If I Disobey the Duke

Unknown Story (3)

Lily, standing under the awning, looked around the training ground calmly.

At the end of the rectangular training ground, the targets were placed side by side. The knights standing on the station and the knights around her turned towards her.

All of them seemed to be tense.

Gathering their gazes was always a tense affair, but fortunately she was getting used to it the more she went through it.

Lily glanced at Vlad who was standing next to him, and he gave her a slight nod to relieve her.

Even that small gesture put her heart at ease.

“I’m sorry for the late greeting. My heart was heavy for not being able to send you off on this expedition, but I am so glad everyone came back without any injuries.”

At her dignified greeting, the knights who marched to Ataka shuddered.

She was the point of interest of all the knights.

She was a commoner, the daughter of a vicious chauvinist, and their lord was her third husband. She was a woman who appeared with only a vile reputation.

When she came, it was only said that she was arrogant. Rumors ranged from priests and maids to servants who cleaned horse manure. She was no one to speak harshly with.

Even that petty Lord of Cadis…

Even after her return, they didn’t get a chance to see her because of the unfortunate incident that took place in the city.

If they ever put her name in their mouths, it garnered the attention of the lord, so their curiosity of her grows like a snowball.

After she paused for a moment, her clear voice came out in her soft voice. “As the duchess…”

The warm spring sun toward noon rested on her cheeks.

Green eyes under long eyelashes, naturally red lips drawn into a small arc.

“I am always grateful for the hard work that protects citizens’ lives. It’s hard to tell how happy I am to be able to say this in person.”

Everything seemed to disappear into a white cloud around her.

Lily looked around her with her eyes, smiling at the bewildered knights.

“It is an honor to meet you. Commander of the Knights Templar, Boers van Gallahead.” A knight boasting a bushy beard approached. He smoothly kissed the back of Lily’s hand.

He had a rough appearance that didn’t look like a civilized person, but surprisingly, he was familiar with etiquette.

“Finally, there is a lady who gives blessings to us people. It’s mind-boggling, Madam. Haha.”

Lily smiled at him as his bubbly smile loosened her up. “I am very happy to welcome you, Sir Gallahead. I’ve always been curious about what kind of person the Knights Commander is.”

“Each one of those interests is just an honor. Haha. In terms of personality, I’m proud to say that I’m one of the better ones among them…”

“Time to start. Gallahead.”

Gallahead shut his mouth. His expression hardened for a moment, and he moistened his parched lips in an instant. “I understand.” After the salute, he turned around.

As he acted as if he was going to direct them, the other knights hardened like an old tree. Unless Vlad appeared, Gallahead was also in a position to give orders directly to one of the knights.

Lily looked up at her husband standing next to herself.

Vlad seemed uncomfortable. He was blatantly showing his displeasure, as if he was going to put a threat at once.

Lily was a little surprised. He was a bit strict, but if she was going to be honest…

The way he gave orders to Gallahead was rough enough to remind her of a dictator or tyrant. Just like the way he looked at a competitor…

Feeling her gaze, Vlad looked down at her over her shoulder. “Step back. Lily. It’s a lot more dangerous than you think, so the farther away from the firing range, the better.”

Some high-ranking knights nearby suddenly coughed as if they had heard it. It was a reaction to having witnessed something shocking.

When he returned to his usual tone, Lily was relieved. It must have been because of her mood that he just felt so overbearing, too.

“Come here.” Vlad stretched out his arms to Lily as if to get closer. “It’s the first time you’ve heard it up close, so it might be a little startling if gunshots go off at the same time. Make sure you stay close to me.”

The spring sun from the sky cast a golden border on him.

She didn’t say anything great. For a moment, her heart was pounding. A spore-blowing dandelion seemed to have bloomed near her heart.

Her heart was pounding. It was really weird today…

She knew that her husband was a handsome man who didn’t even have to talk like that, but today, he was exceptionally…

When Lily didn’t respond, he eventually furrowed his eyebrows slightly. “…Do you not like it?”

She quickly closed the distance. “Well, that can’t be. I like it.”

His chest trembled as she pressed close enough. His eyes narrowed as he looked at her awkwardly shy wife.

In the midst of vain thoughts, the soldiers prepared to resume training.