Chapter 29
“Did Aldritch want to drive a wedge between us?”
Even if there’s no physical evidence and he’s cleared of suspicion, the doubt would remain. Once a seed of suspicion is planted in the heart, it sprouts even from trivial things and spreads its roots. Gradually, the relationship would fall apart — a predictable outcome.
If it had worked, Aldritch would’ve achieved his goal effortlessly, like sailing with the wind at his back. It was a cunning tactic.
“Aldritch did something pointless.”
But he had overlooked one thing.
“You never trusted me to begin with.”
Tenus raised one brow, as if asking what she meant. Seeing his innocent expression, Selachia was dumbfounded.
“Are you seriously asking? You didn’t trust me, so you secretly assigned Sir Pinter as my guard. Was Sir Belphona not enough?”
Sowing seeds of doubt only works when there’s at least a hint of affection. But Tenus’s feelings for Selachia were so dry and cracked that not even a speck of doubt could take root.
Selachia was certain of that.
She didn’t resent Tenus for it. In fact, it was a relief. Thanks to Mark, whom Tenus had assigned without her knowing, she was able to prove her innocence safely.
Still, what bothered her was how she found comfort in Tenus’s unwavering gaze when she had been confused. How pathetic of her. Of course, the one Tenus trusted wasn’t her — it was Mark.
“What’s the problem with assigning a guard? In case you didn’t know, it’s common to have covert protection. It’s a precaution against danger…”
“Yes, yes. Brilliant judgment, as always. Thank you so much.”
Brushing off his justification, Selachia made a new decision.
She was done pretending to get along with Tenus. She had thought that acting like a sweet couple would keep Aldritch from making any more moves, but clearly, it had backfired.
That bastard. Why is he so obsessed with destroying me?
The curse she muttered internally was intense. Watching her in silence, Tenus suddenly asked,
“Do you really hate being guarded by Mark that much?”
Selachia, who had been gritting her teeth, widened her eyes in surprise at the unexpected question.
“If that’s the case, say so. Roberta can do the job just as well. I have no intention of forcing Mark to stay.”
If she refused Mark, Tenus might bring in someone else she didn’t know and assign them secretly.
“I don’t hate him. He even helped today. Keep Sir Pinter as he is.”
“Then why that face? If you’ve got something to say, say it. Don’t hold back.”
“I want to get out of this blood-stained dress. The first aid seems done. Can I go to the dressing room now?”
She slightly turned her body to show the back of her dress, soaked in blood. She felt gross and wanted to change quickly, but Tenus didn’t let her go easily.
“Aren’t you going to say what you were really thinking? That’s not what was on your mind just now.”
“What do you expect me to say? What if it’s an unreasonable request?”
Tenus gestured with his chin as if daring her to go ahead. Selachia didn’t hesitate long.
“Get rid of Aldritch for a month.”
Tenus’s expression shifted slightly, and Selachia quickly added a condition.
“Don’t kill him. And don’t bring me his head.”
“Should I throw him into the dungeon so he pays for his crimes?”
“No, I don’t want that either.”
“Should I rough him up so he never pulls anything like this again?”
“Can you stop saying such horrible things?”
“Then how about shipping him off on a slave boat bound for a foreign land? I’ll go get him myself in a month.”
“Hey!”
“But why just one month?”
“Because I…”
Selachia, about to retort angrily, suddenly froze. Tenus had clearly asked all those absurd questions to get her to slip up on that last one. He watched her closely.
Flustered, Selachia scrambled to gather her thoughts.
“If I become the official duchess in a month, maybe Aldritch will stop this nonsense. It’s just… a thought.”
His dark blue eyes glinted sharply. The gaze felt like it could pierce straight through her, making it hard to breathe.
Just before she reached the limit of maintaining her composure, Tenus finally looked away.
“If that’s the case, there’s no need to wait a whole month.”
“What do you mean? Did you get some news from the palace?”
“There’s a more formal way to be recognized as the duchess than a scrap of paper from the imperial palace.”
A crooked smile played on Tenus’s lips. Something about it sent a chill down her spine.
“It’s almost time for our monthly vassal meeting.”
The House of Seiden held regular meetings with their vassals every month — a necessity, since unlike other houses, Seiden’s vassals didn’t live on the estate due to Aldritch’s abrasive nature.
Selachia had missed last month’s meeting because of an unfortunate incident, so she’d never seen one in person.
“So what? What does that have to do with this?”
“I’m thinking of hosting a ball to welcome the new head of the Seiden household.”
“What?”
Selachia’s jaw dropped. Her eyes widened in disbelief, but she snapped back to her senses as Tenus’s smile deepened.
“No way!”
“As the head of the house, gaining the vassals’ support is more important than a decree from the emperor.”
“I’d rather live under Aldritch’s harassment!”
“Why? I thought you wanted to be officially recognized as duchess as soon as possible?”
Selachia had never said that. That was pure fabrication. But denying it outright might expose her plans to escape.
“It’s something you’ll have to face eventually. Advancing the timeline a little — what’s the big deal?”
Tenus gave her a long look, then delivered the final blow.
“Fulfill your duties as the lady of the house.”
This coming from the man who once told her, Just don’t die.
Selachia had never hosted a ball, let alone attended one. She wasn’t confident she could pull it off. If she managed to avoid becoming a laughingstock, that would be lucky enough.
“When’s the vassal meeting?”
“A week from now.”
“Then the ball is…?”
Tenus nodded lightly.
“If there’s anyone you’d like to invite personally, send them invitations.”
Selachia clenched her fists.
Just one month. I just need to endure one more month.
But the mantra she repeated every day was starting to lose its power.
* * *
Selachia rolled her eyes beneath closed lids. Sleep wouldn’t come. For someone who prided herself on sleeping soundly in any situation, this was unusual.
“…….”
Lying still in the dark, her thoughts began to swarm.
She had asked Mark to discreetly dispose of the bloodstained dress. She hadn’t liked it much when she first wore it, but now that she wouldn’t see it again, she felt oddly sentimental — like bidding farewell to a comrade after battle.
“Madam is innocent! I can prove it!”
Come to think of it, she had another comrade. She never expected Nancy to step up like that.
Nancy hadn’t come to her room that night. Selachia had to change into her nightgown alone.
There was no reason for Nancy to clean up after the banquet. If she didn’t come to Selachia, it was likely for other reasons.
Maybe she had lost affection for a mistress who punished servants harshly. Or perhaps Aldritch’s seeds of doubt had taken root in her heart instead.
Maybe Nancy would come first thing in the morning to resign as her personal maid.
“…….”
Feeling stifled, Selachia tossed and turned.
She hadn’t chosen Nancy for any particular reason — the girl had simply stood out at the time. So even if Nancy quit, there was no reason to be disappointed.
It might even be better to take this opportunity to find someone new. If she grew too attached to Nancy, it would make leaving this place harder.
Yes, this is a good thing. It really is.
“…….”
Selachia stirred again.
No matter how logically she tried to rationalize it, her heart refused to follow. The rustling of the blankets sounded like a sigh from her chest.
If only it weren’t for that damned Aldritch Rogue.
Why on earth does he…!
As her thoughts spiraled, Selachia furrowed her brow in frustration, eyes still closed.
She heard a soft shift — Tenus stirring next to her. Was he also unable to sleep?
In the confined space swallowed by darkness, lying side by side, their quiet breathing mingled. The intimacy of it hit her all at once.
Until now, she’d always fallen asleep before noticing when Tenus joined her. This was the first time she was aware of it.
The moment she became aware of Tenus, she felt even more unsettled than when thinking about Aldritch. Aldritch quickly faded from her mind, and Tenus took his place.
She wasn’t getting sleepy. In fact, sleep was fleeing faster than ever.
“…….”
Shrrrk. The sound of fabric rustling.
A dark shadow loomed in her dim vision.
It felt as if someone was approaching.
