I look at Maya who already sleeping inside the tent. I asked Sean to let the tent open so that I could see her inside.
I don't want to let her out of my sight.
Enough leaving her for 3 years straight. I couldn't think straight when I was far away from her.
When I signed the marriage contract, I did see her. I lied to her. I just watch her from afar. But what makes me mad is that there's no happiness in her eyes.
Her eyes were just a dull color. Even her eyes have a unique color but I could see it not shining.
When I opened the door, I saw her standing there, looking at me with fear. I know I'm not making a good impression for the first time.
But her...
Her white curly shining hair, her white pearly eyes, and freckles on her face, red lips, white pale skin, and timid body, everything about her is tempting.
"What are you thinking of, duke." Sean sits beside me.
"Her."
"Oh. My lady is so beautiful." he praised.
"I know. I see that."
Who wouldn't notice that?
"It's just that...I think all of us could see a dull expression in her eyes." Sean said.
See? Even they could see it. When I saw the bruises and red marks on her, I want to kill those scumbags but knowing she wouldn't like it I stop.
But I feel great when I warn them.
I walk toward them as I slide my sword out. I stand in front of them.
"If it is not because of my wife, I already keep your head on my wall as a collection. I know and I can guess what you did to my wife. Take this as a warning."
"Once again you hurt Maya, I wouldn't hesitate to swing my sword through your head."
I know that palace is hell to her.
"But duke, I have a feeling that she will be a happy wife when with you." Sean grins at me.
"Why do you say that? I don't even make the first good impression on her." I sigh. "Imagine, meeting your wife after 3 years with blood on you and someone's head."
"I told you not to bring that head." Sean rolls his eyes.
"The point is, she will understand you when you treat her nicely," he added.
Hm.
Maybe he was right. I'm not being scary to her but I'm being scary to other people.
My wife is exceptional. Forever is. I wait for her for 3 years. And I wouldn't let her go just like that.
Even she asks for a divorce.
The next morning~
I feed my horse as the others clean up the rest. I look at the sky.
It looks going to rain any sooner.
"Duke, here. The cloak you ask for." Blaze appeared.
"Thanks."
"It is for my lady?" he asks.
"Yes. I don't want her to get cold." I answered.
"Aww, you are so sweet, duke." Blaze put his head on my shoulder.
If anyone saw us like this, they would ask, why they were so informal with the duke like this.
Well, Blaze and Sean are the men that been with me since I was a child. They were with me through the ups and downs.
Even though, they know their limits.
"Go do your work, Blaze," I demand.
"Yes, duke." he salutes and walks away.
I shake my head. As I fix my armor, I look at the thick forest.
Rain and thick forest.
Just hope nothing will come out. But the weather seems off. Something makes me uneasy.
"I--Ian..." someone pulls my cloak.
I look behind and lower my gaze. Maya standing there with her messy hair.
"You are awake. Are you feeling fine?" I tried to fix her hair but it stuck between my fingers.
Her hair is so curly. Like a white fluffy cloud. I feel like I want to nuzzle my face on it.
"If you are done starting at her hair, how about you brush it?" Blaze once again appeared but this time with a brush.
"Can you mind your own business?" I snatch the brush from him.
"I'm just trying to help." he shrugs his shoulder.
I sigh. I'm about to brush her hair but he stumbles backwards. I arched my eyebrows in confusion.
"S--Sorry. I...I--I can b--brush it on my own." she holding tight on her hair.
"It looks so tangled up. You don't need to." I hold her shoulder and turn her around.
I hate the fact that she tense up when I touch her.
With a gentle move, I brush her hair slowly. I could see her clenching her hands.
"Are you hungry?" I try to put her at ease.
"A l--little."
"Gerald," I call.
Gerald walks towards me. "Do you have a bread?"
"Of course. I save it for my lady." Gerald pulls out a bread and hands it over to her.
Maya shyly takes it. She didn't say much or complain but just ate it.
I close my eyes.
I am eager to know her life at the palace. So that I have a real reason to get angry about her parents.
After some time, it was done. I tied her hair into a simple ponytail.
"T--Thank you." she turns around.
"It's nothing. Here. Wear the cloak. I can see it about to rain." I put the cloak around her and pin it.
"R--Rain?"
"Yes. Don't even think to pull down the hood." I firmly said.
She nods.
Surprisingly, she is good at following orders. Somehow, it makes me uneasy with it.
I held her up to my horse before my turn to get on the horse.
"Is everyone ready!?" I announced.
"Yes, Duke!!"
We departed once again.
Our journey went smoothly and quietly. Maya is not a talker person. I don't know if it is her personality or if it is because of the effect of the way her parents treat her.
But what makes me ease a little bit is her lean on me.
As we rode peacefully, I noticed something in front. I stop the horse making the others stop also.