My Disfigured Duke Husband Helps Me Plot My Revenge
Chapter 105: Showing His Age

Chapter 105: Showing His Age

The gardens weren’t in full bloom, but Leonor thought it was nice seeing colorful buds on top of each bush and stalk. Each plant was specifically chosen for blooming early and having a long life so the garden would remain full through the summer heat.

While Leonor walked through the hallway, stopped at each window to peer into the courtyard garden she had grown to love and miss when everything was buried in snow. As she passed by the end of the hall, she glanced at the room Stephano occupied and she wondered when he would join them for dinner.

She was getting hungry so she decided to go into the dining hall and see the whereabouts of her husband as well.

The dinner that evening wasn’t anything too fancy or over the top. She hadn’t expected the king to show up. Even if he wasn’t someone with a large appetite, it would be good to put their best foot forward for him.

Instead of stopping in the dining hall where maids were putting together placements, the duchess continued into the kitchen.

"Your grace," one of the maids greeted Leonor. "Is there something I can do for you?"

"I was feeling a bit nervous," Leonor admitted. "The King was an unexpected visitor this evening."

The chef, who was done with his share of the cooking walked over to Leonor, wiping his hands on a white towel that had been placed in his belt for ease while he worked.

"His Majesty has already assured me that something light would be best," the chef explained. "He claims to have little appetite."

Leonor wanted to roll her eyes but she held back. Stephano was predictable as always.

"Then I suppose that’s good for us," Leonor said, relieved. "I will wait in the dining hall then."

As she walked out of the kitchen and into the dining area, she was surprised to see Desmond walking through the opposite door. It seemed that they were both on the same eating schedule. He likely went to dinner when he was hungry as well.

"Did you finish everything you needed to?" Leonor asked, wondering if he would be able to entertain the king that evening as well.

"My work revolves around our guest," Desmond admitted. "If he says it’s done, then it’s done."

A small smile appeared on Leonor’s face.

"I suppose that’s true," she said. "Though I wonder where he is. He said he would rest before dinner."

"You should see for yourself" was all Desmond said before he walked back into the hallway.

Leonor followed him with interest and was surprised to find her husband walking towards the library they once occupied every day in the winter.

The door to the large room was open and Leonor heard Stephano’s voice even before making it to the entrance.

When she saw him, he had a book in his lap on one of the couches and there were a couple of children, but even more maids, standing or sitting in the area.

It wasn’t unheard of for the occasional maid to bring their child there. It was one way Desmond was different from others.

He believed the work schedules should be convenient and understood if maids needed to bring their children for unforeseen circumstances. There were even more maids there to keep watch of said children just in case.

However, rarely was there someone who wanted to entertain these children.

As the king gave an animated show of whichever book sat on his knee, the kids giggled and the maids politely listened with hands over their lips.

They hadn’t expected the king to be so young or so comfortable in his subject’s home.

Leonor realized he had probably snapped.

The capital was much too serious for too long. He was running away just to get a break. If they knew when he was leaving, he likely would have been burdened with far more.

To him, practicing magic for a month sounded like a break. She was honored that it was in their house he decided to take one.

Leonor took a step closer to Desmond.

"How did you go about finding me a mage to practice with?" Leonor finally asked.

"I asked Stephano if there were mages trustworthy enough to help you until we can find something more permanent," Desmond admitted.

She noticed he didn’t use Stephano’s title in the same way Stephano didn’t use hers. Perhaps they were closer than she originally thought.

"And he picked himself..." Leonor trailed off in disbelief. "As long as we don’t get into trouble for hiding the king, I suppose."

Desmond half scoffed, half laughed, and shook his head.

"He’s cunning," Desmond said. "He’s likely been planning this specific move for quite a while in a way that won’t inconvenience anyone unless an emergency arises."

Leonor couldn’t help thinking Desmond sounded a bit irritated at the monarch, but she wouldn’t ask about it further.

Instead, she stepped forward into the room and sat down in a small space on the opposite couch that wasn’t occupied.

Stephano realized then that his hosts were there and he gave the book to one of the children.

"I suppose it’s time for us to eat," Stephano said.

"It is, your highness," Leonor agreed.

The king said goodbye to the children and maids and the three of them went to the dining hall where light food had been placed out to the king’s request. It was still enough to be filling considering Desmond’s appetite but it would take him a few helpings to get to where he normally was.

When the three of them were finished eating after a dinner full of pleasantries and small talk that didn’t get anywhere since they were mostly focused on eating, Leonor was finally happy to wipe her lips and sit back in the chair with wine in her hands.

She dropped the proper facade slightly, though it was ingrained in her enough that she held the glass properly and didn’t slouch.

"How was the journey, your highness?" she wondered. "I’m still in disbelief that you managed to escape the capital without anyone noticing."

"I left at night under a disguise spell," Stephano explained. "I was as good as an officer for twelve hours. I even wrote my permission slip to leave the city so the other guards wouldn’t think anything of it."

Stephano smirked at the thought.

A maid came by to clear plates so the nobles could talk without food sitting in front of them. She hesitated to take the king’s plate but he assured her he was finished.

He had done his best to eat the food provided knowing that no one would poison him there considering his most trusted were there and no one of importance otherwise knew he had escaped to Montclair.

"The last person I knew who could pull off disguise magic for that long was–"

"Yes," Stephano interrupted. "Quinn."

Leonor’s eyes lit up and Desmond took notice of it.