Duke Ashillean’s Contractual Marriage

Chapter 33 

 

The wyvern was the most difficult to deal with of all the beasts that infested the North. They soar through the air while roaring in a loud noise that was enough to tear the eardrums of the people below. The wind created from it flapping its wings was like a hurricane, raging and devastating. Its claws were so large and strong that when it swooped down and dug in, it could pierce the body of a person or a horse with one blow. 

 

Big Eyes was the so-called King of the wyverns, and one day, Rubiana made up her mind to knock it down and capture it alive. At first, she had no intention of taming it. As she caught it and put it inside a cage, it became fierce and stubborn so Rubiana, who caught it alive, was deeply offended by its unruliness. 

 

When she decided on just killing it, she encountered an unexpected opposition – her subordinates. They told her that if she would kill it, then she should do it during winter. It was summer after spring at that time, and there was still some food left in the storehouses. Therefore, her subordinates’ idea was to keep it alive to preserve its freshness and then kill it in winter when food was scarce and eat the meat. It was a very reasonable idea so Rubiana agreed. 

 

Not realizing that its life had been temporarily extended, Big Eyes went on a wild rampage and was repeatedly beaten by Rubiana. Its biggest crime was screaming loudly during the night and damaging the eardrums of the people in the castle. Each time, Rubiana rubbed her sleepy eyes and went to its cage to give Big Eyes a thorough beating. 

 

People who had lost their family members to the wyverns were furious when they heard that Rubiana had taken a wyvern alive and raised it, but when they saw that horrible scene, they turned away in silence. The weak-hearted one among them even asked Rubiana to painlessly kill the wyvern. 

 

Time passed and autumn was coming to an end. Big Eyes finally lowered its tail. Obediently, it lifted Rubiana onto its back and soared through the sky, declaring his surrender. The King of the Wyverns had surrendered to the Duke Ashillean of the North. After that, Big Eyes allowed Rubiana to ride on its back and beat up other wyverns. As time passed, Big Eyes took it upon itself to bite and kill wyverns. 

 

“It would rather kill its kind than become like him. Isn’t this some sort of desperation to die?”

 

“Poor thing. I never thought a day would come in my life when I would feel sorry for a wyvern.” 

 

The northerners clicked their tongues and pitied Big Eyes. Regardless, Rubiana didn’t kill this extraordinary wyvern until the end of winter. Instead of killing it, she even gave it the name Big Eyes and personally fed it. She named it Big Eyes because its eyes were more protruding than those of other wyverns. 

 

“Please give it a more affectionate name….” 

 

“What do you think of Sparkles, because of its particularly sharp claws? Or Black, because its body is black.” 

 

“I think… Big Eyes suits very well.” 

 

“Right? Alright, you’ll be called Big Eyes from now on. Big Eyes, do you like it?” 

 

Kiiiiiik – 

Big Eyes whine pitifully. Big Eyes was no longer screaming as ferociously as before. It had learned the hard way that if it blew Rubiana’s ears, she would blow its ears. After that, when Rubiana called ‘Big Eyes,’ it sighed heavily and flew over slowly. 

 

“She’s being ridiculous now, that witch is riding a wyvern and hunting wyverns.” 

 

“I never thought I’d live a long time to see a person riding a wyvern.” 

 

“What’s the point of saying it? Last time I saw her, she even ordered that wyvern to bite other wyverns.” 

 

“She really does all sorts of things. Yesterday, she wanted to roast a troll and eat it,

yucky

.” 

 

“What was the Emperor of the Empire doing sending someone like that to the North?” 

 

“They’re sisters.” 

 

“Then do you mean the Emperor also rides wyvern too?” 

 

“Do they even know? They should have seen this.”  

 

Most Northerners would look up with disapproval as Rubiana flew by on her wyvern. They used to be vicious criminals, but they have been reformed after being beaten to the point of dying by Rubiana. Even for those who lived in hiding in the North and familiar to beasts as dogs in the front yard, the sight of Rubiana seemed to be ridiculous. 

 

Despite the horrified stares of the Northerners, Rubiana and Big Eyes formed a lasting friendship. Their friendship grew so deep that when Rubiana had to leave North at the Emperor’s behest, Big Eyes even flew around in the sky in circles to see her off. 

 

“I’m sad too, but it can’t be helped. I can’t take you where Her Majesty is.” 

 

Rubiana waved her hand at Big Eyes, rubbing the tip of her nose. 

 

“Captain, no, Your Grace, do you think it’s acting like that because it was happy that you’re leaving?” 

 

“Nonsense. Big Eyes is definitely grieving. Didn’t you notice those tearful eyes?” 

 

“I’m saying it was tears of joy.” 

 

“I could have taken Big Eyes with me if possible…. What a pity.” 

 

“Hello? Captain? Are you even listening to me?” 

 

“Bye, Big Eyes. I’ll be back soon.” 

 

“It doesn’t want you to come back.” 

 

“Big Eyes, you must eat well and stay healthy.” 

 

After we sadly parted ways and came to the capital, someone appeared in the capital who reminded me of Big Eyes. 

 

‘I hope Big Eyes won’t get jealous later.’ 

 

Although Rubiana was worried, she couldn’t suppress the smile that was slowly spreading across her face. The thought of Big Eyes and Louismond together made her feel unnecessarily happy. 

 

‘Should we go to the North together when we have time?’ 

 

Louismond will probably be able to withstand the cold in the North if I wrap him up in fur like Callena. 

 

‘Is this really alright? Starting a family already? Will I be able to protect this man?’ 

 

Suddenly, an eerie sensation passed around her left chest. Rubiana’s smiling face suddenly turned grim. The papers in her hand were crumpled into a tight ball. 

 

“…” 

 

Rubiana silently looked down on Louismond, who was neither strong nor robust as Big Eyes, but was just beautiful and vulnerable. The memories of losing her parents flashed in an instant. Her childhood, when she had to survive alone with her younger sister, hit her on the back of her head. 

 

‘Is it really to keep him around me?’ 

 

Just as her mood started to sink and become complicated, Louismond stirred from his sleeping position on his stomach with his arms crossed. His arm seemed to be feeling numb. 

 

“Mmm….” 

 

He rolled over, trying to find a comfortable position, and ended up on his side. His face was facing Rubiana.

What could he be dreaming about? He was laughing. 

 

Seeing him carefree made her relax. The smile appeared again on her lips. 

 

“At least now… I could have a husband.” 

 

Wasn’t this the same person who hiccupped and quivered last night? Under the eyes of the person named Duke Ashillean. She had that kind of power now.

So I’m thinking I can protect him now – because I’m not as young and weak as I was back then. 

 

The fact that their relationship would end in three years also helped ease the burden. A lifetime seemed so far away and overwhelming, but it wasn’t the same with three years.

Only three years – just three years. 

 

Once she was free of the anxiety and pressure, her mind quickly turned to other things. 

 

‘Are you going to leave with that woman in three years?’ 

 

Fionnie Lauren. The woman from the House of Scholars who had managed to come and meet Louismond while she was away early in the morning. 

 

“…” 

 

Crumple

. The paper in her hand was crumpled even more than before. A feeling similar to when Big Eyes dared to put her head down inside a feeding container given by someone other than her, swept through her body. 

 

∘₊

✧

──────

✧₊

∘

 

Crackle

. He heard something burning. 

 

“…?”

 

Louismond slightly opened his eyes and looked ahead. He could see the flames dancing over the brazier. 

 

‘Will I be burned to death if that fire spreads…?’ 

 

He was about to close his eyes again when started to feel sentimental. 

 

‘What is this? Do I die by burning rather than having my head cut off?’ 

 

He came to his senses. He opened his eyes and saw Rubiana in front of him. She was holding a piece of paper in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. She sipped on her wine and threw the paper on the fire. The paper was caught on fire. Louismond’s eyes widened in surprise at the sudden light. 

 

‘How did this happen? I’m sure….’ 

 

Louismond blinked his eyes and searched for his memories. 

 

∘₊

✧

──────

✧₊

∘

 

After Rubiana left for the Imperial Palace, Louismond returned to his room. The room was empty as no one stayed there all night. 

 

Louismond sat down on the cold bed and thought about the events in the morning. When they woke up, they talked and bathed together. They had a meal together and also saw her off as she left for the Imperial Palace. 

 

Louismond tried to remember every detail of it, how Rubiana looked, how her voice sounded, and what she had said. The results weren’t very good. Rubiana had always been expressionless in his memory. Her voice was also flat. There wasn’t the slightest hint of excitement, joy or pleasure. 

 

‘That’s strange. Why is it?’ 

 

When the main characters of the novel spend their first night with the Northern Grand Duke, Northern Duke or the Crown Prince as they proposed a contractual marriage, the Northern Grand Duke, the Crown Prince, or the Duke with the sad secret of his birth, were immediately enchanted by the protagonist’s charm and lost their minds. 

 

However, it wasn’t the same with Rubiana. She was in a bad mood and felt uncomfortable after moving her back and legs all night long. Although she let him inside the bathtub, she would shove bread inside his mouth whenever he said anything. It was clear that she didn’t want to hear his voice so he should shut up and eat the bread instead. Even when she left for the Imperial Palace, she didn’t say a word and walked away. 

 

When it was only the two of them inside the bedroom and the bathtub, she was kind. To think that she would act nonchalant and indifferent in front of the Head Maid and other people.

This was absolutely not like the cold Northern Grand Duke, the wounded Crown Prince or the Emperor with his secret birth seen in the novels at all. 

 

‘This is just like… just like….’ 

 

Louismond squeezed his eyes shut, unable to stop feeling miserable. 

 

‘Just like someone who was just after my body, someone who’s looking for a one-night stand.’ 

 

His heart sank. 

 

‘Why? What did I do wrong? Were my efforts last night only amounting to having a one-night stand?’ 

 

Just as he was about to give in to his thoughts, Fionnie came. The Head Maid herself came to announce Fionnie’s arrival. When asked whether he would want to meet her, Louismond didn’t think twice before saying yes. 

 

‘Fionnie could definitely give me an answer.’ 

 

Fionnie was a top student who was recognized and respected by many scholars from the House of the Scholars. Surely, she would know a way out of this situation. 

 

Louismond hurried to the parlor. To people who don’t know Louismond, the way he was rushing over makes him seem like a man on his way to meet his secret lover who he was forced apart for reasons beyond his control. Walking slowly behind him, the Head Maid had a wry smile on her face. 

 

“Fionnie Lauren, an imperial officer from the House of Scholars. The Duke will probably order an investigation soon. I should make the arrangements in advance.” 

 

She muttered to herself in the empty hallway and followed Louismond. 

 

(T/N: You didn’t do anything wrong Louismond. If anything, it’s that your stamina was of high quality that even Rubiana, a strong warrior from the North, couldn’t walk and felt weak in the morning [

fufu~

])