DSMBL Chapter 73

Chapter 073 

Cassius looked surprised as he stared at the tray.

“What is this?”

“The Duchess sent it. It’s a simple snack and drink, but she said it’s full of nutrients.”

He checked the time. It was already past 3 AM.

“Now? Charlotte’s still awake?”

“Except for the children, no one has gone to bed, sir.”

Cassius pressed his lips into a thin line.

“…You can smile if you’re happy.”

Cassius ran a hand over his face. A faint smile appeared as he turned his head slightly. Thanks to Charlotte’s thoughtful gesture, the knights finally had a moment to relax. They enjoyed sweet drinks and hearty sandwiches.

“How should we even begin to thank the Duchess?” one knight said.

Cassius spoke quietly, “I should be first.”

“Sir?”

“I haven’t even said thank you to my wife yet. So I should be the first.”

The knights burst into laughter, breaking the tense atmosphere. Cassius’s smile deepened. Just thinking of Charlotte made him smile more often now. She had taken the children, Theo and Stephanie, to a gathering today. There were probably so many things she wanted to say, but he hadn’t even seen her yet.

Rosie had reported that Charlotte had found good aides to help her, which made Cassius happy. But Charlotte had done even more—something he never expected.

Before Charlotte came to the North, Cassius thought he was fine being alone. When the Emperor arranged the marriage, he thought it would just be another burden in his life. But he was wrong.

He hadn’t just gotten a burden—he had found a partner. Someone to walk the same path, see the same things, and care for each other. As he drank the sweet drink, he realized even the guilt he had carried about Theo was slowly fading. Theo had never seemed so happy and bright before.

“Sir… you look like a happy newlywed,” one knight teased.

Another added, “Spring winds must be blowing in the North.”

“You and the Duchess seem really sweet together.”

Cassius didn’t deny any of it. He just enjoyed the moment, even though they were heading into a dangerous war.

The next morning, after staying up all night, Charlotte spent time sewing with Luna. Her hands were sore from sewing, but it helped calm her nerves. Then Cassius left with the knights.

The sounds of armor clanking, horses neighing, and marching footsteps filled the air. It was the kind of sound that made your heart tremble. Once Cassius and the knights were gone, Charlotte let out a sigh.

“This must be what the former Duchesses experienced too, right?”

The previous one used to accompany the army. She couldn’t stand staying behind. She used to wield a sword herself,” Luna replied.

“Oh…”

“Not all Duchesses were like that, of course. Most of them were outsiders. The royal family used marriages to tie Istheria down politically.”

Charlotte understood—she wasn’t the only one who came from outside.

“But they were all good people.”

“How did they endure this time of waiting?”

Now came the long, anxious wait. What to do, how long to wait—there was no clear answer.

“There was one Duchess who cleaned her husband’s sword all night. Another prayed through the night.”

Everyone did something to ease their anxiety. Charlotte thought of the noble ladies she met yesterday.

“Most of the noblewomen in the North are knights, right?”

“Some are, yes. But the rest take care of the castle while the men are away. Soon the administrators will come to the Ducal Castle too.”

Luna taught Charlotte many things she hadn’t known before. She thought about how in novels, helpers like nannies or head maids were always important. Lorencia had a nanny—Charlotte had Luna. It was comforting.

“I wonder if the ladies I met yesterday feel the same as I do.”

“Would you like to invite them?”

“Can I?”

She wondered if she should stay quiet in a time like this. But maybe having company would ease her fear. Her heart was pounding too hard.

Charlotte knew Cassius was the male lead and wouldn’t die. But the monsters they faced were real. Cassius was human—he could bleed and be hurt. The idea of him shedding blood or mourning for a comrade was painful.

Having people around would bring comfort.

“The Duchess from three generations ago used to gather the ladies and make cloth bandages on days like this.”

“Bandages?”

“There will always be injuries in battle. Clean cloth is always helpful.”

“That’s a great idea.”

It would pass the time, be useful, and comfort each other.

“Let’s send out invitations.”

Luna nodded.

At the same time…

The monsters split into two groups. One group planned to attack a human village around 5 PM. They expected soldiers to gather at the gate after an initial attack.

Two leading monsters headed toward the gate first, ready to begin their assault.

“Grr! Grr!”

“Roarrrrr!”

The yeti who spotted the monster pounded its chest. A deep, booming sound rang out like a drum, followed by the long blast of a horn.

Animals hiding in the forest scattered in fear.

“We’re under attack! Get ready!”

“Graaaah!”

The sound of weapons clashing and teeth gnashing filled the air. Some yetis, who didn’t even have weapons, fought with their bare bodies.

The knights of the North supported them from behind.

“Take their heads! Don’t let them get anywhere near the gate!”

The scent of blood and death quickly spread through the air. Werewolves charged in with all their strength.

Their goal was clear—not to send even a single body part past that gate!

As both sides gave it their all, the area turned red with blood.

“Graaaargh!”

Even when their arms or legs were torn off, the yetis kept charging. Their once gentle eyes were now full of rage and a thirst for revenge against the monsters.

They swung their long arms, smashing the monsters, and threw rocks to push them back.

In those moments, human swords struck through.

Caught between the teamwork of humans and yetis, the monsters were pushed back in confusion.

Crouching low, the monsters glared with glowing yellow eyes. Blood dripped from their bared teeth.

“If you step back, you may live,” one monster growled.

“Step back?”

“Even if we die, we’ll bury you all here!”

The monsters leapt into the air.

Blood sprayed again.

***

In the end, the monsters never crossed the gate. Their remains covered the ground, and the joint forces of humans and yetis also suffered heavy losses.

While injured people and bodies were being gathered, a group of knights shouted in alarm as they inspected the monster corpses.

“One of them is missing an arm!”

“What? Then where is it?!”

The knights quickly turned their eyes to the gate.

The gate was glowing darkly—almost like it was revealing its true, sinister side.

As if it were laughing at them.