Married To A Savage Duke - Chapter 53-1

Cherryl had never been angry at anyone else when she came to Karlsvik. Her optimism also played a role. Plus, she didn’t encounter any issues while staying in the Grand Duke’s Castle. For the first time, Cade became the target of her raised voice. Cade also had the same idea. He let the arm blocking Cherryl’s body fall as he stared down at her.

“If that is your wish, then please do so, My Lady.”

The golden eyes beneath his lashes appeared melancholic. Even if his countenance didn’t change at all, he gave off the impression of a stray dog in the rain.

“Come this way, Your Majesty.”

Not making eye contact after Cade’s mood turned frosty, she hurried her steps. On the contrary, Rosaline cast him a sideways glance and followed her in her wet clothes. For a long time, Cade stared at Cherryl’s back in confusion as she moved away and it wasn’t until she had completely disappeared from his view that he roughly swept his face with one hand.

*SIGH*

Was it because he was too distracted by her pale complexion? Later, he had this unpleasant premonition that Cherryl might have misunderstood about her face-to-face encounter with the princess.

***

The sound of two women’s footsteps resonated in the quiet hallway. The lights lining up on the wall shimmered every time Cherryl and Rosaline passed by. On their way to the Great Hall, they left the first floor, climbed the stairs by the corridor, and walked down the long hallway. Even if they weren’t close to their destination yet, nobody talked for quite a long time. Since Cherryl couldn’t stand the uncomfortable atmosphere, she took the first step.

“It’s a relief that I know the main castle’s layout a little bit. I wasn’t used to this place until recently.”

If she hadn’t looked around with Lucy every day since she moved to the Grand Duke’s residence, she wouldn’t have been as skillful as she was now.

Rosaline, who followed, answered calmly. “This place is quite spacious and complicated. I’ve been to Blkanov Castle a few times but I can’t remember since I was too young.”

“You must have visited Carlsvik often, Your Majesty.”

“I often came here when the previous duke was still alive. We had no choice but to come and go to events and more.”

“Then you must have met Cade,” Cherryl said with a snap. She could feel the silence behind her back as if ROsaline was trying to figure out her true intentions. Her answer was awkwardly delayed, but the two walked without slowing down.

“Of course.” Rosaline responded briefly. She sounded so certain as if there was a meaning behind it. Cherryl recalled what the princess had told Cade in a trembling voice while she was peeking at the drawing-room earlier. Did the princess know the Grand Duke more than anyone else? In Rosaline’s mind, what did Cade look like after seeing him at the ball ten years ago? Cherryl had no idea except the fact that the princess must have known Cade for a very long time. It was uncomfortable to hear that there was a situation where only both of them shared. Her branches of doubt stretched everywhere. Now, Cherryl wasn’t sure if she really knew Cade that well. Lily couldn’t even answer when she asked her about his preference. Above all, Cade seemed different from what she read in the novel. Not only was he able to regain his place to avoid a tragic ending but he was also close to his subordinates. In the original novel, he was totally devoid of emotion he didn’t feel anything even if his colleague died. Contrary to his intimidating appearance, Cade knew how to laugh at himself and even had this boyish sensibility to show the beautiful lake of fireflies to her. In other words, Cherryl’s presence in this novel must have triggered side effects he had no idea of. At the end of her reluctant question, she found an answer that she wanted to turn away from. Rosaline must have been special to Cade, somehow. That must be it.

‘Was she…his ex-girlfriend?’

Oh, my God. Did that even make sense? It was a ridiculous guess but it wasn’t that unreasonable too. Wasn’t it even stranger that a  gentleman who just showed her such a romantic view never even dated? A lot of women had shown interest in him, but didn’t he like anyone of them? As she painstakingly untangled had a hundred thoughts in her mind, she didn’t even notice that they already arrived in front of the Great Hall. First, Cherryl opened the door and entered. The room hadn’t been used for a long time but it was well-maintained, so there was no problem if an unexpected guest used it immediately.  Rosaline, who entered the bedroom without looking around, picked up a white towel from the drawer first. Then she sat at the end of the bed and stared at Cherryl while rubbing her wet hair.

“I apologize once again, Lady Milose. I’m truly sorry for disrespecting you.”

“Do you mean visiting us at four in the morning without notice?”

Cherryl lit a candlestick before leaving the princess behind.

Rosaline replied, “I didn’t want to either.”

Cherryl wanted to snort. If the princess had enough common sense, did she think it was normal to visit a man who was about to get married in eleven days and create such a misunderstanding?

She didn’t know what kind of relationship the two had before, but they shouldn’t.