Chapter : 17
“You’re really saying there’s nothing between you two?”
Jade, resting his chin in his hand, shot Dayna a suspicious look.
Dayna nodded, frowning. “Yes, I’m telling you!”
“Nothing at all, yet you were hugging so tightly in the middle of the path?”
“I told you a million times! The Duke suddenly felt dizzy, and I was just supporting him!”
Jade narrowed his eyes, scanning her up and down. “Suspicious.”
“And what if I’m suspicious? What’re you gonna do about it?”
“I’ll start an official investigation.”
“Investigation, huh?”
Dayna snorted and turned away.
But her mind couldn’t help replaying the scene in the bedroom.
“Why’s your face red?”
“When did it get red?”
At Jade’s sharp remark, Dayna flinched and raised her voice.
What happened in the bedroom wasn’t inappropriate at all. She’d only been comforting a struggling Knox!
Maybe it was the mood, or her deep empathy for the original novel’s characters, but she felt she’d said too much.
Ugh, did I go too far…?
She was relieved he seemed to have calmed down, but she also regretted overstepping a bit.
Watching her, Jade spoke with a sulky expression. “Because you were off fooling around with the Duke, Clian and I had to clear all the snow.”
“Good job.”
The silver lining was that, thanks to Jade and Clian’s efforts, the path to the village was finally clear.
Knox wasn’t in a state to leave immediately, but by tomorrow, they could all pack up and leave the mansion.
“Clearing snow took the whole day,” Jade grumbled, glancing out at the darkening window.
Dayna leaned back on the sofa, feeling both relief and a strange sense of loss.
It’s really over now.
Once Knox recovered, he’d likely hand her the divorce papers and return to the capital. After all he’d been through here, he probably wouldn’t want to stay a moment longer.
The thought of their connection ending completely left her feeling oddly empty.
Even though it was the best outcome for Stella.
“What’re you gonna do now?” Jade asked, staring out the window.
“Me? First, I’ll go to the village to check for any letters from Lady Stella. Since she might return, I’ll clean the mansion, restock food, and replenish the firewood.”
“You really only think about your lady, huh?”
“That’s just how I am.”
Dayna replied nonchalantly.
Jade turned to look at her quietly. “What?”
“No thoughts of coming to the village with me?”
“The village?”
“From what I see, the chances of your lady coming back here are slim. You can’t keep managing this huge mansion alone indefinitely. So come with me.”
Dayna fell silent.
She’d had the same thought before.
The possibility that Stella might never return.
But…
“I’ll wait as long as I can. If you think about it, I’m the one who pushed her out into the harsh world. I can’t abandon her first.”
Her voice softened as she continued. “And if she comes back someday and finds the mansion empty, she’d feel so hurt…”
“Dayna, you’re too much!” Jade exclaimed.
Her words brought back memories of Stella’s sharp, playful tone when she’d tease Dayna, glaring but not unkindly. A wave of longing for her, which she’d tried to suppress, surged rapidly.
“What, are you crying?”
“I’m not. Something’s in my eye…”
“Why’re you crying all of a sudden? You’re making it look like I made you cry!”
Flustered, Jade stood and approached her. He clumsily wiped her tears, at a loss for what to do.
“Alright, stop crying. I’ll find your lady somehow, I promise.”
“I’m not crying, sniff. You’re making it worse!”
“Ugh! Just live here forever. I won’t tell you to leave the mansion, so when your lady returns, you two can live happily ever after!”
“That’s the plan.”
Sniffling, Dayna retorted without missing a beat.
Maybe it was seeing Knox’s vulnerability that had her emotions on edge, making her react strongly to even small things.
It felt like it was all her fault for pushing her precious, adorable lady out into the harsh world.
Wherever you are, please just be safe.
Praying for Stella’s safety, Dayna roughly wiped her tears with her sleeve.
* * *
The next morning, heading downstairs to prepare breakfast, Dayna stopped when she ran into Clian.
“Clian, good morning! Thanks for all your hard work clearing the snow yesterday.”
“Oh, it’s nothing! It’s about time we stopped being a burden. Did you have a peaceful night, my lady?”
“Yes. How’s the Duke doing?”
At her question, Clian’s face turned deeply worried. “He’s awake, but he seems unusually low on energy. Could the dizziness from yesterday be an aftereffect of the avalanche?”
Meeting his sad, doe-like eyes, Dayna forced a nod. Clian didn’t know about Knox’s fear of fire or that he’d been startled by it yesterday.
“Y-Yeah, probably! He must’ve been under more stress than we realized.”
“We’ll need to return to the capital soon, but I’m not sure if he’s up for it.”
“I’ll go check on him.”
Passing the dejected Clian, Dayna cautiously knocked on Knox’s slightly open door.
It swung wide, revealing Knox, his dark hair still damp from washing, tiny droplets clinging to the ends.
“My lady.”
“Duke, are you feeling alright? I came to check on you.”
“Thanks to you.”
His short reply ended the conversation.
An awkward silence settled in the hallway, and Dayna rolled her eyes uncomfortably.
He says he’s fine, so what else is there to say…?
“I’m glad you’re better. I’ll go prepare breakfast then—”
“Stella.”
As she turned to leave, Knox stopped her.
“Yes?”
His golden eyes locked onto hers. “If you’re not busy, could you come in for a moment? I have something to say.”
This is it…!
Dayna instinctively knew it was about the divorce. The moment had finally come!
“Sure!”
She stepped into his room without hesitation.
She’d known this was coming, but facing it now made her heart race slightly.
Sitting primly on the sofa by the bed, she looked up at him with anticipation.
Knox sat across from her, his expression unreadable.
“…”
How long is he going to stay silent?
“Duke,” Dayna said, unable to bear the prolonged quiet.
“Yes, my lady.”
“Would it be alright if I spoke first?”
“Go ahead.”
With his permission, Dayna launched into her prepared script.
The plan: pressure him about their marriage to naturally steer toward divorce.
“Duke, I want to live in the capital now. I’m an adult, and since we’re married on paper, we could live together, right?”
Her tone was almost robotic, like she was reciting lines.
Knox looked at her silently for a moment before speaking. “Are you alright with leaving the Viviwood mansion?”
“Of course!”
She answered quickly, staring at him.
Come on, say it! Say we can’t stay together, that you came to deliver divorce papers!
Knox’s lips moved hesitantly. Dayna furrowed her brow, focusing on his mouth.
Hurry! Say it! Come on!
Finally, he spoke, still gazing at her. “Shall we do that, then?”
“…What?”
Did she mishear?
Dayna blinked, looking up from his lips. His calm face showed no trace of discomfort or apology.
Trying to hide her confusion, she stiffly spoke. “Y-You mean that?”
“I wasn’t thrilled about asking you to leave the fine mansion your father left behind, but if you also want to go to the capital, that’s a relief for me.”
“W-Well…”
Staring into his burning golden eyes, Dayna stammered.
What’s he saying? This is going all wrong…
This wasn’t the response she wanted. It wasn’t even one she’d imagined.
“Duke, I’m sorry to ask now, but didn’t you come here to divorce me?”
“Divorce?”
“Yes…”
“Why would you think that?”
“Well, everyone around assumed… and given my family’s situation.”
“Hmm.”
Knox tilted his head, a slight smile on his lips. “I never considered divorce.”
Dayna stared at him, mouth slightly open.
Meeting her eyes, he said clearly, “Not from the start.”
