The Abandoned Duchess Seems to Want a Peaceful Life - Chapter 43
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- Chapter 43 - The Knight's Anger and Conflict
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Chapter 43: The Knight’s Anger and Conflict
Just before sunset, the sound of a horse galloping echoed from the dirt road leading to Enkar Village.
The rider seemed to be pushing the horse hard; even from quite a distance, the rough vibrations of hooves tearing up the earth were clearly audible.
In this area, people rarely pushed their horses or donkeys to such an extent. There was no need to check who was approaching; the answer was obvious.
“Nid, I’m sorry, but could you have the people from Melto Village sit just before the entrance?”
“Understood. However, I don’t think it will serve much as a deterrent.”
“Just a little visual obstruction will do. I’ll try not to inconvenience everyone as much as possible.”
Although Cedric had become considerably calmer recently, he remained a knight loyal to his duty. This was a core part of his character, stemming from his seriousness and stubbornness, and it was likely impossible to change.
The horse headed straight for the assembly hall, and just before reaching it, the rider leapt off. The horse, suddenly without guidance, reared up on its hind legs in alarm and then shook its head vigorously.
“Lady Melfina!”
Cedric’s gaze found Melfina as he ran over, and he visibly relaxed with relief. But that relief was instantly replaced by intense anger, and without a word, he swiftly drew his sword.
“Cedric!”
“A carriage with Marie will arrive shortly. Lady Melfina, please wait there. I will escort you to the lord’s manor later.”
“Wait, listen to me!”
“That is unnecessary.”
He declared in a harsh voice and stormed into the assembly hall, his laced boots kicking up dust. The residents of Melto Village, who had become comfortable talking with Cedric, were shocked to see him burst in with a drawn sword. They recoiled, nervously stepping back and making way for him.
“So you are the bandits. How dare you…”
“Cedric!”
Without a second thought, Danny stood up in front of the refugees, positioning himself as a shield, and moved straight towards Cedric, who was lifting his sword.
“Ah!”
Stepping in between Cedric and Danny, the trajectory of the descending sword was significantly altered. The momentum wasn’t entirely stopped, as the sword made a heavy thud and plunged into the wooden floor.
“What if something happens!”
“Lower your sword, please!”
“Lady Melfina!”
“Please, Cedric!”
For a moment, they stared at each other, almost glaring. Cedric’s intimidating aura was palpable, causing beads of sweat to form on Danny’s neck and back.
Exhaling heavily, Cedric released his grip from the sword embedded in the floor, sank to his knees, and knelt before Melfina.
“Forgive me for the rudeness of laying hands on you.”
“Huh?”
Just before being abducted, Melfina had been wearing her usual dress, with a long-sleeved jacket on top. From beneath the sleeve, clearly visible, were marks where rough ropes had chafed and bound her wrists.
Though she had noticed the redness before, the marks were more prominent upon closer inspection. Against Melfina’s porcelain skin, they looked even more distressing.
“See, it’s just a bit red, nothing hurts.”
“It is my duty to ensure you remain unharmed.”
“Cedric, this will heal without leaving a trace. That’s why—”
“I might have lost you!”
The strong voice startled her, causing a tremble. Then, she tightly gripped Cedric’s hands, still stacked on top of hers.
“I’m sorry, Cedric.”
It was clear he hadn’t just been searching for Melfina as part of his duty.
He had worried for her safety, crushed his heart, and hurried here, knowing full well he might have strayed.
“You’ve been searching for me all this time, riding your horse. Your hands are as cold as ice.”
“I-I apologize…”
She held onto his hand as he attempted to pull away in a fluster. Shaking her head.
She had thought Cedric, serious and stern as he was, would disapprove of everything she did. She believed he wouldn’t be able to discard the sentiment that nobles should behave like nobles, and knights like knights.
But if Cedric, who looked at her wrist abrasions with concern rather than disdain for her mistakes, could understand, then surely…
Even if it was more about dependence than trust, she wanted to believe it.
“I understand that you’re being ordered to uphold your dignity and pride as a knight. It might seem unfair to ask this knowing you won’t defy it in the end. But please, I beg of you. Overlook it for now.”
“We also plead with you, Sir Cedric.”
The villagers of Melto, who had been silent as if holding their breath, spoke heavily.
“Nid…”
“We were like them until last year. Clad in rags, always hungry, with no hope for tomorrow.”
“Even now, if it weren’t for Lady Melfina, we would’ve been the same.”
“The only difference between them and us is whether Lady Melfina was there for us.”
At their words, Cedric fell silent for a moment, then stood up. Stepping back from Melfina, he withdrew the sword still stuck in the floor and sheathed it.
“Lady Melfina. I am your knight.”
“Yes.”
“So… I will obey my master.”
Melfina could sense the difficult choice Cedric had been forced to make. Despite feeling sorry for putting him in that position, she couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
If Cedric had taken action against those who kidnapped Melfina, she would have been haunted by that sight for the rest of her life.
“Thank you, Cedric… I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize to me. Protecting your path from behind is my duty.”
Cedric, now calm, returned to his usual earnest tone. Feeling relieved, Melfina turned to the refugees.
“I need to confirm one thing. Did you attack any other villages before coming to Enkar?”
“No, after abandoning our village, we survived on the supplies we had taken until they ran out. Then, we entered the forest to gather what we could. We’ve been on the run. We haven’t approached any settlements until today.”
Danny said, kneeling before Melfina, his hands on the floor, bowing his head low.
“My lord. Thank you for providing us with food. Please, punish me for my crime of kidnapping you. The other villagers, especially the women and children, opposed the idea of kidnapping you until the end.”
“Danny!”
“My lord! We were also complicit in the kidnapping!”
“It’s not just Danny’s responsibility!”
As the refugees cried out, Melfina shook her head lightly.
“Kidnapping? That’s not what happened. You visited the estate and pleaded your situation to me. I went to hear your story.”
“That’s…”
“Your only crime is touching the wheat meant for taxes and abandoning the farmland. Your plea for help was heard by Melfina von Oldrand, the lord of Enkar.”
“My lord…”
“Nid, please take care of them. Additional food and livestock will be delivered later. Please teach them how to live here.”
“Understood. We’ll feed them well and give tasks to those who can work!”
“We’re in the middle of preparing for winter, so we’re short on manpower for everything! Having more hands will be a blessing!”
Smiling at the villagers’ reassuring words, the entrance to the assembly hall opened with a loud noise.
“Lady Melfina!”
“Marie, I’m sorry for worrying you…”
As Marie ran up and hugged her tightly, Melfina couldn’t find the words to say until the end. She was hugged tightly as if to confirm that she was safe.
It was a bit painful, but her arms were trembling, leaving her speechless.
“Lady Melfina! I’m so glad you’re safe. Really, I’m so relieved…!”
“Marie… Thank you.”
Marie’s usually neat, faint golden hair was disheveled, and she hadn’t even put on a coat, just as she was when they parted in the office.
She must have rushed out without even thinking about putting on a coat when she heard the news that Melfina was in Melto Village, indicating how desperately she had searched.
“I’m fine. I’m sorry for worrying you.”
While still holding her, Melfina shook her head.
Despite causing everyone worry and anxiety, what dwelled in her heart was not just apology but also overwhelming joy.
—Melfina, when did you gather so many people who care about you by your side?
Melfina von Crawford, unloved by her parents, rejected by her husband Alexis on their wedding day.
The villainess who couldn’t suppress her burning jealousy towards Saint Maria, who had won her husband’s love in the future, and repeatedly harassed her, ending up being sent to a distant convent where nobody needed her.
That was who Melfina used to be, but somehow, without her realizing it, she was no longer alone.
Storyteller Amarylais's Words
Hi guys! I've been enjoying this novel lately and noticed it wasn't receiving updates so I decided to pick it up~ Let's start with a mass release of chapters <3 Challenge: Reach 30 votes on Novel Updates! Progress: 30/30 We did it! Bonus chapter released! (07/22/2024)
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