Night had fallen hours ago when the Duke finally called for a halt to their march. Luckily there was a bright, full moon, so they were not completely blinded after the sun had set. The Kyleon guards quickly dealt out a meager, cold meal, which was supplemented by some jerky from the knights’ rations. At last everyone got situated to sleep. 

Each of them were beyond exhausted, but Karissa knew that the Duke was driving them hard so that they would arrive at Hallel Keep as soon as possible. They needed to hurry if they were to save the men that had been most severely injured. While the makeshift bandages had stopped the worst of the bleeding on these men, they still needed the attention of skilled doctors if they were going to survive long-term.

Karissa laid on a blanket beside Lilian, surrounded by her guards and the Duke’s knights. I wonder when I will start thinking of them as my knights. I am their Duchess now, after all. If only in title. 

She stared at her hands, which had been scrubbed clean of the green wyvern blood before they had started their march. Images of the wyvern attack flashed through her mind again, but she pushed them away.

The soles of her feet throbbed in rhythm with her heartbeat. Karissa was sure to get some blisters, but she did not mind at all. The horses were put to better use carrying wounded men than sparing her from some discomfort. She was grateful to the Duke for allowing them to be used for that purpose, and for not forcing her to ride again.

Karissa looked over her shoulder towards the tree line for what was probably the tenth time. The Duke was there, leaning against a tree, standing watch. The moonlight cast leafy shadows over him as a gentle wind blew through the branches of the trees. 

Despite not having his long cape anymore, the Duke still looked commanding. She’d almost protested when he had volunteered to take the first shift. But Karissa was quickly learning that he was not one to shy away from what needed to be done. Even if he was just as exhausted as the rest of them. 

Karissa laid her head back down on the blanket. Her mind kept wandering back to their earlier conversation. Embarrassment at crying in front of him was first and foremost. But there was also confusion. 

How could he think I wanted to hurt him? I never did or said anything to make him think that! I was as polite and lady-like as I could be… 

Up until earlier that day, Karissa had harbored a small hope that the Duke, the savior of her kingdom, had requested her as his bride. That in the brief moments he had been in the same vicinity as her after defeating her father, he had taken a liking to her. But from what he said, he thought they were not a good match at all.

Foolish. Idiotic. Naive. We never even spoke a word to each other before today… But that doesn’t mean I want to kill him, or see him killed.

A sinking feeling settled into her stomach. 

Maybe Father’s remaining allies have been spreading rumors about me, about my family. That we are resentful of the emperor, and by extension the knight he sent to defeat us. If that’s true, it would make sense for him to be suspicious to suddenly be married to me of all people. I was surprised, to say the least, when I found out who I was being married off to.

Memories from months ago came to her mind. Of the emperor’s emissary coming for an unplanned visit. Of his announcement that, as a young noblewoman of the empire, the emperor had a right to dictate who she would marry. And then the revelation of exactly who her husband would be. 

But why, then? Why did the emperor force this marriage out of nowhere?

The only explanation Karissa could think of was that she was being used by the emperor for some unknown plot against the Duke. And that she would not stand for. Yes, she had sworn fealty to the emperor when Kyleon had fallen, but she owed much more to the Duke of Hallel. He had cleansed Kyleon of the disease that was her father and his followers. If the emperor had planned to use her, he would be sorely disappointed. 

Her new husband was suspicious of her. That much she knew. Yet despite his suspicions, he had still thrown himself into danger to protect her. He was an honorable man, which Karissa already knew from how he had handled the war with Kyleon. But the fact that he had set aside his trepidation to save her from the wyvern solidified her high opinion of him.

Now I just need to prove myself to him. But how?

Karissa looked over her shoulder again, but found the spot where Duke had been was now empty. 

Hmm… perhaps he’s gone to sleep at last.

But then he was there, kneeling in front of her, his face cast in shadows against the full moon shining down from the dark sky. Despite the suddenness of his appearance, she did not flinch or startle as she would have expected.

“My lady, did you need something?” the Duke asked softly. “You seem restless.”

“Oh! No, Your Grace, I don’t need anything,” Karissa whispered back. “Just can’t get my mind to rest.” He nodded, then turned and sat on the ground next to her, facing out into the darkness.

“I know the feeling,” he replied. 

Karissa laid her head back down, staring at his profile which was highlighted by the glow of the moon. His chiseled jaw, stern brow, and of course the scar on his face melded into the visage of a war-hardened man. Yet she felt he had to have more to him than just being a knight of the empire. The way he had looked away from her earlier that day, mumbling about how he didn’t deserve her gratitude, presented an interesting piece of the puzzle that was her new husband.

“I never thanked you before,” the Duke said suddenly, turning his head back towards her.

“For what?”

He tapped a finger to his forearm, which was still wrapped in bandages underneath the greave. “For tending to my arm. I was so caught up in… well, in thinking the worst of you, while you were only showing me kindness. I apologize for my rudeness. It will not happen again.”

Karissa smiled, feeling a small portion of her worries melt away. Perhaps there was some hope that he would come to trust her, then.

“You’re welcome, Your Grace. And there is no need to apologize. Our circumstances are… unique, to say the least.” She watched his face, hoping that she was able to convey that she understood where his distrust was rooted. That she was on his side. I ought to just say it outright, but-

“When are you going to tell me?” the Duke asked suddenly, throwing her off guard. She couldn’t for the life of her think of what he wanted to know.

“Tell you what?”

“What you think of being married to me.”

Oh… Karissa remembered saying something about telling him later. But that was only to buy time. She didn’t know what she thought anymore. Her hope that he had actually picked her was dashed, and the realization that he thought she was a tool of the emperor made things much more complicated.

She needed more time to process everything, and see where things actually stood between them before she could answer that question for either of them. They’d only just met that day, after all.

But showing uncertainty towards him would not come across very well. He already had some misgivings about her. While they seemed to be soothed at the moment, there was no telling what could set him down that path again. Showing confidence would be the better option. At least until she knew herself how she felt about all of this.

“I don’t think I’ll tell you just yet, Your Grace.” The Duke frowned, then nodded slowly.

“Of course, my lady,” he said, then stood quietly. “You are tired. Rest now. We can save that discussion for when we are safely at the keep, and all is well again.” He bowed his head, then turned and walked back to the spot he had chosen earlier to keep watch.