My Disfigured Duke Husband Helps Me Plot My Revenge
Chapter 130: I’ll Tell Her

Chapter 130: I’ll Tell Her

In the same way Desmond approached Stephano in a rage when he realized just how close his wife and the king had gotten to one another, Stephano went into Desmond’s study equally as angry.

Gideon was sitting at a chair with a table in front of him, reading over something for the duke when the king stormed in, opening the door so hard it hit the wall on the opposite side.

"Get out!" Stephano demanded Gideon.

The old butler glanced at the king and duke before bowing and making haste of his exit. Both men he was extremely loyal to. He wouldn’t decide to exercise free will at that moment.

Desmond didn’t stand for the king. He stared at the other man in disbelief from where he sat at his desk. His lips were pressed in a tight-lipped frown. He didn’t ask for an explanation because, based on the expression Stephano war, he knew he was going to get an earful no matter what.

"The spots on my vest are your wife’s tears," Stephano snapped. "I could only hug her as she confessed to me what’s been going on. How can you sit there and work when she’s in a dark pit of despair you created!"

Desmond’s jaw clenched. The thought of Leonor clinging to someone else instead of him while she cried wasn’t a reality he wanted to face.

The reason for her tears was more important than his jealousy.

He stood up from his desk, but Stephano approached him and pushed at his chest until his large back was against the dark wall.

"Don’t go to her," Stephano snapped. "She’s resting."

"How am I to know why she cried if I can’t see her?" Desmond asked helplessly.

The duke’s hands were raised in defeat, showing Stephano he meant no aggression despite being approached in a way that made him want to draw a sword.

"Listen to me first," Stephano snapped.

He gripped the duke’s shirt for a moment before pushing against him and stepping away. It would be inappropriate to act with his anger any further.

Desmond went silent, waiting for him to say what he needed to hear.

"For over six years, Leonor has been healing a lilac bloom she keeps in a locket every single night," Stephano’s voice was cold but it soon became heated and his voice raised. "Every single night! Do you know where she got the flower from? Valerio!"

Stephano scoffed and ran a hand through his fiery hair.

"She’s been indebted to Valerio every single night but because she healed you, she couldn’t heal the flower," Stephano went on. "It disintegrated considering it was years past its natural lifespan. She feels guilty, as if she betrayed Valerio and you still won’t tell her! God dammit, Desmond!"

His final shout caused the fire of a candle lighting up the office to get larger and the king’s hazel eyes seemed more golden as he tried to control his madness.

Not knowing how else to control himself, Stephano sat down on the chair Gideon once occupied and his elbow pressed into the arm of it while his hand covered his lips, willing himself not to say anything further.

While Desmond watched Stephano get himself together, he felt helpless.

He was the source of Leonor’s pain for a variety of reasons. The closer she got to him as Desmond, the more she hurt because she didn’t know the truth.

He knew what he must do. Even if she hated him for it, he would have to release her from the burdens he had unknowingly given her.

She had kept a flower from him for such a long time. All the while, he was jealous of whoever gave her the locket. It caused her so much pain and he had no idea.

"I’ll tell her," he said, finally.

He was more resolute than Stephano had ever seen him. It was a shame that it took her tearing herself apart for it to happen, though he couldn’t blame the man for being terrified. He was far different than he was before.

Since Desmond knew he wouldn’t be able to work efficiently with that over his head, he figured out a way to break the news to her. Showing her himself would be the best way.

That was enough for Stephano to finally go back to the capital. He didn’t need to be there to see the outcome of the conversation. Knowing Leonor, she would likely forgive him. His reasoning was cruel but it made perfect sense.

The next day, Stephano was set to leave and he checked on Leonor one last time. To his relief, she was wearing a dress rather than a nightgown. He hoped she was feeling somewhat better even with the heartache hanging over her.

After saying his goodbye to her, she quickly returned to her room. Even if it was small, it was still progress.

Considering she left quickly and only said a few words to him, Desmond decided to give her space. He was too much of a coward to confess at that moment. Her sadness was palpable and raw. Would it be helpful or would it rub salt in the wound she had?

Unfortunately, it was a mistake not to tell her the truth when he had a chance.

The night after Stephano left, Desmond had a summoning from those still cleaning up the mess of the front lines of Letum. His duchy was the closest and he had sent many men northeast to help.

He would have to meet his men at the border and help them bring items to Piedmont. It would help in the efforts of identifying bodies and get a better picture of the timeline of events.

As painful as it would be to see burnt tents and have reminders around of all the losses they suffered, it was his job and his reality. Just because he wanted to pretend it didn’t exist, it meant nothing to the reality of the situation.

The least he could do was tell his wife that he would be back soon even if she didn’t want to talk to him at that moment.

He couldn’t blame her for her silence. It was his creation after all.