If I Disobey the Duke

Beginning of the Attestation (1)

At dawn, the bedroom was dark with only the soft golden light of a lamp. Vlad, who was reclining in his chair, turned his gaze to his sleeping wife.

Her face was calm, silver hair shining like jewels. She was probably dreaming, as her long eyelashes twitches often. The color of her soft lips, which was pale a while ago, had regained a pink color.

She couldn’t eat properly because she was sick, so her face and body looked thin. It was heartbreaking.

“I can’t believe it,” he muttered to himself.

It was a point he hadn’t expected at all. It was the first time he couldn’t answer in 15 years.

Even when he was in war where the city was in ruins, he was always fast with tactical decisions.

He let out a deep sigh and rubbed his face.

How do I prove that I thought so about you…

Vlad suddenly stopped thinking.  His eyes narrowed. “Prove.”

My wife was a fast learner when it came to things like this. So what am I going to do from now on?

“Dad. Don’t go… I’m scared…”

Vlad reflexively got up at the faint groan.

Lily, who had been sleeping soundly until just a moment ago, was whimpering pitifully. “I don’t want to get married. Mom, please! I want to run away. That uncle is so scary…”

Stuck in a nightmare, her body began to tremble.

He leaned across her bed and grabbed Lily’s shoulder. “Lily, calm down.… Lily!”

After being shaken, Lily opened her eyes and desperately grabbed Vlad’s collar. Her unfocused green eyes wandered aimlessly.

Having dealt with panicked people quite often, he was quite seasoned in this respect. “You were just dreaming. There is nothing scary or dangerous here. Do not worry.”

She calmed down slowly as he wiped the sweat from her face and hair.

Recognizing the situation, Lily hurriedly removed his hand as if she held onto something she shouldn’t.

Vlad let out a long breath. He also released Lily’s shoulder and lowered his voice. “Your complexion… isn’t good. I will call Ivan.”

“Yes? At this time…”

Lily was terrified. It was currently dawn, and to call the priest just because she had nightmares… That would cause too much trouble to Ivan, who had already suffered day and night treating her just a few hours ago.

“No. It’s okay. It happens every day, so it’s fine…”

“Every day?”

Lily sighed and bit her lower lip.

He raised his handsome eyebrows.

She resolutely avoided his gaze, sitting on her knees.

I said too much.

“Only when I sleep alone… But it’s okay.  I’ve been through it for years and I’m used to it.”

“…Years.” Vlad sighed and covered his face with large hands.

Every time he wasn’t in her room, she spent the night alone like this. She struggled and cried and dampened her clothes with cold sweat.

Even after waking up from the dream, she couldn’t fall asleep again and only trembled in the dark, waiting for the sun to rise.

“Why didn’t you tell me…?”

How could she have said it? She considered herself to be a sex doll since her husband only went to her at night.

Why are you trying to ask me that again? Why do you keep your head down?

“I think a snowman’s head might be better,” he mumbled so softly that Lily couldn’t hear it. He lowered his hands.

“I really do feel fine…”

“Try saying that without trembling. I can feel you shivering all the way here.” In an instant, Vlad stretched out his hand without realizing it, his face painted with worry.

As Lily flinched, the back of his broad hand touched her cheek. Her cheeks were as cold as ice.

“The temperature is too low. Well…  Let’s make the room warmer.”

He moved his hand from her cheek. She caught it.

But the moment was fleeting, and without waiting for him to react, Lily released her hand again. “Oh, I’m sorry. Without knowing…”

She was afraid to be alone again.

He looked at Lily softly, and then got up to his feet.

Took off his shirt.

“…!”

Why, all of a sudden…

Lily’s big green eyes were lost.

The dull yellow light from each lamp cast a deep shadow on his upper body. As a man who had been holding a sword for a long time, he had an upper body that was naturally tanned by sunlight.

Vlad’s body was strong and agile. His muscles were lean, defined as if sculpted. The deep clavicles clearly connected to the strong shoulders. The lines of his waist from the ribs to slim hips were sharp. Unruly scars made him look more feral.

With his back against the dark bedroom, he was a sight to behold.

Dark and sharp facial features, thick and long neck and forearms, protruding blood vessels.

He was obviously in the form of a human but to think he was a half-monster…