My Disfigured Duke Husband Helps Me Plot My Revenge
Chapter 268: Escapism

Chapter 268: Escapism

Four out of the five people sitting at the Royal Family’s table that evening were there while the King remained social with a glass of champagne in his hands and amongst the people.

Dinner had been served but Stephano was notorious for neglecting his appetite. He had been ignoring it for so many years that it was hardly an afterthought to him. Others seemed more worried about it than him, but it was mostly due to his thin frame despite how tall he was.

Occasionally, Leonor glanced at the empty spot at the head of the table where the King was meant to sit, but her focus was mostly on the room below where Stephano was pretending to be a sociable person.

She was surprised he was able to seem so bubbly and outgoing despite the dread he had been building up since she heard of the Winter Solstice Ball. He was a social chameleon who suited each situation.

She imagined an entire life in this environment was enough training for one person.

Quinn sat beside Leonor, quietly sipping his wine since he finished eating and keeping his eyes away from the party down below because if he looked, he knew he would start staring and be deemed rude.

Desmond and Cian were on the other side of Leonor exchanging hushed conversation.

She wasn’t sure if Cian knew about Desmond’s background, but she noticed the two of them forming some sort of comradery. A hero of war known for his swordsmanship and a knight from Eirenguard had a lot to talk about regarding swords and battle, it turned out.

That left Quinn to talk to but he seemed intent on drinking himself to death.

Leonor wasn’t hungry so she lifted her glass to her lips.

"Not in much of a sociable mood, are you?" Leonor uttered to her friend.

Quinn’s cheeks were slightly reddened whether from being embarrassed at being called out or because the alcohol was already affecting him, Leonor wasn’t entirely sure. Regardless, she smiled sweetly.

"This sort of environment is stiff," he explained. "I wasn’t trained from a young age to subject myself to this."

"You’re representing mages well," Leonor joked. "Unsociable and uninterested in others is a textbook full-blooded mage."

"I apologize for not being half like you are," he said. "Perhaps I would have developed a better personality if that were the case."

Leonor put down her chalice.

"Is something the matter?" she asked, speaking more quietly than before. "You seem even more unenthused than normal despite the beautiful clothing you wear."

"Yes, this burdening gift is the matter," Quinn explained and adjusted his robes.

Leonor laughed lightly, thinking of the way she had called the dress she wore a burden earlier. It seemed the two mages were birds of a feather–neither of them was used to such fine clothing.

"From His Majesty, I assume?" she asked. "Regardless, you look dashing. I have seen a few looking this way, not that you’re interested. It’s the thought that counts."

"Unfortunately, it will never be the right person looking my way. This is a reality I have accepted," Quinn whispered, knowing only Leonor could hear him.

With his confession, he downed the rest of his cup.

"Cian, has your purpose this evening expired?" Quinn suddenly asked the man across the table from him.

His grey eyes observed the man’s plate and, seeing that it was empty, he didn’t know what else there was for him to do there.

Stephano had walked Cian around the room, introducing him to various nobles to inject their relationship and make it seem as if things were fine with what was left of Eirenguard.

The situation made Quinn feel for the man. He was hardly treated as a person in Castille but as a political chess piece. It was the reality for the enemy of their nation. There was no helping it but he refused to treat the man as anything but that.

Cian’s ruby eyes were full of surprise as his gaze left the empty plate in front of him. He wasn’t much of a drinker outside of quenching his thirst. The chalice next to his plate remained half full. He kept it as such so maids wouldn’t come by and refill it for him as they were clearly

On the other hand, he could tell that Quinn had been drinking since the moment he was able to sit down. He didn’t know if the man was much of a drinker or if he would be in trouble later on.

Yet being able to escape the ball after less than two hours of participation made him hopeful. After all, they weren’t the only people to escape the ballroom to cool off or have private conversations elsewhere.

"I believe it has," Cian finally responded, pushing his surprise to the side. "King Stephano can summon me regardless of where I am. After all, I’m not allowed to leave the grounds of the palace."

Quinn stood up on unstable feet but it didn’t stop him.

"Then, if you would like, we ought to go to the mage’s quarter where I can fix your sword," Quinn explained. "The students are guaranteed not to be there. They are off for Winter Solstice."

Cian looked around the table and then down at the ballroom where the King remained with a new drink in his hands.

"That sort of environment would be better suited for the way I’m feeling," Cian admitted and he stood up.

Leonor’s eyes widened and she glanced at Desmond before looking at Quinn and Cian. It felt like she was trying to wrangle petulant children who refused to play nice together. If Stephano saw Quinn escape, he would certainly not like it, but she also didn’t want to give Quinn false hope for the reason the King would behave like that.

It wasn’t as if Quinn could only have Stephano as a friend. She sighed.

"Please, be careful," she uttered quietly.

After bowing to the duke and duchess, he was on his way to a side entrance where they wouldn’t catch much attention.

No longer in earshot, Leonor leaned into her husband and her finger slid under the tablecloth so she could lace her fingers with his where his hand rested on his leg.

"Is that alright?" she asked, seeking his support. "It won’t step on anyone’s toes will it?"

Desmond thoughtfully bit the inside of his lip and he discarded his glove so he could gently stroke his wife’s face. He hid under the cover of a thin cloak–the very one Leonor bought for him on his first birthday she was his wife. It was best for events because he could hide but it wasn’t unbelievably hot.

Regardless of him hiding himself from others, Leonor could see him perfectly fine as she leaned into him. She was so close his hood practically obscured her from others as well.

"I don’t know, Leonor," he admitted. "His Majesty has been unpredictable regarding Quinn these days. They must have had some sort of disagreement."

Again, keeping Quinn’s secret was making it so she couldn’t be transparent with Desmond. She wondered if she would ever be able to be honest.

It was clear she was burdened and Desmond’s fingers left her face.

"I hate to say it in such a way, but it isn’t your burden to bear," Desmond admitted. "It isn’t your duty to fix their problems even though I know you would rest easier knowing they are happy with one another. They are adult men with strong opinions that they have to sort out themselves."

Even though it would shatter the image of all of them happy and fulfilled as adults with rich friendships, Leonor knew that one day it might be better for Quinn to escape the palace or find someone else to ignite his heart. Stephano said many times over that he had no interest in opening his heart to anyone. She didn’t even know if he could if he wanted to.

"You’re right," Leonor begrudgingly admitted. "I just want everyone to be as happy as I am, I suppose."

There were certainly eyes on them but Leonor couldn’t help herself and pulled his hood so she could steal a quick kiss from him and straighten herself out.

She had been noticing the wandering eyes of a few men on her and it made her feel unsettled rather than attractive. If her affection bordering on inappropriate was what it took to seal the image of a happily married woman, she would do it for Desmond’s sake.

He had so many harsh eyes on him that evening. All she wanted was for him to live a life free of insecurities and full of love.

Desmond seemed flustered when Leonor pulled away and gazed at him from where she leaned against the table with a shy smile on her face. He was amused that she was the one who kissed him but was also the more nervous one.

"You’re playing with fire," he admitted. "I had plenty last night but it’s never enough."

Leonor’s eyes widened and she glanced at the ballroom as if someone could hear what her husband had dared to say.

However, the music on the lower levels became louder and they realized it was time to start moving to the ballroom floor. Normally the host was the one to open the dance, but he had instructed the duke and duchess before that it would be on them since they were treasured guests and the only ones out of them who were married.

"Shall we dance, my love?" he asked. "I’m looking for more excuses to put my hands on you."

Desmond stood up and offered his hand after replacing his glove.

"Yes, my dear," she said. "You won’t need excuses soon enough. Hold on until then."

With that, they went to the grand staircase and made their way down.

In the meantime, Stephano decided to settle down and let the others dance. He wasn’t in a dancing mood after socializing for such a long time.

However, when he got to the empty table, he muttered "What the hell...?" under his breath.