Chapter 11

C11: Late Night Uninvited guest

Before she knew it, the carriage reached the Duke’s house. The two got out of the carriage and went inside together. Psyche was so tired from going here and there for the first time in so long that she just wanted to go in and rest but Clint stopped her from going up to the bedroom without saying a word.

“Madam, can we talk for a minute?”

“…”

It must be obvious nagging. I tried to refuse it, but I soon changed my mind.

As he said in the carriage, he seemed to have said everything he wanted to say these days.

Psyche, who was cautious that her actions would be reproached again, quietly followed after him, determined to be cautious. It was a tremendous rebellion for her to go out alone.

She thought it wouldn’t be bad to keep quiet for the rest of the time until the banquet.

Upon entering the Duke’s office, he first suggested a place to sit.

Psyche sat in the seat he pointed to and watched him sit across from her. Even though he must have rushed out to follow her, he was a person who was never disorganized.

“Would you like some tea?”

“Yes. Tea is fine.”

Psyche frowned as if the scent of the Zavia leaves that Rachel had given her in the morning seemed to come back.

“I’d like you to stay inside the mansion for the time being.”

Like a duke, he went straight to the point without beating around the bush.

It was a curious remark since Psyche had never been outside except today. She always stays inside anyway so he asked, wondering if there was anything else.

“I won’t go out like this again.”

“Yes, you don’t have to. If something happens to you…”

The Duke shook his head in horror.

“But why, what is the reason you insist on telling me to stay inside?”

“I am thinking of canceling all future banquets and gatherings.”

“Yes?”

Psyche overreacted unwittingly. It was so unexpected that she couldn’t help but scream.

“I sent a message in advance that you won’t be able to attend the banquet hosted by Her Majesty the Empress. I’m sure you’ll forgive me for that.”

“Ha…”

Psyche was so out of breath that she couldn’t say anything. With an absurd face, Clint added an explanation.

“You said you didn’t like escort knights, and even went around alone today. Considering my wife’s state of health, it’s not something I can ignore, and I apologize for interfering.”

“Knowing… You want to do that?”

The Duke said without looking away from Psyche’s gaze staring at him.

“Yes. It’s all for my wife.”

“How can it be for me when my wishes are not respected?”

“Do you think I just do this for no reason?”

“Then I’d like to hear what the reason is.”

Clint raised his eyebrows slightly at Psyche’s words, revealing a rare displeasure. It was bizarre that his face, which did not show any emotion, changed.

“Do you think I did not listen to the report of the attending physician who came to my wife?”

Ah

“You might give birth prematurely, so you should be more relaxed.”

“It’s simply because of the Zavia leaf.”

“Zavia leaves?”

Clint’s eyes widened slightly at herwords.

“Rachel brought… Zavia leaves…”

He muttered, then looked a little confused and met Psyche’s gaze again.

The bewildered look was quickly erased from his face.

“Your highness!”

Eventually, Psyche raised her voice.

“Then go in and rest.”

He insisted that he could no longer back down, and as if he did not want to hear any reason from Psyche, he ordered her to take a rest.

Still, when Psyche stubbornly sat down, he finally ordered his employees.

“Take madam to the bedroom.”

It was aimed at Psyche, knowing that she did not want to embarrass the employees. In the end, Psyche left the room at the gaze of the employees, who were staring at her as she did not want to.

It was because she didn’t want to make it difficult for others with the problems of the two of them.

“Ha.”

She left the room and let out a sigh as she walked slowly.

I don’t know why the hell Clint is trying to imprison me.

“Come to think of it, the time I came to the Duke….”

4 years have passed.

Back then, of course, the prestige of the ducal family was great, but not as much as now. Clint, who had just become a duke, was still only a duke on the surface but was still a fledgling boy who hadn’t yet established himself as a duke.

But after his marriage to Psyche, he cemented his position as duke every day.

As the duke settled down, Psyche thought that their married life would become more stable.

So even if the two of them aren’t exactly friendly to each other, I thought it wouldn’t be bad to raise a child together.

“My dear… I wanted to give you a good family…”

Strangely, her eyes were sore. From an early age, she longed for a happy family. She was also largely to blame for accepting the Duke’s contract. Because he promised her and their child a peaceful life.

“What everyone else enjoys…”

It’s not easy for me to give it. Blame your mom for not being good enough.

She smiled bitterly and sat quietly on the bed.

“Ugh…”

“Soon it will be over… Let’s get out of here…”

Still feeling the pain, she leaned against the headboard in a cold sweat. Her body was limp on its own. It seemed to be due to overdoing it today.

“Rachel… that woman…”

What the hell is a woman doing?

Swallowing, she let out a labored breath.

As I remembered what had happened in the garden, the discomfort increased and the pain intensified.

Oh, let’s not think about it.

Only good thoughts…

The door opened, and it was Rachel who appeared. Moreover, it was a strange visit, very late at night.

As soon as Psyche saw Rachel, she frowned.

Besides, the fact that she was still staying at the Duke’s house, she was a woman who didn’t even care. The fact that Rachel was in front of me was shocking in many ways.

What’s more, a woman is left alone in a place where a married couple stays.

“I never asked you to come in, young lady.”

Psyche flatly refused.

But Rachel had already entered and stood in front of her with the door closed.

“…”

She was even more amazed by the way Rachel was dressed.

It did not make sense that a woman from an aristocratic family who had not yet been married could go around like that.

“It’s late at night, so go back to the Count.”

Psyche issued a congratulatory order.

Come to think of it, the words that were unconventional and easy-going were just rude behavior from the point of view of others. Psyche let out a sigh.

Rachel flinched at her attitude, but she didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving, standing as if nailed to the ground.

Rachel, who had been avoiding her gaze without looking directly at Psyche, hesitantly opened her mouth.

“Sorry for coming this late.”

Feeling that her words of apology didn’t match her behavior at all, Psyche burst out laughing.

“I’m glad you know that you’re sorry for coming late. I have nothing to say to the young lady, so please go back.”

However, despite Psyche’s cold treatment, Rachel stood firm.

“It’s a story you must hear.”

It was a very, very meaningful tone.