My Disfigured Duke Husband Helps Me Plot My Revenge
Chapter 310: Like Husband Like Wife

Chapter 310: Like Husband Like Wife

The update Leonor was most worried about each time one of the King’s soldiers appeared was how much ground the dragon could cover with only one flap of its large wings. The way it appeared and disappeared was unimaginable for a beast of its size.

Even though Countess Micheline had told Leonor she didn’t have to pull herself together, Leonor was used to forcing herself to calm down no matter the company. Until she married Desmond, she didn’t know what it was like to be comfortable in your own home. Since he wasn’t there, she had returned to feeling scrutinized even if she logically knew no one in the room was doing that.

Her hands clenched into fists but she tried to politely hide them in her lap. One was supposed to receive pregnancy news in a calm environment while what they were experiencing was anything but that.

The guards returned again and she sat up straighter, becoming more attentive towards the door they had to enter through. They no longer hid their conversations with the King. It was clear he was telling all of his stowaways each detail anyway.

"Your Majesty, there is smoke rising from the southwest and further on into the mountains in this region," the soldier explained. "There are soldiers moving in that direction hoping to save any survivors and move them towards the capital. There is plenty of room to hide in basements of shops and churches."

Stephano nodded.

"Whatever needs to be done, do it," he said. "I trust your discretion."

The palace’s treasury was practically bottomless. The funds for the capital were in their own treasury and had nothing to do with him except for the financial advisors he hired to manage them. If the soldiers needed funds to do their work or reward them for saving Castille while an unprecedented dragon attack was happening, he would do whatever it took.

The soldier bowed in respect and Leonor admired the man despite how exhausted he certainly was to be leading the charge and constantly updating the King.

Stephano occasionally argued that he ought to be outside while everything was happening, but the guard constantly argued that, because he didn’t have an heir, he would highly recommend against it. There was doctrine written that a Castillian King without an heir would be protected at all costs even if it seemingly went against his orders.

While Stephano understood, he was clearly testy at the mention of his lack of an heir.

Leonor observed her friend get uncomfortable each time it was mentioned. He was someone who claimed to love no one and had no room in his life for a family. He had even expressed before no desire to pass on the genes his father had given him. He wanted the royal mana to die with him because it greatly affected his mood. It made him hot-headed. He responded with anger while his father was much of the same.

No one was meant to have such a high amount of mana as he did. If there were none of him left, there wouldn’t be such a fight for the throne. Having mana shouldn’t have been a deciding factor in whether or not someone could rule a kingdom.

While the mention of an heir made Stephano uncomfortable in one way, Leonor was uncomfortable in another way.

She and Desmond had an heir already lined up. If she had a child they would certainly favor their flesh and blood. However, what about the child Desmond went to visit in the orphanage and the desire to get to know him? Wouldn’t it be cruel to not follow up with the life they had already promised him?

Would he feel abandoned if they gave up on him?

The duchess stood up and gently smoothed out her skirts when she was standing at full height.

"Beth, could you come to speak with me for a moment?" she asked.

She needed to talk to *someone* about what she was going through. If anyone already knew their secrets, it was Beth. She had stayed by her through everything and, along with a loyal maid, she found a friend.

"Of course, Your Grace," the maid stood up from where she had been sitting next to Gideon and dutifully followed her master.

In no time, Leonor was back in the room where she found out the news in the first place. She was beginning to wonder if eventually she would sleep there as well. The day had dragged on. It was now afternoon when the confirmation ceremony had been late in the morning.

"Ah, Beth," Leonor uttered.

She wanted to seem strong in front of her maid but she felt weak. It felt unfair for her to subtly be begging for comfort from someone who was paid to be attentive to her. It felt like the ironic situation of a horrible noble person with employees who listened to everything they said even if they didn’t agree.

However, as she looked at Beth who acknowledged her with an attentive stance but concerned expression, Leonor knew that the slightly older woman truly did feel for her as more than just an employee.

"I am with child," she finally admitted and she felt herself getting choked up even though Beth only responded with positivity.

"Oh! You’re Grace!" the maid reached forward and placed her hands on Leonor’s arms just above her elbows as if she was trying to stabilize the other woman. Her excitement didn’t keep her from noticing that Leonor didn’t seem pleased. "Is it alright?"

"It should be, shouldn’t it?" Leonor asked faintly. "But you know how things are always a bit unnecessarily complicated for nobles. Why should this be any different?"

"Oh, dear," Beth uttered. "It shouldn’t be this way. You should be allowed to be happy. I understand the circumstances aren’t... ideal, but you will be a wonderful mother. You are wonderful at everything you put your mind to."

Leonor thought of the way this news might disappoint Desmond. She also thought of Stephano being disappointed as well since she wouldn’t be able to follow up with the promise that she would join the mage forces. Everything was becoming out of her control.

Before Leonor could let out another grievance, the tunnel around them began to shake.

Without thinking, the duchess grabbed her maid’s hand and rushed to the main room where the others were sitting. She put up a large shield in case larger pieces started to fall. Her utmost duty was as the duchess, but a close second was protecting the King that they served.

It was likely no more than a few minutes but it felt like eons as everyone huddled together underneath Leonor’s shield. When it finally stopped and the bits of rock falling from the ceiling and dust that had been released settled, Leonor dropped the shield and let out a sigh.

Before anyone could speculate, guards returned.

"The mage’s quarter and part of the western tower have been partially destroyed," the guard explained. "We believe all of the mages made it out safely. The dragon is long gone."

Before anyone could say anything further, Leonor rushed towards the guard.

"You must take me to look for the mages myself," she pleaded. "I need to see if my students are okay."

"Leonor!" King Stephano’s voice filled the space. "You must not—!"

"I will not be able to live with myself if I’m safe and sound in here while the students who once relied on me to fill in as their leader while Quinn is away remain vulnerable in the face of a dragon."

Leonor was unaware that, around the same time, Desmond was saying much of the same in Eirenguard.