Tamed Monster - Chapter 60

[How many years did that take? I’ve already been a captain in the kingdom for several years.

Unlike the kingdom, knights in the empire seem to have a strong bias against women. But soon I’ll have a salary enough to support our parents, so I won’t need to ask you for help anymore.

I hope you’re still happily married to your husband. Please thank the Duke for treating you kindly and supporting our family in my stead. I always want to see you. Let’s meet once in the capital sometime around next winter.

…By the way, you must have already spent your first night with your husband, right?]

Sylvia smiled warmly reading the first few lines. But the following parts made her smile waver, tinged with bitterness. The final lines sent a chill down her spine. The letter seemed almost mocking, but Fiona’s true intention was quite the opposite.

Sylvia’s sister Fiona had no idea what kind of treatment or silent contempt Sylvia endured at the Duke’s castle. Sylvia had lied flawlessly to her sister and parents, saying she was showered with love and simply happy. She was good at acting in the letter.

‘I did say it though… sister.’

Closing the letter neatly, Sylvia lowered her dark gaze. Suddenly, the half-witted husband sprawled on the floor beside her grabbed her ankle sharply, nearly causing her to scream.

“What did your sister say?”

His eyes shone brightly. He seemed to have noticed the part mentioning him in the letter. Though Kuinan was only a monster unrelated to the letter, he took great interest in its contents. As if about to snatch the letter away, he reached forward.

Swish! Sylvia quickly stuffed the letter into her bosom, then replied briefly:

“She asked if my husband is a pervert.”

Fiona would never say such a thing, but this dim-witted husband probably just realized for the first time that Sylvia had a sister.

He’d lost many memories during his torture by the monster, but had he forgotten his sister? He remained silent a moment, then crossed his arms over his chest and said:

“You talk about all sorts of things with your sister.”

Sylvia had sent a letter to Fiona about half a year ago. Fiona had been busy becoming a knight and hadn’t replied, so their last exchange was late last summer. This letter was her reply sent before Lancart’s disappearance, so her words were purely a joke.

“Because she’s family. Why shouldn’t we talk about trivial things?”

The man before her was bound by contract, not truly family. Her sister and parents were her real family. He sighed, unclasped his arms, and changed the subject. He didn’t seem upset by such a light provocation.

“You know, I have something to tell you.”

Dressed simply, he had just returned from a late-night solo ride. Despite that, he appeared lively, which always struck Sylvia as odd. But unlike before, she no longer doubted his identity. She’d heard the explanation the previous night.

“Go ahead.”

“Um… I’ve been meaning to say this for a while, but I couldn’t because you were in so much pain. Actually, we have a place to go soon—the Blavat swamp…”

His voice lowered to a whisper on that last word. Sylvia’s eyes widened.

The subtle violet mixed in her pure blue irises locked onto her husband’s embarrassed expression. Sylvia silently repeated the word:

Blavat?

…Swamp?

The very place where her husband had gone missing and that was infamous for being overrun by terrifying monsters.

Though there were many other monster-occupied caves, skies, and rivers, Blavat was particularly dreaded by humans. Its creatures were especially cruel, savage, and took pleasure in torturing humans.

The phrase “we have a place to go” lingered in her mind.