Dear Contract Husband, I Didn't Know You Were Like This? - Chapter 95
Maya’s swordsmanship not only captured people’s attention but was bound to draw the emperor’s interest as well.
‘The emperor isn’t exactly a good person.’
Even Serene, who knew nothing about swordsmanship, could tell that Maya Pendragon’s skills were extraordinary.
Moreover, the white sword that had appeared suddenly from the sky only confirmed her suspicion.
‘Maya Bayarden has awakened Pendragon’s power.’
But Maya didn’t want the emperor to find out. It was a secret she wished to keep from everyone, yet it was also a fact that could work to Serene’s advantage.
Serene wanted to be on Maya’s side.
‘If she wants me to be her ally, she’ll need to do her part as well.’
Human relationships begin with give and take. Offering goodwill is the first step to forming a connection.
“I’ll say that an unknown figure defeated the wolf and disappeared, and that Your Highness chased after them.”
Serene tore the hem of her dress and smeared it with the wolf’s blood. She wasn’t afraid of getting blood on her hands. She needed to look as though she had been injured to avoid suspicion.
Both Maya and Tristan were surprised by her boldness.
Tristan spoke first.
“Would you really do that for us?”
Reserfield wasn’t likely to let what happened today slide easily.
“Since I did trespass into the imperial palace, you can set me up as the unknown figure.”
No matter how skilled Serene Baker was at manipulating people, there was always the chance that Reserfield’s interrogation could expose her lie. Mixing in some truth would make the lie much easier to maintain and reduce the risk of being caught.
It would also help when she and Maya aligned their stories later.
“Thank you. I’ll be taking Maya with me now.”
Tristan bowed to Serene in gratitude.
“It was an honor to meet you, Grand Duke Bayarden.”
Serene lowered her head respectfully.
Maya was stunned, her mouth falling open, as Serene instantly recognized Tristan as the grand duke, even though she had held the reins. Tristan stared at Serene in silence.
“There was a slip of the tongue by Your Highness, and given the atmosphere, manner of speaking, and tone, it wasn’t hard to deduce. There aren’t many people who would be around Your Highness.”
Serene had a sharp ability to read and assess situations.
“I’ll see you at the manor later.”
There was no need for formal speech with someone who knew his identity.
“Yes, and next time, contact me directly instead of through Count Baker.”
Serene bowed her head once more, preparing to meet the others.
***
“What’s going on here?”
Graham, the captain of the knights, who had been drinking heavily at the banquet, shouted as he covered his mouth, reeking of alcohol.
“I-I was just talking with Her Highness on the terrace, and…”
Serene, uncharacteristically, burst into tears.
The sudden change in behavior naturally drew people’s attention.
“I’d like to hear what she has to say as well.”
Reserfield appeared, standing with his arms crossed between the captain and the other knights.
From afar, he couldn’t see clearly, but the elegant arc of the white sword left a beautiful trail that sent a chill through his body.
‘Pendragon?’
Had Maya Pendragon awakened?
But now all that remained was Serene Baker.
Completely useless.
A surge of irritation shot through Reserfield. This was not what he had come all the way here to see.
Adding to his foul mood was the unknown intruder who had dared break into his personal library.
‘Where has Maya Pendragon gone?’
…Could she have been hiding the fact that she had awakened from him?
Serene Baker’s testimony would determine her fate.
“Tell me what happened,” Reserfield said, twisting his lips into a smile.
Meanwhile, Maya, flying on the wyvern, suddenly gasped.
“Did you forget something?”
“No, I left Doshen behind.”
“Ah.”
Tristan, as if only just remembering Doshen’s existence, let out a short sound of acknowledgement.
Kiiing. In the midst of all this, the wyvern let out a cry, as though asking for a snack.
“I’ll give you a treat. You’ve worked hard today, too.”
Maya patted the wyvern’s head, stroking it affectionately. After spending so much time together, she found herself thinking the wyvern’s every little action was cute.
