My Disfigured Duke Husband Helps Me Plot My Revenge
Chapter 291: A New Burden

Chapter 291: A New Burden

"Does it make you feel better to worry for you all the time constantly?" Stephano spoke with his arms crossed over his chest.

He looked particularly regal with black underclothing and a white overcoat with golden buttons and edging. It did a lot to soften his image more than normal. His golden eyes narrowed at Leonor and he was backlit by the midday sun. As usual, he wore fur over even his coat. He was always such a cold person, Leonor wondered if it had to do with his mana for some reason.

Leonor sat up straighter, feeling bad for lying in front of their King. Even though he was clearly there as a friend, there were still a few things she couldn’t completely ignore.

Most men might worry that their wives had a man agonizing over them but Desmond sat comfortably at his wife’s bedside, staying out of His Majesty’s business. He wasn’t sure what it was that assured him so much. Perhaps it was Leonor’s love or Stephano’s entire lack of interest in her, but after his jealousy that the man was able to get close to her in his absence disappeared, he realized there were few relationships far more platonic than Leonor and Stephano.

Perhaps only Quinn and Leonor’s relationship was more platonic than even that.

"I feel wonderful that our cold King has it in his heart to feel sorry for me," Leonor teased. "Unfortunately, the dangerous company I tend to keep is the reason for my poor health normally."

Stephano sighed.

"I didn’t imagine it was possible to see you looking even worse than when you depleted your healing mana before," he admitted. "Yet here we are. I have maids preparing restorative tea and a hearty meal for you. Even if you aren’t able to keep it down, it’s better than starving yourself. The tea should calm your stomach."

The King was standing but he settled in a chair and ran his gloved fingers through his fiery locks of hair. Another sigh escaped.

"Dammit, Leonor," he uttered. "I am so very tired."

"Desmond told me you have my sister and that black magic practitioner in custody," she said. "You must have used enchanting magic to create an apt prison. Are you the one who is possibly depleted now?"

"You should know by now–"

"Royal mana is not like other mana," Leonor interrupted him. "I’m sure you’ve mentioned it at least a couple of times before."

Her voice was quiet and she couldn’t bring herself to project much but she wanted to assure him that she was fine by speaking. At that moment, she didn’t think she could bring herself to stand up.

When the King’s golden eyes met hers, all she could do was smile slightly. Her burdens were too much to joke about at the moment.

"Please, tell me what we do now, Your Majesty," she uttered a plea. "What will become of Burien? If it isn’t Anna, there is no heir for the county. I’m not sure my father will ever wake up from what is happening. I have no suitable relatives. I certainly can’t do anything..."

Yet Stephano’s burden only got heavier as Leonor spoke.

He had information that would change her life forever but was unsure of telling her since she was already in a bad physical state. A mage as strong as her shouldn’t have been taken out so easily. It was terrifying to him.

It felt like a heavy curtain was being pulled over his brain. However, it seemed the mage in front of him wasn’t in too bad of a mental state not to notice it.

"Has something else happened to make you look so miserable?" she asked. "Perhaps you should get some rest, Your Majesty."

"I’m the one checking on you yet you’re worried about me," Stephano uttered in disbelief.

The King then stood up and walked towards the window. He was glad to see she didn’t have photosensitivity anymore due to her depletion. Desmond spoke to him earlier that morning and informed him of her state.

Leonor’s gaze then went to Desmond and she outstretched one of her hands, silently telling him that she needed him closer.

"What is happening, Desmond?" she whispered.

"I have been away," he confessed. "You likely know as much as I do."

He sat on the bed next to her and clasped his fingers with hers. Both sets of their eyes went to the King who was in contemplation.

For a while, there was silence.

Leonor leaned her cheek against her husband’s shoulder and relished in his warmth despite all of the unknowns around them. She didn’t know how long she would have until he had to return to Eirenguard. He told her as much that morning.

The moment she was healed, he had a lot to uphold in the southern country.

The duchess’ head lifted when the chain across Stephano’s chest that went into his pocket clanked as he turned towards them.

"Leonor, Burien is not your problem," Stephano confessed. "There is someone who will soon turn over everything as you know it."

Her dark eyebrows knit together as she tried to comprehend what the King was telling her.

She looked at Desmond for support but he was just as confused as she was. It seemed he was hearing that for the first time as well.

"I don’t follow," she admitted. "My head still feels foggy, Stephano. Tell me what you’re talking about, please."

Leonor dropped his title. She needed him as her friend and not the King.

The King knew that Braulio would have wanted to tell her what he suspected. Since the conversation regarding Leonor’s paternal line happened, he had received a few more vague letters about the man doing what he could to uncover the secret.

Stephano felt that Leonor deserved a warning before her life could fall apart. What a more perfect time than her believing her father and sister’s misdeeds were her problem. He hoped that the negative burden would be replaced with something else.

"From my understanding, you briefly met Count Braulio de Marro before you left the palace," Stephano began. "Before Countess Jara was married to your father, she was married to Count Braulio. Unfortunately, it was only legitimate in Dacoria which my father took advantage of when Count Mikael was searching for a wife."

"What are you implying?" Leonor asked weakly even though she could connect the dots.

"Count Braulio is certain he is your father," Stephano admitted. "Vehement about it, in fact."