My Disfigured Duke Husband Helps Me Plot My Revenge
Chapter 241: The Queen’s Palace

Chapter 241: The Queen’s Palace

None the wiser to the conflict they had only just left behind, Desmond and Leonor followed the maid mostly in silence.

Rather than him guiding her properly, they laced fingers together and she leaned into his shoulder as they slowly walked forward. As they went along, they admired a bit more of the palace’s art, tapestries, rugs, and muraled ceilings. Some of the paintings even had gold foiling that glimmered in the candlelight of chandeliers and wall sconces.

As they made it to the end of the long hallway, they saw that the maid, who had been giving them privacy, was waiting at the door.

"Forgive me, your graces," the maid turned to them. "We must walk outside for a moment even if the breezeway is covered, it is still open to the outside wind."

Desmond turned to his wife, allowing her to respond considering she was the colder out of both of them.

"I’ll survive," Leonor said. "I’ve had enough to drink so I ought to cool down."

The maid offered a polite smile before she led them outside and they were met with an impressive pathway covered with a large, sloping roof and hedges that had started to dry out because of the autumn weather.

While it was cold, it wasn’t awful. It was clear the late Queen had it made in such a way that any sort of weather wouldn’t inconvenience her as she went back and forth. It was also one of the longer breezeways in the castle and Leonor theorized it was due to the Queen not being able to stand the King.

Her palace was as far from his as she could make it.

As they got closer, they saw that to be the truth considering the large privacy wall made of stone and covered with ivy that had been erected on the other end of the property so that those on the other side of the wall couldn’t see the building. It allowed that palace to be far from the King’s yet still offer the privacy required of a Royal.

The trees were also more impressive than in other parts of the palace and it hid the building further from prying eyes.

The gardens were beautiful as well even though they didn’t have much growing in them. They seemed wild and natural compared to the overly sharp corners in the King’s Palace’s gardens.

Similar to her mother, Countess Jara, Leonor had heard from a few people that the Queen was a more free-spirited person compared to the life she was subjected to as a noble’s daughter to the King’s wife. She desired a relaxed environment but had to conform to life in the palace.

She and the King were not compatible in anything other than producing an heir. Since there were already people warming the King’s bed, there was no room for the Queen in such a place as that.

Walking through the natural gardens and up brick steps made Leonor feel a bit sad about the fate of the Queen. She was so introspective she almost didn’t notice the impressive structure they were walking towards.

Unlike most u-shaped noble residences which bent towards the back of their property so a courtyard could be established and protect the people from external factors, the Queen’s palace was a large two-story structure with light stucco walls. Tall, thin windows covered every couple of feet of the building and the walls making up the two legs of the U jutted towards them rather than away.

Each window was lit up with a golden hue and it lent a view of the roof which sloped a few feet downward and boasted a striking, navy blue color.

Despite the dark history of such a place, Leonor couldn’t stop the light gasp that escaped when they were finally at the long path that led up to the front door.

"It’s such a beautiful place," she said. "Getting used to such luxuries will be difficult."

She spoke without thinking and she could feel the maid’s gaze, reminding her that she was perceived as someone spoiled, just as her father always wanted.

The feeling caused her to stop speaking more.

As they were led to the front door and found Beth, they realized there was no choice but for that place to be their home.

"Your grace," Beth greeted Desmond first. "A letter from Gideon has arrived for you in the study of this place. A shorter letter on the outside said nothing urgent."

"Then I will read it later," Desmond responded. "Go rest."

Beth turned to Leonor with an inquisitive expression.

"Yes, rest," Leonor said. "You’ve been traveling just as much as we have and I’m exhausted. You worked hard today as well."

"Thank you, your graces," Beth said. "I will retire for the evening."

The maid who brought them was still behind the couple.

"Shall I show you around the palace or will you retire for the evening?" she asked politely.

"We ought to explore for ourselves unless there’s anything pressing we need to know," Leonor responded first.

"Nothing at all, duchess," the maid responded. "Please relax this evening. No one has taken advantage of the beauty within the Queen’s Palace in a long time."

They bid each other goodnight and the maid retreated outside, following the same path she led them down before.

Since there weren’t any other helpers in the front hall, Leonor laced her fingers with Desmond’s once again.

"Shall we look around?" she asked. "I think I also wouldn’t mind only exploring what’s there on our way to the bedroom because I’m tired of this dress."

"Whatever the lady wants," Desmond said to her.

He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles through a light smirk that pulled at his lips as he looked down at his wife.

Even if there wasn’t a promise of anything, simply getting Leonor out of her gown would be enough excitement for him.

"Then we better go get into something more comfortable," she said. "Both of us."

When his lips were no longer against her fingers she pulled his hand and guided him forth.

"Do you know where you’re going?" he wondered, curious about her determination to go in a specific direction.

"Not at all," she responded with a grin.