The Survival Strategy of the Contract Duchess - Chapter 64

Once their previously strained relationship had been mended, the Duke’s residence quickly returned to its usual state. There was still a feeling that something unresolved lingered, but no one could figure out exactly what it was.

Since her bones hadn’t fully healed yet, the bandage on her arm remained. What had changed, however, was that Kyler now stayed close to her at all times. He personally explained things, took care of matters himself, and made sure everything was handled.

“They seem even closer than before, don’t you think?”

Sarah shook her head as she watched them from a distance. It was nice to see their bond, but it also felt like they were going a bit overboard.

“I think it’s really sweet. The way Sasha stays so close to him made my heart flutter.”

Their mistress was not someone who changed easily. She had emerged from nearly a year of wandering in darkness, so they had assumed she would come through this hardship the same way.

“If someone from the Empire saw this, they might faint.”

“The noble ladies were all jealous, but I think her reaction will be something to see.”

Everyone immediately understood who she meant. The moment Nina mentioned “her,” a chill ran down the spines of the maids nearby.

“It’s really a hard thing. Why can’t she let go, even after all this time?”

That woman had never caused direct harm. Although she held the high title of Empress, and people might naturally worry, only the Emperor had the authority to stop her.

If the Emperor understood the situation and acted as a barrier, then perhaps this uneasy peace could be preserved.

“Still, it’s such a relief that Sasha is here with him.”

“I was really nervous during that short cold period between them. I was so worried something might go wrong.”

“It was because of the monsters, right? I wonder if this family has some kind of curse tied to them. Have you ever heard anything like that?”

Most of the younger maids had grown up here, with their parents having worked in the mansion. That’s why many of them knew the deeper stories of the Duke’s household.

But knowing something and being able to do something about it were two completely different things. Watching from the sidelines, full of worry, was a deeply frustrating experience.

Maybe because Sasha and Kyler looked more at peace today, the atmosphere among the maids was lighter and more cheerful than usual.

“You’re all gathered again, I see.”

“Oh no, Head Maid Rose!”

The maids had been folding laundry and chatting, not realizing Rose had approached. They were working on delicate items like bed sheets, dresses, and the Duke’s formal clothing. Even while focused on their tasks, their conversations hadn’t stopped.

“We’re doing our best to help the two of them grow closer. If there’s anything we can do, please let us know.”

Listening to their passionate efforts on Sasha and Kyler’s behalf, Rose smiled gently.

“If the Duke knew how much you cared, he would be pleased. There are things the two of them can’t solve on their own. That’s where we come in. But it worries me that there might be times when we truly can’t help. So, let’s keep doing our best to support them every day. That way, when the time comes, we’ll know what to do.”

She hoped that their relationship, which had improved after such a long struggle, would continue to move forward.

“Head Maid Rose is such a kind person. She’s always cheering them on. It’s really inspiring. I want to be a maid like her.”

Connie’s eyes sparkled with admiration, and the other maids smiled awkwardly. They knew Rose was a good leader, but it still felt a little embarrassing to agree so openly.

Rose simply gave a soft, quiet smile.

“Hmm.”

Sasha tilted her head slightly.

“I don’t think that’s something you need to do right now.”

Despite her concern, Kyler didn’t back down. His eyes were fixed on the map spread out before him, focused on the mountain range and the Uhalin Forest. There hadn’t been any monster sightings since that day, so it seemed like things had calmed down.

Still, he was firm in his decision.

“I’m going to launch a full-scale extermination. There’s no room for coexistence anymore. We need to wipe them out completely. I want to make sure they never try anything like this again. I’ll show them the true power of Ignote. So don’t try to stop me.”

His voice was cold and his eyes sharp. Sasha knew she couldn’t stop him, but she could tell he was rushing things.

“Wow, I didn’t know that was even possible.”

Watching him carefully, Sasha swallowed nervously. If she imagined things from the monster’s point of view, Kyler probably looked like something terrifying.

“I just hope you don’t overwork yourself.”

The more reckless and aggressive he became, the more dangerous it was. Even without knowing all the details, that much was obvious.

She had seen him fight monsters before. Sometimes she had been involved, and she had also witnessed how exhausted he became afterward. It wasn’t easy to forget how hard it was on him.

“Oh, by the way, there’s something I’ve been curious about.”

As she watched him plan, a question she had been holding onto came to mind. Kyler turned to look at her as she spoke, and once again, his eyes were drawn to her left arm.

“What is it?”

Whenever Kyler looked at her, his expression was always soft. He might not have realized it, but that gaze gave her strength. It felt like quiet support, the kind that made her believe she could handle anything.

With that encouragement, she finally brought up the question she had been holding in.

“When you go hunting monsters, is it done on a set schedule? Or does someone send a request, like saying there are too many monsters right now so please come help?”

Sometimes he said he was out dealing with rebels. Other times, he said he was hunting monsters. Who was the one sending these requests, and how did he know when and where to go? That had always been her biggest curiosity.

She hadn’t thought it was a hard question, so she waited for his answer with a light heart. While she watched him in silence, he turned his gaze away, pretending to focus on something else, but he still said nothing.

“I was just curious. I wanted to know how you tell the difference, and what it’s like when you’re on your way to hunt.”

As her voice trailed off, Kyler’s eyes, which had been distant, slowly returned to her. Instead of answering right away, he found himself wondering about her feelings more than the question itself.

Still, he didn’t speak for a while.

“I have a special ability that lets me know.”

That was all he said at first.

After speaking, his face grew serious. He avoided her eyes and stared at the floor.

But Sasha simply nodded and accepted it. Her calm reaction was the opposite of his heavy tone. Kyler only realized her reaction later, surprised she wasn’t scared or even surprised. She believed it was better to know the truth, even if it was unusual.

“I see. So how does it work?”

She asked her next question as if she were just making casual conversation. Kyler slowly lifted his head. When he met her eyes, he saw no fear, only interest. That calm expression caught him off guard.

“You don’t think it’s strange?”

He asked, unsure if she had truly understood. Sasha paused and looked at him.

“Why would it be strange? If it helps you with your work, then isn’t it a useful ability?”

If something alerted him whenever monsters appeared, like a warning bell, that would be a great advantage. Or if he sensed rebels in a certain direction and went to confirm, that would be helpful too.

She knew he had his reasons for reacting the way he did. But if those reasons made him feel ashamed, she wanted to remove that weight. She wanted him to feel proud and confident, just as others saw him, as the powerful and respected Duke of Ignote.

“The truth is, it’s a very bothersome and frightening ability. When something threatens the Empire, I hear it as a sound. I live every day surrounded by noise.”

“Every day, surrounded by noise?”

Sasha bit her lip. She hadn’t expected that kind of answer. Hearing strange sounds all the time wasn’t something most people could imagine.

“My ears are never quiet. Sometimes it’s just a low ringing, but other times the sound is so loud that it hurts. It can be unbearable. I became sensitive because of it. And in that state, I’ve done some things I regret.”

He stopped there, leaving the details unsaid. Sasha didn’t need to ask what he meant.

People tend to judge others based on their own understanding. That lack of understanding had built up inside Kyler. He didn’t just want to be accepted. He wanted to be truly understood.

“Are you hearing it now?”

Since she wasn’t touching him, the answer was obvious. He nodded. Sasha leaned in close to his ear and whispered softly.

“I love you, Kyler.”

Then she pulled back and looked into his face.

“When I do that, does the noise get louder? Or does my voice sound clearer?”

She was about to continue, but her words were cut off when Kyler suddenly kissed her. Her lips were taken before she could finish the question.

In that moment, she understood completely. What she had just whispered had reached him, clearly and deeply.

As her face turned bright red, Kyler gave a soft smile. It reminded him once again that some feelings never go out of style. They always find their way back.

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