The Survival Strategy of the Contract Duchess - Chapter 40

“I can’t promise a specific return date this time either. Probably five days to a week, at most.”

Kyler was setting out once again. Whether it was for a report or something more serious, Sasha didn’t know for sure. But behind him, all the knights of House Ignote were already on horseback, preparing to leave the estate.

Standing in front of him, Sasha looked up with her lips tightly pressed together. She had once thought he was only strong and unshakable, but after seeing him in pain, sending him off now hurt more than she expected.

“Take care. I’m glad I get to see you off this time.”

Before, he had probably left while she was still lying in bed. Maybe Rose or Pavon had seen him off in her place. The thought made her feel oddly embarrassed, like she had assumed too much about her own place. She cleared her throat and turned her gaze aside.

“I’ll be careful and come back soon.”

Kyler looked down at her for a moment, then gently brushed his fingers across her hand before turning away. Dylan stepped forward to meet him.

“Why not take her with you? It’s not so dangerous that you can’t protect one person. And if she can block out the noise for you, wouldn’t that help you focus more easily?”

Dylan had felt Kyler’s sharp energy up close and chose his words carefully.

Kyler had only ever told Dylan the truth. When Sasha was near him, the overwhelming noise in his ears disappeared. Her presence brought silence.

“That’s not an option. It’s not completely safe out there, and it wouldn’t be right to bring her just for my comfort. I also need to hear the noise to track them accurately. Taking Sasha or any of you into danger for my convenience would be selfish.”

“I spoke carelessly.”

Dylan immediately lowered his head in acknowledgment. Then he glanced back.

The Duchess was still standing at the front gates, watching the knights ride away in silence.

“Just knowing someone is waiting makes it easier.”

Dylan had never imagined his master would say something like that. He followed quietly, slightly stunned. Kyler had changed slowly over time, but this was a side he had never predicted. It was confusing.

What was important now was to make sure no other noble ladies ever found out that Kyler was capable of words and emotions like these. If they ever did, they would all—

“Ugh.”

“Are you cold?” Kyler asked, noticing Dylan shiver.

“No, Your Grace. Let’s go.”

Dylan shook his head quickly and fixed his gaze forward, brushing off the chill that had crept through his body.

As soon as Kyler left the estate, it arrived.

As if someone had been waiting for him to leave, an official invitation from the imperial palace was delivered.

Pavon, who brought the letter, and Rose, who stood beside him, both knew the contents. They silently watched as Sasha read it.

“From the Empress? The Empress herself invited me?”

What could she possibly want? Everyone in the Empire was aware of the Empress’s hostility, even if it was never openly acknowledged. Sasha could only guess what kind of message this was meant to send.

“Should we say you’re unwell?” Rose suggested carefully after some thought.

Sasha shook her head.

“Someone as persistent as her wouldn’t stop after one try.”

As she stared at the letter with a serious expression, Sasha caught sight of the others beginning to nod around her.

Clearly, the reason nothing had happened at the social gathering was simply because too many eyes were watching.

The memory of their first meeting made her shoulders tense. Just hearing the name Ignote had triggered a reaction in the Empress like someone flipping a switch. The idea of meeting her again made Sasha want to avoid it altogether.

“Will you go?” Rose asked.

“It’s not like anything terrible will happen. I’ll go and come back.”

Now that her position as Duchess of Ignote was officially recognized, Sasha doubted the Empress would go too far in public.

“She won’t hit me or lock me up. If she tries to humiliate me, I can just keep my mouth shut.”

“Lady Sasha…”

Since the Empress had summoned her, there was no real way to refuse. Rose and Pavon, unable to stop her, watched with worried eyes as their new mistress responded with more spirit than they expected.

“Still, tomorrow? That’s so sudden…”

“Why make a fuss? It’s not like I’m going into battle. I can just wear whatever I have at home.”

Suddenly, Sasha’s eyes lit up. Maybe she should wear the dress she wore the first time they met. She remembered how Kyler had defended her when the Empress looked down on her outfit.

“I’ll be in the library for a while. Can you call me when it’s time for lunch?”

“Yes, of course.”

Just as she had when seeing Kyler off, Sasha answered with calm confidence. She placed the imperial letter on the table, stood up lightly, passed through the sitting room, and made her way up the stairs.

“Is she really going to be alright?”

Pavon followed her with his eyes, his pale gray eyebrows twitching with concern.

Rose, who understood what worried him, simply smiled gently. She didn’t scold or contradict him.

“If she says she is fine, I think she might even stand her ground proudly in front of the Empress.”

When Rose said that, Pavon frowned deeper and turned toward her. His silent gaze seemed to ask if she truly believed that. Rose gave a quiet laugh.

“You say that, then smile so calmly? I honestly don’t know how we’re supposed to send her off without worrying.”

No one could blame Pavon. They were sending Sasha straight into a situation that clearly could not end well. It was obvious that she and the Empress had never had a peaceful relationship. Worse, their master wouldn’t be around to step in if something happened.

“I still don’t understand what possessed His Grace to bring her here, but the more I see her, the more I realize she’s different.”

The more Rose spoke, the more disbelief showed on Pavon’s face. He hadn’t had many chances to interact with Sasha, so he didn’t yet fully understand her temperament.

But considering the history between Kyler and the Empress, and knowing what the Empress was like, he couldn’t help but worry. What made it more confusing was how calmly Rose, another woman, accepted it all.

Empress Midienna was the only daughter of Duke Medillan, a powerful and unpredictable man even the Emperor treated carefully. Because of her father’s decisions, she had been forced to leave her homeland and live in the capital as Empress, something she never truly accepted.

She had never wanted a political marriage, and she certainly didn’t want to leave her vast territory behind.

But then she saw Kyler.

It wasn’t surprising. He had always drawn attention wherever he went. But the problem was that Empress Midienna had never tried to hide her interest in him. She had no intention of giving up her feelings or stepping aside.

In simpler terms, Sasha had crossed paths with the wrong person at the worst possible time.

“You can’t call it a crime to be exceptional, but nothing good ever seems to come from it either.”

Pavon spoke without thinking. But Rose immediately understood what he meant. Anyone could tell he was referring to Kyler.

“At least he has power and loyal allies. That’s probably the only reason things haven’t gone worse.”

Pavon let out a tired sigh.

Thanks to being part of the Empire’s most prestigious house and his close friendship with the Emperor, Kyler had managed to avoid more serious consequences. The Empress’s obsession could have easily turned dangerous if not for that.

“The Emperor may have forced the marriage, but I doubt the Empress sees it as permanent. Maybe she still thinks that if she gets rid of Sasha, everything will work out.”

“That’s ridiculous. It’s not like she would take the Duchess’s place just by removing her.”

To Pavon, such thinking made no sense. And frankly, he had no intention of trying to understand it.

Rose didn’t like it either. She had found it somewhat amusing when other young ladies tried to impress Kyler. Their fluttering eyes and shy smiles had even been cute. But the Empress’s behavior was different. It felt as if she was treating Kyler like some sort of possession she had the right to claim.

“But if you think about it, who else could stand up to the Empress with a valid reason?”

Kyler couldn’t do it. He couldn’t speak freely in front of her, and as a man, he wouldn’t be cruel enough to confront her directly. A gentle refusal wouldn’t work on someone like Empress Midienna.

“Kyler can’t stop her. But another woman, especially one with both a reason and a matching title, could. Sasha now has the social standing and the motive. She’s the only one who could face the Empress properly.”

Rose’s calm explanation finally made some sense to Pavon.

“Alright, let’s say I agree with that. But do you really think Lady Sasha can handle that role?”

Rose paused for a moment.

She didn’t have any concrete expectations. She had never seen Sasha act in that way, and she wasn’t sure whether Sasha even wanted to.

But still…

“I think it’s okay to hope. When a woman is loved, she becomes stronger.”

“I still don’t understand.”

Pavon shook his head, but Rose gave a quiet nod. Watching Sasha send Kyler off that morning had made her feel more certain. The two of them had started off awkwardly, but something between them was clearly growing.

“If we just stay close and make sure nothing serious happens, she’ll be alright.”

And even if she came back hurt, they would be there to support her.

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