The Monster Duke Mistook Me for His Wife Chapter 159 - Side Story Chapter 16

Once again, a peaceful morning at the ducal estate began with Nadan’s shout.

“Y‑you shameless one! You snake, Dillian!”

Nathan flapped his wings and charged at Dillian.

“She’s gained weight—look at her cheeks!”

“Nathan, excuse me, I’ve put on a bit of weight.”

Whether it was thanks to the rest I’d had or Dillian’s devoted care, my condition had improved in no time.

Improved? I’d eaten so well my cheeks were plump overnight.

Nathan noticed too—but, furious at Dillian for getting too close to me yesterday, launched his revenge.

Meanwhile, Dillian just smiled, utterly content.

“You’re not fat at all, Ria. You’re still as light as a feather. You can gain more—no problem.”

“But what if I roll off?”

“…That would be…”

He trailed off, covering his mouth with his hand.

“I’m sure it’d be unbearably cute.”

Hearing that, the staff waiting to escort us bowed quickly and bit their lips.

Why did I always get embarrassed?

“…Come on, let’s board.”

I took his hand just before he could embarrass me further, and he guided me to the carriage.

“Your Grace, Milady, please go safely. N‑Nathan and I’ll keep watch!” Nateon said, shutting the carriage door with a wide grin.

He looked like someone finally free of their boss’s watchful eye.

“Let’s go before we’re late.”

We rode, teleported, then rode again, and eventually arrived at the place where I grew up—and where I first met Dillian: Wilhelm.

 

 

 

****’

 

 

 

Standing in my hometown, my heart pounded—but my hopes shattered the moment I stepped out.

“What the heck is this…?”

Dillian, holding my staggering shoulder, looked pleased.

“I like it—this suits you.”

Nathan nodded in agreement.

“Huh, finally you say something sensible.”

“What are you seeing?!”

I pointed at the catastrophe of Wilhelm—with multiple massive banners displayed.

[Our Pride of Wilhelm! Imperial Hero! Our Ria married! ]
[Congratulations on Ria’s marriage!]
[Celebrate Ria’s new beginning!]

“Who the hell did this?!”

My voice snapped them out of their daze. I rushed forward in a flash.

“N‑Nathan?”
“Lady Ria!”

Dillian and Nathan followed as the Shaten Knights chased behind.

Ignoring their calls, I kicked open the herbalist shop’s door.

A bearded man tossed a card he’d been holding.

“Who the hell kicks down doors?!”
“Who hung those stupid banners?!”

Shouting silenced the room. Rumblings rose.

“…Ria?”
“Is it really Ria?”
“It’s Ria!”

They recognized me and surged forward—I was instantly surrounded.

“Oh, our youngest! Look at you, it’s been ages!”
“Ria! You look so grown up—finished becoming a noble!”
“Yes, now that you’re a duchess, we didn’t expect you back!”

I shoved through the well-wishers—and froze at their words.

“You knew I’d never come back. That’s why you hung those banners?”

The leader cleared his throat.

“What’s up with that? Take them down!”
“Ria, we hang them whenever someone in the village gets married.”
“I’ve never seen this before—and step aside, you’re crushing me!”

Before I could be squashed, Dillian pulled me from the crowd, carrying me in his arms as he glared coldly.

“How dare you touch my wife…”

The Knights drew their swords. The dangerous look in Dillian’s eyes—and the flash of steel—made the men retreat, gulping down dry swallow.

“…He sure is handsome.”
“Ria, that’s your style.”
“Wait—isn’t that the guy Claude mentioned?”
“Looks like him…”

They stared openly, and Dillian bristled—until one man spoke:

“From head to toe, that’s clear—he’s Ria’s.”

Hearing that, Dillian melted.

“Sir! Don’t treat people like property—!”
“I agree—she’s definitely Ria’s.”
“…Stop enjoying saying that.”
“It’s the truth.”

Their embarrassment made my anger evaporate, and I leaned into Dillian as they greeted me.

Just then—

“Ria?”
“Claude!”

I broke away from Dillian and rushed to Claude, taking his hand.

He looked down; I patted his shoulder.

“Ria, I’m so sorry about before.”
“Hey, it’s okay. I’m the one who got you mixed up in things.”

I squeezed his shoulder.

“Chin up—it’s not your fault.”
“I thought you were avoiding me.”

Claude had been through so much.

Then Nathan fluttered up to my shoulder and snorted.

“Hmph, fine. You were petty before, but you protected Ria in the end, so I’ll let it slide.”

“Ack!”

Claude staggered.

“A… talking owl?!”

Startled, the herbalists crowded around Nathan.

“A talking owl?! I’ve just heard of one!”
“This owl must be a divine beast!”
“What’s its name—N‑Nathan? Nyang?”
“Who’re you calling ‘nyang’ (cat)? I’m Nathan!”

Nadan flapped his wings triumphantly.

“I am the southern divine beast, protecter of Ria!”

Cheers and applause erupted, puffing out his small chest.

“Well done,” a staff member praised.
“It suits her taste,” another added.
“Is this the man Claude spoke of?”
“Seems so.”

Tired of their gawking, Dillian pulled me in closer.

I turned to him.

“So… where are we staying?”

I assumed the lord offered us his estate—but evidently not.

“You’ll see.”

Puzzled, I grasped his hand as we began walking.

 

 

****

 

 

They said I’d understand once I got here, but why this place……?

The place Dillian chose to stay was completely unexpected.

Wilhelm’s abandoned castle, the same one where Nathan had been kidnapped.

And long ago, the castle where I was the lord.

“Lord Dillian, what have you done…….”

The castle felt both unfamiliar and familiar.

Its crumbling, eerie exterior, which looked ready to collapse at any moment, was completely gone, replaced with a new appearance.

Just like the time, long ago, when I used to live here.

“When my memories returned, this was the first place I bought.”

“This castle?”

Why would he buy something so rundown……

When I looked at Dillian with confused eyes, he smiled and gently brushed beneath mine.

“Because it was your castle, Miss Ria.”

“……”

“Back then and even now, you left Wilhelm because of me. I wanted to return what you lost because of me.”

I bit my lip, unable to say anything.

I had tried not to dwell on my past life, but sometimes memories would surface.

Especially those that took place here.

And then, without realizing, I would find myself lost in those memories.

When Dillian handed me the key to those memories, I felt happy, but also a strange sense of guilt that made my feelings complicated.

“Why are you blaming yourself, Lord Dillian? It was my choice.”

I opened my arms and hugged him.

“Thank you. I’m so happy.”

“I’ve also restored the house Ms. May burned down.”

“What? Even that house?”

……It’s not guilt. Does he just want to preserve every place tied to our memories?

Well, whatever.

I pressed my lips firmly against his to express my gratitude.

“This is the best wedding present ever.”

“There’s a separate wedding gift.”

“What? There’s more?”

“I bought an island in the south in your name. And the Blue Diamond mine, along with the entire area where your favorite flowers bloom……”

His list of gifts had no end.

At first, I listened with joy, but soon I was just nodding like a machine.

‘I’ll have to ask Nathan for a record of all this later.’

Unable to remember it all, I pressed my lips to Dillian’s loud mouth once more.

Then, forgetting everything he’d been saying, Dillian wrapped his arms around my waist.

I pushed him away as he tried to come at me and exaggerated a pained look.

“My legs hurt. Let’s go inside now.”

“Yes, Miss Ria.”

Watching how smoothly I handled him, the knights quietly gave me a thumbs-up.