I can’t sleep.”
A childish complaint.
“Is that so.”
“Mm.”
After a brief hesitation, Howard asked,
“Then… would you like to sleep here?”
Nod-nod.
She already knew the answer, but she still answered out of courtesy.
Howard, amused at how cute she was, removed her pillow, placed it beside his own, and gestured.
“Lie here.”
The window side for him.
The inner side for her.
Irina slipped under the blanket obediently.
She had expected him to lie beside her, but Howard pulled up a chair and sat by her side.
He tugged the blanket to her chest and patted her gently.
“I’ll stay until you fall asleep.”
“Aren’t you lying down?”
“What if you regret coming to me?”
“Afraid you’ll turn into a beast?”
Irina peeked out from the blankets and stared at him boldly.
Howard pinched her nose gently.
She only wrinkled her nose slightly, unbothered.
Tap tap!
Irina pointed firmly beside her — where his pillow was.
“It’s fine. If you’re about to turn into a beast…”
A large shadow suddenly loomed over her.
Pinned flat, Irina found herself staring up at him.
“Even like this?”
His bangs swayed lightly.
If he lowered his head, things could get dangerous.
Irina’s eyes widened, then she grinned.
“Yep. Still fine.”
“…I can’t win with you.”
Howard sighed in resignation and lay down beside her.
But not just lay down—
He pulled her into his arms by the waist.
“Ah!”
“I’ll at least be greedy to this extent.”
Held securely in his large embrace, Irina peeked up at him.
She wriggled to see if she could slip out — he held her tighter, on purpose.
“My beast is strong.”
“Yes. And impatient, so you should sleep quickly.”
Howard pressed her head gently down.
“Strange.”
Irina slowly lifted her hand and placed it lightly on his left chest.
He flinched slightly, but didn’t stop her.
“What is?”
“This. Being like this. Howard, do you feel that too?”
She felt his breath close to her ear.
“Honestly?”
“Mm.”
“It feels like a dream.”
“What does?”
She knew the answer, but wanted to hear it.
“Having you in my arms.”
Irina giggled softly against his chest.
“So do well, okay? Got it? Ah—”
But then she suddenly winced in pain.
Howard immediately looked down at her.
“My head suddenly hurts. Really hurts. Ah…”
Irina clutched her head tightly, groaning.
Howard shot upright, pulled the bell cord, and gently lifted her.
Soon, Werner and a doctor arrived.
The doctor examined Irina urgently, but could not find the cause.
Neither his skill nor healing stones helped.
Only after a long while did the pain subside, and Irina, exhausted, fell asleep in Howard’s arms near dawn.
It had come suddenly, without warning.
