Dear Contract Husband, I Didn't Know You Were Like This? - Chapter 106
“Your Highness, the Grand Duchess.”
“Yes?”
“Do you think I could cut ties with my family as you did?”
It wasn’t that Serene hadn’t tried—it was simply that she couldn’t. There were countless reasons, but above all, they were family with whom she had spent a long time.
“You can do it.”
Maya nodded firmly, taking Serene’s hand, hoping to impart some strength through their joined hands.
“You deserve to find someone who genuinely cares for you, not just a false family.”
As Maya encouraged Serene, she thought of Tristan, who constantly showed her what true care and consideration were.
“…Thank you.”
Serene’s voice trembled as she lowered and raised her head, then she began explaining her conversation with Reserfield.
“Though the person’s face was fully covered with a hood and cloth, I did catch a glimpse of black hair. It was clear he was tall and a man. Is that sufficient for your purposes?”
It was a blend of truth and a necessary lie, mirroring Tristan’s appearance enough. Maya needed this information for her meeting with Reserfield the next day.
“Is there anything else I should keep in mind?”
“Your Highness will need to be ready with a convincing story about why you pursued the unknown figure.”
“Ah, that’s true….”
Maya had almost forgotten that she’d fabricated the story of chasing an unknown figure.
“I’ll say I followed him because he looked suspicious….”
After aligning their stories a few more times, Maya realized it was getting dark outside.
“It’s about time for you to go.”
“Aren’t you going to eat anything?”
“It’s sort of a punishment. My father expects me to maintain a certain figure as well.”
“What…?”
Maya was genuinely shocked that someone like Serene, living in such affluence, would be deprived of proper meals—perhaps even more than she had been when living with the Pendragon family.
There was no way she could tolerate this. Serene Baker needed a proper meal right now!
Even if she was the one who seemed to have caught Tristan’s interest!
Even if she was possibly a future rival for her position as Grand Duchess!
“Then, may I invite you to the Bayarden manor for a meal?”
Maya, who knew all too well the pain of hunger, decided to use her authority as the Grand Duchess. She could almost hear Doshen sigh from afar, but there was no helping it.
“What? It’s a very sudden invitation, and I’d hate to impose. Thank you for the offer, but I must decline.”
Just as Serene shook her head, her stomach let out a loud growl. Clearing her throat, she quickly said, “It sounds like Your Highness is hungry.”
“That sound didn’t come from me.”
Her excuse was unconvincing, and her face flushed red.
“We should go. Tristan actually mentioned that he’d like us to talk together as well.”
Although Maya felt a tinge of bitterness at the thought of Serene and Tristan spending time together, she knew it was an issue she would have to face eventually.
‘I received compliments and even a hug from Tristan last night. I can handle this.’
She took a steadying breath, recalling the face of Tristan as he had slept peacefully by her side this morning. But Serene still seemed hesitant.
“Do any servants come into this room?”
Maya would understand if that was the reason for her reluctance.
“Not at all. No one is scheduled to come until tomorrow morning….”
“Then it should be fine to leave.”
“But I can’t move as gracefully as Your Highness.”
Recalling the agility Maya had displayed earlier, Serene shook her head.
“I can carry you with ease.”
“Oh…”
For some reason, as soon as Maya said it, Serene could vividly imagine herself being carried by Maya.
“Let’s go.”
Maya opened the terrace door and quickly scanned the surroundings, as though speaking to someone unseen in the air.
“Are you ready? You only need to bring yourself.”
Maya extended her hand toward Serene.
The Grand Duchess had consistently surpassed Serene’s expectations. Today’s surprise visit, and now this offer, were no exceptions.
It was an unforeseen situation, but not unwelcome.
Talking to someone real, someone outside her father’s puppetlike expectations, felt liberating.
