My Disfigured Duke Husband Helps Me Plot My Revenge
Chapter 98: The Space Between Them

Chapter 98: The Space Between Them

The once warm winter became a bit colder.

Silence had taken over the duke and duchess. The only noise was fires crackling away in the fireplaces throughout the estate.

For two days after she confessed to Desmond what was in her heart, Leonor avoided him. She didn’t know how to face his disappointment.

It was before dinner but everything was shrouded in darkness.

The sun set so much earlier behind the large mountain during that season. It suited Leonor’s dark mood as guilt ate at her each second.

She went to the library to find a book to cheer her up. She couldn’t look at romance any longer but perhaps an adventure would do her well. Maybe there was a story about magic since she hadn’t been able to practice in a while. At most, she had been playing with Eve but not using her shields meant she was less precise than when she was studying.

Leonor spotted something that might fit her craving for an adventure story, but it was on one of the higher shelves. She didn’t feel like asking for help and she retrieved the rolling ladder from further down the shelf.

As she was about to step on the first rung, she heard the heavy wooden door of the library creak open and she squeezed her eyes shut for a moment. She decided to climb the ladder anyway, not knowing who it was. They might fuss over her but couldn’t tell her what to do, nor would she listen if they tried.

Quiet footsteps became closer and she heard Desmond’s gravelly voice as he approached her.

"Which book do you need?" he asked.

Until he was 20, he grew a bit taller while Leonor stayed the same. There were few shelves in that place he couldn’t reach. The one the duchess was occupied with was well within his reach.

She debated ignoring him, but she couldn’t bring herself to be that immature despite how tense she felt.

"The red one with gold letters," she said, pointing to the second-highest shelf.

With ease, he grabbed the book she was seeking with his unscarred hand. However, his scarred hand went to the ladder.

"Thank you," she muttered, feeling overwhelmed by his proximity. She would step away but his arm behind her on the ladder prevented her.

After he handed her the book, he peered at her with much of his face covered, but his green eye managed to reach her.

"Don’t hurt yourself," he said, removing his hand only when she stepped off of the ladder.

It was something he said to her a few times before. It always struck her heart and made her feel comforted by his care. That time, it made her feel terrible.

How could he act the same to her when she was so horrible to him?

He stepped away from her but she reached for him before he could escape. It was clear he was there for something other than her but he came to her when he saw her.

"Desmond," she said his name a bit desperately. Her voice reflected the tumultuous thoughts she was having. "I’m sorry–"

She wasn’t too prideful to admit when she made a mistake, but he cut her off before she could say anything else.

"I’m not upset with you," he said.

His face was shielded from her completely as he looked down in shock at the hand on his arm. For once, she didn’t have to be guided by alcohol to touch him. He didn’t know whether to be concerned or happy.

"I’ve been horrible to you," she practically whispered.

It was so hard to admit it. She wanted him to be upset with her so she could figure out how to move forward. She deserved to be burdened by him, yet he wouldn’t do that.

"Love whoever you want," he responded and gently pulled his arm from her. "I won’t hold it against you."

It didn’t make her feel better. All she could do was hug the book to her chest as she watched him retreat to a different shelf and get what he originally went to the library for. He exited the room without so much as another word.

He had to escape the situation as quickly as he could. There was always determination lingering within him that he could somehow win her over.

For the previous couple of weeks, he got comfortable while the snow raged on outside and made himself believe he had a chance with her as he was. When she confessed to still loving his younger self, the illusion was shattered. He was happy and sad.

Leonor wasn’t sure how much time had passed but she realized it was late when a maid went into the library to ask if she wanted dinner in her room. She decided she would face him again.

Her next goal was to be a good wife and make herself useful to him.

Because of him, her life was good. He made her feel safe so he deserved someone adept in the position she held.

Even if there was nothing behind closed doors because she made the mistake of pushing him away, she would at least pretend to the public that they weren’t a divided house. Her happiness was the best revenge for all the people in Burien who mistreated her.

However, the realization that he was unaffected by her loving someone else ate her alive. She knew it was ridiculous to feel bad that he held no affection for her. Perhaps she was hoping for it more than she realized.

However, it was time to be an adult and live with her decision. Telling him she loved another was an irreversible mistake.

The following weeks tore Leonor apart and she didn’t realize it was doing the same to Desmond.

While they did have long nights in the library together where they read or wrote letters, there was a silent rule between them that where they were was as close as they would get. Neither of them would dare ask for more.