The Survival Strategy of the Contract Duchess - Chapter 46

Sasha spoke with a subtle hint of bravado, trying to reassure him. She didn’t know what happened after she left the palace. She had walked out first, with a sense of defiance that said, “Try me if you dare.”

She didn’t mention that part.

Kyler gave her a skeptical look at her confident assertion but said nothing more.

“A contract, huh… It’s not exactly wrong, but I don’t think it’s a good idea for that to become widely known.”

At his words, Sasha flinched slightly. When Elina said it, it had sounded ridiculous and laughable. But hearing it from Kyler made it feel serious and weighty.

Anyone would think she was incredibly moody.

Kyler stopped working and reached across the desk to gently take her hand. He softly rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb, and the slight ticklishness at her fingertips made her heart flutter.

“This hand.”

He had been holding her right hand. After gazing at it for a moment, he let go and extended his left hand across the desk.

Sasha placed her left hand in his, and he held it firmly. Then, with his right hand, he picked up his pen and signed the document that had been sitting unattended on the desk.

“Am I just supposed to sit here like this while you work?”

“It won’t take long. Just a moment.”

He hesitated briefly, then nodded and gently wrapped his fingers around hers.

It felt like he didn’t want to let go. Sasha tilted her head slightly, finding the way he worked with his arm stretched across the desk to hold her hand oddly endearing.

Come to think of it, ever since their wedding night, Kyler had always found some way to stay close to her.

In the beginning, he only came home every few days and usually left early in the morning. Their only real interaction had been at night. There had been no conversation, just routine.

Rumors even circulated among the maids that the only reason he had married Sasha was for those nights.

But as time passed and they spent more time together, Kyler always seemed to stay close whenever they were in the same space. If he wasn’t holding her, he at least stood nearby.

Knock, knock, knock.

A sudden knock at the door broke the quiet.

Sasha looked toward the door, hoping it was Rose coming to tell Kyler to rest. Kyler, however, paid no attention and continued working.

Sasha hesitated, wondering if she should respond, but before she could speak, the door opened on its own.

As expected, it was Rose. But she hadn’t come to urge Kyler to rest. Instead, she walked in gracefully and placed an envelope on his desk.

She did hesitate briefly upon seeing his hand tightly holding Sasha’s, but she remained calm and composed.

“Your Grace, while you were away, a lunch banquet invitation arrived from the imperial palace.”

“When is it?”

“It’s scheduled for tomorrow.”

Kyler accepted the information without much reaction, but Sasha, seated across from him, widened her eyes in surprise. He merely gave a slight nod, but—

“Tomorrow?”

Rose answered her directly, nodding.

“Why didn’t you show that to me?”

“The invitation was addressed only to the Duke.”

Well, that made sense. It wasn’t meant for her, so there was no reason to show her. But still, to send that kind of invitation when no one knew when he’d return?

“Then that arrived while Kyler wasn’t here?”

“Yes, it did.”

Rose answered plainly but didn’t seem to understand the full implication behind Sasha’s questions.

“Kyler, don’t go. You know you’re not in the best condition right now, right?”

She didn’t know how strong he truly was, but he had gone out twice in a short time to deal with monsters. If the banquet was filled with nobles, it would be crowded and noisy, and no one would let him rest.

The way he readily accepted the invitation, without question, made it clear how things had always been.

Just thinking of the emperor sitting on the throne, smiling with narrowed eyes, made her chest tighten.

Only then did Kyler look up and meet her gaze. He seemed confused, as if he didn’t understand what she was trying to say. Sasha took a breath and pressed on.

“That banquet isn’t important. Please don’t go. Why should someone who worked so hard for the empire be summoned like that right after returning? There should be days for rest too, not just work.”

She realized she had slipped back into the way she used to speak. Judging by his tilted head, he probably didn’t understand that phrase. But this wasn’t the time to explain. She pouted slightly and spoke with frustration, and finally, Rose’s eyes widened as she understood Sasha’s concern.

“I’m fine.”

“…When you say that so easily, it makes me feel like I overreacted.”

Sasha’s anger quickly faded because Kyler brushed things off too casually.

“You’re right, Lady Sasha. His Grace has just returned from a long and difficult journey. Wouldn’t it be alright for him to get some rest?”

Rose had never said something like that before. She had occasionally felt a bit sorry for Kyler, seeing how he went around fighting for the Empire, believing it was his duty. But to her, he had always been the perfect man. She had thought of him as someone with the strength of steel, who could recover his energy with just a little rest.

But that couldn’t be true. No matter how strong someone is, if they push too far, they will eventually get tired.

“Don’t look at me like that, wondering what’s gotten into me. I realized something through Lady Sasha, and I think it would be best if you took the day off tomorrow.”

Rose calmly answered the look in Kyler’s eyes. At her words, a faint crease appeared between his brows.

“You didn’t send an invitation, which probably means this dinner isn’t very important. Am I right?”

He nodded slightly, as if he understood even without opening the envelope. Sasha was about to speak again, but Kyler beat her to it.

“His Majesty hosts these dinners regularly. It’s his way of reading the mood among the nobles.”

“…So, you’re going?”

She didn’t know why Kyler needed to be there just to read the nobles’ mood. But since he had already decided to go, there was no point in trying to stop him any further.

Rose smiled subtly as she watched Sasha pout. It was a bit clumsy and bold, but she looked genuinely thoughtful, and Rose found that rather endearing.

“Then take me with you.”

But Sasha didn’t stop there. She boldly stepped ahead. Both Rose and Kyler turned their attention back to her.

Sasha just wanted to see if Kyler really needed to attend. And if he did, she wanted to make sure no one would bother him, and that he could leave as soon as he showed his face.

“It’s tomorrow,” Kyler said, his gaze fixed on her as he spoke in a low voice.

Normally, when someone was invited to the palace, they would spend days preparing and getting their dress tailored. Had Sasha not heard Rose mention that the banquet was tomorrow? Or had she already forgotten?

Kyler’s questioning tone made Sasha shrug.

“Why? Is it a problem if I go to a banquet tomorrow? Oh… is it because I wasn’t invited?”

He stared at her in silence, and a thought suddenly crossed her mind. Her expression changed to one of realization, and she asked softly,

“But… if my being there would make things harder for you, Kyler, then I won’t go.”

Of course, she wanted to go with him. But maybe he didn’t plan to bring her to stand beside Duke Ignote at a formal event.

“There’s nothing wrong with you coming. If you want to go, then come.”

Now that she thought about it, Kyler had never told her she couldn’t do something. He really was a good man. Not intimidating at all. And already so popular with others.

Was that it? Was she already feeling jealous? Jealous that other noblewomen would see him? And maybe even realize how kind and gentle he truly was?

“Then I’ll get ready.”

Rose gave a small nod and quietly left the office. After they finished speaking, Sasha watched her go, then gently tightened her grip on Kyler’s hand that was still holding hers.

Kyler turned his gaze away from the documents and looked at her.

“Is that paperwork urgent?” Sasha asked seriously.

He had said he would finish quickly, but there was no sign that he was wrapping up. So she thought she should try to stop him.

Understanding her intention, Kyler set down his pen and gently squeezed her hand in return. He muttered something soft under his breath, something about how being with her made him too comfortable.

“Do I really look that tired?”

“No. You look fine, which is exactly why I want to help you rest more.”

Kyler’s eyebrows twitched slightly. He seemed unsure about what she meant.

But it didn’t matter. What mattered was that he understood her message and put the pen down.

“Eat, take a bath, and get some sleep. If we’re going, I want to make sure your face is glowing tomorrow.”

And maybe, if she could, she’d even ask the Emperor for permission. If the event wasn’t that important, she wanted Kyler to have a chance to rest.

With that determined thought, Sasha gently led Kyler out of the office. Their hands remained tightly held.

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