So the Duchess Disappeared

43. Seems Like Ready to Devour

Faced with Clint’s overly confident attitude, Psyche found herself at a loss for words.

Whether it was when they first met again or during the meal, she hadn’t paid much attention, but seeing him after a long time, he somehow seemed sharper.

“Did he lose weight?”

His black hair, like the night sky, and his fair skin stood out in contrast. It didn’t seem like an illusion that his jawline had become more defined.

Unconsciously, she pondered these thoughts before shaking her head. Who cared about whom at this point?

“This is the lady’s room?”

When Psyche asked, Clint burst into a bitter laugh.

“Isn’t this the lmy wif’s room? Where is the husband who enters the wife’s room with permission?”

“We…”

Psyche’s attempt to reply with “We’re not a couple” got stuck in her throat.

Because, aside from leaving him, if Clint hadn’t officially ended their relationship, they were still considered a couple.

“We are still a couple.”

“… “

With Psyche remaining silent, Clint stepped closer.

“I couldn’t bear it any longer. Of course, we are a couple, but it’s been a long time since my wife lived separately from me. Adapting might be difficult for her. Please understand such rudeness.”

It was more like a command to just listen. As Psyche was about to confront him, he continued to speak, cutting her off.

“In any case, what about that child?”

“…?”

“The child we saw that day. We withdrew for the time being, but how much patience did we need to endure until today to ask about it?”

He was asking about Shilred.

But Psyche didn’t want to answer him.

She didn’t think it was his concern.

However, Clint seemed to have run out of patience, with a face that appeared to have reached its limit.

“Why won’t you answer?”

“You don’t need to know.”

“Could it be my child?”

“…!”

Psyche hadn’t expected that thought to come up so suddenly. She couldn’t help but burst into laughter at the absurdity of the idea.

During the moment when she was trying to find a suitable response, Clint abruptly interjected.

“Our child is not dead.”

“… “

With those words, Psyche lost all her strength.

She hadn’t anticipated such a conversation coming up here, and it felt like she had been stabbed in the gut in her vulnerable state.

To nonchalantly say that the child had died.

After all, he was a man who didn’t hesitate to say that he killed his own wife.

Regardless of that fact, Psyche found herself trapped once again in that past.

She couldn’t have foreseen that she would be forced to confirm a fact she hadn’t faced before, and it felt like her heart was being ripped out again.

How could he speak of a child’s death so casually, with an expression that didn’t change at all…

“I carefully choose my words, but that doesn’t mean the child is coming back, right?”

She also knew the truth.

While his words were mostly correct, the harsh and sorrowful reality was something Psyche didn’t want to face. She lost the strength to resist, especially regarding the lost child.

No matter how hard she tried to forget, the memory persisted, making it the most painful experience in her life, unburied by time.

Psyche slumped onto the bed, drained of energy, as Clint stood before her.

“If that’s the case, I have nothing more to say. Leave.”

With eyes empty of any soul, Psyche dryly responded.

“Ha.”

Clint pressed his forehead with his fingers in frustration.

“It’s my wife’s child.”

Even though Psyche didn’t answer, he seemed to have concluded that way.

But she had neither the desire nor the strength to correct his mistaken thoughts.

“Think whatever you want.”

“Is it that bastard’s child?”

“…?”

Clint’s sudden harsh words were quite unexpected. She was momentarily surprised by his normally refined and elegant demeanor.

To say such things was quite unfamiliar coming from him.

“What are you talking about?”

Psyche couldn’t understand his words at all.

Alister Castle housed only a small number of residents, including the staff, and even including the stable workers, the number of men was scarce.

So, the idea of receiving ‘strange looks’ was beyond her comprehension.

“That guy who always tags along beside the lady. Is he a knight, always carrying a sword?”

Psyche then realized that Clint was referring to Claude.

“Oh, dear.”

Psyche found it absurd that he would view her and Claude in such a way.

“Are you talking about Claude? Claude and I…”

“Claude?”

Clint raised an eyebrow at Psyche calling Claude so casually.

“Where did you pick a man with a similar name?”

“No, that’s not it!”

Ironically, their names were similar, but Psyche felt a sense of loss even for the remaining dignity.

She then imagined how Claude had been during their time apart, how he viewed her.

No matter how much she thought, there was no action that could be construed as a romantic relationship between them.

It was utterly ridiculous. Psyche couldn’t help but burst into laughter at the absurdity of the idea.

Clint, on the other hand, was burning with anger.

“Is this a laughing matter, madam?”

“… “

Clint took a step closer, and Psyche involuntarily raised her gaze.

“If you don’t like it, don’t think about it.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

Psyche stopped laughing and looked at him, but Clint took a few more steps to stand right in front of her.

The distance between them narrowed instantly.

Though it was night, Clint’s shadow cast over Psyche, making the surroundings even darker.

“Lady, just come with me.”

“Go? Where to?”

Clint closed the gap even more.

Feeling uncomfortable, Psyche deliberately averted her gaze.

But that seemed to bother him, and Clint approached, grabbing her chin to make her face him.

It was a very different action from the Clint she knew. Psyche had never faced rough treatment from him, even during their intimate moments.

Even in the darkness, Psyche could tell that his eyes, resembling a clear blue sky, were gazing at her. There was a strange emotion in them.

Moreover, with Clint gripping his jaw, Priscilla couldn’t avoid his gaze.

“You should go back where a wife belongs. Four years is too long to be away, isn’t it?”

“I won’t go back…!”

When Priscilla got agitated, Clint tightened his grip on her jaw even more.

“I don’t care if it’s the child of that crazy bastard.”

“…!”

Clint seemed halfway gone mad.

Suddenly, he knelt down, bringing his eyes to the same level as hers.

At such a close distance, even his rough breathing was palpable, making it difficult for Priscilla to breathe.

“Isn’t it time to have my child next?”

His eyes flashed with madness, and it seemed like he might lose control. In response, Priscilla forcefully pushed his hand away.

She had never seen Clint in such a state before. He wasn’t originally such a rough man. Could he have changed during the time they were apart?

Priscilla touched her jaw and stood up abruptly.

“I have nothing more to say to you. Please leave.”

“Why?”

Clint even sneered and mocked her.

His unfamiliar appearance made him seem like a different person.

Priscilla didn’t want to show her confusion under his pressure.

“Just leave.”

“Don’t test my patience any further.”

“When have I…!”

“Forcefully, even against my will, I want to take my wife back with me right now.”

He emphasized each word with force.

“I’m enduring it somehow.”

“….”

Having exhaled a shallow breath, he slowly stood up.

Their eye levels became similar again.

Suddenly, Clint turned his eyes and laughed.

Priscilla couldn’t regain her composure in the gap between anger and laughter.

She didn’t know how to respond.

“Wife.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Why not call a wife a wife?”

“….”

Clint still had a smile on his face.

Trying to retreat, Priscilla bumped into the bed and collapsed backward.

Without missing the chance, Clint climbed on top of her.

His posture was bizarre.

“A-avoid me!”

“Why? Are you scared?”

It was a beastly gaze as if he might devour her.

Clint grabbed Priscilla’s hands with his own, rendering her unable to move.

Priscilla couldn’t do anything.

“Our contract is not over yet. Don’t you know, my dear wife?”