If I Disobey the Duke

Tristan also scratched his chin with a bewildered expression as if it was completely unexpected. “Is it no use even if the mistress of the castle allows it?”

Lily shut her mouth in guilt. Dandelion’s exasperated expression shifted into one of worry instantly. He strode up and grabbed Lily’s hand.

“I was so worried that it would be like this, Sister. Are you already being bullied by your husband to the point where you can’t even see your family? There’s no way you can adapt to this place when you can’t even get along with other people. Let’s just go home. From now on, I’ll protect you from Father, okay?”

Dandelion never did learn how to lower his voice.

Her face turned bright red this time, her mind going blank with embarrassment and shame.

Talin, standing right behind her, must have heard it.

If Talin heard, it would eventually get into Vlad’s ears. What would he think?

Lily’s back dripped with cold sweat.

It was the sound of Valks’ footsteps coming out of the castle gate that rescued her from panic.

“Sir Talin. A message from the lord has arrived.”

Talin, who was standing with a dark look on his face, quickly approached Lily with a bright look when she accepted the telegram.

“It is the message of the Lord. He said his wife can do whatever she wants.” Talin looked at Dandelion and Tristan one after another with confident eyes. “Give the order, madam. I will respectfully serve your family.”

***

The procession of carriages going up the mountain road to the castle through the city was endless.

Lily, riding in the carriage with the two of them, was nervous as if sitting on a cushion of thorns.

Can I really let them in?

Lily checked the letter a few times, but she was still skeptical.

Even behind them, a carriage full of goods sent from the Isles were following them.

Vlad said he hated visitors, so there was no way he’d like many people to set foot in the castle.

Dandelion, who was sitting next to her, was innocently observing the inside of the carriage. “The price of the carriage must be huge. The leather upholstery is nice and heavy. There’s nothing missing from the finishing touches. But sister, is your husband treating you well?”

Lily continued fiddling with her hands.

“Lily. Are you okay?”

“…”

“Sister, I brought your favorite tea. Are you listening to me? Sister!”

Despite Dandelion’s and Tristan’s tumultuous worries, Lily was only immersed in her thoughts.

Tristan, who was about to call Lily, was stopped by Dandelion with his index finger on his mouth.

Dandelion gently reached out toward her sister and grabbed the scarf from her shoulder.

“I’ll take a look at this scarf, Sister!”

Lily’s thin shoulders were revealed and the cold air quickly touched her skin.

She flinched. “What are you doing?”

Lily rushed to grab the scarf from her brother’s hand.

However, Dandelion had more strength and just looked at Lily leisurely. “Wow… that’s why you wore it? I’ll tell Father that he doesn’t have to worry about it. Sister is very passionate about making babies.” Dandelion pointed to her neck, which was peppered with hickeys and bite marks.

She gasped and covered her neck with both hands. Her face turned scarlet. “How can you say that to your sister…”

“Why are you pretending to be shy again? As a woman who has been married three times, Sister knows this better than me.”

Lily’s face hardened. The blood drained from her face and her lips twisted as if she had been hurt.

Tristan, leaning against the chair, finally opened his mouth. “Stop it. You’re making your sister uncomfortable.”

“What do you mean? I’m doing this for my sister. My father told me to be decisive because she doesn’t understand the situation well.”

“…You.” Lily exhaled softly. A sense of pain and betrayal showed through the green eyes that slowly scanned them. “I sent the nanny back… So you came instead. To keep an eye on me.”

Tristan could not answer and turned his head away. Lily’s eyes, filled with resentment, persistently chased his gaze. “You could’ve been the only one who came. You didn’t have to bring my brother.”

“Father told me to go. Tristan has a soft spot for you.”

“Then you could have brought Crocus… You’re 18 years old. Having my younger brother, seven years younger than me, to keep an eye on me…”

“Crocus is hot-tempered. He gets angry easily. But I followed you because I was worried about you. To give you some helpful advice!”

Lily finally frowned and looked back at Dandelion. Her breathing was frenzied and her voice trembled. “What can you advise… on marriage?”

“Are you angry? See? You always endure it when you can get mad. They say it’s all because you’re too sensitive. The nanny said that. So my role is to comfort my sister because you’re very emotional.”

“Role? Tristan, you…”

Lily stared at Tristan. Her teary eyes weren’t threatening at all, they were just pitiful. “You’re here to manage me. You’re here… to play that role.” She gulped.

Tristan’s bitter gaze made her even more miserable.

The women Tristan managed ranged from low-level prostitutes to courtesans. He was entrusted with a brothel run by his father several years ago.

In other words, Tristan was a procurer.