My Disfigured Duke Husband Helps Me Plot My Revenge
Chapter 229: The Intimidating Palace

Chapter 229: The Intimidating Palace

Considering there were no plans to go to the capital together anytime soon, it had almost slipped Leonor’s mind that Montclair had a house on the outskirts of the central capital towards the brick wall that surrounded the largest part of the township.

As Desmond exchanged a few words with his men before he could get into the carriage and they could make their way to the heart of Coeurvalle, she realized that’s where they would be staying.

While Desmond and Leonor went to the palace, his men and the maids would bring their things to the villa. For much of the day, they would ensure everything had been prepared for the ducal couple accordingly.

While the house was never empty, it was full of staff that didn’t attend to the couple day to day and there were likely a few things they needed to be instructed on so that the couple would be as comfortable as if they were home.

Considering the elusive amount of time they were set to be in Coeurvalle, it was necessary for them to be happy with their living quarters.

It wasn’t until they made it to the walled part of the central capital that Leonor truly began to get nervous.

They passed through the very gate that the war heroes returning from the north went through on the day of the homecoming parade. It was the day Leonor thought she had lost Desmond forever.

It was somewhat haunting, remembering the feeling of such innumerable loss. Even the hotel she and Quinn stayed at was perched at the edge of that street towards the wall.

Desmond noticed her insistence to keep the window open as she reflected on her past and experiences in the capital.

"How many times have you been to the capital?" Desmond asked his wife, suddenly curious about why she was reacting so strongly to the place they were going.

"A few times," Leonor admitted. "My father was a tool of the late King and we have a villa across the street from the palace in the town square. It costs an unbelievable amount of money to have such a prime location." Except Leonor’s eyes fell to her lap. "The last time I went to the capital was during the homecoming parade. When I thought I had lost you forever. Even if I couldn’t accept it fully, it still ate me alive."

They were already sitting on the same side of the carriage but, at Leonor’s admittance, Desmond was at her side and doing what he could to comfort her.

"All of that is in the past," he said. "We found each other once again."

Even with Desmond’s hand on her cheek, Leonor tried to nod away her harsh feelings.

"I know that now," she explained. "Yet nothing will take away the guilt of feeling like my father had killed you. If you died it would have been his fault and he would have never faced repercussions because the late King thought that men were expendable if their family wasn’t in the Registry of Nobles."

She decided all she could do was shut her eyes and relish in the very real feeling of her husband comforting her–the very man she thought was dead all those years ago. Yet he was also the one she held out hope for even if she knew it was ridiculous. She couldn’t imagine loving another even at such a young age.

"Leonor..." he uttered and kissed her forehead.

There were no appropriate words for the situation. She had suffered for so long and he only prolonged it by being a coward and a liar for such a long time. The fact that she had forgiven him would always amaze him. He didn’t deserve her forgiveness, much less her trust.

Yet she continued to welcome him with open arms at each turn.

All he wanted to do was be consumed in his love for Leonor and only think about that for a while but life kept handing them obstacles.

Unfortunately, it seemed that this particular obstacle was bigger than a few others. It might make their winter plans difficult if Stephano was in dire enough straits that he needed to call one of his most trusted to the capital.

Desmond couldn’t imagine what sort of information he had that would make him jump to strengthen the borders.

As they made it to the very innermost wall in the central capital that housed the palaces, Desmond witnessed Leonor sit up straighter and perk herself up. She wasn’t sure what lay ahead but she was prepared to face a storm.

Leonor had never faced real combat but her battlefield was the social circles of nobles. Her life was one based on appearance and gossip.

Before she was the sheltered daughter of an old rich man, now she was a public figure of a man scorned by the general population of Castille. If she wanted to live a quiet life, it was impossible.

Her only choice was to throw herself in and hope she navigated herself well enough. She would carry Alma’s guidance with her as well as the years of etiquette lessons she took to be someone her father could only slightly stand.

She had to admit she was excited to see Stephano and Quinn even if their reason for being there would likely add to their burdens and complicate their lives.

It had been a long time since she had to go through the inner walls and see the palace up close. Even though she wasn’t such a child anymore, it was still overwhelming.

However, instead of having her cruel father guiding her in with his arm even though the mere thought of having to touch his eldest daughter seemed to disgust him, Leonor had the love of her life who would guide her forth and understand her insecurities whenever they presented themselves.

He would comfort her if she needed it and support her all the same.

The carriage slowed as they made it over brick-lined streets bordered by well-manicured bushes despite it being so late into autumn. They rounded a fountain that stood at a turnaround point and finally stopped at the front of two massive doors that had been opened, leading to the long hallway that ended at the throne that King Stephano was rumored not to often occupy.

It was very much unlike his father who took all meetings from that place as a way to exercise his powerful appearance.

Leonor took a deep breath and let it go slowly as Desmond stepped out of the carriage. She then shifted herself forward so she was near the door and she took Desmond’s outstretched hand so he could lead her to the ground.

Leonor knew immediately it was warmer than Montclair as she made it outside, but it was still biting enough to shiver as a breeze rolled by and her exposed upper chest broke out in goosebumps.

They were quickly brought inside of a warm throne room.

Sitting on the end of the long runner was a red-headed young king with an irritated expression on his face. At his side was a silver-haired mage with much of the same expression.

Despite their bickering, the moment they saw the ducal couple enter the throne room, both of their expressions changed drastically.