My Disfigured Duke Husband Helps Me Plot My Revenge
Chapter 316: Unlikely

Chapter 316: Unlikely

Desmond was uninterested in fighting, but he still grabbed the handle of his sword.

"If bloodshed is what it takes for me to go forward then so be it," he responded coldly, his raspy voice enunciating every word with purpose.

He felt he had to protect those already going with him. The mages deserved better circumstances than what they had suffered through in Eirenguard. Quinn could teach them all they needed to know to properly use their mana and become powerful in their own right. He also didn’t regret bringing them with him because, if the dragon sensed concentrated mana near him, perhaps it would go to him instead of Leonor.

He felt sick to his stomach each time he thought of how the dragon flew into the distance and disappeared. The only thing in that direction was mountains and Castille. Leonor was his anchor to life. If something happened to her...

His grip on his sword tightened as he faced the men who dared keep him from seeing if his wife was alright.

To his surprise, Commander Aidan lifted his sword, sheath and all, then placed it on the ground in front of him. In a ripple of surprising action, all of the knights on either side of him did the same.

"We are not here to fight those who tried to protect Eirenguard as if it were their own," the Commander admitted, his voice full of respect none of the men had experienced in the entire time they had interacted with the proud man.

Desmond’s eyebrow lowered as he wondered how on Earth the man had heard of their time with the dragon. He didn’t see Quinn pointedly look away.

"Then why stand before us, Commander?" Desmond asked, not hiding his irritation. "Since you have pinned us as Eirenguardian traitors from Castille, let us go back to where we came from."

The Commander didn’t hesitate as he continued speaking.

"Let us join you in your path back to Castille. We would like a word with the King," he said.

"Why would I ever trust you enough to have an audience with His Majesty?" Desmond asked in disbelief. "You killed Castillian messengers and responded with hostility even when we came here to offer a hand rather than to fight."

Desmond knew his job was to soften the men and get them in front of the King so that their terms could be discussed rather than fought over. However, Desmond didn’t want to give his position away yet.

"We are realizing the errors of our ways," the man admitted. "We have lost more due to a dragon. If we continue in stubbornness, what will we have left to protect?"

"Let me speak to my men," Desmond responded.

It was clear he was speaking about Cian and Quinn because when he directed his horse further away, he gestured for them to follow and they were the only ones who did.

"Thoughts?" Desmond asked simply.

"This is what King Stephano wanted," Cian responded. "He has enough guards and power of his own in case things get out of hand."

Quinn had a different perspective.

"We used their secret weapon against the dragon. They don’t have any tricks left up their sleeves," Quinn explained. "I was the one who sent what happened to the Commander. I said it would be better to bend than to resist. Eirenguard will be easier to break now that I have the mages on my side and not theirs."

Desmond was impressed with Quinn but surprised that the man had sent a message to the Commander. The familiars worked in ways he didn’t fully understand.

"Then the path forward seems obvious," Desmond said. "However, it will get us there more slowly if we have more travelers. Could you send His Majesty a note with what is happening so that he isn’t caught off guard and the palace can plan accordingly?"

Quinn didn’t need an excuse to reach out to Stephano but he wouldn’t admit that to anyone. He hadn’t heard from the monarch for over two weeks and was getting antsy.

"Of course," he responded easily.

With that, the party of travelers seemed to only keep growing. However, Desmond was grateful for, that time, having guidance through the mountains as the Commander showed them an easier path that even Cian wasn’t privy to.

It took a few days, but they successfully went through the mountains on minimal supplies. It wouldn’t have been possible if it was even a bit colder.

Evidence of spring was all around them, but it was only in the beginning stages. Soon the rains would wash over the region and the blooms his dear wife looked forward to would present themselves. All Desmond wanted to do was go to their garden and surprise his wife with lilacs as he did all he could to change their meaning and make them a positive aspect of Leonor’s life.

They rounded the last bit of hills. To their relief, there was no smoke, but there was certainly a path of destruction that led to the very center of Coeurvalle.

As they got lower and lower in elevation and went through the outskirts towns surrounding the capital, all Desmond could do was look on and hope that he was fast enough despite all of the bumps in the road they encountered. They still had a few hours of travel ahead of them.

By the time they made it to the heart of Coeurvalle where the palace stood, it was the middle of the night.

Desmond’s heart was in his throat and, even though the palace was teaming with guards and King Stephano was quick to come out to greet the weathered travelers and offer them places to stay in the meantime, all he could think about was Leonor.

"You’ve done well, Your Grace," Stephano walked forward and patted his friend on the shoulder, using his title one of the rare few times in case the man had still been concealing himself. "I will take it from here and summon you after the sun has risen."

His golden eyes couldn’t help brushing over Quinn, making sure he was in one piece.

The state of Stephano’s heart reminded him of the likely state of Desmond’s heart and the King whispered, "Go to her."

With that, Desmond was off in pursuit of his wife.

Stephano only chuckled and shook his head as his friend disappeared as quickly as he arrived.

"Pardon me, he’s a duke?!" a rough voice came out from the front of the knights and Stephano’s eyebrows raised.

Cian was the first to answer the man.

"Yes, Commander," he confirmed. "The man you imprisoned is the highest esteemed duke in Castille."

There was an uncomfortable silence after that. So much for peaceful war talks.

"We have much to discuss," the King said. "Although you all ought to rest first. Talks will resume in the morning. This is my jurisdiction now."

All the men could do was follow Stephano into the palace which was in varying levels of disrepair as craftsmen and builders were urgently hired to fix what the dragon had done.

Their arrival caused a fuss enough that, by the time Desmond made it through the main palace and to the Queen’s Palace, the front door was already opened.

He was shocked to see Gideon in the capital, but it wasn’t his main worry by that point.

He made it to the hallway that would lead to the seemingly dead end and hidden door to the Queen’s room, Leonor was already rushing out of the room with a robe over her body.

She melted into her husband, a mess of tears and gasps as she embraced him and took in as much as she could.

"You are the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen in my life," she uttered.

His scars were forgotten. He believed every word.