章 280: Gone

The men left early the following morning without fuss over their departure. If the King or duchess made a big show of it, their plans would be foiled. 

While Duchess and Duke de Montclair didn't want to separate from one another, they had a firm understanding and could only move forward with that. 

Desmond got rid of all signs that he was a duke by wearing commoner clothing that lacked color and putting on leather-covered metal shoulder armor to look more like a mercenary than anything else. The final thing to do was remove his sapphire wedding ring. 

Leonor waited for him at the door and, she held his hand tightly, her sapphire eyes that matched the ring so perfectly began to water. 

"I don't want to do this," she whispered. 

Desmond knew she was still tired. It was well before the sun would rise because they needed to leave with as little eyes on them as possible.