"Why would you say no?" Desmond asked.
He was the first to speak up at Leonor’s words.
His tone was confused, but he was trying to be supportive. The way she lit up whenever magic was rely ntioned made him believe what King Stephano was organizing would be a dream for her.
Since it would likely not happen imdiately, he thought she would be able to get a better handle on her duties to Montclair before being able to pursue this endeavor. He couldn’t think of a downside at that mont.
Quinn spoke up shortly after Desmond, feeling he knew of Leonor’s life with magic better than anyone.
"As one of the top mages of your graduating class, it would be a waste of your talents to remain stagnant and never put them to good use," the silver-haired mage explained. "Your abilities will lose their strength and your mana pool will decrease if it goes unused. The strength of your mana is what makes you an adept defensive magic user."
"For over six years I used my magic every single day," Leonor explained her position quietly and with an even tone. "I can still exercise my abilities even if I don’t take on such a title."
"Certainly, but why?" Quinn asked. "I was almost as certain as His Majesty that you would be eager to participate in this endeavor. Your dream was to beco a countess who put her magic to good use for the sake of the county. Now you have a more hefty title with even further reach. There are few mages in the Montclair duchy. You could be the precedent."
As Quinn beca more impassioned, he began to speak faster. He had to reel himself in, rembering who his present company was. While he could trust Leonor, he was unsure how a duke would handle his behavior.
He was practically untrained in front of nobles and knew that it showed. Since Leonor was there, he felt a bit too comfortable and knew he should try harder to leave a good impression on her husband considering he would be the key for Quinn to remain in contact with his forr mana partner.
Leonor looked between the two n and felt she was being sowhat ganged up on. She had been avoiding Desmond’s gaze after responding that she may say no to the offer being presented.
"Could I speak to his grace alone for a few monts?" Leonor asked Quinn.
The mage subtly glanced towards the food he had been enjoying during their discussion and Leonor held back a laugh.
"Take food with you before you go," she said.
He was soone who ate more snacks than als throughout the day. She always thought it was a wonder he wasn’t weak because of his food choices sotis.
Quickly, Quinn took one of the plates and went to the door.
"I will be in a sitting room," he said.
"Why not go to the library?" Leonor asked. "We’ll et you there later. A maid can escort you.
Just like Stephano, Quinn was soone who cared about very few things. Love didn’t suit him and he only had a heart for sleeping, reading, and magic. The sizable library Montclair Estate boasted would occupy him well.
The mage’s interest was imdiately piqued and his eyebrows rose. Leonor knew him alarmingly well.
"I will be there, your grace," Quinn said as he left.
When it was only Leonor and Desmond left in the room, he gestured for her to co close and she obliged by walking towards the couch he sat on and sitting right next to him. Her head rested against his shoulder and she hugged his arm. She wanted to talk seriously but needed his touch for a mont as she decided what she wanted to say.
Desmond brought his free hand to her cheek and he stroked it softly as he watched Leonor’s eyes go elsewhere in the room. She was deep in thought about sothing.
She eventually sighed and looked up at him.
"What are you thinking about?" Desmond asked.
Leonor sat up, letting go of his arm but reaching for his hand so she could still touch him while expressing her point of view clearer than if she were to remain leaning against him and relying on him.
"I am still learning about how to be a duchess that properly represents Montclair well," Leonor explained. "Lady Alma expressed that my desire to learn is a good trait but I must get better acquainted with noble society. I need to manage the household better. Duchesses manage staff and delegate work so the duke can focus on the duchy as a whole."
"I delegated the estate staff to Gideon so you wouldn’t be burdened," Desmond explained. "I want you to pursue things you’re passionate about rather than worrying about a position you didn’t ask for."
Leonor smiled sadly and squeezed her husband’s large hand.
"You run Montclair so impressively that you deserve soone equally as impressive at your side," she explained.
"Whatever you want to do, you can do," he assured her. "When you get a better handle on being the duchess, you will have more than enough ti for magic. It will help with the charitable endeavors of our house if you’re involved with educating mages."
"Being a duchess is not the entire reason I’m hesitant," Leonor admitted.
She beca sowhat shy and Desmond’s curiosity only grew.
"What other reason is there?" he asked.
"I don’t want to be away from Montclair," she admitted. "Four tis a year I will have to go to Coeurvalle and you don’t like going to the capital. On top of that, there’s also no guarantee that you’ll be able to go with considering the amount of work you have."
Desmond pushed off his hood considering it was only the two of them. He ran a hand over his head.
"I’m the reason you don’t want to do this?" he asked.
"Partially," Leonor admitted. "Our relationship feels so comfortable and new. You’ve just let in for the first ti. I don’t want to go backward."
She had to look away from him.
"Even this is too much," she confessed. "I want to go back to bed and cuddle with you all day and forget any responsibilities but I have to work to get to that carefree point of life."
Another thought occurred to her. Perhaps she would be even busier in the future. If they were getting physically closer to each other then one day...
"Won’t I have to give you an heir?" she asked. "Isn’t that the point of noblen having wives?"
"No," Desmond admitted. "You won’t. You don’t have to worry about that."
However, Leonor could tell that he was keeping sothing from her, and the trust they had been building felt fractured.
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