divorce chapter 20

“I always said all handsome men are kind!” Nina, a staunch believer in the power of good looks, seemed genuinely shocked.

“I told you, you can’t live off a man’s face.”

“But with a face like the Duke’s, wouldn’t just looking at him make you happy?”

I mourned for Nina’s still-present infatuation. I’d tied my hair up high and dressed in light, practical hunting attire.

“I’ve already moved your luggage. A carriage from the Knights’ Order arrived at dawn and is waiting.”

The assignment was expected to last only two weeks, so I hadn’t packed much.

“Let’s go down.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Nina tried to sound cheerful, but her expression remained dark. This was her first time in a war zone, so her anxiety was understandable. We might not even return. I glanced around the room one last time and headed downstairs.

The lobby was practically festive. Ever since I’d returned, half-dead, that day, everyone had been in high spirits.

“You’ll be a great help to His Grace,” Mother said, handing me a sachet of musk. Not a handkerchief, the appropriate gift for someone heading to war. The implications were so blatant that I couldn’t even force a smile.

Father remained silent, and Reynold was absent. He was probably squandering my money in some tavern. I earn the money, and my family spends it. A truly picture-perfect family. Suppressing the urge to curse, I reminded Nina about the boutique and left the house. I hadn’t expected a grand send-off, but their indifference still stung.

I walked slowly towards the carriage waiting a short distance from the mansion. My luggage was already loaded in the back. The large black carriage looked expensive, even at a glance. The materials were fine, and it was almost embarrassingly large for a solo passenger. It’s rather large and ornate for a Knights’ Order carriage. This is why they’re always complaining about a lack of funds and budget constraints. Cursing the Knights’ Order internally, I opened the carriage door.

“Oh.”

Inside sat an unexpected passenger. Bathed in the morning sunlight, the man with shimmering silver hair, running a hand through it, was so beautiful it seemed unreal. He opened his full, red lips, undoubtedly soft to the touch.

“Please get in, my lady.”

The words that left his mouth were as sharp as ice shards, instantly shattering my earlier bravado. Lennard shifted his long legs, stepped out of the carriage, and extended a hand to escort me. Seeing his handsome face ignited a surge of annoyance. This whole situation felt like his doing. I pointedly ignored him and climbed into the carriage. He won’t get angry because I ignored him, will he? But Lennard simply stared at me without a word.

“Where are the others waiting?”

“We’ll be going directly to the western front.”

“Just the two of us, Your Grace?”

“Awakened and their Companions are assigned individual carriages, as is customary.”

Lennard’s words widened my eyes. He had never once called for me during his numerous deployments to other battlefronts. It’s probably because of his blasted mysophobia. I turned to look out the window. I could feel Lennard’s gaze on the side of my face, but I pretended not to notice.

Even after the carriage had departed and some time had passed, his gaze lingered. It was so persistent, as if he were dissecting me, that I could no longer feign ignorance.

“Why do you keep staring at me?” My voice rose, sharpened by his unnerving scrutiny.

Lennard looked momentarily startled before quickly composing himself.

“You bear a striking resemblance to someone I know. My apologies.”

His ready apology only fueled my anger. It felt like he was toying with me, knowing full well who I was. Finally, Lennard looked away, turning his gaze to the window. I, too, had no desire to converse with him and chose to close my eyes. The journey to the front lines felt like an eternity.

***

“My lady, we’ve arrived.”

“Mmm… hmm.”

A rough hand gently shook me, and I whined softly, wanting to sleep more. I opened my eyes slightly, still frowning, and saw an unfamiliar place. I was in a carriage with Lennard, heading to the western front, wasn’t I? My eyes flew open, and Lennard stepped back. I slapped my cheeks lightly to wake myself up and sat up.

“We transferred via a magic circle near the capital.”

It would have been impossible to cover that distance in a single day, of course. And magic circle transfers were exorbitantly expensive. Well, that’s hardly a concern for the Verhagen Duchy. As I moved to exit the carriage, Lennard, already outside, extended a hand to me. He has no pride, does he? After being rejected twice already. I felt a pang of guilt for rejecting him a third time, but I did it anyway. I can get down from here easily.

Unfortunately, my body, still sluggish from sleep, betrayed my expectations. Instead of gracefully hopping down, I slipped in the muddy ground and tumbled backward.

“Whoa!”

A pleasant scent and a cool touch against my lower back. The impassive face, so close to mine, was breathtakingly beautiful. That damned face.