divorce chapter 30

“Then let’s sleep together.” She scurried onto the bed and slipped under the covers, beckoning Lennard with a gesture. He slowly walked over and sat on the edge of the bed.

“What makes you think I wouldn’t try something?” he asked, a strange question.

“Because I know you would never do that.” The Lennard Verhagen she knew was an honorable and upright man. He had been consistent in the original novel, and in the short time she had known him, he had been the same. Estelle lifted the covers and urged him, “Come on in. You have to leave early tomorrow.” 

He slowly slid under the covers, the bed dipping under his weight. He lay facing away from her, a slight distance between them. This wasn’t what she had in mind. Estelle pressed her forehead against his back, feeling his muscles tense beneath her touch.

“We need to be closer.”

“Alright.” His voice was husky with fatigue. Estelle placed her hands on his back and closed her eyes. The stagnant energy within him flowed into her through her forehead and hands, accompanied by a wave of heat. Thankfully, it moved much faster now, though still not fast enough.

“Excuse me.” She reached out and wrapped her arms tightly around him. His large frame was almost too much to embrace, but she tried her best. Pressing her cheek against his back, she could hear his heart beating. With every thud, the surging heat flowed into her, softened, and returned to him. I’m glad I can help. With that thought, she drifted off to sleep.

When Estelle awoke, Lennard was gone, likely having departed at dawn for his deployment. After her near-confession the previous night, it was to be expected. It can’t be helped. A strange bitterness lingered in her mouth, reminiscent of the night they first met. Stepping out of the room, she found Mia and the other servants going about their usual routines.

“Good morning, Miss. Breakfast is ready,” Mia announced. Estelle headed towards the dining room, the previous night feeling like a dream. That was why she hadn’t realized the ripples that one night would create, far greater than she could have imagined.

***

“You look tired, Your Grace.” Paul astutely noticed the fatigue etched on Lennard’s handsome face. Recalling who had taken him away the previous night, he couldn’t help but be suspicious. He received purification, so why does he look so exhausted? Lennard remained silent in response to Paul’s question. He had barely slept a wink. What man could sleep peacefully in the same bed with the woman he desired, doing nothing more than sleeping? 

Estelle, however, seemed to have slept soundly nestled against him. He felt a pang of resentment. Why was he the only one suffering, the only one whose heart pounded relentlessly? He vented his frustration, his sword flashing as he decimated the monsters in its path. He appeared no different than usual, but Paul sensed his master’s displeasure. He could only hope things would remain calm until the gate was closed. Fortunately, Lennard maintained his composure, completing the day’s tasks without incident. 

A raid typically involved clearing the monsters that emerged from the gate and then entering the gate to defeat the dungeon’s master. Once inside, it was impossible to leave until the master was defeated. This particular dungeon wasn’t difficult, but the prolonged period it had remained open had resulted in a large number of monsters. Thanks to Lennard volunteering for this mission, which had been repeatedly postponed, it was finally being addressed.

“At this rate, we should be able to leave soon,” Paul said, brimming with emotion. Lennard nodded silently and set up camp with the other knights.

“By the way, Your Grace, there are rumors that you and your partner are quite close,” one of the knights, unaware of recent developments, remarked. Paul frantically waved his hands from behind, trying to signal him, but the knights remained oblivious. “Well… who wouldn’t fall for someone like Your Grace? Haha…” Another knight, noticing Paul’s signals, chuckled awkwardly. However, the oblivious knight, perhaps feeling ignored, retorted, “Hey, looks aren’t everything for a man.”

“His Grace is more than just handsome,” the other knights chimed in, attempting to steer the conversation. But the first knight, now indignant, raised his voice, “A man’s face isn’t everything!”

Paul rushed over and slapped the knight on the back, interrupting him. “What are you doing here instead of working?!”

“Oh, right. Sorry!” The startled knights scattered. Paul glanced at Lennard, gauging his reaction. Fortunately, or perhaps due to his excellent acting skills, Lennard’s expression remained unchanged. This is like walking on thin ice. Paul desperately hoped nothing would go wrong until the mission was complete.

That night, Lennard visited the tent of the knight who had claimed that looks weren’t everything.

“Your Grace?” Having been warned by Paul, the knight cowered, nervously eyeing Lennard. He wondered if Lennard had come to punish him for his earlier remark. Lennard was known to be a reasonable man, but with so many unstable Awakened individuals around, he couldn’t help but be anxious.

“About that… method for gaining popularity…”

“Yes?”

“Could you elaborate?”