If I Disobey the Duke

The Monster’s Men (2.1)

The hands of the maids fluttered busily over Lily’s body as she sat in front of the full-length mirror. They were trying to match the color of the coat to Lily’s dress.

A maid looked at Buttercup. “The outfits go well with anything she wears, so I want it to be as flashy as possible. What would Madam think, Buttercup?”

Buttercup put a chair behind Lily and stood up. “Madam, which one do you like? Everyone recommends blue, but I think it’ll be good to match your coat with your hair colour. You’ll look great under the snow today!”

“Everything is fine in my eyes, so choose appropriately.” Lily smiled awkwardly.

All the clothes and accessories were so luxurious that it was embarrassing for Lily to even dare to wear them.

That was why she chose the most modest one today.

Even though no one, even the nobility,  has the authority to comment about her, a disappointed sigh broke out among the maids.

Ivan knocked nervously on the door. “Just put on whatever you have. If you catch a cold again as soon as you get well, you will see the rare sight of a priest being burned at stake during winter.”

In the end, Lily ended up wearing several layers of woolen socks, fur gloves, and all sorts of cold-weather clothes under the white fox-fur cloak that went down to her ankles.

However, due to Buttercup’s strong insistence, Lily wore an earring instead of a ugly fur hat.

Lily trotted after Priest Ivan, feeling like a huge ball of cotton.

It felt somewhat disheartening to meet her husband looking like that.

“I didn’t expect to be able to try on luxurious clothes designed for the imperial family.”

“You have good eyes. Well, it’s no surprise. You’re the daughter of Sir Isles who has been granted permission to enter the Imperial Palace.”

Lily stopped her tracks.

Just hearing the news of her father had her stopping in her tracks, heartbeat pounding in her ears

When Ivan turned around, Lily cleared her complexion and pretended to be calm. “My father… succeeded.”

“Yes. Congratulations. Sir Isles is now officially one of the few high-ranking nobles. He found many jewels in diamond mines. I can’t imagine how well your father is doing now.”

The imperial diamond delivery project, which Lily’s father had put his heart and soul into, seemed to be on the track of success.

She laughed bitterly. “Yes. That’s great.”

It was something to be delighted about, but strangely her stomach felt as if she had swallowed a stone.

As she knew, her father was a resourceful man.

However, it was clear that if Lily had refused this marriage, the project would not have been permitted at all.

It would take several years for the business to establish itself, so before that, she must have a child.

Lily’s steps spurred on by her nervousness.

The castle itself was large enough to take several days to see all of it.

“Madam. If you respond to all the greetings of the servants like that, you will arrive at the Order of Knights next year.”

“But it’s just a simple nod.”

“There’s no one you have to bow to. You’re the duchess. The lord’s dignity is also at stake, so please consider that as well.”

Lily nodded awkwardly at his advice. “I’ll try.”

Her ex-husbands were also aristocrats, but the servants took Lily’s greetings for granted, probably because she came from a commoner background like them.

As they exited the main tower and came out to the courtyard, the winter sun’s ligh reflected off the snow that had piled up everywhere.

When they arrived, Ivan glanced back at her. “That’s the Order of Knights. The vacant lot seen from the iron gate is not a training ground, it’s for the blacksmiths and repair shops on the left and right side. The other side of that building is the training ground.”

Lily’s gaze eagerly followed his fingertips, nodding to show interest.

Is my husband there now?

It felt like her heart was straining against her ribs.

She wondered if the gloves were helpful. Her hands were sweaty inside the warm gloves

It was fortunate that it was winter.  It seemed like it would be enough to hide the fact that she was very nervous as long as she kept her calm expression.

“Actually, it’s self-training time now, so the lord…”

Not long after they entered, a sudden bang stopped them. It was a huge noise, like things exploding one after the other.

Lily grabbed Ivan’s arm. “Priest, I think something exploded! We have to go there now. If the lord is hurt…!”

What returned instead of Ivan’s answer was a husky voice from behind.

“Priest, do you think it was sane to bring in someone during shooting training? That person is the mistress of our castle, one who has been ill for a while.”

Lily looked back quickly enough to scream. Her eyes widened as she confirmed the identity of the voice’s owner

He was a knight with red hair cropped close to the scalp.  He was much taller than Lily, and much wider too.

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His position was quite high, judging by other knights that followed him.

“Are you okay, Madam? Just now, those were the sounds of gunfire. Guns are weapons that the knights handle pretty well, so you don’t have to worry.”

His way of speaking was gentle, though modest.

Lily glanced at the knights lined up behind him.  When their eyes met, the knights’ gazes were scattered here and there.

Seeing as they were all calm, it was evidently the truth.