If I Disobey the Duke - Chapter 161

Unreasonable Request (2)

He repeated the spell in his mind.

Don’t be agitated.

There was nothing that could be solved with such weakness.

As always, he was able to cover the boiling fury that seemed to melt even his intestines.

“Lily. Look at me.” There seemed to be no slight disturbance. His calm, low-pitched tone blew through her.

She rested her head slightly on his shoulder. She gently turned her head and she looked at him. The green eyes reflected the moonlight and shone like jewels.

He saw her eyes caught in helplessness once more, and he was almost speechless. “What you have done throughout your life isn’t your fault. It is your father’s.”

“That…” Lily, who was about to protest reflexively, bit her mouth. It was a habit engraved in her soul because she had lived a life with self-blame.

As soon as she became aware of that, she lost her energy again. Her wretched eyes drooped mercilessly.

He gently stroked her hair. “You must know what kind of woman you are.”

She knew what he was trying to remind her without thinking now. She looked into his eyes. “The mistress of Arcadia… Huh?”

“That’s right. You’re my wife, the Lady of Arcadia. At least in my land, you are an impeccable person in your own right.”

The lord was originally omnipotent. It was a world where the command of the lord was the law and the truth. His way of governing with laws and rules was different.

He came now, and there was no one who could easily harbor dissatisfaction even with common sense. It was the same with his wife, Lily.

“No matter what the citizens say, it’s not your fault.”

“…”

She was dizzy. It was difficult for her to follow his words for a moment. “The great thing is you, Vlad.”

Whatever she had now was all from him, so it was hard for her to think of herself as such a great woman.

His hand stroking her head suddenly stopped as if he had even read her thoughts. He furrowed his dark eyebrows slightly.

She let out a small sigh. “…I know it well. This country now has only four members of the imperial family. The emperor, crown prince, princess and the other prince.”

Although she didn’t feel like bringing up the imperial story herself. He continued to pretend to be indifferent.

The emperor’s illegitimate children were widespread in the capital. But no one was recognized as such. Thanks to this, the imperial family tree was neat compared to the number of illegitimates. It was ironic.

The direct line was the current emperor, the crown prince and the princess. In addition, there was one prince who was borne by the empress and had no succession rights.

“And there’s me. A cruel duke who ended the war and doubled the empire’s land. Vladislav de Winter.”

“…”

“No one dares to rebel against me in position or fame.” For emphasizing a legendary achievement, his tone was sloppy. It felt like he was just performing my duty.

He had neither pride nor honor.

“It has been made that way. Since forever.”

It was a muttering close to self-talk. Something dark and complicated passed by his gray eyes, as cloudy as burnt ashes.

Thanks to this, Lily noticed that he had swallowed the backstory. It was harder not to notice.

It seemed to change the mood. Vlad’s eyes narrowed slowly.

“So I warn them, from now on, they won’t talk rudely about you.”

At the slight warning, Lily hesitated for a moment. It was a clear sign that he didn’t want to go any further.

She looked at him and tilted her head slightly.

Soon he opened his pale lips and asked slowly. “If they say something rudely… What are we going to do? If they speak badly of my wife…” He gently stroked Lily’s slender neck with a soft hand. “I’ll send them somewhere.”

“Well….” Lily rolled her big eyes. “But I am a crybaby.”

“It is not an insult because it is true.”

“…”

Lily bit her lips tightly. The corners of his eyes were folded, and his handsome eyes gently drew an arc. His laughter was unbearable. She turned her head. The dark night sky came into her eyes again.

“Could you please… not do anything to my father?” She could feel him taking a deep breath. She could feel the air around her freezing. Not an illusion, but a sharp chill, the hair on the back of her neck stood up.

Lily’s tension rose for a moment, but she soon added cautiously, “Just… Now I want to forget everything. I hate it all and I want to start over. With something more valuable… Like you and the citizens. Just like that, I will only think of the things you have made and lived for.”

“…”

“Therefore… Please, Vlad.” She turned her head to face him again.