This Life, I Will Save The Duke (20 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 88

Kaius hurriedly finalized the acquisition procedures for Berryhouse and, thanks to departing Ralph’s territory at dawn, was able to reach Tris before nightfall.

“This is the place, Your Grace.”

Kaius had arrived at the spot where Ariel had stayed during the time she’d disappeared. It was on the outskirts of Tris, in the Sarin district—where commoners lived. All that remained were a few articles of commoners’ clothing, some hardened leftover bread, and paper with a pen.

It seemed as if she’d intended to die right here.

A princess of a nation, the Duchess of Elbaltan—reduced to such wretchedness.

With a scoff, Kaius quickly left the place. Suddenly, the image of her sitting there, having resigned herself to everything, flashed through his mind. The miserable state of that house stirred anger within him toward Ariel, which then twisted into self-loathing.

For some time now, she had constantly occupied his thoughts. Ever since he’d learned why his wife had approached him, her presence had become even more inescapable—as if permanently seared into his mind. All his senses grew increasingly attuned to her, and even the slightest stimulus would cloud his consciousness.

As if she had become his entire reason for living.

Even the night before his departure had been like that. He’d been pleased by her beauty as she came out to see him off. It had felt so good he nearly forgot she was the woman who was supposed to kill him. Yet when she said she’d go to another man if he asked, his mind filled only with a murky, heated confusion. Though Ariel had clearly said she didn’t want to go, those words never reached Kaius’s awareness—perhaps because his mind had already closed itself off, half-mad from the dizzying allure of his wife’s body.

He was more impatient than ever before.

No matter how many times he reconsidered it, he simply couldn’t understand it.

The five-year-long war had been long, tedious, and perilous enough to claim the lives of even the strongest warriors. One’s life or death often hinged on a single moment of lowered guard. Yet even in those circumstances, he had always maintained cold, clear rationality. So why wouldn’t it be reasonable to be grateful if she went to the demons? It was a simple, clear solution—his wife would live, and so would he. He should have been pushing her toward that path, not holding her back.

And yet—what was this? Starting a war over it? He’d lost his mind. He was disgusted and ashamed by how deeply he was entangled in mere desire for a woman, yet he couldn’t deny it. The time spent with his wife had been unbearably sweet—so sweet it made him forget even her horrifying betrayal.

Even now, he wanted to see her before his eyes as soon as possible. What if she’d already left him for the demons? Her promise that she’d never go now felt utterly meaningless. Would he only feel at ease if he locked her away?

“Ha….”

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