I Refuse To Be A Character In A Novel - Chapter 18

“Well, the duchess..”

Before finishing her words, Mielle glanced back at the butler standing besides the duke.

When he noticed that she was uncomfortable speaking while  Dylan was there, Zachary dismissed him.

“You can head back, we’ll discuss it again in the morning.”

“Have a good night then, your grace.”

After Dylan disappeared in the darkness of the hallway, Mielle briefly explained the situation to the duke.

“Well then, your highness”

Giving a light greeting, Mielle and Rose tried to move past the duke quickly, but they froze in place at his next words.

“I’ll do it.”

Zachary declared calmly.

“W-what?”

The two maids opened their eyes wide as they exclaimed.

But before they could argue, the duke passed them without looking back.

It meant that they should to go back to their rooms, but the two of them froze in place.

More than the shock of his words, they feared the duchess’ reaction if she found out.

Erna, who was shy in regards to her relationship with her husband entrusted only the two of them with cleaning her bed.

Her personal maids who changed her sheets were well aware that the duchess had been avoiding the duke as of late.

The only reason they never mentioned it, was because they were loyal and they believed she had a reason to do so.

Mielle and Rose solemnly agreed not to mention any of this to the duchess.

If she ever asked, they would blame it all on the duke who threatened them.

Nod.

Nod.

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✩ CHAPTER 2 : Subtle changes

Bang-

The duke’s retainer, Thomas looked away at the sight of blood.

He was quite a good marksman and an even better swordsman but unlike Vincent, he never enjoyed hunting.

The red blood of the white deer looked even brighter when spilled on the snow covered ground.

Even at the end of spring, snow covered the grounds of Massila and people suffered a shortage of food due to the harsh weather.

The fallen prey were to be equally distributed to the locals of Massila.

The duke did the same thing every year.

They would usually spend a few days hunting in the forest where many wild animals could be found, both to protect  the villagers as well as provide food. But since they came back later than usual this time around, the duke settled for a simple hunt near the area where only deer and moose and other small animals could be found.

Zachary steadily motioned his horse as he moved past the prey he hit, while two other servants came from behind with a cart to collect the fallen deer.

Again and again and again.
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Time went by in a blink of an eye and the departure for the capital drew near.

Too many hectic things happened in the north this year.

But the most interesting one was the woman living in his house.

Zachary smiled without realizing it.

He suddenly thought of his wife whom he had been seeing more of  these days, and briefly recalled her sleeping face.

The black hair that felt soft to the touch.

The long eyelashes that cast a deep shadow over her closed eyes.

Her small nose and her cheeks that were tinged with pink under the soft cover.

The face that made all kinds of different expressions lately laid still, breathing at a steady pace.

Zachary’s eyes traced over her face in detail for the first time in their 7 years of marriage.

How did he never notice the small mole under her ear before?

Or the one on her neck.

The scar around her index finger.

Why did it only become visible to his eyes now?

‘Once I noticed it, I couldn’t erase it from my memory.’

It felt quite strange.

Bang-

(Neeeigh)

A red deer limped on its injured limb as it tried to run away.

Glancing at the duke, Thomas pulled the reins on his horse that panicked due to the small animal that jumped out of nowhere.

‘That’s the first time the duke has ever missed a target with the first shot.’

‘What was he so distracted by when even the loud voices of his subordinates could not stir his calm mind?’

In fact, Thomas had noticed since a while ago that his lord was often getting distracted lately.

He first noticed it when they were discussing an important report.

The duke glanced out the window several times.

At the end of his gaze was the garden where the duchess was taking a stroll with her maid.

His eyes were as indifferent as usual, yet they followed her steps so persistently as if he were afraid to miss it.

‘It’s not like they were newlyweds, so why?’ Thomas thought.

Something is different.

Even when passing by, he stole a glance at the empty garden where she no longer walked.

Thomas, who stayed by his side for more than 8 years, knew how indifferent his master usually was towards his wife and how little time they spent together.

And that still hadn’t changed so far, so why the sudden attention?

Zachary tried to focus his attention back to the escaping prey.

Perhaps he wanted to relieve it from the pain or maybe it was the fact that it tried to escape him that made him more eager to hunt it.

Bang-