Dear Contract Husband, I Didn't Know You Were Like This? - Chapter 20
Third hypothesis: At the time Maya rejected the proposal and became the commander, something significant happened to Tristan, making it impossible for him to find her.
‘It couldn’t have been a big deal for the Grand Duke.’
Even if it was during the times his face wasn’t known, if there had been an issue with him, rumors would have spread somehow.
If it wasn’t him, then it must have been someone close to him.
Someone with a deep bond and significant position who might have needed him to stay put for a long time.
Who could that be?
“I need to think about it.”
But at the end of the day, awakening would have to come first.
Then, even if something big were to happen afterward, it could be resolved.
“Maybe I should start climbing the mountain range starting tomorrow.”
When she was in the imperial guard, she heard that part of the Northern mountain range was under the jurisdiction of House Bayarden knight order.
It seemed right to tell Tristan tomorrow that she would go with the knights to deal with the monsters.
‘A couple of weeks should do.’
At first, she calculated that it might take about three weeks, but if she hardly slept, she could shorten the time to two instead.
“Perfect.”
Being born with exceptional physical abilities, Maya often resolved issues by throwing herself into action rather than pondering strategies. She quickly came to a conclusion and praised her own meticulous plan.
“Thinking makes me tired.”
After a deep sigh, Maya shredded the paper into tiny pieces to destroy the evidence.
Anyone else reading it would surely think she had gone mad.
After firmly declining the maid’s assistance, Maya finished her bath with hot water and dragged her weary body to bed.
As expected, the softness didn’t disappoint.
‘I’m happy.’
The first step towards her new life was exactly to her liking.
Maya, having destroyed the evidence, suddenly realized her birthday was just a week away.
“My birthday.”
A day she had never celebrated.
This time, too, it would likely pass without incident while hunting monsters.
There was no excitement.
That was Maya’s life.
***
From dawn, Tristan’s office was noisy.
“So… I just think there could have been another way.”
“I’ve already closed the contract with Maya Pendragon. Don’t be rude, Alec.”
“Damn it, Tristan! Do you even know what her family is like? Blood doesn’t change that easily!”
Alec, who had come to see Tristan at the crack of dawn, eventually threw all pretense of courtesy to the wind and shouted in front of his friend.
Of course, Tristan didn’t bat an eyelid.
“You are a knight sworn to loyalty to the Bayarden family. To question my decision is utterly disrespectful.”
“Seriously…”
Alec expressed his agony and frustration vehemently.
Tristan sighed inwardly.
‘This argument is going to be longer than I thought.’
A life of routine was preferable to Tristan, and this situation was unwelcome.
He was more disappointed because of his friend’s doubt.
Knock, knock.
But their argument had to pause before it even began.
“…Robert?”
It was Robert’s voice.
“Your Grace. Lady Maya has come to visit.”
But there was a separate matter.
The current time was 4 AM.
‘Maybe she found the bed uncomfortable.’
After finishing their conversation late into the evening, she would have slept only a few hours at most.
“Let her in….”
Tristan hesitated as he was about to welcome her.
He remembered what he looked like at the moment.
Still bearing a boyish face, his height, when compared to Maya Pendragon, would certainly differ from the man she met just a few hours ago.
Maya Pendragon already knew about his curse.
Yet, why did he hesitate to face her in this form?
Was it his fragile pride?
“Oh? The unwelcome guest has arrived.”
Seizing the moment, Alec, with twinkling eyes, opened the door.
There stood a woman with a gentler appearance than he might have expected, her chestnut hair tied back, reminding one of wood.
“Sorry, but the Grand Duke is currently in a discussion with me, Pendragon.”
His tone, dripping with sarcasm, was intentional. He wanted to provoke her true nature.
After all, she was from that ‘Pendragon’ lineage.
However, his attempt had no effect.
“Since you’ve opened the door, I assume my voice can be heard. May I use the training grounds here?”
She deemed the malice in front of her unworthy of response. She had encountered far too many such people to be bothered.
Maya continued in a calm tone,
“Just let me know the time for breakfast, and I will return accordingly.”
Tristan burst into pleasant laughter at Maya’s characteristically straightforward response.
As he expected, Alec’s offensive had no effect on Maya.
“This…”
Alec was pressed by Maya’s indifference.
“…Grand Duke. May I personally escort Maya Pendragon to the training ground?”
Alec asked, grinding his teeth.
“That’s—”
Tristan wouldn’t have accepted such a clearly malicious request.
He was about to refuse.
“I would appreciate that. Thank you.”
Until Maya spoke before him.
Peeking through the door, Maya looked at Tristan and said with a steady face,
“Please allow me to go with this person, Grand Duke.”
