The Survival Strategy of the Contract Duchess - Chapter 32

Kyler had spent the morning with Sasha, but by early afternoon, he left the bed with only a few words, saying he had to go.

Whenever he left, he could be gone for three days, sometimes even two weeks. He never said where he was going or how long he would be away.

Maybe he didn’t realize how helpful that kind of information would be for someone waiting for him. Or maybe he didn’t think it was necessary to say.

Sasha was still physically worn out, so even after he left, she remained in bed, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought for over an hour.

Eventually, she forced herself up and headed to the bathroom to wash. As her body started to move again, her mind followed.

The first thing that came to her thoughts was Kyler, who had been wrapped around her for nearly half a day. She had tried to sink into a warm bath, but her face had flushed so much at the memory of what had happened that she thought she might faint. She quickly stepped out of the water.

While washing with lukewarm water, her memories played out again. First came the intensity of the time they had spent together. Then she remembered how Kyler had entered the room, breathless and in distress.

“Sasha, when you’re finished washing, would you like to eat? It’s late, but I can prepare something.”

“Yes. Please make something for me.”

Rose’s voice came from outside the bathroom. Sasha, who had just finished drying off, answered and slipped into a soft indoor dress with a robe over it before stepping outside.

As she tried to focus her mind, the image of Kyler gasping for air, clutching his ears in pain, came rushing back.

He had looked so unwell, like something was tormenting him from within. Was it a memory from his past? Or was there something physically wrong with him?

Kyler always gave off a sense of loneliness. At the estate, he was the only one carrying the Ignote name. Even outside, he seemed like someone who lived only for his work.

“I thought you might need something hearty, so I prepared a little bit of everything, even if it’s just lunch. Please enjoy.”

Since the preparations for the social gathering, Rose’s tone had become more gentle and less formal.

In a household run by a single duke, Rose and Pavon, the head steward, both carried themselves with a calm authority that came from years of experience. They had to, to keep everything in order.

That was probably why they had been so stiff with Sasha at first. Even though Kyler had brought her into the house himself, they had still questioned whether she could truly belong to House Ignote.

“Rose, did you eat lunch?”

Sasha asked while lifting a slice of beef to her mouth.

Rose, who had been standing quietly nearby to serve if needed, blinked at the unexpected question.

“No, I haven’t had lunch yet.”

She had been busy helping Pavon manage the estate since Kyler had left. With all the tasks that needed to be handled, she had completely forgotten about eating.

Sasha had been worried about Kyler skipping his meals, but it turned out she wasn’t the only one.

“I need the food for my energy too, but this is too much for just me. Come eat with me.”

Sasha gestured toward the table. It was filled with six or more dishes, including steak, salad, and noodles. She liked to try a bit of everything, but this was more than she could eat on her own.

“No, my lady. I couldn’t possibly sit at the same table as you.”

“Why not? I’m only the duchess because the duke chose me. Just because I have a title doesn’t mean we can’t share a meal.”

Sasha replied lightly, brushing off Rose’s formality. She thought it would be nice to eat with someone who reminded her a bit of a mother or maybe an aunt.

Eating alone always felt a little lonely.

She didn’t get to share meals with Kyler very often either. It was something she had quietly wished for. She had accepted that she couldn’t be with him all the time, but sitting alone with a table full of food made that loneliness feel sharper.

Rose hesitated. It had probably been a very long time since she had seen this table used by more than one person. After a brief pause, she quietly walked to the kitchen, picked up a plate and fork, and returned.

“Then I’ll join you, if you don’t mind.”

Sasha smiled brightly as she watched Rose take a seat across from her. She placed some meat on a plate and slid it across the table. Then she scooped her portion of salad and passed that along as well.

Rose looked slightly awkward, even a little stiff, but she began eating what Sasha gave her. They didn’t talk much, but just having someone else at the table made Sasha feel warmer inside.

As they neared the end of the meal, Sasha glanced across the table. Rose looked more at ease now than she had earlier. It felt like the right time to ask what had been on her mind.

“Is the duke ill? His breathing was so unsteady… and it looked like his ears were hurting too.”

Her voice was soft but firm. She had seen it with her own eyes and wanted answers. The way she asked made it clear she wouldn’t accept a vague reply.

She remembered the exact moment Kyler had entered her room the night before, looking like he was about to collapse.

Rose’s face turned pale at Sasha’s question.

It seemed the Duke had revealed a side of himself that he hadn’t intended for others to see, and Rose hadn’t expected Sasha to bring it up.

She slowly chewed her food, finished swallowing, and looked directly at Sasha.

“The Duke is not ill. He is healthy and strong. He often works for days without rest and still handles everything with ease.”

Her response was firm and controlled. Sasha pressed her lips together, quietly taking it in.

She wondered for a moment if even Rose was unaware of what had happened the night before. But there was something about the serious expression on her face that made Sasha uneasy. Was she imagining it, or was Rose deliberately hiding something?

“Last night, the Duke looked like he was in pain. He kept letting out short, quiet groans and was clutching his ears. Once he held me, it seemed to ease a little. Still, I thought he might be sick. As his wife, I felt I had the right to know if something was wrong.”

Sasha explained exactly what she had seen. The situation hadn’t been dramatic enough to raise immediate alarm, but it had been strange. If something truly was wrong, she needed to know.

“In that case, we should call a physician. If he is unwell, he needs to be treated as soon as possible.”

That was all Rose said, and her voice remained even. But it felt like she was keeping something from her.

Sasha began to wonder if the Duke’s condition wasn’t something as simple as illness. If it had been just a physical problem, there would have been no reason to avoid giving a direct answer.

Rose’s cold and distant reply drained the warmth Sasha had begun to feel. Just when she thought she was one step closer to truly belonging in the household, she realized there was still a wall she hadn’t seen before, standing quietly between them.

“Thank you for the meal. It was delicious. If you’re finished, I can clean up. Please, go ahead and rest.”

Rose spoke politely, stepping in before Sasha could say anything more. She waited patiently for a response.

Sasha met her gaze, then slowly closed her eyes for a moment before standing up. It didn’t feel like any more questions would lead to real answers.

Leaving Rose behind to tidy the table, Sasha quietly stepped out and began walking through the first floor of the estate. She was looking for Pavon, the head steward, who she had heard often handled the estate’s affairs whenever the Duke was away.

She thought she might have to wander for a while, but she found him sooner than expected.

“Oh, Lady Sasha. What brings you all the way out here?”

He was in the direction of the western stables.

Thankfully, Sasha had stepped out the back door and spotted Pavon in the distance carrying a bundle of hay. If she hadn’t seen him, she would have likely spent the rest of the day walking the estate.

“Is caring for the horses part of the steward’s job?”

There were coachmen and knights, so she assumed the horses had their own handlers. It seemed like a lot for one person.

“Not usually. The knights take care of their own horses. But when the Duke leaves, I handle the rest.”

Apparently, not all the horses were currently in the stables. One stall was empty. It seemed the Duke had taken one of them with him.

“Pavon, may I ask you something?”

He had just finished stacking hay and was now changing the water in the troughs. If she had been dressed for it, she might have helped him.

Although she suspected if she had picked up a bucket, Pavon would have turned pale and rushed to stop her.

He tilted the bucket and filled a trough, then turned around as soon as she spoke. Despite his age, Pavon was tall and well-built. He stood calmly, waiting for her next words.

Rose hadn’t told her anything. Would Pavon?

He had been present since she arrived, managing everything related to her from the beginning. But she didn’t assume that meant he had developed a sense of loyalty or personal concern for her.

“Last night, I saw the Duke in pain. He was breathing heavily and covering his ears like something was hurting him. I thought he might be sick. As his wife, shouldn’t I know if something is wrong?”

Once she finished speaking, Pavon remained silent.

It was not the kind of silence that came from deep thought. It felt like the kind of silence meant to avoid an answer.

“I’m sorry, Lady Sasha. I don’t know anything about that.”

He gave a polite, awkward smile as he spoke.

Sasha smiled gently in return. She didn’t push him for more. Instead, she quietly turned back and walked toward the main building of the estate.

Support