Dear Contract Husband, I Didn't Know You Were Like This? - Chapter 21
Alec does not like Maya.
‘It’s more comfortable this way.’
It was a familiar hostility, and she knew it without him having to hide it.
It’s better this way.
It was more comfortable than dealing with Tristan, who was overly polite to her.
Honestly, she thought him foolish.
‘It seems he can’t roll his brain more than I could.’
Seeing him throw tantrums, it was clear he knew that Maya and Tristan had to collaborate.
‘Yet he openly shows hostility.’
This goes against the wishes of the liege he was serving.
Being a knight wasn’t just about being physically strong.
A knight needed to behave and conduct themselves in a manner worthy of their title.
While serving as the commander of the imperial knights, Maya had learned this thoroughly.
Showing ‘I have animosity towards you’ to someone collaborating with his liege, as Alec did, was foolish.
‘Some people only learn after being hit.’
Maya clenched her fist, cracking her knuckles. Even the thought of drawing her sword was exhilarating.
Alec flinched at the sight of Maya smiling ominously.
Maya walked through the corridor to the outdoor training ground located behind the castle.
The space, buried in snow, was filled with people who appeared to be knights, gathered around shoveling snow.
‘It’s really cold.’
Her current body had not experienced such cold, chilling to the bone.
‘It’ll get better once I’m used to it.’
She had naturally assumed she would be going to the outdoor training ground, but that wasn’t the case.
“This is the outdoor training area, mainly used in the summer but also for endurance training in winter. Ah, this might be an unfamiliar concept for those from the capital.”
Rejection, then.
Well, she was used to that attitude.
Maya looked at him squarely and responded.
“Since I’m not yet married to the Grand Duke, I’ll use formal speech with you.”
Once married to Tristan, she would become the Grand Duchess.
She would be in a higher position than the person in front of her.
She disliked abusing power, but she was also tired of staying civil towards someone who disliked her.
Maya shrugged.
“Showing such concern must mean you’ve accepted me as one of your own here. I’ll make sure to put it to good use with the guests later.”
“If you have someone like the Grand Duke by your side, of course you would fall in love, but don’t even think about it. I can’t accept anyone blocking his path.”
Anyone listening might think Tristan was Alec’s lover, and that he was losing him to her.
Maya grinned.
“It’s rather improper for a prospective Grand Duchess to face such insubordination from the start.”
Even if he was a contract husband, appearing as a perfect couple to others seemed better.
‘Such a mentality only learns when faced with consequences.’
Maya picked up a sword that matched her height from a nearby weapons rack.
Although it was an unfamiliar sword, it wasn’t a big problem.
Until she officially received the title of knight commander, she had to use swords that didn’t even properly fit her size or strength.
“If you can’t accept it, let’s settle it with swords.”
One thing she had learned over time was that fists suited her better than words.
“…Are you suggesting a duel?”
“Yes. I swear on the name of the Pendragon family.”
Since she wasn’t going to lose, she just nodded casually.
Soon, the training area came into view. Even in winter, there were plenty of people sweating profusely and training with flushed faces.
“Commander! This person is…”
As Alec stepped into the training grounds, people who appeared to be knights gathered around them.
The curious faces and soft atmosphere were unfamiliar to Maya.
‘It seems to be run differently from the imperial palace.’
Maya’s eyes widened as she scanned the people.
‘That person is…’
But before she could dwell on her thoughts, a loud noise interrupted her reverie.
“Put your household at stake.”
“Alright.”
As she readily agreed, a flush of satisfaction appeared on Alec’s face.
‘So easily fooled.’
Maya looked at Alec with a tinge of pity.
Since she had been disowned by the Pendragon family, staking her name held no weight at all, but it seemed the news hadn’t spread here yet.
‘No need to correct him.’
Maya decided to quickly accept his misunderstanding.
“Let’s have these people here as witnesses.”
“That’s fine by me.”
Why refuse when he’s offering to humiliate himself in front of all his subordinates?
Maya accepted his suggestion with a grin.
“I’ll end this within five minutes.”
“Are you underestimating me?”
“No, it’s just cold.”
“You are underestimating me.”
Why couldn’t he believe her even when she’s just being honest?
She couldn’t understand why he kept insisting on twisting her words.
‘I mean, I don’t think I said anything wrong.’
