ITVDWBE 71

~Chapter 71~

Even after being warned, the woman who clung back to Ancia was getting on Rishar’s nerves.

He was already feeling conflicted about Ancia pushing him away, which kept him from going to see her. Now that he knew he was the one who had hurt Bianca, he figured Ancia must resent him even more. That made it harder for him to face her, and his sigh deepened.

The butler, noticing Rishar’s unhappy expression, quietly bowed and left.

“This is a headache,” Rishar muttered.

Even though Ancia had learned that Rishar had drawn his sword against Bianca, she still kept the girl by her side. That night, he had gone to Ancia and shared his feelings honestly — but nothing had changed.

Why did Ancia insist on protecting Bianca like this?

It didn’t seem like simple kindness. In fact, Ancia treated Bianca more tenderly than she did her own husband. Rishar was starting to not only dislike Bianca, but even feel jealous of her.

“Do I need to be one of Ancia’s people to get that kind of blind affection?”

Rishar began to realize he was craving Ancia’s affection. Shaking off those thoughts, he headed to his office.

Meanwhile, Ancia was planning to take a nap and give the maids a break too. Just as she got into bed, she heard noise outside. She heard the servants mention the duke, and realized Rishar had returned.

Not knowing when he might leave again for monster hunting, she decided to get up and meet him. It felt like she was going to scold a husband who came home after pulling all-nighters — but this was important for Bianca’s sake.

Instead of calling back her maids, she threw on a robe over her dress and wrapped a shawl around herself, then headed for his office. Knowing Rishar, he’d probably go there first.

She hurried, but when she peeked through the open office door, it was empty — just scattered papers inside. Still, something smelled familiar.

Thinking he might be in the meeting room or with the knights, she kept moving. She didn’t even bother sending a maid to find him; she was too anxious and rushed around herself.

After wandering through half the mansion, she finally found the head butler.

“Excuse me, Head Butler.”

“My lady? I thought you were resting.”

“I was, but I heard the duke returned. I went looking, but I can’t find him.”

“He should be in the office.”

“I already checked — he wasn’t there.”

“You must have just missed him.”

The butler explained that Rishar had gone to his office first to review reports, then attended a short meeting, delivered new training manuals to the knights, and returned to the office.

Everything had gone exactly as Ancia predicted — she’d just missed him because of her shorter legs and weaker stamina.

“I should’ve just waited in the office,” she thought, her legs aching.

She considered stopping by the kitchen for a sweet treat, but she felt too stubborn to give up now. She marched right back to the office.

This time, the office door was closed. She figured someone was inside. She pushed the heavy door open with her body and saw Rishar leaning back in his chair, eyes closed.

“Phew…”

Rishar had made it there just before Ancia, glanced over some reports, and then leaned back, exhausted.

“I’m tired.”

With his eyes closed, he pressed a healing stone to his stomach — the warmth spreading across his wound. The tighter the contact, the faster the healing, or so it felt.

He wanted to be with Ancia instead of sitting here healing, but he couldn’t forget she had chosen to keep Bianca by her side — even after everything.

“Damn it… I don’t have time for this.”

He had to reach the mountains past Doug territory by evening. It would be a tough journey, so he needed to heal and rest — but sleep wouldn’t come.

Rustle, rustle.

He heard soft footsteps and fabric brushing. It was Ancia.

His sour mood began to melt, and his face softened. Emotions started to well up inside him.

“Duke?”

Ancia hesitated, wondering if Rishar was really asleep. She had planned to storm in and speak firmly, but seeing him exhausted and leaning back like that made her feel sympathy instead. She was also surprised he hadn’t noticed her presence.

“Is he really asleep? He used to notice even a mouse.”

Suddenly, Rishar’s hand twitched.

Crack…

The healing stone broke. It was expensive — the butler would be upset. But right now, the shock of seeing Ancia was far more important.

She blinked with her big eyes and smiled playfully.

“Ah, so you were pretending to be asleep!”

At her teasing voice, Rishar slowly opened his eyes. He looked at her lazily, lips curled up just slightly — and he looked stunning.

Ancia already knew he was handsome, but this unguarded version of him was something he only showed to her. Her heart started to race. Ever since she admitted her feelings for him, he seemed even more beautiful.

Her eyes lowered to his stomach, where his hand rested.

“Duke… those injuries…”

Even though he tried to cover them with his clothes and hand, she saw multiple wounds — and her face went pale.

Realizing where she was looking, Rishar quickly tried to button his shirt and hide the injuries.

But Ancia gently grabbed his hand. She wasn’t holding him tightly — he could’ve easily pulled away — but he didn’t.

She cautiously pulled open his shirt and saw deep claw marks, like from a huge beast. Her heart ached. Rishar was the one who was hurt, yet she felt pain stabbing in her chest.

“How did I ignore this feeling for so long?” she wondered.

Even now, Rishar was trying to hide his wounds to keep her from being scared. He always thought of her first, while she kept pushing him away.

Seeing how Rishar never stopped caring, tears filled Ancia’s eyes.

“My lady?” he said, surprised.

Their last conversation had ended in a fight, so it was awkward for him to face her. He’d been wondering how to avoid her — but now, seeing her cry after noticing his injuries, he panicked.

“It’s my fault,” he blurted.

He felt like he’d committed a terrible sin.

“These wounds are nothing. You don’t have to cry over them.”

“H-huh…”

Rishar scrambled mentally, seeing her tears.

“I was too harsh, hurting Bianca and throwing her out. I should’ve talked to you first.”

“Sniff…”

“And I’m sorry for yelling before I left. Also…”

Rishar kept apologizing without thinking, staring at his beautiful wife, tears shimmering in her eyes. He didn’t want to say this, but it slipped out.

“I… like you. I’m sorry for confessing.”

He didn’t mean to say it now, but he had. Seeing her stop crying and go quiet made him nervous. Still, he reached out to wipe her tear-streaked cheek, trying to pull himself together.

“So…?” she asked.

Rishar looked unsure, thinking maybe she wanted more apologies. But then Ancia gently touched his face.

“So, do you regret liking me?”

“No.”

The answer came without hesitation. He even tightened his hold on her hand, as if afraid she might pull away.

But Ancia didn’t pull back. She gently held his hand in return.

What did that mean?

Rishar’s blue eyes filled with both fear and hope, and that gave Ancia the strength to be honest.

Now that she had decided to accept her feelings, she could clearly see Rishar’s emotions — and that gave her courage.

“Me too.”

Her soft whisper made Rishar lean in, as if trying to hear her better.

“I think… I like you too.”

It wasn’t a full, confident confession — it was vague and unsure. Rishar blinked, stunned, like he couldn’t believe it.

Who would have thought the cold Duke of the North could look this dazed?

“I’m sorry for avoiding you. I’m still getting used to this.”

Now that she accepted her feelings, her heart wouldn’t stop pounding.

“I’ll try harder from now on. Will you wait for me?”

That was all she said — but even that was enough to brighten Rishar’s face, slowly but clearly.