The Survival Strategy of the Contract Duchess - Chapter 49

At the Empress’s words, the atmosphere around the long banquet table stiffened noticeably. The sound of forks clinking against plates became loud enough to draw attention, and a few guests quietly set their utensils down.

Just as the Empress seemed about to speak again, Kyler subtly leaned forward as if shielding Sasha from view. Midienna appeared startled by the movement and hesitated for a moment, but her crimson lips soon curled into a slight, mocking smile.

“You don’t need to protect her like that. Your sympathy is quite excessive, Duke Ignote.”

Though Midienna’s face was hidden from Sasha by Kyler’s broad back, her soft smile and cutting words caused a ripple of unease around the table that Sasha could clearly sense.

“Lady Elina was so afraid of running into her that she originally planned to attend today with the Marchioness. But in the end, she turned around and left, saying she couldn’t stay.”

Midienna’s tone was gentle and laced with concern as she spoke, casting a sideways glance at Sasha. Predictably, the other guests followed her gaze.

So, this is how they want to paint me as the villain. Sasha lowered her expression behind Kyler’s back, a faint pout forming on her lips.

“In that case, please deliver a message to the second daughter of House Ivern. I will no longer attend banquets or social events, so she may come without worry.”

Kyler’s sudden declaration surprised everyone, but no one more than Midienna. She had clearly not expected such a strong response to what she thought was a harmless jab meant to embarrass Sasha.

“But Your Grace, you are a key figure in this Empire. You should not skip important gatherings like these,” Midienna said quickly, her voice revealing her surprise.

Sasha placed a steadying hand on Kyler’s shoulder. He seemed to understand her unspoken signal and stepped slightly aside, turning to face her.

“Oh, was that your way of telling me not to attend anymore? Since Elina didn’t show up because of me?” Sasha replied, pretending to sound calm.

These women were clearly scheming. Although she had once offered an opening by bringing the young countesses, she hadn’t expected them to be so bold, especially in front of Kyler.

Did they truly believe Elina’s claim that she had lost him?

“Elina probably never felt much affection for me. I was raised alone in the attic since I was young. So I hardly saw her either.”

“The attic?”

Kyler, who had been glancing at her from the side, turned fully to look at her. Sasha tried to keep a composed expression, but those nearby could tell she was not as calm as she appeared.

Her tone was sorrowful, but not exaggerated. The way she looked up at Kyler with eyes slightly glistening left a quiet ache in the room.

“Didn’t they say you were ill?”

One of the ladies sitting across from Sasha asked carefully. Though she cast a brief glance toward the Empress, she clearly wanted an answer.

Sasha shifted her gaze from Kyler to the lady, then smiled softly.

“I don’t know what exactly was wrong, but there must have been something. That’s probably why they kept me alone in the attic.”

In truth, Sasha didn’t know what her life had been like in the Marquess’s house when she was the real Sasha. It was a past she had no memory of, and she had chosen not to question it.

From the beginning, she had decided to go along with the narrative that she had been sick. It gave the Marquess’s family an excuse for keeping her hidden, and it gave her a reason to reappear now.

But if they intended to use that story for their own purposes, if they meant to drag her or Kyler into some kind of trouble because of it, she would not allow that.

Her eyes locked with Midienna’s. The woman was remarkably good at controlling her expression. It was impossible to read her true thoughts just by looking at her.

But then, as Midienna’s gaze shifted slightly toward Kyler’s back, her composed mask cracked for a split second. Sasha caught the moment her expression faltered.

For a brief moment, Sasha felt shaken. The way Midienna looked at Kyler felt heartbreakingly real. Her feelings for him seemed genuine.

But Sasha quickly steadied herself. That didn’t mean she would hand Kyler over to a woman who still clung to her seat beside the Empress.

This wasn’t about comparing who loved him more. Sasha’s reasons might have started with survival, but somewhere along the way, she had grown to wish for Kyler’s happiness. He had nothing beyond his noble title and his sword, yet he had always been kind to her.

Even if Midienna truly loved him, love alone wasn’t enough to make him happy.

“I’m not sick at all anymore, so it’s alright. Thank you for your concern. Kyler takes good care of me, so I’m fine. Oh… was I not supposed to call him that?”

Sasha answered the lady seated across from her with a gentle smile. Her wide eyes and sudden fluster made her look genuinely endearing.

“Why not? There’s nothing wrong with calling him by his name. It looks sweet,” one of the nearby women said. Then, as if catching themselves, they hesitated.

Others chimed in, quickly offering their reassurance. However, instead of watching the Empress, their eyes shifted toward Kyler. They were quietly observing his reaction.

Curious about their behavior, Sasha looked at Kyler, then turned her attention back to the lady she had spoken to. Their eyes met, and now the woman felt obligated to respond, having become the center of attention.

“It is just a bit surprising to hear the Duke of Ignote allow such a familiar way of addressing him,” the lady said with a quiet laugh.

“Oh… I see.”

Sasha nodded as if she understood, though her slightly lowered voice hinted at uncertainty. Then, once more, a soft smile returned to her lips as she looked up at Kyler.

“This evening’s banquet has truly been a lively one. Perhaps it is because the new Duchess of Ignote has joined us. We should be sure to send her a formal invitation next time,” the Emperor said, bringing the gathering to a close.

The Empress kept her lips tightly pressed together, unable to respond. When the Emperor spoke like this, it meant the event was ending.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. If the Duke is ever unable to attend, I will gladly take his place,” Sasha replied warmly.

Her response was thoughtful, and she even recalled earlier conversations from the banquet. The nobles nearby watched her with subtle surprise. There was something quietly dignified about her. Her soft demeanor and graceful composure in front of the Emperor gave her a strength that no one had expected.

What stunned them even more was how the Emperor responded. He simply laughed, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. That kind of reaction made it clear that he accepted her as a member of House Ignote.

The Ignote family had long held the role of guarding the empire with strength, gaining the reputation of being the Imperial sword. For generations, they had been known as a noble house of protectors. It made sense that the Emperor would not treat them carelessly. But in Kyler’s case, it went further. He and the Emperor, Lydian, were close in age and had grown up together. They were like brothers.

Seeing that same respect extended to Kyler’s wife, the nobles began to look at Sasha differently. Their gazes were no longer simply curious. There was a new weight to the way they looked at her.

“Then we will take our leave now. Tea has been prepared. Feel free to enjoy it before you depart,” the Emperor said, standing up.

The Empress had no choice but to rise as well. The nobles followed suit, bowing respectfully. The Emperor gave one final glance toward Kyler and Sasha, then turned and walked out of the banquet hall.

Midienna stared at Kyler with longing in her eyes. But he didn’t return her gaze. He looked directly at Sasha, completely ignoring everyone else. To him, Midienna may as well have not been there.

Biting her lower lip in frustration, Midienna turned sharply and followed after the Emperor. Her fast, angry footsteps echoed loudly as she left the room. Once the sound faded, the nobles began sitting down again.

Sasha also began to return to her seat, but Kyler suddenly took her wrist. Startled, she looked up at him, wondering what was wrong. He said nothing to her but spoke to the others.

“We will leave now too. Just as she said earlier, I am feeling a bit tired.”

His calm voice carried easily across the room. He gently helped Sasha to her feet, then linked his arm with hers and personally escorted her out of the hall.

Many had not paid much attention when the Emperor and Empress exited, but not a single person looked away as Kyler and Sasha left. Kyler opened the door himself. Sasha looked up at him with a soft smile, then stepped through the doorway with quiet grace.

“Wow… can someone really change that much?”

Once the doors closed behind them, one of the women finally spoke, breaking the silence. With the attendants gone to prepare tea, the remaining guests began to discuss the Duke and Duchess of Ignote.

“He must truly love his wife. Just listen to the way he spoke to her. That did not sound like the same Duke Ignote we knew.”

It was not just the women who were shocked. The male nobles exchanged glances as well, whispering among themselves about what they had seen.

“She called him by his name, and he didn’t even react. This was a formal setting, and he let her speak to him so casually. He did not seem to mind at all.”

“In fact, he seemed to like it. You may not believe me, but his eyes were smiling.”

The lady seated next to Sasha, who had seen Kyler’s expression from close range, spoke with certainty. Those who had been seated farther away were even more astonished.

“No way. That man actually smiled at a woman?”

Even the ones who doubted it could not deny what they had seen with their own eyes. The way he watched over her, the way he treated her with such care, it was unmistakable.

Even without grand gestures, his tenderness was obvious. One of the noblemen opened his mouth to speak but found himself unable to continue.

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