Chapter 16: Arrival at the Carniel Ducal Estate
The carriage shook once more.
It must have passed over a magical transportation stone.
“Ugh!”
Eleanor nearly toppled to the side, unable to use her hands because she was holding the sandwich basket.
But instead of hitting something hard, she felt something warm.
When she came back to her senses, she realized a strong arm was holding her.
Just like earlier—it wasn’t a mistake.
Her chest tightened.
Kylus’ attitude was so different from the past that it didn’t make her happy at all—it was like comparing an angel to a devil.
How could he act so gentle to the daughter of his enemy after walking just a few steps?
‘I should be glad it’s going according to plan.’
But people’s hearts are strange things.
Maybe ever since he appeared at the wedding, her rage had been boiling like a volcano.
Ten years of pretending, wearing a mask—now it all felt like it was being dragged through the mud.
It seemed he also knew their relationship wasn’t warm or close.
When she saw his violet eyes twist in anger, she felt like, “Yeah, that’s more like it.”
She might’ve even laughed at him.
He quickly pulled away.
Eleanor opened her eyes sharply.
“Did you really need to act like brushing off something dirty?”
It had become a habit.
They always spoke to each other like enemies, full of sharp insults—kind words took real effort.
Kylus made a strange expression at her sharp response.
He wasn’t the same man who had smiled and asked her to enter a contract marriage.
But things were already moving forward. He had held her hand.
The official contract wasn’t signed yet, but once they reached the estate, he’d surely present it.
‘You can’t back out now.’
With her eyes cold, he snapped at her.
“Seems like you were the one avoiding something dirty.”
“……”
The way he spoke—it almost sounded like he was actually hurt.
As if her words had hurt his feelings.
‘What’s wrong with you?’
Eleanor’s lips tightened.
‘You’re not someone who lets your guard down. You shouldn’t.’
Confused, she stared at him and then blurted out nonsense when she saw his fingers.
“Our wedding ring.”
They both looked at his hand.
Noticing traces of blood still on his skin, she became aware again of the bloody smell inside the carriage.
Any regular noble lady would’ve fainted or thrown up.
‘Me? Hmm, well.’
She had seen so many horrible things, this didn’t faze her.
This man too—he was something else.
He had brought his new bride into this small carriage without even changing his blood-stained clothes.
Though, to be fair, he hadn’t been given time to change into something fancy.
“I’ll have the ring fixed later. When we arrive, send it to me through your attendants.”
As Kylus absentmindedly watched her brush her hair back, his eyes narrowed.
“No point. I won’t be wearing that ring.”
“I know. I don’t plan to wear it either.”
“Oh, really?”
His frosty tone reminded her—yes, she had truly remarried this man.
Talking to him always hurt—but being near him still gave her strange comfort.
He was the man she had once loved.
“But a ring that doesn’t even fit over the finger is just a joke. You want that?”
Kylus curled his lips, but as if holding himself back, he said shortly,
“Do whatever you want.”
Even that made his feelings so obvious, Eleanor turned her head, her voice tired.
“That was the plan.”
This was the problem.
Being this close, talking like this, kept bringing old memories back.
‘I can’t understand you.’
She had wanted to ask that before she died.
‘Wait for me, okay?’
What did he mean when he had said that so firmly?
Her tangled memories faded, and her thoughts went further back.
The dry lips of a boy, drops of blood, and a promise wet with tears.
A boy who looked like a beggar—one who never thought of himself as the daughter of a nobleman’s equal.
‘I’m waiting.’
She had tied her old handkerchief around his wrist and cried.
‘I won’t forget. I’ll come to save you…’
Liar.
Just then—
“We’ve arrived.”
He suddenly spoke, glancing out the window.
Eleanor looked out too.
The carriage was slowly coming to a stop.
And outside was a very familiar view.
If she let out a sigh here, he might find it strange, so she stayed silent.
But her heart stirred.
As if she was happy to be home.
That was ridiculous.
She felt bitter toward herself.
‘How silly. There’s no reason to feel happy here.’
Ten years might be long—or short, depending on how you look at it.
But no one in this land was here to welcome her.
Most people at the ducal estate had treated her like a devil.
She had worn a mask, acted like a cruel wife, and died all alone.
So what was there to be glad about?
Finally, the carriage stopped completely.
Before the door opened, Kylus said,
“You do know your place.”
Eleanor said nothing.
“No one in the Carniel family is going to welcome you.”
The Carniel territory was a warm, fertile place.
Right now, the air was filled with the sweet smell of flowers, like it was decorated for a festival.
Even though the estate wasn’t as powerful as it once was, it wasn’t a cruel place, so the people were happy.
But Eleanor—she had never blended into that happiness.
Kylus didn’t know, but Eleanor understood all too well what it meant to be hated in such a kind land.
To a sickening degree.
As the door opened and she stepped out, she suddenly heard something break in the distance—crack!
Even from far away, the sound of that egg splattering felt so harsh.
“Get out, you devil!”
“How dare you set foot here?!”
The atmosphere was dark and threatening.
Even the knights blocking the angry commoners didn’t look comfortable.
Ah, right. She had almost forgotten her place, seeing Kylus being oddly gentle.
Eleanor smiled faintly.
“The air feels nice.”
“That’s what you’re saying right now?”
“Did you think people wouldn’t react like this?”
“Hah.”
Her bright smile only made the gathered crowd angrier.
Even Kylus and the knights looked baffled by her calmness.
Kylus frowned.
“Are you brave, or just clueless? I can’t tell.”
“Lead the way, darling.”
Calling him “darling” always shuts him up. It worked pretty well.
Eleanor followed Kylus toward the estate.
Of course, they didn’t walk in holding hands like a loving couple.
The sharp, hateful stares of the people felt like needles on her skin.
The smashed egg out there—that was how they saw her.
Eleanor stood tall, walking gracefully and proudly.
If things like this could break her, she would’ve collapsed long ago.
Then, as she reached the entrance to the estate, her eyes curved with amusement.
“Oh my? There actually are people who came to greet me. How surprising.”
Kylus scoffed, like he couldn’t believe what she was saying.
“Hah, did you think no one would show up? The ducal family isn’t that rude.”
“Even to the daughter of their enemy?”
Well, maybe not anymore.
But in the past?
‘I walked in alone. That’s when my family’s people went crazy. Even before I got inside, the knights were fighting, and there was bloodshed. Was it because you weren’t there?’
Back then, her mother-in-law made sure to humiliate her.
There were no escorting knights, no servants or maids to guide her.
Compared to that, this was actually better.
“Get out, you cursed daughter of our enemy!”
Yep.
Even those angry shouts made her feel like humming a tune.
“You’ve got to be kidding me. You’re singing now?”
“Oh my, why did you stop walking? Are you going to make me go in alone?”
She gently tugged at Kylus’ sleeve, smiling, but suddenly stopped in her tracks.
‘What is that?’
Her eyes narrowed.
‘I know every single young servant in the Carniel estate.’
Among the maids who had come out to greet them, one woman standing in front—was someone Eleanor had never seen before.
