I Became The Wife Of The Cursed Grand Duke Chapter 129

The mansion of the Grand Duke was shrouded in thick darkness. 

 

Deborah, guided by the butler, made her way to the dining hall, which seemed at least ten times larger than the bedroom in the annex where she was staying. 

 

On the table, adorned with elegant candlesticks and floral arrangements, a neatly prepared meal for two was set. Just as her heart began to race, a low voice emerged from the shadows.

 

“Take a seat. The Saintess’s place is here.”

 

Deborah, who had been staring blankly at the table, turned her head toward the source of the voice. 

 

Kalian, partially obscured by a dark shadow, gazed at her with an indifferent expression.

 

“I greet His Highness, the Grand Duke.”

 

His eyes, fixed on her, were inscrutable. It was no wonder her heart was pounding. 

 

As she approached her seat, he subtly pulled out the chair for her, his manners impeccable.

 

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

 

“It’s nothing.”

 

“You must have been busy lately.”

 

Kalian had not visited her even once since bringing her here. 

 

Even when he occasionally stopped by the mansion, he would only attend to urgent matters before leaving again. 

 

Of course, she knew he was busy with palace affairs, but still… 

 

As Deborah revealed her disappointment, he walked around the table and placed a blood-red vial in front of her.

 

“W-what is this…?”

 

Her blurry green eyes turned toward Kalian.

 

“So, you were busy procuring medicine.”

 

And not for anyone else, but for her. 

 

Tears welled up in her eyes in an instant. 

 

Until now, Deborah had been trembling with anxiety, wondering why Kalian hadn’t come to see her. 

 

Though he provided her with a luxurious mansion and splendid meals, she couldn’t shake the feeling that he wasn’t entirely pleased with her presence. 

 

But it seemed all her worries had been for nothing.

 

“Does this mean I can stay by Your Grace’s side from now on?”

 

In her urgency, her true feelings spilled out unfiltered.

 

“As I’ve mentioned, I have no memories and no one to rely on except you.”

 

For reasons she couldn’t explain, her instincts were telling her to hold onto this man. That staying by his side was her only chance of survival. That she must do whatever it takes to remain close to him.

 

“After all, you’re the only one who can procure this medicine for me, and regardless, we’re bound by the oracle. So, whatever Your Grace desires, I’m willing to do…”

 

But Kalian showed no meaningful reaction to her words.

 

“I obtained the medicine because I want the Saintess to fulfill her purpose.”

 

He lifted his teacup, took a sip, and set it down casually, as if it were no big deal.

 

“And as things stand now, it’s difficult to say whether the oracle will come to pass…”

 

His indifferent demeanor only made Deborah more anxious.

 

“What do you mean the oracle is unclear?”

 

“As you know, the High Priest is currently imprisoned. And with fanatics running rampant, who can say they’ve heard the voice of the gods?”

 

His reply was cold. 

 

In other words, the Grand Duke was implying that there was no way to verify the authenticity of the oracle—the proof that she could bear the heir to the Orpheus family.

 

Deborah’s dark eyes sparkled as she spoke.

 

“There’s no need to worry.”

 

Kalian, who had been slowly cutting into his steak, raised his gaze.

 

“Why? Is there a way to confirm the oracle?”

 

“Of course. They wouldn’t have carelessly discussed the oracle at the temple without any safeguards.”

 

Raising an eyebrow, he studied her face carefully. A strange light flickered in Deborah’s glistening eyes.

 

“The necklace.”

 

“……”

 

“When I wear the sacred relic and come into contact with you, a bluish light will emanate from the guardian’s mark.”

 

“……”

 

“That will be proof that I am the Transcendent—the one who can bear your child.”

 

A heavy silence fell between them. For a moment, Kalian’s face turned pale, as if in shock.

 

‘Could it be that he doesn’t trust me?’

 

But Kalian quickly regained his composure. Lowering his voice, he spoke almost in a whisper.

 

“Do you know where the relic is?”

 

“Of course.”

 

“Then… would it be possible for you to retrieve it?”

 

She had already planned to do so. By following the official procedures to announce the oracle, their relationship wouldn’t appear suspicious to others.

 

‘Perhaps that’s why he’s been so uneasy. Kalian was a man of principle, after all. The idea of sleeping with me, the Saintess, while being married might seem distasteful to others.’

 

“Of course. It’s mine, after all. With the High Priest absent, I’m the one the faithful trust the most.”

 

* * *

 

A low sigh escaped Evelyn’s dry lips. Her expression twisted slightly as she read through a letter sent by an anonymous sender.

 

<Rumors are spreading throughout the capital that the Saintess and the Grand Duke are living together at the Redfield mansion. The Saintess is often seen disheveled, and according to the servants, the two frequently spend the night together…>

 

Evelyn lifted her gaze from the letter and looked out the window, reading the last line aloud.

 

“His wife is a dull woman.”

 

It was said to be a direct transcription of a conversation between Kalian and the Saintess.

 

“Deborah, you’re incomparable to her—a woman so alluring and charming.”

 

Evelyn let out a quiet sigh. She had no intention of trusting a letter sent by someone who didn’t even reveal their identity.

 

‘Besides, I know better than anyone that the look in Kalian’s eyes and the tone of his voice when he last saw me were genuine…’

 

Despite her thoughts, it was true that the Saintess was staying at the capital’s mansion. 

 

No one had told her directly, but whenever rumors about the two circulated, people whispered that the Saintess might be Kalian’s mistress. 

 

No matter how hard she tried to ignore it, she couldn’t help but feel shaken.

 

‘No, I mustn’t doubt him.’

 

Steeling herself, Evelyn tossed the letter into the fireplace. Like the paper slowly curling at the edges as it burned, her faith didn’t take long to crumble.

 

* * *

 

Luidan, a village built on the desert, was home to ancient relics and ruins. 

 

It served as a gateway to the Kairos Desert, where the first Gate had appeared—a desolate city for wanderers. 

 

A plain carriage passed through the gates of Luidan, where not even an ant could be seen all day. 

 

A woman draped in black cloth leaned out of the open window. 

 

As her slender fingers lifted the chador, her snow-white silver hair shimmered dazzlingly in the sandy wind. The blond knight sitting across from her asked,

 

“Your Grace, are you sure you’re alright?”

 

Her gaze, fixed outside the window, turned to meet his.

 

“Yes, Victor. I’m sorry for dragging you all the way here.”

 

“It’s no trouble at all. Serving you is my duty.”

 

Covering herself with the chador again, Evelyn gazed at the bleak streets, lost in thought. 

 

One day, while she was preoccupied with managing the Grand Duke’s estate, a letter suddenly arrived from the eastern region of Luidan. Eastern Luidan. 

 

It was the territory ruled by Lord Bill Fairfield, the man who had once tried to buy her with money. That much was fine. 

 

The problem was that her half-sister, Erze, who had escaped their fallen family, had become Lady Fairfield. The letter was about Erze. 

 

It said she was gravely ill with no signs of recovery and begged Evelyn to be by her side at her deathbed.

 

‘In the past, I might have ignored it, but now that she’s even pregnant, I can’t just turn a blind eye.’

 

The thought of what Erze had done to her and her mother still made her blood boil. But Evelyn couldn’t bring herself to ignore the letter. 

 

Despite everything, she pitied the unborn child who might never see the light of day. 

 

Moreover, there was something she needed to confirm by meeting Erze in person. 

 

It was true that she had hoped Erze would become Lady Fairfield in her place, but Evelyn had never anticipated this outcome.

 

As her thoughts deepened, the carriage entered Fairfield’s territory. Victor, who had stepped out first to escort Evelyn, frowned.

 

“For a murderer’s mansion, it’s quite grand.”

 

Evelyn silently raised her gaze. 

 

Lord Fairfield, rumored to be a distant relative of the Emperor, owned a massive, gloomy mansion befitting his notorious reputation. 

 

It was no wonder he had been bold enough to offer a million derks to marry her, a bastard. As they entered the opulent mansion, a servant guided them. 

 

Soon, a familiar face greeted her.

 

“……”

 

Erze lay in bed.

 

‘Is that really Erze lying there?’ 

 

Her sunken eyes, shadowed by dark circles, lacked any focus or vitality. 

 

Not only that. Her once-sharp jawline had softened, and her swollen hands trembled as if someone were shaking them. 

 

The pitiful sight brought tears to Evelyn’s eyes.

 

‘What has her husband been doing all this time?’ 

 

In fact, the letter hadn’t even been sent by Lord Fairfield, but by one of his servants. 

 

Just as she thought that even the cunning Erze must have had at least one loyal maid,

 

“You… you…”

 

Erze reached out toward Evelyn, who stood speechless. Her thin fingers trembled in the air.

 

“Why did you come here?”