DCHWT 14

Chapter 14

Golden hair fluttered in the wind, dazzling like sunlight, and his smiling face was as beautiful as ever.

But what truly made Maya doubt her eyes was the healthy flush on his face.

“He cried so much in front of Kendrick’s body…”

She had been haunted by nightmares out of guilt for failing to save her one and only best friend.

In those dreams, Kendrick always blamed her.

“Maya, you were an awakened knight commander—why didn’t you save me?”

“I was your one and only friend.”

Even though she knew Kendrick would never actually say such things, Maya couldn’t free herself from the guilt.

The few happy memories from her past life withered away over time.

She got used to being alone.

She thought she was fine.

“Maya, you…”

But seeing him again, she realized—

“I missed you.”

She missed the conversations they used to share, and that smiling face that was always turned toward her.

Kendrick was the only good memory from Maya’s previous life.

“…Are you crying?”

Only then did Maya realize her eyes were filled with tears.

“I’ve never been one to cry!”

Flustered, her face flushed bright red.

Tristan, who had come with Kendrick to pick her up, was just as surprised.

Up until yesterday, she’d been so tough—hard as steel.

And now, suddenly, she was crying?

Tristan’s expression hardened in concern at Maya’s tears.

“Did Alec say something during morning training?”

He knew Alec still didn’t see Maya in a good light.

But after their duel yesterday, Tristan thought Alec had at least developed a basic level of respect…

“I have no words…”

Kendrick, too, caught sight of Maya’s teary eyes and his expression turned cold.

“The Grand Duke…”

“It’s not that! It’s not that!”

Maya frantically shook her head and turned toward Tristan.

“The Grand Duke didn’t do anything wrong, so please don’t worry. Really.”

Then she quickly wiped away her tears and cleared her throat, trying to change the subject.

“I was just happy to see you after such a long time.”

“You cried because you were happy to see me?”

She was being honest, but it didn’t work on Kendrick.

“Maya, that doesn’t make sense. What really happened?”

Though he loved Maya, Kendrick knew very well that she wasn’t the type to cry just because she saw someone she missed.

“I mean, maybe it could happen!”

“You and I both know it couldn’t. Let’s be honest.”

“Ugh…”

He was so annoying!

Nothing he said was wrong, but it always got under her skin.

“I’d forgotten how annoying he could be.”

She’d lost count of how many times she had no comeback for his rational and intelligent words.

She glared at him and asked, “What are you doing here? How did you come all the way to the North?”

“I saw your letter. I thought I should hear more about what’s going on.”

“You’re busy.”

“It’s your matter. Don’t worry about the Mage Tower.”

Kendrick was about to say more but clammed up when he saw Tristan standing behind her. After a pause, he spoke with feigned aloofness.

“I used up a lot of energy getting here, so I’m feeling a bit dizzy.”

He pressed a hand to his forehead.

“Could you help me stand?”

“There it is. Of course.”

Maya let out a deep sigh and helped Kendrick up like a pro.

Tristan silently watched them from behind.

“They’re definitely more than just friends.”

Maya seemed unaware, but Kendrick clearly knew she was about to marry Tristan—and yet, he acted like this.

He must have noticed that Maya and Tristan’s relationship was still awkward.

“I thought I should hear more about what’s going on.”

To others, their relationship must seem strange.

Even if it was a mutual agreement.

“Are you okay?”

Maya supported Kendrick by holding his shoulder, just like always. Though she was smaller than him, she had no problem holding him up.

Kendrick exaggerated a sigh and leaned his head against her shoulder.

Tristan’s gaze lingered on the two of them.

He had no right to interfere in her private life.

“After the contract marriage ends, I’ll divorce her cleanly.”

He was the one who had said that.

“She doesn’t even like physical contact.”

Maya Pendragon was slow. Compared to Kendrick Arkesia, she probably hadn’t realized her own feelings yet.

Still, someone strong enough to agree to a contract marriage like this could easily change their mind someday.

“Grand Duke.”

“Yes?”

Maya looked at Tristan and asked quietly,

“Are you feeling unwell too?”

“…Pardon?”

“My other shoulder is free. You can lean on it if you’d like.”

She had just realized where Tristan’s eyes had been focused—on the shoulder Kendrick was leaning on.

“He must be feeling unwell.”

Whenever Kendrick was sick, he would rely on her like this.

Even men could have weak bodies. Illness didn’t always reflect physical appearance or strength.

It made sense that someone cursed like Kendrick would be sick often.

His fluctuating age alone was strange enough.

“That’s probably why he was staring at my shoulder. Too proud to say anything himself.”

In that case, Maya figured she should offer first.

“I may not look like it, but I’m pretty strong.”

“I’m fine—”

“No need to refuse. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”

If someone was cursed, they had to be extra careful with their body.

Still holding up Kendrick, Maya reached out and pulled Tristan close. Suddenly, she had a man leaning on each shoulder. The two exchanged a sharp look.

Kendrick narrowed his eyes. Tristan met his gaze with calm composure.

Tristan was even slightly taller.

“Don’t you feel better now that you’re leaning on someone?”

Maya barely turned her head to ask.

She smelled fresh—surprisingly so, considering she had just finished training.

Tristan stared at her cheerful face and couldn’t help but smile faintly.

“I do feel better.”

“Right?”

Maya beamed, proud that she was of help.

“Oh, and Grand Duke. I have something to ask you after we eat.”

“I’ll arrange a meeting after the meal.”

“Yes, that sounds good.”

“…And afterward, I believe I have something to discuss with you.”

Kendrick’s chilling voice made Maya flinch.

It was something she had to face eventually.

“I’ll probably need to explain everything to Kendrick.”

She figured she should talk with Tristan about that too.

“I don’t want to lie to Kendrick more than necessary.”

Reluctantly, Maya nodded.

“Alright.”

More things to think about—on top of the gift. Her head was throbbing.

“Let’s eat first.”

But nothing could win against food.

After another satisfying meal, Maya headed to Tristan’s study.

“Before we begin, I think we should clarify how we address each other.”

“How we address each other?”

“Since we’re married, I thought we should use more intimate nicknames.”

“Nicknames…”

Did they really need those? Maya was genuinely curious.

“We call friends by name, don’t we?”

Tristan stepped closer to her and lowered his gaze.

“But a married couple being so formal with each other doesn’t make sense.”

But we still speak formally.

Then again, he said that was out of respect, so maybe this was different.

“Don’t you agree, Maya?”

Maya.

Hearing her name from Tristan’s mouth felt strange and new.

It was the name she always heard, yet somehow it didn’t feel like hers.

Not ‘Pendragon’—just Maya.

Maya.

“Does that mean Tristan Bayarden also doesn’t want to be the Grand Duke of Bayarden, but just… Tristan?”

“I don’t know if it’s okay to be this casual with a future emperor, but…”

Calling him by name should be fine.

Maya decided to follow her heart.

“Alright, Tristan.”

“…I like that.”

“So do I.”

Tristan smiled warmly at her sincere reply.

When she was with Maya, nothing felt like a problem.

“So, what did you want to ask me?”

“Ah, I was wondering if there’s a gift you want. I’ve never really given gifts before, and it’s so hard to pick something.”

Tristan tried to hold back a smile at her troubled expression.

He was honestly curious.

He had no idea what kind of gift Maya would choose.

“Anything is fine.”

He had never lacked material things while growing up in the Bayarden family. If anything, he had received too much.

That only worsened after people found out about his curse.

Perhaps out of guilt, the previous Duke and Duchess tried to give him everything.

So for Tristan, the meaning behind a gift was more important than the gift itself.

“There’s not much time left, so something simple is perfectly fine.”

He didn’t want to burden her.

“Just give it to me.”

Whatever it was, he was sure it would be enough.