Vulgar Marriage - Chapter 16

Chapter 8.2

Livi grabbed the reins and turned to look at the knight who had helped her. He was a man with sandy-colored curls and a friendly expression—the same man Dominic had called “Jeff,” the vice commander of the knights.

“…Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. Here, let me help you down.”

Jeff extended a hand and helped her dismount the horse. His movements were overly polite and cautious, and he stepped back as soon as she was steady on her feet, looking uncertain about how to interact with her.

“You don’t need to be so formal…”

“Pardon?”

“Never mind. It’s nothing.”

She reminded herself that her stay at Celsion territory was only temporary. She didn’t want the knights to treat her like a duchess. Being an unwelcome guest was already enough of a burden.

‘Though, considering the spectacle Dominic made, even that might be asking too much.’

Punishing the rude knight may have seemed like a gesture on her behalf, but in reality, it wasn’t. The knights would remain polite, but deep down, they would resent her for what had happened to their comrade.

Dominic hadn’t just trampled on one of his own men; he had put Livi in a box—a seductress who had ensnared the duke. That was the role she’d been trapped in.

‘But that’s not important right now.’

Livi shook off her thoughts and looked around.

“Where are we?”

“We’re in a canyon, along the quickest route back to Celsion. But with all the rain… there’s a serious risk of landslides.”

Jeff explained from behind her.

Livi scanned her surroundings, noticing only the tied-up horses but no knights in sight. She nodded, realizing that, as Jeff mentioned, the others must have gone ahead to inspect the canyon.

“How long have we been here?”

“About thirty minutes.”

That was already a significant delay spent in waiting. She considered going ahead and assessing the situation herself, but as soon as she moved, Jeff stepped in her way.

“Are you planning to go up ahead?”

“Yes. Is that a problem?”

“Well…”

Jeff hesitated, clearly unsure how to proceed. When her eyes narrowed pointedly, he sighed.

“Do you really think you should in your condition?”

“…What do you mean?”

“Your walk…”

Jeff muttered awkwardly, looking uncomfortable.

Livi’s face flushed with embarrassment as she realized where his gaze had lingered. Despite her efforts to hide her pain by keeping her legs together, it seemed she couldn’t fool a knight’s sharp eyes.

“…Since when?”

“I imagine everyone noticed from the start.”

Livi’s face instantly paled.

‘Should I be grateful that no one mocked me for it?’

In hindsight, hiding it would’ve been impossible. The night at the inn had been anything but quiet, and Dominic wasn’t the type to keep bedroom matters private.

Everyone knew. They were aware from the start, but somehow, the shame she felt now was far worse than when she had undressed in front of Dominic.

Her knuckles turned white as she clutched her skirt, and Jeff gently suggested,

“Please, stay here, my lady. It would be for the best in many ways. Things are tense up ahead, and I doubt you’ll find anything pleasant.”

He guided her back a few steps. Livi followed him for a couple of paces, but her gaze kept drifting forward. The swirling dust in the distance only heightened her confusion.

‘They seemed in such a hurry.’

Her mind flashed to the soldier she had seen at the inn. His haggard face showed he hadn’t had a proper drink of water, and judging by his condition alone, it was obvious that whatever was happening in the territory was serious.

Livi turned back to Jeff, who watched her curiously.

“Did the duke order you to keep me here?” she asked.

“…No, he didn’t.”

“Then I’m going.”

With renewed determination, Livi brushed past him and began walking. She made her way around the tied horses and continued onward until she could hear the knights’ raised voices.

“We have to go, Your Grace! We have to push through! We can’t afford to take another route!”

“It’s impossible. If just one of those rocks falls, we’ll all be buried alive. If you’re so eager to go, go alone, but don’t drag your comrades into certain death.”

“Your Grace!”

Hawthorne and Dominic were in the middle of a heated dispute. Hawthorne was pleading desperately, practically ready to drop to his knees, but Dominic showed no signs of changing his mind.

“Everyone, mount up. We’re taking the long way around.”

“Your Grace, please, please, Lorena is—”

“Do you expect me to order my knights to risk their lives just to save your fiancée?”

Dominic cut him off coldly, turning his back on Hawthorne. As he stared at Dominic’s retreating figure in despair, his eyes suddenly fell on Livi, who was standing behind them. His face twisted with fury, and in an instant, she became the focus of his rage.

Hawthorne pointed a finger at her. “F*cking hell… It’s all because of her!”

All at once, every knight turned to look at her, their eyes piercing her as daggers.