Chapter : 13
“No way.”
“Tch.”
There was actually one more spare room.
Dayna scanned Jade up and down before speaking.
“There’s Lady Stella’s room…”
But she couldn’t let a scruffy, clueless guy like him sleep in her adorable, precious Stella’s bed.
With a reluctant sigh, she continued, “Fine, want to head to my room for now? You can take my room, and I’ll sleep in Stella’s.”
“Nice. But I can only sleep on a bed.”
“No chance. You’re sleeping on the floor.”
“No thought of giving up your bed?”
“Not a chance.”
Finishing the conversation, Dayna stood up.
It was late, so she’d let Jade sleep in her room for tonight, and they could fix the fireplace together tomorrow when it was light.
“Let’s go to my room.”
“Third floor, right? Cool.”
Grabbing a blanket, Jade followed her. Holding a lantern, he stuck close behind and asked, “So what’s this about the Duke?”
“Huh?”
“You said earlier the Duke wouldn’t mess things up.”
“Oh, that…”
Trailing off, Dayna quickly glanced around. Confirming only silent darkness within a few meters, she spoke cautiously.
“The truth is, the Duke came here to divorce my lady.”
Jade raised an eyebrow at the unexpected news.
“That’s pretty interesting. Tell me more.”
“So, the Duke and Lady Stella were betrothed as kids, meant to have a proper wedding and live together as adults. But he came here to deliver divorce papers!”
“Hm, given the Viviwood family’s situation, that’s not surprising. Plus, the Count who made that promise passed away.”
“Exactly.”
Dayna nodded.
“But how’d you know?”
Her shoulders stiffened.
Of course, a sheriff would be annoyingly perceptive…
“I-I overheard Sir Hertus mention it.”
“Oh, guys like him tend to have loose lips.”
Exactly.
Relieved that Jade didn’t suspect anything, Dayna resumed walking. He continued from behind.
“So you’re pretending to be your lady to hide that she’s gone and to accept the divorce papers on her behalf?”
“Yeah, that’s it! If the Duke or anyone else found out she ran away, who knows what rumors would spread in the capital. Creditors might come sniffing around, putting the only thing she has left—this mansion—at risk…”
Jade nodded in understanding.
“Must’ve been tough, suddenly playing the noble lady.”
“So far, they’ve been stuck here because of the snow, so he hasn’t said much about the divorce…”
“And?”
“I dropped some hints earlier, and it feels like he’ll bring it up soon! Though I won’t know for sure until he confirms it.”
Shrugging, Dayna stepped onto the stairs.
As they headed to her room on the upper floor, Jade asked, “You want your lady to divorce the Duke?”
“Yes! So much!”
“Why?”
“Because…”
Dayna paused mid-sentence.
What could she say? She couldn’t tell him about the original novel or Stella’s tragic ending.
“I-I want to live here with my lady forever! If she goes to the capital, she might get hurt again… And her status isn’t what it used to be, so I’m worried the Betelgeuse family might mistreat her…”
“Fair point.”
Her flimsy excuse worked, Jade nodded readily.
Then he blurted out, “Want help?”
“What? You, help with what?”
“The Duke and your lady. I can help make sure they divorce cleanly.”
Glancing at his oddly serious face, Dayna let out a small laugh.
“Nah, I’m good! What could a small-time sheriff from Wizberry do? Just keep this area safe, Sheriff. And clear some snow while you’re at it.”
“You’re underestimating me.”
“Ow! Don’t press on my head!”
So strong for no reason!
Playfully tussling with Jade, her voice grew louder without her realizing it. Dayna swatted his hand off her head as they climbed the stairs.
“Stop it!”
When they reached the second floor—
“Stella.”
She came face-to-face with Knox, standing in the hallway in unusually casual attire.
“Oh? Duke.”
Startled, Dayna quickly straightened up.
She glanced at him nervously.
He didn’t overhear my conversation with Jade, did he? I kept my voice low…
His unreadable golden gaze lingered on her wide-eyed face before shifting to Jade beside her.
“D-Duke, you’re still awake?”
“I was about to head to bed. And your friend…?”
His calm reaction suggested he hadn’t heard their conversation.
Breathing a quiet sigh of relief, Dayna spoke.
“Oh! The fireplace in the small room I was going to give him broke. It’s too cold to sleep without a fire, so I’m taking him to my room for now.”
“…Your room?”
Knox’s voice lowered.
Oblivious to the shift, Dayna nodded.
“Yes. I’ll let him sleep in my room tonight, and tomorrow I’ll ask Sir Hertus to help fix the fireplace. It’s acting up since it hasn’t been used in so long.”
“You’re not sleeping together, are you?”
Knox asked bluntly.
Huh? What kind of question is that? Of course not…
She was about to shake her head when Jade placed a hand on her shoulder and said casually, “Well, it’s an unavoidable situation.”
A chill ran down Dayna’s spine as she turned to him.
What’s wrong with this guy?
Too stunned to respond immediately, she froze.
Knox, turning to Jade, spoke. “An unavoidable situation?”
“Can’t freeze to death without a fire on a night like this, can we?”
Knox fell silent, staring at Jade.
“Don’t worry. Stella will take the bed, and I’ll sleep on the floor, far from it, nice and simple.”
What’s with him? Has the cold messed with his head?
Speechless with disbelief, Dayna’s mouth gaped uselessly. They say shock can render you mute, this was exactly that moment.
“N-No, that’s not…”
Trying to explain, she fumbled. She lacked the skill to clearly articulate that Jade would take her room while she slept in Stella’s.
Is this guy actually crazy?
“…I see.”
Knox, who had been silent, finally spoke.
Really? He’s just accepting it?
Dayna looked up at him. His face was slightly tense, but he didn’t seem angry.
Well then…
After gauging his reaction, Dayna cautiously stepped forward.
“W-Well, good night…”
Whatever he thought, she didn’t want to stay in this awkward space any longer.
Turning toward the stairs to the upper floor, she smacked Jade’s hand off her shoulder.
‘What?’
Following her, Jade shrugged and mouthed the question.
Dayna glared at him.
Sleep together? I’m speechless…
Thankfully, Knox, who seemed indifferent to his soon-to-be-ex-wife, let it slide without misunderstanding. But anyone else could’ve taken it the wrong way.
You’re in for it once we get to my room…
“But if that’s the case.”
A low voice came from behind.
Dayna stopped and turned. Knox, standing at the foot of the stairs, met her gaze directly.
Tilting his head slightly, he spoke.
“Wouldn’t it make more sense for you and me to share a room, Stella, and for your friend to take mine?”
Huh…?
Dayna’s eyes widened, doubting her ears.
Who’s sharing what with who?
