TEWRIT 62

Episode 62 

“There’s no such thing as an easy way. The easier it looks, the more it will cost you. And you’ll be the one paying the price. I don’t want that.”

Flint had never once thought that Eliano’s misfortune would damage her dignity as the Grand Duchess. That didn’t matter to him. He just wanted to protect her—completely. Even if the truth were shameful, he would have made the same choice.

He was upset she misunderstood that. He wanted to correct her, to say she was wrong.

But Eliano wanted to expose her abusive father to turn the public’s opinion in their favor. Maybe it would work. Maybe the world would finally see the real face of Duke Rosana.

But to do that, Eliano would have to prove the abuse.

And Duke Rosana had always put on a convincing show of being a loving father. He still did. And proving abuse in a noble family wasn’t easy. The process would put Eliano, the victim, under harsh scrutiny.

Flint hated the thought of that. If he couldn’t protect her as her husband, he at least couldn’t let the world’s judgment tear her apart.

Her peace and safety meant more than his reputation—or even Duke Rosana’s downfall.

If she tried to reveal the truth, she’d have to face Rosana’s wife too, the woman who raised her even if she wasn’t her birth mother. That would hurt.

Letting Flint take the burden alone would be cleaner. To him, this was the easier path. Especially now that he heard Rosana’s men were guarding the temple, hoping to catch Eliano and drag her back.

“Since Lady Eliano has already made up her mind, I won’t try to persuade you anymore. If misunderstanding me makes it easier to accept, then so be it.”

If she believed he was stopping her for the sake of the Howard name, that was better than her trying to expose everything and hurting herself in the process.

And more than anything, Flint didn’t want to pressure someone who had only just regained consciousness. She still needed to rest—her breathing was still weak.

“That day’s events… will remain only in our memories. Understood?”

“….”

“No answer?”

“….”

“Eliano.”

“…I understand.”

Her voice was low and hesitant.

“And remember, none of this is your fault. It all started with Duke Rosana.”

“Yes… I know.”

“Then rest. When you’re well, we’ll head north.”

Eliano looked up at him, her green eyes shimmering.

“The Howard estate in the north is far larger and more beautiful than here. The weather’s colder than the capital, but your room… it’ll be the warmest in the house.”

“That sounds nice. I’ve heard Howard’s manor in the north is majestic.”

Eliano smiled softly. For the first time, the tension between them eased. Even Flint’s stiff expression softened.

At that moment, someone knocked on the door. Gilbert’s voice followed:
“Your Grace, forgive me—but you have a guest.”

Eliano spoke gently.

“You should go.”

“I’ll return soon.”

Flint turned to leave but paused. Eliano blinked at him in surprise as he turned back.

“Eliano. Once I make a decision, I never change it.”

“…Ah. Yes.”

She blinked again, startled by the sudden statement.

Then Flint gently took her hand and bent down. He kissed the back of it softly.

It wasn’t their first time, but the warmth that passed between their skin felt more intense than ever.

Outside Howard Manor, Duke Rosana’s protest continued for days.

His voice alone was enough to stir Eliano’s trauma. Her hands trembled every time she heard him shouting.

Adele raged,
“Damn it! Where’s divine justice when that bastard walks free?!”

Howard’s side had decided not to respond. But they were ready to use force the moment Rosana’s people crossed the gate.

For now, the Duke only shouted through a magical speaker. No soldiers, no attacks. Just noise.

And that noise was dragging Flint’s name through the dirt.

Eliano bit her lip. She knew her father was using this protest as revenge because he couldn’t send her to Zacador anymore.

He was playing the victim—a father who’d “lost” his daughter and could only cry because he couldn’t overpower a war hero. The public would pity him. And they’d blame Flint.

Eliano couldn’t let that happen.

No one told her how bad it was outside, but she knew. She couldn’t just lie in bed while her husband took all the damage.

If she couldn’t be Flint’s shield, then she could at least become a dagger and stab her enemies’ feet.

“Jane. Bring me a chair with wheels. I’ll face this myself.”

Adele gasped.
“No, my lady!”

“If I don’t show my face, they’ll believe I’m a kidnapped prisoner. Adele, I won’t mention that day. Just let me go out.”

“No! You mustn’t—”

“Then call Sir Himenes. I’m sure he won’t argue with me.”

Adele groaned and looked at the ceiling.

In truth, Oliver Himenes had constantly begged Flint to reveal the truth: that Eliano had been nearly beaten to death by her father. Why choose the hard road when the easy one was right there? It was driving Oliver mad.

“I’ll do it without disobeying His Grace. If he’s attacking with no shame, then I’ll throw away my dignity too.”

If her father was using public sympathy to fight, Eliano would throw out elegance and fight back.

She’d done worse—like begging her late husband for a child in her previous life. This was nothing.

She’d pay him back twice over.

“I doubt he brought the whip with him,” she muttered, breathing deep.

Then a strange thought struck her.

“Wait, is he really outside? After having his beard cut off?”

That beard wasn’t just hair—it was tradition. All Rosana Dukes grew theirs long from a young age. Grooming it became their habit, their symbol.

Her father, especially, cherished his beard more than life. So the idea of him coming outside without it was shocking. Had he glued on a fake one?

‘He must really be desperate. He probably had to show effort to the Emperor after the marriage broke off.’

While Adele tried to stop her, Jane had already fetched Oliver.

He arrived with a smile, pushing a wheeled chair. Flint was out at the moment, so they had a chance.

“Sir Himenes, can you open the main gate under my authority? No outsiders allowed in, of course.”

“Of course, my lady. I await your command.”

Oliver ignored Adele’s glare and obeyed Eliano without hesitation.

[You disgraceful kidnapper! Are you not afraid of divine punishment?! How could the son of such a noble man act with such shamelessness?! Are you even truly his blood?!]

The insults grew worse every day. Now they even spoke ill of the late Duke Maximilian Howard—Flint’s father.

The Howard retainers clenched their teeth. They wanted to storm out and fight.

But Eliano stayed inside the main doors and only ordered them to open the front gates. Nothing more.

“Shall we drive them away?” one shouted.

“Not yet. Wait for my signal.”

She wore Flint’s ceremonial cloak, embroidered with gold thread and the Howard crest. It was heavy—almost too much to carry—but it made her look every bit the Grand Duchess.

She had planned to use makeup to cover her pale face, but it didn’t help. Still, she sat tall, eyes sharp and voice steady.

[You monster from Zacador! How dare you steal our lady! Give her back! Eliano, are you even alive?!]

[This devil came from Zacador to corrupt the north!]

[How dare a lowborn son of a hostage set eyes on Rosana’s daughter?! Know your place!]

“The knights of Rosana act without loyalty or wisdom. I’m ashamed to know them,” Eliano clicked her tongue.

The insults were becoming reckless.

Calling Flint a “hostage’s son” wasn’t just rude—it was dangerous. Everyone knew Flint’s background. But saying it out loud reminded the world that the Emperor once abandoned his nephew to enemies.

That kind of talk could turn against Duke Rosana.

“Don’t worry, my lady,” said George, the butler.

Eliano smiled thinly. She hoped the Emperor did hear all this.

[You filthy brute! Return our lady this instant!]

Eliano yawned. The shouting bored her now. Her calm nerves stunned the onlookers. Some even thought she was a perfect match for Flint.

[Oh, my poor daughter! Are you eating well in that cursed house?! I’m so worried! Howard, please! Give me back my child!]

Rosana’s voice now rang out—he had arrived in person.

Eliano’s eyes opened wide.

Sleep vanished.

She steadied her breathing.
‘This is Howard Manor. He can’t hurt me here.’

The trembling in her hands slowly faded.

“My lady, perhaps you should go back inside—”

“No, Adele. My father’s finally shown up. I’ve waited long enough.”

Adele still looked worried, but Eliano smiled confidently.

To be continued…