divorce chapter 27

“Is His Lordship truly staying here?”

“Y-yes….” The man seemed at a loss for words, his appearance humble.

“I suggested he move to more suitable accommodations, but he insisted this was fine…. Perhaps if you, his partner, were to speak to him, it might make a difference. I would be most grateful if you could.”

I nodded to him and then spoke to Mia. “You can return in the carriage.”

“Yes, Miss.”

I took a deep breath and opened the tent flap. The interior was cramped and dim. Lennard hadn’t returned yet. It was unbelievable that a duke, of all people, was staying in a place like this. I sat down on a creaking chair and waited for him.

After some time, amidst a rustling sound, Lennard entered.

“E-Estelle?” Lennard stopped in his tracks, clearly surprised by my sudden appearance. “Why are you here…?”

“That’s what I’d like to ask you. Why are you staying here?”

His clear eyes wavered. The way he turned his head slightly to avoid my gaze made my blood boil. “That house… it was originally assigned to both of us, wasn’t it?”

“No. It’s just… more comfortable here.”

“Don’t lie. They would never dare offer a common soldier’s tent to a duke.” Though tidily kept, as was his nature, the furniture was undeniably worn and faded.

Could someone be this kind? I was the woman whose family had used him like a bank, only to discard him once they no longer needed him. He had no reason to be so considerate towards me. “Let’s go back.”

“My Lady.”

“You heard what those people were saying. I’m going to do what I must.”

“I can handle it myself. You don’t need to worry about it.”

“I don’t know about you, Your Lordship, but I do worry about it. No matter what you do. So, come along.” I took his hand and led him outside. Thankfully, he didn’t resist and came willingly.

The knight captain, who had been pacing anxiously in front of the tent, looked up and hurried towards us. “Uh… uh…”

“Could you please prepare a carriage?”

“Y-yes!” I silently thanked the quick-witted knight captain for understanding the situation. Before Lennard could protest, the carriage was ready. He hesitated, even with the carriage before him. I tilted my head and spoke curtly. “Are you not going to escort me anymore?”

“Of course, My Lady.”

I took his offered hand and climbed into the carriage. I stared pointedly at the still-hesitant Lennard, and he finally boarded.

“Th-then, safe travels!” The enthusiastic knight captain slammed the door shut and signaled the driver to depart.

I had acted impulsively, dragging him out, but I didn’t regret it. The past week had shown me just how considerate Lennard had been. The reason I hadn’t been dragged to the front lines was that Lennard always went alone. I heard he took that clumsy-looking fellow with him. Even though he couldn’t even bring himself to touch that fellow’s hand back at the cathedral.

Guilt and annoyance warred within me. This wasn’t kindness; it was sheer foolishness. I recalled the conversations at the coffee house. Lennard was risking his life, yet they showed no gratitude. They even criticized him for not taking a partner sooner.

“My Lady?”

His bewildered voice brought my head up. Lennard looked distraught. “I-it wasn’t because I disliked you. I just… I thought you would be uncomfortable.”

“What?”

He mumbled, looking like a condemned criminal. “So please don’t cry. It was thoughtless of me.”

I raised a hand to my cheek and felt the dampness. I must have been so angry that I’d started crying without realizing it. His flustered reaction to my tears was almost comical. “I’m not upset about that.”

I couldn’t bring myself to say I was frustrated with him, so I closed my mouth.

“We’ve arrived.”

There was no time to feel relieved. Mia, without a flicker of surprise at seeing Lennard, ushered us inside. I quickly showed him to the bathroom and hurried to my bedroom. “Mia, there are no other spare rooms in the house, are there?”

“No, Miss. Just the servants’ quarters, your room, and the drawing-room.”