Tamed Monster - Chapter 64

Only yesterday, those surprised by the Duchess’s decision to accompany him were now astonished by a different phenomenon. They shook their heads in disbelief at the Duke clinging and the Duchess coldly dismissing him.

Though they tried to watch discreetly from afar, both Lancart and Sylvia clearly felt their gazes. Sylvia deliberately ignored her husband to embarrass them.

“Ah, is that so?”

“…Don’t speak to me. It makes me want to vomit.”

“Wow… you’re that angry?”

Sylvia had doubted him countless times—at bed and in daily life—but this was the first time she truly felt he was monstrous. How could a human turn into a monster and use family as hostages to threaten his wife?

The knights heard her words clearly. She had warned him not to come near as he made her want to vomit.

They neither stopped her nor pretended not to hear, standing awkwardly while busily packing. They repeatedly unpacked and repacked the bags they had already prepared.

“I don’t remember saying anything that bad… I just said I’d take all their money and leave them starving. Since it’s money I lent, I can be that spiteful, right?”

For years, the Duke’s family had supported Sylvia’s family with large sums of money. He only threatened to take back a small portion. From the monster’s perspective, this was hardly a threat. He refrained from usual violent thoughts like ripping off heads or breaking limbs.

Sylvia slowly turned to him, glanced at him briefly, then faced away in unbearable disgust. Drooping her shoulders, she whispered barely audibly:

“You said you like me.”

Sylvia believed those words were sincere. Though the context implied it was just a light affection like admiring a pet, she thought at least he cared about her. She felt a quiet happiness, only to be met with such casual, cheerful threats.

Her husband was truly a terrible person. It was utterly miserable.

Recalling a bitter question from a week ago, the monster answered honestly:

“I do like you. That’s why I carry you with me even when you’re a pain.”

“…”

“I said the swamp is safer. Why don’t you believe me? I already explained it enough.”

A few knights pricked up their ears. Loyal to the Duke’s family, they knew the Duke was acting oddly to walk knowingly into danger. But while loyal, they valued their own lives and wanted to enter the swamp with some hope.

“What explanation have you given me?”

“Well… relatively speaking. Here, you’d surely be poisoned or dragged to the palace. I’ve seen threats to your safety both inside and outside this house.”

The knights’ shoulders sagged. It wasn’t their concern, but the words drew their attention. It seemed the Duchess had earned grudges from some recently. The quiet, dutiful woman had somehow made enemies.

“What is this nonsense…”

“Anyway, I’ll explain more when we reach the swamp.”

Kuinan’s gaze locked onto the knights eavesdropping nearby. His piercing blue eyes darkened with purple. He was growing angry. He didn’t care about being watched, but to be watching his wife with curious eyes enraged him. He resolved:

‘I’ll kill them all as soon as we reach the swamp.’

Hastily making plans, he blocked the Duchess’s way before she could wander alone to seek a servant’s help. Grabbing her arm sharply, he pulled her in front of his horse.

“I can go alone…!”

“I’m not in the mood. Just be quiet. You must only look ahead until we arrive, understood?”

It would take at least three days to reach the swamp’s edge, then a full day more to get to its center. The swamp was teeming with monsters. Without interference, it would take that long; now with humans, even more troubles awaited.

So “only look ahead” meant no distractions allowed.

When Sylvia asked how long it would take, Kuinan casually ignored the inconvenient question. A sudden kick to the side of the steed sent her body flying forward. Without warning, he began the march.

Startled knights followed, leading servants on horseback. The thunderous sound of hooves soon left only clouds of dust behind. Watching this, the Duke’s mother Rossa wiped tears and ground her teeth at her demon daughter-in-law.

‘Wish they’d left just one day later.’

Sylvia, saved from death by her reckless husband’s help, didn’t realize the favor. While riding, she silently cursed and insulted him whenever the saddle bumped her tailbone.