DCHWT 12

Chapter 12 

After making Alec surrender, Maya began her meal in a refreshed mood.

The sparring match had taken longer than expected—over five minutes if you counted the time spent hitting—but moving her body had lifted her spirits and brought back her appetite.

And with the food laid out being delicious, she felt immensely satisfied.

“I couldn’t even remember what food tasted like in my previous life.”

Back then, she had slowly lost herself and could no longer find joy in life.

“Is the meal to your liking?”

“Yes, it’s really delicious, my lord.”

Perhaps her expression gave her away, as Tristan looked at her silently before asking.

Maya gave her best nod and popped another tender piece of salmon into her mouth.

Mmm. The salmon was thick, yet grilled to be juicy, not dry, and the sprinkled salt seasoned it perfectly.

The sauce drizzled on top added a fresh note that cut through the richness of the oil.

“It tastes completely different from steak.”

And the vegetables served alongside were so fresh, it was as if they had just been picked.

It was a testament to how well-provisioned this place was.

“It seems things worked out well with Alec.”

“Yes, he turned out to be a better person than I expected.”

“I will strictly punish him for the rude things he said. I hope you won’t let it trouble you too much.”

“Oh, it’s fine. I don’t tend to hold things in. I’m used to it, anyway.”

It had been rude, so she didn’t bother correcting him.

“You’re used to it…?”

Tristan murmured, but Maya chose to ignore it and focused on something that truly mattered.

First, she had to sort out how they addressed each other.

“My lord, you don’t need to speak formally to me.”

Even if they were in a contract marriage and engaged, he was a Grand Duke. It was only proper for him to speak down to her.

“In fact, it’s more appropriate that you do.”

Even for married couples.

Besides, Maya wasn’t used to formal speech.

Tristan was a kind man. And being a duke, he wouldn’t think twice about speaking informally to others.

So she expected him to just nod and agree…

“That’s not acceptable. I don’t speak this way to everyone.”

…or so she thought. Apparently, she was mistaken. He was more stubborn than she assumed.

“I speak this way because I believe a person who will be my wife, even in a contract, deserves that much respect.”

He didn’t treat others this way, yet he made an exception for Maya.

“I know it’s because our relationship is contractual, but still…”

Her heart fluttered at his words that showed how much he valued her.

Tristan truly was nothing like that swine of an emperor.

Her resolve solidified.

“I really do need to awaken faster.”

The more she realized how different Tristan was from the emperor, the more she wanted to help him.

“There are things I can only do once I awaken.”

When fighting monsters on the northern border, the relationship between the Imperial Knights and Northern Knights had been absolutely terrible.

The Imperial Knights were mostly nobles who had trained since childhood or under masters. Their pride was sky-high.

In contrast, the Northern Knights were a mixed group, mostly scouted based on their reputation in the north.

Even their commander had risen through the ranks purely on skill in slaying monsters.

Maya had encountered him a few times in her past life.

“But the commander I met in my previous life was named Dmitri.”

He was the one who had been watching earlier when Alec had picked a fight with her.

That lively face…

“They’re just proud fools who don’t even know what real battle is.”

It was nothing like the dead-eyed look he had when they’d fought side by side before.

The scar that had slashed across his left eye was also gone now.

“There must have been a reason the commander changed.”

Dmitri had been appointed commander around the same time the powerful monsters in the north began appearing.

“That can’t be a coincidence.”

Something definitely happened.

Alec had to step down as commander, and Dmitri’s once bright eyes had become dull and lifeless. There must have been a reason for that.

“…If it was something that required Duke Tristan himself to handle because I had rejected a marriage proposal and couldn’t be found…”

No matter how she thought about it, it had to be related to the monsters.

“Was it… a serpent?”

The monster they had fought back then had been a serpent so massive it rivaled a mountain range.

Whenever it moved, the area was devastated, and hundreds of people died. It was unbelievably powerful.

Maya still remembered the terror she felt when she looked into its blood-red eyes.

But to survive, she had fought—and after a grueling battle, succeeded in killing it.

“Is the dessert not to your liking?”

“No! Not at all.”

She loved sweets. Maya quickly picked up her spoon.

The sherbet served for dessert was beautifully presented in a glass dish.

She took a bite, and the cold, crunchy texture mixed with the burst of fruit juice on her tongue.

“It’s delicious…”

She didn’t forget to give a compliment.

After finishing the last bite of sherbet, Maya opened her mouth with a cheerful smile.

“Before we officially announce our marriage, I’d like to visit the Shirak Mountains.”

The massive Shirak Mountains formed the heart of the northern border.

They were home to the most monsters—and were once the legendary dwelling place of the Demon King.

It was also the primary area of operation for both the Imperial and Northern Knights.

And most importantly, it was the habitat of that serpent monster.

If she could awaken and immediately fight there, it would be killing two birds with one stone.

“You’re planning to go to the Shirak Mountains to speed up your awakening?”

As expected, the Duke was quick on the uptake.

She didn’t even have to explain—how convenient.

“Yes, I need to awaken quickly.”

“It’s good that the contract is progressing fast.”

She couldn’t help but puff her chest at the praise.

Alright, let’s get this done quickly!

“I just need a little help packing. The whole trip should take about a week.”

“Of course. When are you planning to leave?”

The sooner, the better.

“Tomorrow.”

Tristan’s eyebrows knit together slightly—for the first time, he looked visibly unsettled.

“Did I say something wrong?”

Maya stared into his eyes, nervous.

“It would be better to delay by a few days.”

“Is something wrong?”

“We have to celebrate a birthday, don’t we?”

“Ah, it’s your birthday, my lord. Understood.”

Then of course they should celebrate it.

“….”

But Tristan didn’t respond. He simply looked at her.

Maya felt a strange sensation creep over her.

Was this what it felt like to stare into the depths of a deep lake?

Why did he look at her with such a piercing, unwavering gaze?

“It’s your birthday.”

“…What?”

Maya’s voice trembled with surprise.

“He was talking about my birthday?”

A birthday someone else remembered for her. A strange warmth bloomed in her chest.

But more than that—

“You knew when my birthday was? Even I had forgotten it.”

At her words, Tristan chuckled quietly. When he spoke, it caught her off guard.

“I really can’t get mad at him.”

It was a curious conversation.

Or perhaps “refreshing” was the better word, since he patiently explained things she hadn’t even considered.

He couldn’t help but wonder what kind of life his contract wife had lived so far.

There was still so much to learn about each other.

That would come in time.

“Yes, I know. What kind of heartless husband wouldn’t know his wife’s birthday?”

Was that how it was?

“My family never knew mine…”

And then…

“But I don’t know your birthday, my lord.”

Maya suddenly felt guilty.

“I don’t know anything about you…”

A strange sense of remorse gripped her.

“Then ask me.”

Tristan replied nonchalantly, resting his chin in his hand.

Maya stared into his eyes for a moment and swallowed hard.

The deep gaze beneath his neatly parted black hair made her tense.

“As expected of the Duke…”

He wasn’t just a figurehead.

This contract marriage was turning out to be far more serious than she had imagined.

“W-when is your birthday, my lord?”

She stammered, uncharacteristically flustered.

She never imagined such a simple thing could rattle her so much.

“May 5th.”

That the Duke of the North was born in spring—it was unexpected.

But it suited him.

“It suits him perfectly.”

Tristan, who had welcomed her warmly and treated her with respect from the beginning, was like spring itself—chasing away the long winter that had defined Maya’s life.

“I’ll celebrate your birthday, too…”

But she trailed off, realizing something.

Their contract would be over by May.

But so what?

She could celebrate it early.

She wanted to return the kindness.

“Then I’ll leave in two days. Tomorrow, I’ll choose your birthday gift.”

One day to pick out his gift.

And one day to celebrate his birthday.

Maya’s ruby-like eyes sparkled with excitement.

Tristan silently gazed at her.

Her ever-changing expressions carried rich emotions.

Her face flushed red, like a blank canvas painted with life.

Her bright smile, like sunlight peeking through rainclouds, was pure.

That was why—

Why Tristan couldn’t bring himself to stop this woman, who still didn’t even call his name properly, from trying to celebrate a birthday more than half a year away.

That was all.