TGDHC Chapter 69

Chapter 69: How to Ease the Heart

There was a red line across her forehead—like a thin crack on glass. A mark left by the eggshell that scratched her skin.

“It’s just a little scratch. It’ll disappear in a day or two.”

As the Grand Duchess said that with a slight pout, Loic clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms.

He felt a deep sense of betrayal from the people of his territory.

He had spent his entire life fighting to protect them as Duke of Blenheim.

He had even suffered from a terrible curse for their sake—and in return, his wife was the one left with a wound?

“…I’m sorry. This is all my fault.”

It was his mistake to think no one in his territory would dare harm the Grand Duchess.

He should’ve anticipated every possible danger she might face—he should’ve had multiple layers of protection ready.

More than anything, he should’ve identified anyone with ill intent toward her from the very beginning.

“How is this your fault?” the Grand Duchess asked, shaking her head.

“This was just an accident. Bad things can happen to anyone.”

“But—”

“And if we have to place the blame, then it’s because I’m the daughter of Marquis Fasie. Are you saying that’s my fault?”

“Of course not. You’ve done nothing wrong.”

“Exactly. So let’s just treat it as a stroke of bad luck. That’s easier for me to accept.”

If she had asked him to find everyone involved and make them kneel before her, he would’ve done it gladly.

“So please… release the knights too.”

Loic frowned.

Had someone told her something unnecessary again?

“They failed to carry out their most basic duties as knights. They deserve to be punished.”

“Not every knight can be as perfect as you.”

“…Still…”

Loic’s neck flushed with heat.

Even in a situation like this, the word perfect from her lips made his heart flutter.

What is wrong with me?

“There were a lot of people there. It all happened suddenly.”

The Grand Duchess tilted her head slightly, watching his expression.

“Of course, the Duke has the final say on the knights’ punishment. But if I think they’re being held because of me, I won’t be able to sleep at night.”

Loic sighed inwardly.

This woman really knew too well how to handle him.

He honestly hadn’t planned to forgive Tiern easily.

Tiern was more than skilled enough to have prevented that egg from hitting her. His failure was unforgivable.

That’s why I assigned Tiern to her—because he’s the best at handling unexpected situations.

But when she said she wouldn’t be able to sleep, he couldn’t argue anymore.

“…I’ll give the order to release them immediately.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

Even as she smiled at him, Loic’s heart remained troubled.

He had done what needed to be done.

Releasing the knights would certainly bring relief to Hedrick, Perel, and the others.

But what about her?

Who’s going to heal her hurt feelings?

Loic ran a hand roughly through his hair.

He wanted to make her feel even just a little better.

She had always reached out to comfort him in his darkest moments.

Then, a thought crossed his mind.

I don’t know if she’ll like it, but…

He pulled the chair closer to her bedside and sat down.

“Your Grace?”

“Tonight…”

He hesitated for a moment, then gathered his courage and said,

“Let me put you to sleep tonight.”

“…What?”

The Grand Duchess blinked in surprise.

“You once helped me fall asleep. So now, I’ll do the same for you.”

Loic looked at her hand, which was slightly poking out from under the blanket.

With a look asking for permission, he reached toward her.

After hesitating for a moment, she slowly held out her hand.

Without hesitation, Loic gently took her small white hand in both of his. Her hand was smaller than his by a joint and fit softly into his grasp.

“Lie down now.”

Still unsure, she slowly lowered herself back under the blanket.

Once she was fully covered, Loic began gently massaging her hand—pressing here and there, moving his thumb softly across her palm.

When he swept up with his thumb, her fingers flinched slightly.

“Did that hurt?”

He had tried to be as gentle as possible.

“N-No.”

As she stuttered, he looked up—and immediately felt heat rush to his face.

Her cheeks were rosy, and she had lowered her eyes shyly.

His heart began to race uncontrollably.

“If anything is uncomfortable, just tell me.”

“…It feels warm and comforting.”

From the moment he held her hand, he had felt warmth spreading through his entire body.

Now, with her quiet voice, his heart felt like it might explode.

I don’t even know who this is more of a gift for—her or me…

Loic forced himself to remain calm, pressing her hand gently like a soldier enduring brutal training.

After a while, she started breathing softly in her sleep.

Even then, Loic continued holding her small hand for a while longer, then carefully tucked it back under the blanket and stood up.

As he looked down at her sleeping face, he swallowed hard.

She’s so beautiful… I can’t take it.

After biting his lip for a long moment, he slowly leaned down and kissed her forehead—right over the wound.

Her pale face twitched slightly, then relaxed into a peaceful smile.

***

The prison where the attackers were being held was located underground in the northern tower—the coldest and darkest part of the Grand Duke’s castle.

Loic descended the stairs with firm steps.

The icy stone floor gave way to a row of heavy iron bars.

“Commander.”

The guards greeted him nervously.

“Any updates?”

“…Nothing significant.”

The man in custody was middle-aged, with graying hair. He wore shackles but knelt upright with pride.

He was the only one caught at the scene.

According to the knights, he had remained stubborn during the interrogation—saying he was simply getting revenge on the enemy’s child.

Many people in Blenheim had lost family during the demon beast war.

Whether they fought or not, the knights of Blenheim still carried guilt for failing to protect the people.

That’s why they couldn’t treat the man harshly.

But Loic didn’t care about that.

He sat down roughly on the iron chair across from the prisoner.

The man’s tanned arms were visible, even in shackles.

Just imagining that hand throwing an egg at the Grand Duchess made Loic’s temples twitch.

“Commander!”

Sir Theor, a senior knight from the 1st squad, called out quickly.

Without realizing it, Loic had been radiating a killing aura—the man was gasping for breath.

This kind of anger wouldn’t help.

Loic took a deep breath and ran a hand over his chin—the same one that had just held hers.

“…Why did you do it?”

His voice was cold and terrifying.

“The Grand Duchess… she’s the enemy of Blenheim—!”

Before he could finish, Loic kicked him in the shoulder.

The man slammed into the prison wall, trembling.

“Stand him up.”

Two knights rushed to help the man kneel again, shocked at how aggressive Loic was being.

“Do you realize the punishment for your actions?”

Loic stared at him with an unreadable face.

The man’s throat bobbed as he swallowed nervously.

In the North, insulting nobility wasn’t punished as severely as in the capital.

Typically, it wouldn’t even warrant physical punishment.

But the Grand Duchess was of royal blood—so at worst, the man could face hard labor.

Still, if I pretend to be a war victim, they’ll probably go easy on me…

Just as he was bracing himself—

“You’re sentenced to death.”

“W-What?!”

The man scrambled up in panic but was pushed back down by the guards.

Loic’s icy stare pierced through him.

“You injured the Grand Duchess’s face.”

The man’s eyes began to shake.

“That makes your crime an injury against a royal.”

“I—I didn’t mean to—!”

His voice trembled.

Injury to royalty? That wasn’t part of the plan at all.

“You have only two choices.”

Loic’s voice was low and chilling.

“Keep your mouth shut and be executed… or tell me who ordered you—and beg for mercy.”

Ordered…?

The guards nearby looked confused.

To them, this had seemed like a lone citizen acting out in rage.

But the moment Loic saw the man, he was certain:

This wasn’t a random act of resentment.

It was a calculated attack meant to humiliate the Grand Duchess and damage her standing in Blenheim.

“W-What do you mean ‘ordered’…?”

The man’s mind raced.

There hadn’t been a single execution under Duke Loic’s rule in Blenheim.

Surely, this was just a scare tactic.

“I acted of my own—!”

Before he could finish, Loic stood up abruptly.

“You’re not getting it, are you?”

He looked to Theor with a blank expression.

“Execute him at dawn.”

“…Understood.”

Loic was about to walk away without hesitation when—

Clink!

The sharp sound of shackles echoed as the man suddenly shouted,

“It was… it was a woman!”

He jumped up and blurted it out.