My Disfigured Duke Husband Helps Me Plot My Revenge
Chapter 321: A Moment for Each Other

Chapter 321: A Moment for Each Other

"Progress will not happen overnight," King Stephano insisted from where he sat on his throne.

In front of the King stood Duke and Duchess de Montclair after one of the meetings with the knights from Eirenguard.

The terms Eirenguard asked for were well within the King’s control and he didn’t believe the couple needed to stay in the capital any longer. Their priority should be the duchy which had been without its leaders since autumn. It was now spring.

He also didn’t want to push them into remembering that they had a few adjustments coming their way in the upcoming year. Most of their staff didn’t know about them being with child.

It was better to focus on that than war talks in the capital. Eirenguard had calmed down due to what had been accomplished in the south. They were a lot more willing to bend now that their secret mana weapon was depleted and they were well-informed about how two Castillians had been vital in what helped take down the dragon.

Desmond looked at his wife who was staring up at him hopefully, not wanting to interject that she really wanted to go home. She knew he was dutiful but she so badly wanted to be in her own space with her own people. By the time they made it back to Montclair, it would be the most beautiful time of the year.

He could read her like a book.

"But you will tell me if something changes," Desmond said to Stephano.

He wasn’t asking. If Stephano didn’t assure him that he would be let in on every step of the war talks, he would stay in Coeurvalle.

"Of course, but I have it on good authority that once I give Eirenguard enough funds and hands to rebuild then they will leave us and begin what should have happened in the first place."

Stephano smirked proudly. He hoped his father was looking up at him from hell and realizing that one could truly solve things with generosity and not violence. He didn’t even want Eirenguard as his own, only for their relationship to be repaired. There were a few business ventures in the south that could benefit Castille as much as it would benefit Eirenguard. They simply didn’t have the resources to take advantage of their lands.

Desmond relented when Leonor placed a hand on her husband’s arm. She wanted to leave. Carriage rides wouldn’t be comfortable later on in her pregnancy.

There was no more convincing the duke after his wife silently pleaded with him to be lenient.

On the day they were set to go back to Montclair, Leonor went to the King and didn’t bother with properness. She stepped to the throne without permission and wrapped her arms around her dear friend once he was standing up.

"If you weren’t around, I would have gone insane," she said. "Thank you for everything."

"It’s the same for me, Leonor," Stephano responded. "More than you know. Travel safe. Write often."

"I will," she promised.

Stephano watched the couple walk out of the newly repaired entryway down the long hall leading away from the throne. The windows on either side gave off a beautiful sunlit path and he saw Leonor turning her head as she admired the early growth in the garden.

Stephano smiled sadly. He didn’t know when they would be able to see one another again.

However, there were other priorities for him to focus on.

He normally didn’t like to sit in his throne room for people he considered his friends but he needed to be away from everyone else and asked even the guards to step outside so he could have a moment to himself.

For once, he cared about his appearance. He brushed a white-gloved hand over his perfectly brushed hair and let out a light sigh.

Anytime now...

There was word that the dragon had been seen near Magia and Quinn decided he ought to send himself home early after returning to Castille. He was the youngest in his family and his parents were advanced in age.

Stephano felt neglected and he knew it wasn’t fair. He had so many things to focus on yet all he could think about was finishing what he and Quinn started before the mage left for Eirenguard. It was making him feel more sensitive than usual to see Desmond and Leonor on such good terms.

He never wanted to be a lovesick fool.

Lost in thought, he practically missed the entrance to the throne room opening and in walking Quinn with his wire-framed glasses low on his nose and his hair that had gotten longer in Eirenguard in a bun at the base of his neck.

Stephano was knocked back into reality and sat up straighter. He admired the strands of hair that fell into the mage’s face.

"Where are the guards, Your Majesty?" Quinn asked, alarmed.

Stephano ignored his comment.

"You kept me waiting."

It was interesting how the tables had turned. At once it was Quinn bearing his heart to the King. Now Stephano was the one feeling like he was hopelessly miserable over the other person while Quinn seemed so nonchalant.

The King’s voice caused Quinn’s eyes to widen slightly but he didn’t stop in his walk towards the throne. When he made it down the long runner and to the bottom steps leading up to the throne’s platform, Stephano lifted a gloved finger and gestured for him to come closer.

Quinn obediently followed orders.

When the mage was close enough, the King grabbed him by the edges of his robe until he was on top of him. Quinn’s hands went to the arms of the throne and he looked around, alarmed. He already knew no one was there but never in his life had he been pursued in such a way. It seemed like the kind of interaction people would have in the middle of the night rather than in broad daylight where anyone could walk into the large room.

Stephano’s grip was relentless and their faces were so close to one another.

"You kept me waiting," he said again but that time he whispered.

Stephano’s golden eyes pierced Quinn’s soul.

Even though the King was below him, Quinn felt like he was going to get eaten alive as the other man furiously pressed his lips against his.

However, his urge to escape made Quinn stand up and back away.

Instead, Stephano grabbed the mage by his hand and they rushed out of the throne room and down the long hallway.

Quinn thought he would be taken towards Stephano’s personal chambers but he was taken to the King’s study.

"Why here?"

"Would it look worse if we ran to my chambers in the middle of the day for privacy or my study?"

Quinn’s mouth opened in shock.

His surprise didn’t keep him from following the monarch.