The Dragon Duke’s Wife - Chapter 32 - ⑥ The Heart of the Fire Dragon

“It’s not because she’s human, it’s because she’s a sea dragon.”

“Pardon?”

“Eleanor is a sea dragon. Her body temperature is low. While it’s true that the characteristics of dragonblood are more pronounced the closer someone is to the direct lineage of Velados, it’s rare for two people to be born with dragonblood in a single generation, so it was a coincidence. Because her blood runs so deep, it’s just the two of us left… But, my aunt wasn’t of the bloodline, and she wasn’t prepared to give birth to a dragonborn, so she passed away giving birth to Eleanor.”

“I, I see.”

“You don’t need to worry. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Khalid placed a kiss on her temple again. Ancia hesitated slightly.

“She must have been very well-loved by the elders?”

“She received a lot of special treatment. Even the Emperor and Empress were greedy for her.”

“I see. Then why did she leave Roden?”

“The water didn’t suit her.”

He chuckled softly.

“I’m not speaking figuratively. She really did leave because of that. Being a sea dragon, she wanted to live in the waters that suited her, so she crossed the sea.”

“I see… It must have been a great loss.”

“Well…”

Khalid didn’t deny it. Ancia, her head lowered, fiddled with her skirt.

“Anyway, it’s true that Ellen has some influence among women. She has free access to the imperial family, and the Empress also holds her in high regard.”

“Yes, I understand. You’re saying that through Lady Eleanor, my debut in high society could have several advantages?”

Ancia spoke with her head still lowered.

“But… I feel it might be a little early. I don’t know how long our marriage will last… If I step into high society and end up failing to fully complete the contract, that would cause problems, wouldn’t it? For both you and me… People who would know about the rumors will know, but a contract marriage…”

“Ann.”

Khalid called her with a reproachful tone. Ancia was startled and looked up at him. Khalid’s face looked hurt, and she felt flustered, unsure of what to do.

“Kal, I…”

She got breathless.

“I don’t take our relationship lightly, and I’m not thinking of it that way at all. I just…”

“I know. You’re not someone who would think like that.”

He took her hand and gently stroked the back of it.

“You don’t need to worry. You will definitely have my child.”

“…Kal.”

“The reason I asked you to meet friends through Ellen is because it seems like you want to be recognized as the Duchess of Velados as soon as possible. You’re working hard to prepare for your debut in high society.”

“Yes…”

“But if you’re still unsure about yourself, you don’t have to do it right away. Do things at your own pace. Being a Duchess and fulfilling those duties isn’t the most important thing.”

As he spoke, Khalid placed a kiss on the back of Ancia’s hand.

At that moment, Laura knocked on the door, announcing that the bath was ready. Ancia felt relieved that she could end the conversation.

Khalid kissed her again and said, “I’ll go to the bedroom first.”

“Yes…”

She answered so.

But after her bath, she didn’t go to Khalid’s bedroom. She wore only a thin nightgown, without underwear, and entered the Duchess’s bedroom to lie down. She thought he would come and be angry, insisting that she shouldn’t be using the Duchess’s room.

But he didn’t come until morning. Not the next day either, nor the day after.

6. The Heart of the Fire Dragon

For the next few days, Eleanor didn’t do much else but walk with Ancia in the garden or spend time with Khalid after dinner, having drinks and talking. Ancia was invited to these gatherings. Khalid wasn’t the type to be so thoughtful, but Eleanor made every effort to make Ancia the focus of every conversation.

But Ancia politely declined each time, saying she didn’t drink much. She could have a glass or two of wine, and since the focus was on conversation, it didn’t matter if she didn’t drink, but still, she didn’t want to see the two of them together.

Ancia knew Eleanor was a good person. If it weren’t for the ugly jealousy swirling within her, she probably would have admired and loved Eleanor.

However, she couldn’t look at Eleanor with calm eyes anymore.

Why had the two of them broken off their engagement? That thought wouldn’t leave her mind. A fire dragon and a sea dragon. They were certainly much more suited to each other than ordinary people. Even though it was a cousin marriage, it wasn’t a taboo that would be considered inc-st.

Was it because Eleanor left the capital? Khalid didn’t deny that he was saddened by her departure. Would their engagement have lasted, and would they have married by now if she had stayed?

Khalid remained as kind as ever, but he didn’t get angry when she continued to stay silently in the Duchess’s bedroom.

It made Ancia even more uneasy.