Dear Contract Husband, I Didn't Know You Were Like This? - Chapter 26
Kendrick was aware that a substantial reason was needed to stay in the North, especially at the Grand Duke’s castle.
When he overheard that reinforcements were requested from the North, he thought it would be a good excuse.
Above all, he couldn’t stand to see Maya in a place where danger lurked.
Two birds with one stone, wasn’t it?
An opportunity to meet Maya and ensure safety.
“Although I am affiliated with the Magic Tower, my opinions are not representative of the tower’s stance.”
Kendrick was sincere, even if it meant holding opinions contrary to the imperial family or the Magic Tower.
For him, Maya was always what mattered most.
Tristan massaged his temple, feeling a headache coming on.
‘So they’re not going to support us after all.’
Neither the Magic Tower nor the imperial family welcomes the growing influence of the North.
They’ve always been quick to doubt and diminish the North’s intentions.
Suspicion was one thing, but Tristan thought loyalty should suffice.
However, the continuous neglect from previous generations pushed Tristan’s patience to its limit.
How long could he endure?
‘I can’t even take care of my own body.’
Drowning in self-reproach, Tristan suddenly remembered Kendrick was still there and shifted the conversation.
“So you’re friends, truly deeply connected, I see.”
If someone came to see Maya against the wishes of the imperial family and the Magic Tower, his sincerity seemed unquestionable.
“Ah, a deep relationship. Yes, that’s correct.”
Was it a misunderstanding?
The atmosphere around Kendrick, which had been tense, relaxed.
“When can I see Maya?”
Maya.
The name Kendrick uttered felt new.
Hearing the familiar way he called her name made Tristan wonder. Wasn’t it awkward in a marital relationship to refer to each other by such formal terms?
‘I will be engaging in public activities on her behalf.’
Everyone must know that Maya Pendragon and Tristan Bayarden haven’t been acquainted for long.
Wouldn’t a friendly nickname be necessary to hide the fact that their relationship was contractual?
‘No, maybe it’s better to maintain a proper distance since we’ll be divorcing later.’
But weren’t they supposed to get closer over the next six months?
…And he did want to hear her call him ‘Tristan’ more.
He regretted that the nickname reverted back so quickly after the first few times.
Tristan silently rolled his tongue, calling Maya’s name in his mind.
‘Maya.’
First, it was best to ask the person involved.
Having organized his thoughts, Tristan looked for the clock.
He knew where all the clocks were placed inside the castle, proficient at managing his gaze.
“I’ll send someone to notify her since she should be in morning training now.”
At the same time, he calculated how much time he had left in his current state.
The time he had regained his true form today was around five. There was about half an hour left until Maya’s training ended.
After morning training, allowing for a generous hour, he would revert to his younger form.
“Ah, I can’t interrupt her morning training. Then I’ll wait.”
“That’s a good idea. I’ll step away after my meal. I have some word to do as well.”
After the meal, it was time to slowly retreat from watching eyes again.
When had he last had a conversation with someone like this?
A brief sense of liberation was quickly replaced by self-loathing.
Being alone was familiar.
***
After Alec declared his surrender, Maya gained free access to the training grounds.
Actually, it seemed more like he was avoiding her.
‘I do prefer that.’
But before leaving, she needed to dig into the information the knight order had.
After visiting the outdoor training grounds yesterday, she decided to check out the indoor ones today.
Unlike the open outdoor training grounds, the indoor facilities were made up of private spaces.
‘It’s interesting that they cover theoretical aspects as well.’
Each room was equipped with books on swordsmanship and practice swords for hitting dummies.
The individual rooms provided opportunities for solo training.
One could practice hitting dummies or read about sword techniques.
‘It’ll be nice after I awaken.’
If she ever needed to train and discuss tactics with the White Dragon alone, it would be convenient.
Stretching her body and holding a wooden sword after a long time brought back memories.
Maya became lost in thought as she hit the dummy.
‘Today is the last day I’ll worry about the gift.’
One worry per day.
Today’s task was the gift. Tomorrow, she would think about the monster.
‘So what to do?’
When she finished training and came out, an unexpected person waved at her.
“Maya!”
Seeing Kendrick waving at her, Maya was momentarily at a loss for words.
‘Kendrick.’
The real, living Kendrick was waving at her.
