I decided to think about the future.
I had no regrets about my relationship with the Duke. Wasn't it just a contract anyway?
With that in mind, the escape was quickly scheduled.
I grabbed a pen and started writing.
Exactly two weeks later, the day the banquet was held at the Imperial Palace seemed to be the most appropriate day.
There was a condition in determining the day of escape.
Firstly, the possibility of escaping with a heavy body from the heavily protected duke's palace was almost nil. So when I got out, I had to run.
There are two opportunities; A social gala in a few days and a banquet at the Imperial Palace in two weeks.
Which day is better?
As a Duchess, it was difficult for me to move freely anywhere. So, it was perfect for me to go out under the pretext of an official meeting.
Secondly, the Duke should not accompany me. The Duke was a smart and quick-witted person. If he was by my side, it would be difficult to escape surveillance.
“The Duke decided not to go to the banquet.”
Saiki circled around the word banquet.
I will go to the social ball with the Duke, but not to the banquet at the Imperial Palace.
The banquet hosted by the Empress was a gathering of noble wives, and only married women were allowed to enter.
The men, of course, could not attend.
Moreover, the Duke had work since the day the banquet was held, and said that he was going abroad.
So he won't be able to notice my escape right away. It was also related to the first reason.
Even if I escaped from the Duke, it would be useless for him to follow me immediately.
So this was the most convenient day. Psyche had made all the plans perfectly, and thought about it.
“Never let the Duke know that I am thinking of escaping.”
We still have about three months to go. Until then, I decided to act as calm and normal as possible.
“Woah.”
I took a deep breath.
I didn't want to share the pain with my child.
If there was only one thing I got from marrying the Duke, it would be new life in my womb.
It was simply the result of a contract, but the meaning of the child's existence was greater to Saeki than she had expected. It was a strange feeling.
It was so strange to be carrying a new life in my womb. In the beginning, there were many times when I felt uncomfortable because my body didn't look like my own.
“At first...it sure was.”
Although it was just a contractual relationship, she found it strange. In the midst of this confusion, the Duke treated her with the utmost respect.
“My wife, please sit here.”
“Wife, it's cold. Come in.”
“My wife, you shouldn’t skip breakfast.”
There was a period when she was happy to see the Duke visiting her regularly and checking on her every morning.
The relationship between the Duke and Psyche was contractual, but the relationship between the Duke and his dynasty was different. Maybe he acted like this because of the child?
At that time, I thought I would be able to experience the happy family I had only dreamed of.
But it was all an act.
Looking back, he never revealed his true feelings to me. He was always nice on the outside. In fact, it's just a tricky situation to get an heir.
“You can't have a child without a mother.”
She sat still and shook her head.
“I have to leave this place for the sake of the child and for myself.”
But I had no intention of living as a single woman and having difficulty giving birth.
"In order to do that, I have to go to a place that has a good environment. And I also have to raise money."
Even if I cannot do the same thing that the Duke can do for me, I will raise my child well.
So I need a more precise and well-planned plan.
“It would be very expensive if I sold my jewelry. By the way… my stomach is already big, so I won’t be able to carry much.”
“It would be very expensive if I sold my jewelry. By the way… my stomach is already big, so I won’t be able to carry much.”
Saiki opened a small drawer under the bedside table.
“I should have ordered more jewelry.”
She didn't know that she would regret the past when she refused the gifts that the Duke offered her. While she was fiddling with the necklace in the drawer, she found a small bouquet of dried flowers next to the jewelry.
“Oh, it’s amazing to turn a perennial herb into a bouquet here… People here seem to be ignorant of herbal and plant medicine.”
Knock knock knock.
Psyche was surprised by the knocking, so she quickly fixed her shawl.
My cheeks turned red due to my intense concentration. When I looked out the window, the bright yellow sun was already setting behind the mountain. It seemed as if the sun melted into the sky.
“Oh, I didn't know it was already evening.”
She had forgotten that she dined with the Duke once a week, and that was today.
After patting her cheeks with her hands, Psyche said to her: “Come in.”
Then one of the maids quietly opened the door and came in and said: “Madam, dinner is ready. The Duke said he would go first. Shall I guide you?”
“No, I will go myself.”
"Good."
It required mental preparation to treat the Duke so casually.
She took a deep breath and looked at her reflection in the mirror.
“No need to be nervous, just act as usual, as usual.”
She got up from her seat after calming down again. It was because she couldn't arouse the quick-witted Duke's suspicions even slightly.
She thinks so, as she has arrived at the dining room without knowing it.
“Woo…”
“What makes you so nervous?”
Psyche was startled by a voice whispering in her ear from behind.
"wife?"
The maid said that the Duke would go to the dining room first.
“Ah, I thought you were already here.”
“Then why are you so surprised?”
“This, this! This is because Your Majesty seems to be mocking me!”
Then the Duke laughed.
“Is that so? I just wanted to surprise my wife. Let’s go in and eat.”
He reached behind him and opened the door. Saeki felt embarrassed as she suddenly found herself in his arms.
“You're shy.”
I gently placed my hand on his shoulder, looking friendly.
At some point, I felt like it was his duty to be nice to me. It would have been better if it had been. Now that I found out the truth, it all seemed like a lie.
“Sit down, my wife.”
Gently pull the chair out. Duke Valentine was an impeccable gentleman. He was also the groom every woman dreams of. He has status, wealth and appearance.
But now all this seems pointless. In a kind gesture, Saiki looked at him and smiled.
“Now that you're here, this place is a lot brighter, my wife.”
As soon as he sat down, the prepared food began to be served.
Originally, they were to sit facing each other at the end of the very long table, but the Duke asked Saiki to sit closer to him.
At the time, I thought it was very romantic, but now I think it's for observation.
"How are you?"
Even though they were just a contract couple, he always kept an eye on Saiki's condition and attitude. He was meticulous and did not forget to always make sure there was no shortage of money, and to give her a new dress as a gift every month.
On the surface, he is a really good husband. Saiki was tired of even thinking about it.
I know he said he was going to kill me. He said that a short while ago. How could he sit with that look on his face? I was afraid of his cute face more than anything else.
But Saiki smiled as if nothing had happened.
“Well, Your Majesty has always taken care of me, so it's perfect.”
“I'm glad to hear that.”
The Duke smiled wonderfully. Simple but colorful appetizers were served at the table. Tomato soup came out sprinkled with finely ground walnuts.
The Duke smiled as he suggested, “It is said that tomatoes and walnuts are good for pregnant women, so I prepared them.”
"Yes."
Psyche, who answered with a brusque look of laziness, answered quickly and added, “Thank you for always taking care of me.”
“Of course I should.”
His kindness did not end there. The Duke took the steak, cut it into small pieces, placed it in front of Psyche, and smiled softly. Saiki's mind became more complicated by this action.
“You can't be weak because of this, Saiki.”
Saiki looked at the steak in front of her and calmed her complicated mind. The Duke who was cutting the steak said again, “Oh, my wife. About the Imperial Palace banquet...”
When the Duke suddenly spoke about the banquet, which he had no interest in, Saiki's eyes widened in surprise.
“What surprised you the most?”
“Oh, you said you weren’t interested in parties where women gathered, so it was surprising.”
She survived the crisis as calmly as possible and smiled as usual.
But that's been a while too.
After the Duke's next words, Psyche lost her composure and dropped the knife she was holding.