I Became The Wife Of The Cursed Grand Duke Chapter 142

As the dust kicked up, Evelyn’s gaze shifted to the man pulling straw out of his red curls.

It was Leon, the man who had helped her escape.

 

‘They say opportunity springs from despair.’

 

With the curtain gone, Leon had been able to help Evelyn escape Johansen in the Top wagon carrying supplies.

 

“Yes, I’m fine.”

Brushing the dust off her hood, Evelyn chuckled softly as she recalled his words from earlier.

 

“By the way… as soon as you left the Grand Duchy, aren’t you getting used to being a lady a little too quickly?”

Leon scratched his head in disbelief and stood up, holding out his hand.

 

“No, it’s just that I’ve never been called the Grand Duchess to begin with.”

 

The awkward title, the discomfort of wearing something that didn’t fit—she pulled off her black hood as if to shake off the pressure that clung to her like a crown.

 

“Well, I suppose it could be.”

The words were spoken in a casual tone, but she still felt uncomfortable. Because that wasn’t all she’d gotten from Johansen.

 

Evelyn took his hand and stood up, taking a seat on the bench that had been prepared for her.

‘The checkpoint was receding into the distance. They must have realized I’m gone by now. They’re probably in a panic…’

 

She had written letters to her godmother and Kalian, respectively.

But that wouldn’t make their feelings of betrayal and emptiness go away.

Her eyes burned as she remembered the people in the Grand Duchy who had cared for her so deeply.

 

As if to ease her distress, Leon spoke in a light tone.

 

“If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. And since you’re going to be lonely for a while, why don’t you get yourself a small animal?”

 

At this, Evelyn’s gaze, which had been fixed on the window, turned to him.

“It’s okay. I’ll be busy once the baby is born, and I could use the help.”

 

‘It was clear she wouldn’t be able to survive in Cardassian in her current state.’

 

To Evelyn’s distress, Leon offered a practical solution.

First, she would hide out in Parminion, then leave on the next departing ship.

Their destination was the free city-states of Medor and Cardassian, a five-day boat ride away.

 

“We’ll have everything sorted out by the time the ship comes in,” he said. “If it’s hard until then, just hang in there.”

He’d even take Reah with them. He would honor her for the rest of her life.

All of this had been decided in just three days.

 

Evelyn couldn’t have been more grateful for her brother and sister-in-law’s generosity, but she wasn’t at ease.

“But Leon,” she said, “that would mean giving up all my titles…”

 

Before she could even mention that she was a Moor, Leon added with a serious face,

“It’s a sham of a title anyway. And it’s impossible for a woman to raise a child alone, especially in a foreign country.”

 

The money was enough. The jewelry she’d received from the Duke of Parminion would sustain her for a while.

But, as Leon said, giving birth and raising a child alone in a foreign land would be difficult.

 

“Still…”

 

Leon smiled broadly, as if to wipe away the anxiety shadowing her face.

“At least being a councilor will keep you out of trouble. It’ll all work out. Right now, all you should think about is the baby in your belly.”

 

Evelyn sobbed involuntarily.

‘Hearing someone else say the words of comfort she’d hoped to hear from her husband—so many scenes rewound in her head.’

As she recalled the memories, a pang of sadness struck her.

 

‘Stop.’

She sucked in a breath, then smiled sadly and composed herself.

“Let’s not think about it anymore.”

 

 

* * *

 

 

Dawn, a few days later.

They arrived in Litsev while everyone was still asleep.

 

The place where Evelyn would stay for a while was a secret attic attached to Mrs. Allen’s log tavern.

It was a small space compared to the Grand Duchy, but for the first time, Evelyn breathed the air of complete freedom.

 

But it lasted only a moment.

‘What was Kalian doing now?’

 

Despite her resolve not to think of him, her heart weighed heavy with worry.

 

“Time will tell.”

 

Evelyn glanced down at her fourth finger, reminding herself this was the best she could do.

 

“When the North says it connects souls, it means it wants to promise you eternity.”

It was the spot where he had placed the ring himself, asking her to stay by his side.

Where the treasured ring had once been, a pale mark remained, untouched by sunlight for some time.

 

‘I wonder… when this mark fades, will my feelings for him fade too?

 

She rubbed her fingers together. Despite her resolutions, every moment spent with him flashed vividly in her mind.

‘Every moment has been happy.’ That’s why she couldn’t forget.

She knew she should forget, but how could she erase someone she’d loved with her whole life so easily?

 

Finally accepting the truth, Evelyn went to the window and looked out.

Through the opaque glass, the dark sky was faintly visible.

 

Memories surged over her—his warm gaze, their desperate embraces, his whispered confessions of love—all crashing down in relentless waves.

As the tide of emotion rose from her toes to her crown, Evelyn sank to the cold hardwood floor and sobbed.

 

The tears brought both liberation and emptiness.

‘For him, and for our child, this is the only way. So let’s not be foolish anymore.’

 

Tick, tick, tick.

 

A knock at the door made Evelyn hurriedly wipe her tears.

‘Who could it be?’

Her shoulders tensed like a guilty woman’s, though only a handful knew she was here.

 

“Miss, it’s me, Reah.”

The voice from the other side made Evelyn’s heart leap.

 

“Yes, just a moment.”

 

She wiped away all traces of tears and unlocked the door.

 

Reah entered, a large colander in her arms.

“I thought you might be hungry, so I brought you something to eat.”

 

The scents of freshly baked bread and steamed potatoes assaulted Evelyn’s senses, awakening a forgotten hunger.

She stretched out her slender arms to accept.

“Yes, thank you. I was starving.”

 

Reah’s eyes widened slightly but she kept her tone bright.

“How’s your morning sickness? Is there anything you’d like to eat?”

“Mmm, I feel fine, except for meat.”

 

“I’ll ask Mrs. Allen to make sure you don’t smell any meat.”

“Okay, thanks.”

 

As Evelyn set the colander on the table, Reah glanced around the room.

When her eyes landed on the worn leather couch, she sighed.

“This was so unexpected—I wasn’t prepared. I’d planned to take you to my place…”

 

She couldn’t. If Kalian realized Evelyn was missing, the first place he’d search was Parminion.

At least this was a secret spot, with a separate entrance from Mrs. Allen’s bar. She’d be safe here—for a while.

 

“It’s okay. We’re not staying long anyway.”

Evelyn smiled brightly and picked up a potato from the colander. Peeling off the crisp skin, she added,

“When we get to Medor, the first thing we’ll do is buy a huge mansion. We’ll make the sunniest room into a nursery.”

 

Reah’s face lit up.

“Aww! I’d love to join you! Actually, I started making baby clothes when I heard you were pregnant. I’ll sew curtains and a bedspread too!”

 

‘Hmm?’

Evelyn suddenly remembered the leather poncho Reah had made for her and burst out laughing.

‘The thought of her baby wearing one of Reah’s tattered creations lifted her spirits a little.’

 

“What? You don’t trust my sewing skills?” Reah crossed her arms.

“No, it’s not that—I just can’t stop laughing.”

 

Reah huffed in mock pride.

“Eh, fine. Laugh all you want.”

 

They turned to each other and laughed until their sides ached.

Grateful for the companionship, Evelyn sat with Reah and ate her fill.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Meanwhile, in Cardassian’s Imperial Palace…

 

Kalian opened the door to his office, rubbing his tired eyes.

 

The Empire was in such disarray it could collapse at any moment.

 

The Emperor’s funeral was underway, and factions were already pushing for the Empress to take the throne, citing the Crown Prince’s incompetence in turbulent times.

To make matters worse, reports had surfaced of a spreading plague.

 

Residents near the recently cleansed lands were suffering—high fevers, excruciating pain, their flesh blackening with necrosis.

After consulting Cedric, Kalian dispatched a team of skilled healers to the afflicted village.

 

‘If only the disease was curable. But the black necrosis…’

 

He slumped into his chair, praying his fears were unfounded.

 

BANG!

 

Without knocking, Benjamin stormed in, his face grim.

Kalian dragged a hand down his face.

“Any more surprises?”

 

He hadn’t brought Evelyn, fearing danger. But now, he craved her embrace more than ever.

 

Then Benjamin spoke the unthinkable:

“The Grand Duchess has disappeared!”