If I Disobey the Duke - Chapter 13

The Monster’s Men (1.2)

Lily looked at his blue eyes, thinking that he would add another witty remark, but even after a long time, there was no other comment, so she unconsciously tilted her head.

Soft silver hair fell over her shoulder.

The priest kept his mouth shut and just stared at Lily.

She averted her eyes, burdened by his gaze.

Ivan looked away from Lily with a slightly sad expression and scratched the back of his head. “Oh. Excuse me. Priests are human too, so I can’t help but admire them, so please understand my job.”

Lily didn’t understand what he was talking about.

Ivan continued his monologue “I want to see you standing side by side with the lord in many ways. Now that Madam is here, you will have to make a formal tour of the territory once.”

Side by side with the lord.

Her face turned gloomy and worried again, and she hesitated to speak. “How’s the duke?”

The constant worry over her husband’s well-being resurfaced.

Right after the first night, she was already sick.

Lily wondered what would happen if he lost interest in her because she wasn’t healthy. She didn’t want to be treated as if she would have difficulties if she ever gave birth.

“He was here before Madam woke up, but left soon after as he was busy.”

Lily raised her head in surprise. It was a more serious problem than her being sick.

“He came here, and I was sick… Did he show signs of fever?”

It was quite common for people to die from fever.

What if my fever spreads to him and the duke dies?

Her heart sank.

Ivan only frowned and scratched his temple as if he had heard something absurd. “It would be quicker for the wife to punch the lord with her fists for him to get sick or injured.”

Lily’s expression faltered at his blunt answer.

The duke’s sturdy built and figure came to mind. It was obvious that Lily’s finger bones would break if she punched him.

Shooing away the funny scene in her imagination, Lily faced Ivan again. “…What is the duke like?”

She looked down, fiddling with a handkerchief rolling on the bed, wondering if it was too sudden of a question.

“It’s just that I don’t know much about him. His personality, or something about him. I don’t even have an idea of what he looks like.”

“Oh my God,” Ivan muttered in disbelief. “You haven’t seen his face yet? Didn’t you get married in the chapel? Did you sleep separately on the day you arrived? I don’t think so, though…”

Apparently, the memories of the two days she had encountered the duke were still clear as day. Lily made a futile effort to cool her face, avoiding Ivan’s eyes.

“We were to-together, but I didn’t see him. He was either behind me or my eyes were covered…”

“Okay. I seem to have a rough idea, so you can stop there.”

Lily’s eyes widened.

Ivan leaned back on the chair and waved his hands in disgust. “If you are a priest among soldiers, you will hear all kinds of confessions.”

A burning blush spread from her neck and ears.

Unlike the conservative Conde Sect supported by the nobility, the Haxter Sect, which had many commoners, was said to have a fairly liberal atmosphere.

But talking about one’s sex life in front of a priest was difficult for Lily to accept.

Lily was educated in the Conde Sect because of her father, who was desperate to join the aristocratic circle.

An unbearably awkward silence filled the gap between them.

“That… I apologise for making Madam embarrassed. However, please understand. Our lord is a bit clumsy. But isn’t that the way humans are?”

Lily narrowed her brows. Considering what he did to her, clumsy was an unsuitable word for him.

To be honest, he was very… skilled.

He had very long, thick fingers, and yet he was a gentleman. Not only his fingers, but also his…

Lily shook her head from side to side almost as if she was having a seizure.

What the hell am I thinking in front of the priest?

It was obvious that she was out of her mind.

Ivan, who was watching her amusing display, slowly opened his mouth. “If you have any questions, you can ask our lord yourself. There’s no one in Arcadia who dares to defy you, Madam. For a while more…”

His expression was slightly bitter. Perhaps he was thinking of something. “We all care about Madam. Especially our lord.”

Lily shook her head slightly. “Thank you for saying that. But you don’t have to go that far.”

“I’m telling the truth. Didn’t he allow you to call him by his title? There are nobles who have had their tongues pulled out while calling him without knowing the consequences.”

She stared at the priest with her mouth agape in amazement. “I had no idea. Duke, no, the lord didn’t say anything…”

“Look at that. If there’s anything Madam wants, it will be given. That means you can do anything”

Looking at Lily, who was still frozen in place, Ivan leaned his arms proudly against the backrest. “So if you want to see his face, just say it. You can do it anytime. Even today.”