Secret Wardrobe of the Duchess

Chapter 40

 
“Apparently the marriage wasn’t enough to break the curse, Your Grace.”

“… I never expected it would be broken so easily.”

Edgar reached the door and got in the wheelchair with Carl’s help.

The servant, who had been guarding the door, was now on the floor, drooling.

Normally, such a thing would have never happened.
“I added sleeping drought to the water given out at the feast, so everyone is sleeping soundly. You don’t have to worry.”

“You always handle things perfectly.”

Carl tidied where Edgar had been lying on and closed the door. Edgar bitterly watched Rubica as the door was closed.

How would she react if she found out her husband was a cursed monster?

“Then we should go, Your Grace. I’ve checked already, no one is awake.”

Edgar nodded, and Carl started to pull the wheelchair. From the duke’s chamber to his office where no one could get in while he was working. He smiled bitterly as he looked at the faint lights of the early morning coming through the windows of the corridor.

How long had it been since he had passed through that corridor in bright daylight…

He enjoyed the fresh air of dusk and closed his eyes. Then, he could hear the curse that had made him what he was now. It was so clear as if it had happened only yesterday.

-You will never walk again under the sunlight.

The nymph whom he used to call mother had cursed him so.
“Your Grace, I’ve given out strict orders not to come in here while you are working, as usual.”

“And don’t forget you should bring my meal yourself.”

“Okay, as the dinner is after the sunset, it would be better to go to the dining hall. Or Her Grace will think it is strange.”

“Yes. They will all start doubting if I avoid her too much.”

“Please don’t worry, I will take care of it.”

There were only two people who knew his secret. The emperor and Edgar’s butler Carl. The two tried their best to help Edgar meet people only after sunset.

“What about the documents I have to take care of today?”

“They are all on the desk.”

“Good. Carl, then tell the other servants I came to the office early because I had lots to do.”

“Yes, I will bring your breakfast.”

Carl bowed and left the room. Soon Edgar could hear him locking the door with the key from outside. It was to prevent others from coming in.

Edgar scolded himself who looked so perfect in every way but was so miserable. He went to the large desk in the middle of the room that let out the light smell of rose. It was fortunate for him that the Claymore Family wasn’t either a knight family nor a ruling family. All he had to do was to stay in his office and do research.

Edgar looked at the documents he had to read for some time and shook his head. Then he opened the first drawer of the desk and took out a small jewelry box. He felt its edge with his long, white fingers.

He had opened it and touched it so many times that its edges were so smooth.

He thought about it for a moment and flipped the lid open. Inside was a piece of paper with a woman’s name on it.
It had been a week ago. The blue ring suddenly vanished and was replaced by that piece of paper… he had wondered if it had been robbed for a short time, but it couldn’t have been what had happened as he had kept it by his side all the time.