My Disfigured Duke Husband Helps Me Plot My Revenge
Chapter 27: When Dreams Come True

Chapter 27: When Dreams Come True

Leonor’s expressions were always honest but after their kiss broke apart, she gave him such a genuine look of admiration he thought his heart would burst. No one had ever looked at him with anything outside of mild interest.

He was well aware that a few women liked his face but he had never given them a chance. There was such a difference between passing curiosity and the love he wanted to fill his entire being with. He would have never guessed that the Count’s timid daughter would be who tore down his walls and made him rethink his entire life multiple times per day.

"What is there to go back from?" Leonor asked him breathlessly. "I don’t want to go backward."

He started to say something but Leonor stopped him by grabbing his hand and walking forward to the chairs they sat at multiple times before. She wanted to get all of her thoughts out before her courage disappeared. She felt vindicated but she knew that if something small made her doubt herself, her shyness would return.

When they were both sitting down with a half cool teapot between them, Leonor’s eyes were on the table between them as she gathered her thoughts. She smoothed out her skirts nervously, knowing her hands were probably clammy from the state of mind she was in.

She took a deep, calming breath, trying to iron out her emotions so she could present herself more calmly.

"I went to church with my father and sister this morning," Leonor began and her eyes shyly made their way to Valerio who was gazing at her warmly. "The Count told me to go to confessional because I was acting strangely according to my sister."

"Leonor..." he trailed off, trying to contain himself.

Valerio started to tense up but Leonor held out a hand as if to wait for her full explanation.

"I told Father Herbert I was fearful that I was questioning my father’s decisions and didn’t know if I could continue to obey him. Each time he speaks I have resistance in my heart," Leonor admitted. "I didn’t feel like this until you started visiting me every night."

Her last sentence caused her voice to waver and she had to rudely put an elbow on the table to ease her trembling jaw. She still had more she wanted to say.

Soon she found more stability.

"I was always told that, like my mother, I would never be able to follow my heart," she admitted. "How is it fair that all I want to do now is follow my heart?"

She didn’t know why her own question caused her eyes to well up. The emotions the man before her brought out of her were always unbelievably confusing. She was elated he was there but he was tearing things down within her that deserved mourning as her eyes watered.

Valerio leaned forward so he could grasp her hands. He was speechless at her admittance.

"I don’t want to die like my mother did," she continued with a quiet gasp as her tears finally fell. "When she knew she didn’t have long left in this life, she told me she was married to the Count yet always loved another. I don’t want that for myself."

When holding her hands no longer felt like enough, Valerio stood up and went to her side, crouching next to her so she could lean into him. His arms enveloped her, silently communicating that he was so grateful for her honesty.

"I don’t know how much I can ask for," Valerio admitted to her. "If I had a say, I would take you away this instant, but I have nothing to offer you except for myself."

Leonor squeezed her eyes shut and she leaned into his embrace.

"But all I want is you," she muttered. "You’re enough for me."

He shook his head.

"I want so much more for you than what I can offer now," he explained. "All the work you have put into your studies and training you have endured to be a worthy heiress should not go unnoticed. I would regret it forever if you didn’t achieve what you’ve worked so hard for just because I inhibited it."

He held her and sighed.

She pulled away and met his gaze. His eyes were full of misery and he didn’t seem satisfied with his own words.

Valerio, the one who lived each moment of his life entirely spontaneously, was the voice of reason at that moment. She knew he was correct in that she had dedicated her entire life trying to uphold the long legacy the Buriens carried. Her sister was the one likely to be married off while she was the oldest and most responsible.

"I don’t want to admit that you’re right," Leonor said. "Let me dream for just a little bit longer."

He felt his heart was full but his own words had deflated his hopes. As he held a wise girl in his arms he knew that she was destined for so much more.

"What do you dream about?" he asked.

"Holding more power than my father," Leonor admitted. "Controlling my magic..." her eyes drifted as she thought about it. "When my father can no longer dictate my life I’ll marry whoever I want to. My house will be strengthened because I will have a charitable husband and we’ll hold equal power."

Her eyes sparkled and the stablehand crouching on the ground against her legs admired her. The far off expression on her face made him want to deliver her the future she deserved right away.

"What do you dream about?" she returned the question and met his eyes that were already cast towards her face.

Leonor’s heart beat more rapidly when Valerio lifted her hand and brought it to his lips as he decided what he wanted to say. He had always dreamed of a time when he was able to treat her affectionately even though it was unnerving for her. He was just as clumsy and inexperienced but he hid it far better than she did.

As he thought, he realized it was hard to dream of a situation better than a beautiful girl greeting him with kisses while they shared their wants and dreams.

"I want to be the best swordsman in all of Castille," he admitted. "To bring the Eirenguardian style of sword fighting to the capital would forever change the militaristic power in this kingdom. I also want to be loved and have something to fight for." His gaze became more intense and he pushed a bit of her black hair from her face. "A family," he practically whispered.

Leonor felt unbelievably nervous. Their dreams intersected and divided just as much. His words felt pointed and they punctured her as much as they embraced her. She was full of both of their wants for life.

"I believe you will do whatever you set out to achieve," Leonor remarked honestly and her eyes went to their connected hands. "Valerio... I have no say in my life right now, but when I do, will you wait for me?"

To her instant relief, he smiled at her and nodded slowly. He didn’t need to think about it for even a moment.

"You stole my heart and my first kiss," he admitted. "There’s never been anyone else for me."

Leonor’s heart soared and a smile of pure elation appeared on her face. Valerio thought she was heart-stopping at that moment.

"Can I kiss you again?" she asked.

She didn’t know how to go backward, only forward, forgetting about the rules of the world they lived in.

"You will find I will never say no to that," he admitted.

She leaned forward into his embrace and they kissed until she slid off the chair and onto the floor next to him. Laughter fell from their lips as they thought that their dreams might come true.