The Survival Strategy of the Contract Duchess - Chapter 78

“Do you really have to win him over? That heart that doesn’t know how to return?”

This quiet statement carried more weight than it seemed. There was clearly so much to face with Kyler, and Sasha would need to overcome many things by his side. Lydian was about to gently pat her head with a look of sympathy, but he stopped suddenly.

Had she noticed the look in his eyes?

The warmth that had been there a moment ago disappeared. His gentle gaze turned cold. The hand he had been reaching out with dropped back, and he clicked his tongue softly.

“You should be more worried about the eyes watching you.”

Even though his tone had changed, Sasha did not flinch. She stared at him without fear and let out a soft sigh, as if she understood his frustration.

“What can I do if he refuses to look at me? I just wish he would look at me first.”

She said it lightly, almost as if it didn’t mean much, but Lydian narrowed his eyes. Her words made it clear that she understood everything. She understood his disappointment and even the sharp remark he had just made. And yet, she accepted it all calmly.

She stared up at him for another moment, then turned toward Kyler. When she saw him, she gave a polite bow and ran toward him without hesitation.

The two of them stood side by side, preparing to board the carriage. Both gave a respectful bow to Lydian before stepping inside together. Kyler had chosen to go with her, not letting her return alone. Watching this, Lydian gave a faint chuckle and turned away with a quiet sigh.

But something caught his eye.

Midienna was still standing exactly where she had been. He had expected her to leave as soon as Kyler walked away, but she had not moved. Even from this distance, Lydian could sense that she was glaring at him.

“Now, how is it my fault that Kyler is walking away like that? Even if you keep looking at me like that, nothing will change.”

He quietly repeated the words Sasha had spoken moments ago.

“Do you really have to win him over? That heart that doesn’t know how to return?”

From the beginning, very few people had understood how much he truly wanted her heart. He had not gone out of his way to hide it, but there had never been space for his feelings. The path to that marriage had been decided without room for his or her emotions.

Still, he had been unable to stop himself. His heart kept turning toward her, without reason or control.

Even after realizing that her heart was not only distant but pointed somewhere else entirely, his feelings did not change.

It felt like something he could not fight.

Because he was living with the pain of one-sided love, he understood what it felt like. He could even embrace a heart that had no intention of returning to him.

Knowing that she had never looked at him the way he looked at her, Lydian turned away. He began walking toward the main palace, following the direction the carriage had gone.

He comforted himself with a quiet smile, wishing just once that her eyes might have followed him.

The carriage was silent.

Neither Sasha nor Kyler spoke. Neither of them was the type to fill space with small talk, but this time the silence felt heavier. There was a quiet tension between them.

“Um, did you sleep well?”

Sasha was the first to speak. Even though he had refused to sleep beside her, she was still receiving his care without anything changing on the surface.

But it was not just gratitude she felt anymore. Her heart was slowly being drawn to him.

She realized she loved him.

It was lonely to love someone on her own, but she thought maybe she could stay with him for a little while, at least until someone else came into his life.

He did not respond.

Only the steady sound of the wheels and hooves filled the silence between them.

“Did you eat? You are not skipping meals again, are you?”

She raised her voice slightly, trying to sound lighthearted. As she said the words, she realized just how many nights she had spent worrying about him.

Kyler slowly lifted his eyes and looked at her. His blue eyes were still calm and cold, like still water, but she could not help but look into them.

She knew what kind of emotions were hidden behind that expression. Even if they were not directed at her now, she believed those feelings were still there.

“Now that I think about it, why do you keep going out without Dylan? You were alone again this time, weren’t you? I know you are capable of handling things on your own, but I cannot help worrying when I think about you walking around without anyone.”

Now that she had started talking, the words kept coming. She hoped that something she said would make him speak. She wanted to hear his voice, even if he was upset.

As she continued, Kyler’s eyebrows moved slightly when she mentioned him wandering around alone.

It was subtle, but it was a reaction.

Her voice had reached him at last.

Just as she thought she wanted to hear anything from him, her heart ached when she saw the faint movement in his face, as if his expression was heading in an unpleasant direction.

“We’re in the same carriage, so we’re going back to the mansion together, right? Let’s eat as soon as we get there. You look a little haggard, you know?”

Then came his reply, quiet and low.

“Then why is your face in that shape?”

Sasha had been about to respond with something light, trying to cover the slight trembling of her heart, but she froze.

He had finally spoken.

After she had kept talking just to hear his voice, he had finally said something. Her breath caught for a moment, and her nose tingled at the warmth in his words.

Now that she thought about it, he had always seemed like someone who felt loneliness deeply. How had he endured it for so long? Or had he learned to live with it in silence, carrying it without letting anyone see?

“Why do you think? Why would I be such a mess?”

She let the frustration slip into her voice, but her heart was full of relief. At least his reply had not been cold. She had feared a distant answer, but instead he responded like this. She couldn’t stop her emotions from rising.

Kyler’s expression changed slightly at her question. It wasn’t dramatic, but his face grew clouded with something uncertain. His hesitation made her feel another wave of relief. Her eyes began to sting.

“Why is that? Is your arm still hurting? You already took the bandage off… but if it still hurts, you should keep it on. The time it takes for bones to heal is different for everyone.”

She looked at him quietly as he spoke in a slow and fragmented way.

He was the same as ever. He still worried about her. He was still awkward when showing care. To anyone else, he might look distant or cold, but she could see the truth behind that.

Even if his heart didn’t fully belong to her, he still treated her with kindness.

“So, when we get back… Sasha, why are you crying? Does your arm still hurt? Rak, stop the carriage!”

She had not realized she was crying until he pointed it out.

Her nose and eyes were hot, and tears were falling without her even noticing. When she heard his worried voice, she suddenly leaned toward him.

As the carriage rocked gently, Sasha rose from her seat and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.

The motion startled Kyler. He caught her immediately, steadying her with strong arms. He did not speak. He could not bring himself to return the hug, but the way he held her was firm and secure.

“Sasha, are you alright? It’s dangerous to move around like this in the carriage.”

He tried to ease her back into her seat, but she held on even tighter.

She had longed to hear his voice, to feel his concern. Now that she finally had both, all the anxiety she had kept inside came pouring out.

Everything she had told herself before that she would be fine even if he was cold, that it was enough just having him near, none of it was true.

She was holding him like she would never let go. Her tears were not quiet anymore. It was not about pride. She simply did not want to feel alone again.

Kyler, unsure of what to do, moved his hands awkwardly until he finally lifted her in his arms.

“Wait, what are you doing?”

Before she could say anything more, he settled her sideways onto his lap and wrapped one arm gently around her waist.

Resting in his arms like that, Sasha slowly began to calm down. The tears stopped. Her breath came more evenly.

“Why are you crying like this? Does your arm hurt when I hold you?”

He asked it carefully, but the confusion in his voice was clear.

Why does he ask me things like this when he’s only worried about me?

So many thoughts passed through her mind that she could not decide where to begin.

“Just let me stay like this for a little while.”

She said it softly, leaning her forehead against his shoulder.

She wanted to be comforted. She wanted to be held, just like this. She didn’t want to let go. The fear of what might happen if she loosened her grip made her hold him even closer.

“You made me anxious. You made me feel like I had to keep holding on. Like you might turn away.”

“Sasha.”

His voice was low, and her name held the quiet weight of everything unspoken.

She could feel his warmth against her cheek. His body, solid and strong, surrounded her completely. Only now, wrapped up in that warmth, did her heart begin to rest.

Even if he let go, she would not be able to do the same.

She had passed the point where she could pretend her heart would be fine if he left her. That moment had already come and gone.

She said nothing more, but inside, she accepted what she had been trying to deny.

She loved him.

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