The Secret Affairs of the Fake Duke Couple - Chapter 50

Jane opened her eyes alone. The bed was empty. It was an expected outcome.

Still, she couldn’t help feeling disappointed.

Jane groaned as she picked up the slip that had fallen to the floor. Every joint screamed in protest with each movement.

Jane inadvertently looked down at her body and, startled, quickly pulled up the blanket to cover herself.

She felt strongly that she must never let Mary see her in this state.

Jane hurriedly washed and dressed herself before anyone could come.

Quite some time passed doing this, yet no maid had come.

Although she had woken earlier than usual, it was rather surprising that no one had come to check on her yet.

As Jane tilted her head in confusion, she suddenly remembered that today was the day after the wedding. Jane’s heart sank.

According to the kingdom’s custom, it was the husband’s duty to attend to his wife’s morning needs the day after the wedding.

Bathing her, bringing her breakfast – all of these were the husband’s responsibilities.

While there were no legal consequences for not doing so, there was a belief passed down that spending the first morning together well as a couple led to a good marriage.

But Cain’s disappearance meant he didn’t care about a future with Jane.

Jane’s mouth tasted bitter.

Was the man who had passionately driven her last night just an illusion?

‘Don’t expect anything. Just do what I need to do.’

Educating Joseph.

Keep the promise and leave.

Jane steeled herself and pulled the bell cord.

* * *

Cain had a busy morning.

The Rose Faction had attacked the armory again. The damage this time was more severe than the last.

Queen Helena summoned Cain immediately.

“Cain, is weeding difficult?”

“No, Your Majesty.”

Helena clicked her tongue. She openly displayed her discomfort.

“I remember when you came to me 7 years ago. Young and full of vigor, you were.”

“Was I like that?”

“Indeed. A green youth looking me straight in the eye and saying, ‘I’ll take care of everything myself. So please give me wings.’ Don’t you remember?”

Cain set down his teacup.

How could he not remember?

At that time, he was desperate to save Jane. He was also in dire straits.

The queen had sugarcoated it as ‘full of vigor’, but back then he was just an overeager youngster.

“You told me then. That we must move first. That responding after problems arise is too late. Since then, I’ve taken your words as a principle.”

“I’m honored, Your Majesty.”

Strike first.

Helena ordered.

“Maybe it’s because I’ve been backstabbed so much, but these days my head aches even when I’m still. My head hurts, so I’ll end our conversation here. Don’t go far.”

Helena rose. With each step, her gown parted, revealing and concealing her smooth, toned legs that belied her age.

For a long while after she disappeared into her bedroom, Cain remained seated, staring into his teacup.

It seemed inappropriate to go home today.

Cain decided to postpone all the tasks he had planned for today.

After roughly rearranging his schedule in his head, he left the queen’s reception room.

“We’re heading to the Delphine region. Get ready.”

Cain ordered Nathan.

“The security forces have finished their initial investigation. Wouldn’t the investigation report be sufficient?”

“I need to see for myself. I’ll stay there for a few days and look into the black market as well.”

The two continued their conversation as they quickly exited the palace.

“How many days? Should I notify the mansion?”

“What for?”

Cain chuckled at Nathan’s wide-eyed look and added:

“When have I ever bothered to inform anyone where I’m going?”

“But… circumstances have changed, haven’t they?”

Cain hesitated.

Come to think of it, he now had a wife. As a married couple, it was proper to inform each other of long absences.

But this was Jane. She neither cared about him nor had any reason to.

And above all, he had to be careful. Her relationship with the Rose Faction was still unclear.

Yet, completely ignoring her bothered him, so Cain decided to add a small lie.

“Let them know I’ll be away for a while. But say I’m going to Delphion, not Delphine. For historical research.”

“Understood. I’ll relay that. But…”

“What now?”

Just as he was about to board the carriage, Nathan spoke up. Cain whipped his head around.

“Um, well, the Duchess’s breakfast…”

As soon as he heard those words, Cain realized what had been nagging at him throughout his conversation with the queen.

He should have prepared Jane’s breakfast, but he had completely forgotten while organizing his thoughts in his office and then rushing to answer the queen’s summons.

It was a contract marriage, so it wouldn’t matter if he didn’t, but he felt uneasy.

Cain checked the time.

It was already too late for breakfast.

Jane probably hadn’t expected it, and she would have already eaten.

And if he unnecessarily prepared breakfast, she might misunderstand that he had feelings for her, which would be disastrous.

So he should just depart for Delphine like this.

Cain’s body and lips moved on their own.

“Go to Miphra on Hausten Street.”

Cain shouted, tapping the carriage wall.

Miphra was famous for making the most delicious desserts on Hausten Street.

Breakfast time had passed, and it would be awkward for both of them, so he decided on dessert.

That was Cain’s conclusion.

* * *

“The mistress is studying with young master Joseph.”

When Cain arrived at the mansion, Mary informed him of Jane’s whereabouts. But unlike usual, her tone was very cold.

“I came back, didn’t I? With dessert, no less.”

Cain knew why Mary was being frosty towards him.

“Yes, that’s right. Her Majesty summoned him at dawn, which messed up his schedule. The Duke is not at fault at all.”

Nathan tactfully took Cain’s side.

“Her Majesty called for you? Since dawn?”

As it was an unusual occurrence, Mary began to worry about Cain.

“It’s nothing to worry about, Mary.”

Cain dissuaded Mary and Nathan from following him and headed towards Joseph’s room.

As he neared the room, he could hear the two conversing.

Joseph asked a question, and Jane explained gently.

Cain muffled his footsteps. He felt like he was intruding on their time together.

He thought about turning back, but the dessert in his hand was the issue.

‘I’ll just hand over the dessert and leave.’

Having decided, Cain raised his head. What he saw made him stop just as he was about to throw open the door.

Inside the open door, by the window, Jane and Joseph were sitting on a floor covered with blankets.

The two reading a book under the flickering tree shadows looked quite heartwarming.

Cain looked at the dessert box in his hand.

‘I should just go back. I’ll have Nathan give them the dessert.’

Cain took his eyes off Jane and Joseph.

“Ah, Father?”

Just as he was about to turn away, Joseph spotted him. Cain let out a soft sigh and entered the room.

“Ah, Father. He-hello. I was, um, reading a book with Mother.”

“I see. You’re reading a good book.”

Cain said, noticing the picture book in Jane’s hand. It was one he had read in his childhood too.

“What brings you here?”

Jane put the picture book down on the floor and stood up. Cain’s brow furrowed immediately.

“Is it strange for a father to visit his son’s room?”

“That’s not what I meant…”

“If not, then never mind. Joseph, do you like crepe cake?”

“Cr-crepe ca-cake?”

Joseph just blinked his eyes.

“It’s thinly baked pancakes layered with cream in between,” Jane kindly explained.

Joseph’s eyes sparkled.

“Th-that sounds delicious!”

“Come and sit down.”

Cain placed the cake box on the table. He took out the cake and gestured to Joseph.

“Di-did you buy this yourself, Father?”

“Yes, I did.”

Cain said, looking at Jane.

“You come and sit too.”

“I don’t like cake…”

“The child is watching.”

Joseph had already sat down and was now turned around, holding the back of his chair, looking up at Jane.

Jane couldn’t ignore that look in his eyes asking her to eat together. In truth, she did like crepe cake.

But she had refused because Cain made her uncomfortable.

She thought she would be fine seeing him, but that wasn’t the case at all.

The memories of last night vividly resurfaced, making her heart pound, and her disappointment at his thoughtlessness in leaving her alone welled up again.

“Mother, let’s eat together.”

The word ‘Mother’ calmed Jane.

This morning, Jane had introduced herself to Joseph as his new mother.

Contrary to her expectation that he might be somewhat wary of her, Joseph had smiled brightly and called her ‘Mother’.

That bright smile was the wedding gift Jane liked the most.

A precious, invaluable smile. Unable to shatter it, Jane sat down next to Joseph.

Cain rang the bell.

“Prepare tea for Jane and me, and milk for Joseph.”

The sharp-witted servant also brought plates and forks for the cake.

Cain personally served cake onto Jane and Joseph’s plates.

“It’s so, so, so delicious! It me-melts in my mouth!”

Joseph excitedly used his fork.

As Jane fondly watched Joseph while holding her cake plate, Cain spoke to her.

“Try it.”

“I’m fine, thank you.”

Jane didn’t feel like enjoying cake while facing him. But upon hearing his next words, she couldn’t help but pick up her fork.

“Eat it even if you have to force yourself. It’s in place of breakfast.”