Chapter 9
Rudice smiled brightly as she continued,
“Will you give him to me?”
Quinlan couldn’t help but glance at her.
Phil didn’t particularly like Rudice. Of all Quinlan’s subordinates, no one hated Roxburgh more than Phil Evans.
Even though Rudice had turned her back on her family and come to Dfania, it wasn’t likely that Phil—who knew Roxburgh’s blood ran through her veins—would like her.
“He won’t be easy to handle.”
“I know.”
Rudice set down her cutlery and took a sip of water.
Quinlan watched her movements—flowing elegantly as if she were dancing—and waited for her to continue.
“Now that you’re back, we’ll need to rearrange positions. With Lord Belmond here, that makes two aides at your side.”
Belmond Cornell, who had been responsible for guarding the duke’s residence in Quinlan Dfania’s absence, was originally his aide.
Unlike Phil Evans, who relied solely on intellect, Belmond was a former knight. When Quinlan left, he had even entrusted him with the castle’s defense.
“He’s quick. Sharp-minded, too. He looks timid, but he acts decisively.”
“Quite a generous review.”
“Because it’s true.”
Rudice shrugged.
“If Lord Belmond stays at your side, Phil’s position becomes ambiguous, and I won’t have anyone to act as my hands and feet. If he were to become my aide, wouldn’t that be good for both of us?”
She smiled again as she finished.
“Well.”
Quinlan chuckled softly, as if admitting she wasn’t wrong.
“With you, Phil would probably be handled well.”
Of course, Rudice had chosen him with confidence because she had already worked alongside Phil Evans for four years. Quinlan didn’t know that.
We really were a good match at work.
Because their compatibility in work was high, Rudice wanted to keep him as her aide this time too.
“Once things are settled, I’ll send him to your side.”
The two returned to their meal. By the time the last course was finished and before dessert was served—
Gordon spoke up quietly, as the final dishes of the ducal couple were taken away.
It was the kind of gesture only Gordon, who had served his entire life as head butler of House Dfania, could make.
“Did the meal suit your taste? Not knowing what you both might like, I had everything prepared…”
“Excellent. The chef’s skills seem to have improved.”
“I’ll pass on your praise.”
After bowing to Quinlan, Gordon turned to Rudice. She answered with a smile,
“It was a satisfying meal. Give rewards to everyone who prepared the duke’s table, Gordon.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
Quinlan silently watched as Rudice gave Gordon the order.
It was unexpected—or perhaps, had she always been this way?
He couldn’t quite remember. Perhaps this was the first time he had ever shared a meal like this with her…
“It isn’t the first.”
Sensing his thoughts, Rudice spoke.
Only then did Quinlan realize he had been staring at her in a daze.
“The day after our wedding, we sat together like this for breakfast.”
“The day after the wedding? You mean after the consummation night?”
Rudice’s lips curved faintly into a hollow smile.
The wedding night…
She tilted her head slightly, her smile never fading.
“If you call a night where you did nothing and simply left the room a consummation, then yes, that was the night.”
“…!”
The air instantly grew frigid.
Had Gordon relaxed even slightly, he might have let out a gasp like a scream. Somehow, he managed not to react to his master and mistress’s conversation.
Sensing this was about to become serious, he swiftly had all attendants leave after setting down dessert and quietly withdrew himself.
Now, only the ducal couple remained in the breakfast room.
“Quinlan.”
The duchess dabbed her lips with elegant grace, then spoke.
“…”
Their gazes clashed in the air.
“How many years has it been since we married?”
“One year… I suppose.”
Rudice gave a slight nod.
For her, it had already been five years. But for him, who had been away at war, only one.
“You do remember.”
Quinlan frowned, unable to guess what she was leading toward.
They locked eyes, staring only at one another. To an onlooker, it might even seem like they were exchanging an impassioned gaze.
In the end, it was Quinlan who broke the silence.
“…What are you trying to say?”
“Do you remember what I told you when I proposed our marriage?”
She deliberately reminded him of their beginning.
“Ah, yes. I remember.”
He murmured bitterly.
What Rudice had proposed was a contract marriage.
He could escape the emperor’s pressure, and she could avoid being sold off in marriage.
—What benefit does marrying me bring you? Your family will surely oppose it.
—That alone is benefit enough. At least I won’t have to do what I don’t want to.
At her words, Quinlan had fallen silent with a complicated expression.
They had decided not to share a bed, in case the contract ended. If an heir were born, matters would become too messy.
When Quinlan included the condition that he would grant her anything she wished upon separation, Rudice had been startled and tried to stop him.
—How do you know what I might want?
—It doesn’t matter. Would I begrudge giving something to you?
—…Let’s decide that later.
—…
Throughout the contract discussion, Quinlan had remained detached. She hadn’t expected him to be talkative, but his silence was striking.
—Then.
Finally, he had spoken.
—After one year, we’ll either renew or end the contract. After living together for a year, we’ll know well enough.
—Fine. I’ll make sure you won’t regret this marriage, Quinlan Dfania.
Her words brimmed with confidence.
—I’ll protect you.
Protect me…?
A woman abandoned by her family, with no power to her name—how could she possibly protect him?
At the time, he had found it absurd. Yet, it hadn’t felt unpleasant. No one had ever said such words to him before.
In the end, the marriage had been a calculated decision. With Rudice, there was more to gain than to lose.
And indeed, by marrying her, he had escaped the emperor’s pressure. Though in return, he had been cast aside by the emperor and driven into battle against the barbarians.
“You fulfilled your part well enough.”
“But you still had to go to war with the barbarians. After the initial deployment, not a single reinforcement came to you.”
“The crown prince sent reinforcements.”
“Ah, so reinforcements that arrive too late still count as reinforcements?”
Rudice let out a bitter laugh.
“You know it too. The barbarian war dragged on for years. To send you there to end it, and then send reinforcements like that? It makes no sense.”
She shook her head with a frown.
“That was the same as sending you to die.”
She wasn’t wrong. He had felt it keenly.
But it wasn’t something he could say aloud, so he kept silent.
“That’s why I will protect you. I made a promise back then, to protect you—and now I will finally keep it. The promise I failed to keep before.”
She lowered her head.
The image of platinum hair soaked in blood rose in her mind, and she could no longer bear to look at him.
“Rudice.”
Quinlan’s calm voice reached her as he looked at her gently.
“War is unavoidable. You don’t need to feel sorry toward me. Yes… if one must be blamed, perhaps it should be His Highness the Crown Prince.”
His expression remained composed as he continued.
“All of this is my duty. It’s my burden to bear. So you needn’t feel guilty.”
Rudice lifted her head, meeting his gaze.
“No. I will protect you.”
She never again wanted to see him cold and lifeless.
Her voice rang with resolve.
As she recalled that day—when the heavy sky seemed to fall upon them.
