Awkward Tryst (1)
“Was it alright to leave like that?”
At Duha’s question, Leonhardt, who had been looking out the window with his legs crossed, slowly turned his head.
The two were in a carriage returning to the main castle.
“Still, he is your uncle after all…”
“It’s because he’s my uncle that I ended it at just that.”
Meanwhile, Leonhardt raised an eyebrow as if he couldn’t understand her composed attitude.
“You seem rather unbothered despite receiving such rude treatment.”
“Among the rudeness I’ve experienced since coming here, that was actually one of the more gentlemanly versions.”
“…Regrettable.”
Duha stared at her husband’s awkward expression before speaking.
“I heard Sir Nate is quite influential in the duke’s family.”
“That’s what makes him such a headache.”
“It might be better not to make an enemy of such a person.”
Leonhardt’s expression hardened at her words as he turned to look out the window.
“I’d rather not receive a lecture.”
“But just because you dislike someone, ignoring their influence is…”
“I.”
The duke cut off her words firmly.
His gaze had turned sharp and cold, watching her almost threateningly.
“People who force their beliefs without truly understanding…”
Grrrrowl-
Before Leonhardt could finish his sentence.
A loud stomach growl echoed inside the carriage.
Their eyes met in mid-air.
Duha was the first to speak.
“It wasn’t me.”
“…Then you’re saying it was me?”
“Since it wasn’t me, it must be you.”
Leonhardt looked at her as if in disbelief before letting out a light sigh.
He lightly tapped on the window to the driver’s seat.
“Turn the carriage around.”
Leonhardt commanded in an indifferent voice.
“We’re going down to the village.”
*** *** *** *** ***
Jingle-
A shabby tavern like those found in any village.
The tavern keeper rushed out upon seeing the hooded figures who entered with the sound of the bell.
“It’s been a while. What can I get for you?”
The keeper recognized Leonhardt despite his cloak but pretended not to know him.
Meanwhile, Leonhardt replied briefly without bothering with greetings.
“Two portions of something filling, and one drink…”
“Make that two drinks, please.”
His companion, also wearing a hood, interrupted.
He glared briefly at his much shorter companion before adding.
“…Two drinks then.”
“Very well. Please make yourselves comfortable and I’ll bring it right out.”
As soon as the tavern keeper disappeared toward the kitchen, Leonhardt spoke in a low, sharp voice to his companion, who was none other than Duha.
“I never dreamed my wife would be such a drinker. Didn’t the head maid teach you that imperial ladies only drink at approved occasions?”
“Well, if you approve it’s fine, isn’t it? This is your duchy after all.”
“……”
Duha left the speechless Leonhardt and sat down in an empty seat.
“What are you standing there for?”
“…Never mind.”
Leonhardt shook his head and sat down across from her.
Duha immediately pulled herself close to the table.
Finding her face suddenly so close, Leonhardt tensed and pulled back his chin.
But Duha, ignoring his reaction, lowered her voice and her eyes sparkled.
“Is this perhaps ‘that kind of place’?”
“That kind of place?”
“Leila told me. That the empire has many places like this. Where they’ll even kill someone for money?”
Leonhardt frowned, remembering the woman who had been following his wife around.
“I’m afraid this is just an ordinary tavern.”
He tilted his head in disbelief, resting one arm on the table.
“If it were that kind of place, I wouldn’t have brought you here in the first place.”
Disappointment was evident on Duha’s face at the Duke’s answer.
Why bring her to an ordinary restaurant when he could have taken her somewhere more interesting?
Still wearing her hood, she looked around the place.
As her excitement settled, she realized the establishment was much shabbier than she’d first thought.
Old cobwebs hanging in the ceiling corners, moss-covered stone walls, aged tables and chairs.
It clearly wasn’t the sort of place one would expect a Grand Duke to frequent.
But seeing how comfortably the Duke sat leaning against the stone wall, this restaurant seemed very familiar to him.
“Do you come here often?”
“Not often, just occasionally.”
“Why? The castle’s cooking must suit your taste.”
“There are fewer watching eyes than at the castle.”
As if he was the type who couldn’t eat with people watching.
When Duha looked at him strangely, Leonhardt added.
“What do you think people would say if they heard the couple who’d just attended a dinner invitation immediately went out to eat again?”
The Duke and Nate were already famous for their poor relationship.
But what mattered wasn’t their relationship, it was the fact that Nate was the Duke’s only uncle and the head of the family’s council of elders.
And now, at the dinner where the Duke first introduced his wife to him, they had left without properly eating…
“Even though our marriage is by the Emperor’s command, most of the castle’s retainers aren’t pleased with it.”
“So you’re saying there’s no need to create weaknesses in such a situation.”
“Exactly.”
“But what if Sir Nate spreads rumors about what happened today?”
Leonhardt scoffed at her question.
“That old man just wants to ruin my mood, but he doesn’t like causing a fuss over family matters. You don’t need to worry about that.”
“That’s a relief.”
At that moment, two hands holding plates suddenly appeared between them.
“Your food is ready.”
The dishes the owner brought out were a few pieces of black bread, a salad drizzled with vinegar sauce, and a slowly simmered meat stew.
The accompanying drink was honeyed wine.
“Go ahead. I’m not sure if it’ll suit your taste.”
At the Duke’s words, she eagerly picked up a spoon.
Just looking at the steaming stew made her mouth water.
She hadn’t eaten dinner properly, and she had skipped lunch to prepare for the banquet.
She devoured the modest meal in front of her as if it were a feast.
As Duha was busy with her spoon, she slowly lifted her eyes, feeling a hot gaze on her face.
Leonhardt was staring at her intently.
He seemed surprised, his eyes wide open.
According to imperial etiquette, a lady shouldn’t eat so much food so quickly.
Duha awkwardly wiped her mouth.
“You don’t have to stare like that. People can eat a bit greedily when they’re hungry.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“But you were staring.”
“Not for that reason.”
“Then why were you staring?”
“I was relieved.”
“Relieved about what?”
“I thought imperial food didn’t suit your taste because you always pick at it.”
Even when they dined together at the castle, the Duke always seemed to focus only on his own plate.
How did he know what she ate and how much?
Did he get reports from the servants after meals?
Leonhardt smiled as he caught her puzzled gaze.
“I’m glad to know now. That my wife has a very good appetite.”
It was that mischievous smile he had been showing more often lately.
“From now on, I’ll have to send the servants away during meals. So you can eat to your heart’s content like today. How did you manage until now?”
Duha found herself absentmindedly admiring his face before quickly regaining her composure.
“…They say not to talk nonsense during meals.”
“I’m serious.”
“Oh, really.”
Duha replied gruffly and took a sip of her drink.
The wine was sweet, probably because of the honey.
Too sweet.
She pretended to be distracted, feeling the hot gaze on her face.
“Speaking of which, your cousin, Daniel.”
At the mention of his cousin’s name, the Duke’s brow furrowed deeply.
“Is he always so unpredictable?”
Duha still couldn’t understand Daniel’s behavior.
He had appeared gentlemanly and polite yet expressed hostility with a smiling face.
“Or maybe he just didn’t like me?”
“Is there any reason you should be to his liking?”
“No, it’s not that, but since they’re your family…”
“Unfortunately, I don’t consider them family.”
Them?
Even if she wanted to ask why he referred to them that way, it seemed inappropriate to question him about his family. Nate’s comments about dirty blood and other issues were concerning.
At that moment, Leonhardt raised his glass and continued speaking.
“And if you ever run into Daniel, make sure to avoid him at all costs.”
“Why?”
Leonhardt looked at Duha silently before taking a drink.
“You’ve seen him. Does he seem like someone trustworthy?”
Indeed, Daniel was a person whose intentions were hard to read. There was something about him that made one hesitant to get close.
Duha sighed quietly.
She had married into a foreign land for the peace of her homeland, only to find her husband’s family in disarray.
Instead of sighing again, Duha gulped down her drink in frustration.
Leonhardt quickly grabbed her wrist.
“Drinking that fast, you’ll get drunk.”
“Unfortunately, I’ve never been drunk in my life.”
Leonhardt gave her a skeptical look.
“Do you want to test that?”
“Are you suggesting a drinking contest with me?”
“I’m confident. I’ve never lost a drinking contest in Bashar.”
After a moment of consideration, the Duke shook his head.
“Let’s not. We still have to ride the carriage…”
“You’re not the one driving, so what does it matter?”
His reluctance to engage in the contest piqued her competitive spirit.
Duha smirked and offered him another glass.
“Surely you’re not backing down from a challenge, are you?”
“…Ha.”
Leonhardt sighed at her provocation and picked up the glass.
His eyes gleamed fiercely.
“You’ll regret this.”
“We’ll see who regrets it.”
Duha grinned at her husband, her smile full of the confidence of someone certain of victory.
Leave a Reply