章 123: Pride

Leonor didn't know if she took more than three breaths for the entire sword fight. 

As the men seemed to dance around one another, pulling decisive jabs that seemed barely blocked each time, Leonor's knuckles turned white as she gripped the stone wall and stood in front of her chair.

She could feel herself trembling but it wasn't because of the temperature. She was horrified at the thought of her husband being gravely hurt. 

It had occurred to her many times that Desmond was all she had in that world. Her father wouldn't take her back if she, for any reason, lost the title of duchess. 

Even if Stephano let her in during an emergency, she knew that palace life would be stifling for her. She would rather join a nunnery than be put in those conditions. 

He gave her the most protection and care. His gentle nature was the reason her heart started turning towards him. To see a sword being jabbed at him was horrifying.