Chapter 93
It took them a full three days to finally reach the imperial border.
When Lancart simply lifted his head and met their eyes, the border guards stiffened and quickly stepped aside to let them through. Watching this, Sylvia thought to herself that something was wrong.
How could they just open the gates so easily for a monster?
“Did you complete your mission successfully, sir?”
“Yeah.”
But instead of focusing on his strange tone, the guards’ eyes remained fixed on the crest on his tunic—a symbol of his rank as a duke—his nearly black hair, sky-blue eyes, and handsome features.
It was only a few days ago that Sylvia learned there were monsters capable of perfectly disguising themselves as humans. In fact, she was probably the only human who knew such a thing. The urge to reveal this secret right now surged within her.
“…”
CRACK.
If the Duke hadn’t clenched his hand so hard that it looked like he might break it, Sylvia probably would have spoken up to the guards then and there.
‘This man isn’t human. He’s a monster!’
But even if she said it, they’d most likely think she was crazy. Still, she might have startled her fake husband for a moment.
Deep down, Sylvia’s rebellious thoughts were rooted in a strange trust—she believed this monster, who’d shown nothing but affection in the swamp, would not harm her.
“Getting bold, Sylvia.”
Every now and then, he would call her by name, checking in to make sure she was keeping up, his eyes carefully scanning her face. He was acting just like any boyfriend or husband who doted on his partner.
What a peculiar personality. What kind of monster would even consider loving a human?
“What did I do?”
“You were going to snitch. Tell them I’m a monster.”
“….I didn’t say it.”
Sylvia immediately denied it to her husband’s interrogating tone. After all, there was no proof—at least none that he could see.
To him, her intention to report him might seem shameless, but to her, it was nothing more than her duty. She promised herself she wouldn’t miss her next chance.
“Hah… What am I going to do with this adorable thing.”
Her husband licked his lips as his eyes roamed up and down her body. It was clear what he wanted. It wasn’t the kind of ‘punishment’ that meant hitting her or inflicting pain—she was far more afraid of the other kind.
She wiped the determined look from her face and silently followed him.
“There’s so much food here.”
They were broke, so all they could do was gaze longingly at the stalls overflowing with food. Sylvia was completely empty-handed, and Lancart was carrying nothing but the severed monster arm slung over his shoulder, wrapped in cloth. The stench was so bad that everyone who passed by pinched their noses and avoided them.
Even the guards seemed to sense that something wasn’t right, but remembering the kinds of missions Duke Alexander usually carried out, they let him through without much fuss. They knew if he was bringing in a monster’s remains, it wasn’t for any illegal purpose.
For even the lowest-ranking guards to recognize him at a glance—just how famous was this man?
Sylvia wondered what kind of monster could enjoy the attention in the crowd so nonchalantly, given that he wasn’t even the original owner of this reputation. The thought swirled in her head until she nearly got a headache.
“Do you think I could get away with stealing just one…?”
Intent on ruining his own reputation, she pulled his sleeve and steered him away from the stalls. At the same time, her stomach let out a loud growl.
“……”
“…Hmph.”
She was starving after stubbornly refusing to eat after that last fish they’d caught. Under normal circumstances, she would have been at risk of collapsing from hunger by now, but she was only feeling a strong hunger instead of weakness.
It was no doubt thanks to whatever Kuinan had done to her body.
“Feel like you’re going to die of hunger?”
He sounded ready to fix her a meal if she’d just said the word. Sylvia quickly shook her head, insisting she wasn’t hungry—if only to keep Duke Alexander from turning into a criminal.
She couldn’t let him steal food when at least a third of the passersby seemed to recognize him.
“If you don’t want to steal, should I just ask for some?”
“Nobles don’t beg, Duke. Don’t you know that?”
She used formal speech on purpose, hoping to annoy him, almost taunting him for not knowing the basics.
Since, after all, he wasn’t really a duke, but a monster. Kuinan paused for a moment, then, seeing her feisty attitude, gave her a playful smile.
“Of course I didn’t know. I’m not a real duke, after all.”
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