Chapter 158

 

Marsha couldn't quite understand why Iona was so troubled by this.

 

While it was true that the relationship between her master and the duke began as a transaction, over time, the two had become closer than just contract partners.

 

This was why she wasn't surprised when she heard that the duke had declined the Modrov family's wealth.

 

Lately, the duke seemed more interested in his spouse than the material gains from this marriage.

 

‘If that weren’t the case, there’d be no need for him to personally deal with Yvonne and Nils. All the titles and wealth had already been transferred to the young lady anyway.’

 

It was Marsha who helped Leroy plant someone inside to take them down.

 

Marsha didn't want Iona to dirty her hands dealing with such scum; it was ultimately to support her master's peaceful married life.

 

One tends to downplay the extent of any suffering unless they've experienced it firsthand.

 

Marsha didn’t want to see Iona’s rightful revenge overshadowed by judgments like, ‘But how could she do that to her family?’

 

On the other hand, the duke’s actions would be understood as the ruthlessness only an outsider could show.

 

Even considering the possibility of the duke’s change of heart in the distant future, it was safer for him to hold the knife that day.

 

It was better for everyone if, in the future, the duke saw himself as a hero who saved his wife from the mire rather than condemning her as a horrid woman who abandoned her family.

 

Although the duke didn’t seem like such a petty person, it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious.

 

After all, marriage was a significant life event, and it was best to keep any flaws external.

 

“The duke probably thinks you alone are enough, even without the previously promised compensation. What could be better in a marriage than the person being the sole purpose, not any additional conditions?”

 

Despite Marsha’s persuasion, Iona remained silent, not entirely convinced.

 

Marsha, feeling like she was teaching a younger sibling, gave her some advice.

 

“Just because the duke treats you well, don’t think it’s too much. People naturally treat those they value with more kindness. If you believe you’re not worthy, eventually, he’ll sense that too.”

 

What she intended to say—don't be calculative when you're about to get married—turned into a rather worldly lesson.

 

Seeing no flaw in her words, Iona didn’t argue further.

 

Instead, she turned her gaze back to the window and let out a long sigh.

 

“But I want to do so much for him.”

 

‘Ah, youth, such youth.’

 

Marsha clicked her tongue silently.

 

While finding it endearing to see her master acting like a typical girl her age, Marsha resolved to stay vigilant.

 

If they went down to the duchy like this, her master would likely be devoured, leaving not even her bones.

 

Marsha knew just how vulnerable Iona could become to the one she decided to devote herself to.

 

‘If she continues like this, thinking it’s fine as long as she can stay by the duke’s side, it’s over. She must not be branded as an easy target!’

 

Marsha clenched the knitting she held, her eyes sharpening.

 

The new maid from the duchy was scheduled to follow them down in a couple of days.

 

During this time, Iona and the maids, including Marsha, would likely face considerable resistance from the Duke's household as outsiders.

 

Even with a harmonious couple, it would be challenging for a foreign new mistress to command the existing staff.

 

Yet, Iona herself seemed unconcerned about this, which worried Marsha.

 

“My lady, or rather, my mistress. Have you ever spoken to the Duke about such matters…?”

 

Just as Marsha was about to delve into Iona’s romantic affairs, someone knocked on the carriage window.

 

Marsha immediately stopped talking, opened the window, and stepped back.

 

Iona leaned out slightly and asked, “Is something the matter?”

 

“It looks like a village is coming up, so I wondered if you wanted to take a break.”

 

It was Leroy, who had gone out to ride, complaining of stiffness from being in the carriage all day.

 

Since traveling separately from the bride could lead to unnecessary misunderstandings, Leroy had arranged it so Iona could travel comfortably.

 

Iona, who had been able to have an unscheduled heart-to-heart with Marsha, replied calmly, “I’m not too tired, so it’s fine. The sooner we hurry, the quicker we’ll arrive.”

 

“You’re asking me to let my new bride to march on.”

 

Leroy’s voice was tinged with amusement.

 

It was quite a funny joke, especially considering the new bride was a soldier used to arduous marches.

 

“This is a luxurious journey compared to that. If you’re tired, shall we stop and switch places? I can ride the horse.”

 

“No, it’s fine, stay there.”

 

If Iona was going to step out, there was no need for Leroy to go to the trouble of getting into the carriage.

 

In truth, Leroy wanted very much to travel in the same carriage as Iona, but he suppressed his desire out of consideration for her.

 

Ever since revealing that he had dealt with her half-siblings, she had been visibly uncomfortable around him, constantly gauging his reactions.

 

Whenever their eyes met, she would look away, and she hesitated to speak to him, closing her mouth several times.

 

Leroy concluded that it was better for him to give her space.

 

Looking down at Iona’s inscrutable face, Leroy asked, almost impulsively, “So, have you sorted out your thoughts?”

 

“...My thoughts…?”

 

Iona responded, visibly flustered.

 

She glanced at Marsha, worried that their previous conversation had been overheard, but Marsha was also at a loss, not knowing what to do.

 

Leroy narrowed his eyes as he watched Iona and Marsha exchange glances, suspecting something was up.

 

“It seems like you have something you want to say to me but are hesitating.”

 

Iona's face turned pale.

 

Leroy felt his own anxiety grow, unable to understand why she was reacting so seriously.

 

He asked in a voice filled with uncertainty, “...Is it something that might shock me?”

 

“It could be, depending on the circumstances,” Iona answered with difficulty.

 

While she had some inkling that he might have feelings for her, the thought of actually confessing brought up all sorts of bad scenarios in her mind.

 

If she confessed her feelings and he simply wanted to be a dutiful spouse without reciprocating her emotions, she would find it hard to bear.

 

Imagining his uncomfortable reaction made her feel nauseous.

 

As Iona's expression grew heavy, Leroy's face mirrored her seriousness.

 

“Is it something you really need to say? If it’s something I don’t need to know...”

 

“No, it’s something you should definitely know, Your Grace,” Iona replied with determination.

 

Despite her fear, she wanted to share her true feelings with Leroy.

 

Seeing the resolve in her eyes, Leroy hesitated briefly before speaking.

 

“Could I see your hand?”

 

It was an odd request, but Iona quietly extended her hand to him.

 

Leroy took it gently, meeting her gaze.

 

It was as if he was trying to gauge her reaction.

 

Iona didn’t seem to resist his touch, which allowed Leroy to dismiss his most troubling suspicion.

 

As he rubbed her palm with his fingertips, a faint smile appeared on his face.

 

“It’s not that you’re planning to abandon your husband during the honeymoon, is it?”

 

“Of course not.”

 

Iona slowly swallowed, finding the sensation through the gloves somehow strange.

 

“And you’re not talking about divorce before the ink on the marriage certificate has even dried, right?”

 

“Why would I do something so absurd?”

 

“Exactly, it would be ridiculous and shouldn’t even be considered.”

 

Leroy replied in a teasing manner.

 

“If it’s not about those things, then whatever it is, feel free to come and tell me whenever you’re ready. Sometimes, sharing your worries with someone else can help you find a solution.”

 

Even if that worry was confessing to a one-sided love.

 

Iona answered quietly, “Yes,” despite her skepticism about this advice.

 

With a relaxed smile, Leroy spurred his horse forward to lead the group.

 

Watching his retreating back, Iona sighed and asked Marsha, “He seemed to think I was acting strangely. Do you think I said something wrong?”

 

“Well, it seems like he understands that you’re troubled by something trivial...”

--- End Of The Chapter ----

 

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