Chapter 32: A Relationship Gone Awry
“What do you mean… ‘That’s impossible’?”
Michael’s certainty unsettled her—she hadn’t even admitted it was a lie yet, and he was already denying it.
Did she get pregnant in that other life he mentioned? If so, it wouldn’t be strange for him to believe she wasn’t infertile.
‘Maybe… the cries I keep hearing are because of that.’
Come to think of it, she had only started hearing the cries after meeting Michael.
‘From his actions alone, it doesn’t seem like our relationship was particularly bad in that life.’
Michael gave a small shake of his head before meeting her gaze.
“It’s nothing. Go on, Estelle.”
“…Yes, it was a lie. I made it up to avoid my engagement to the Crown Prince. As expected, the engagement was called off, but I ended up facing another hurdle instead.”
If she had known it would lead to an order to marry Michael, she would have thought of another way, no matter what.
‘It’s obvious he doesn’t want to be involved with me, so this just makes me feel guilty.’
Going to the Empress now and confessing that she had faked the medical report was out of the question.
“This is all because of me… truly.”
Now, he had no choice but to go through with the marriage because he couldn’t defy the Empress’s command.
And on top of that, she owed him a debt.
‘I never understood why he avenged me… but now I do.’
He was incredibly kind. He had no love for her, yet just because they were once married, he had taken revenge on her behalf.
The thought of burdening such a man with the shackles of marriage made her uneasy.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness. But I can at least promise you this—I won’t cause you any trouble. I’ll live quietly. Even if you take a mistress or have children with someone else…”
Estelle offered a solution. At the very least, it was a way to ensure he wouldn’t suffer from this unwanted marriage.
“That makes me angry.”
Honestly, it was understandable if he wasn’t satisfied with that answer.
As expected, Michael clenched his jaw tightly and raked his fingers through his hair.
‘So he grits his teeth when he’s angry.’
She thought to be careful not to upset him again in the future.
“…Yes, if I were in your position, I’d feel the same way. I understand.”
“What kind of wife tells her husband before their wedding that he can take mistresses and have illegitimate children?”
Michael had taken her words as an insult.
‘I wasn’t thinking. Michael must have struggled so much as an illegitimate child…’
She hadn’t considered his feelings at all. She should have thought more before speaking.
“I just… I just wanted to make things a little easier for you…”
“Three years. After that, I’ll divorce you, taking full responsibility. I’ll grant you a title so you can live comfortably.”
“…Wait. Did you just say divorce?”
Estelle was taken aback by his words.
She knew he didn’t welcome this marriage, but was he already thinking of divorce before it had even begun?
‘I wish he would tell me what he’s really thinking.’
She couldn’t understand why he was so quick to set an end date for their marriage.
“Our relationship was doomed from the start. I don’t want us to share the same misfortune.”
The same misfortune.
Was he referring to death?
If he had died in their previous marriage, if every ending he had experienced was a tragic one, it made sense that he was weary of it all.
“…Alright. Thank you for considering my situation. Even if it’s only temporary, I’ll be in your care.”
Even if it was only for a short while, she would do her best to be a good wife.
With those words, she swallowed her bitterness.
From then on, silence filled the carriage.
She didn’t know what to say, and Michael didn’t speak again either.
The air between them was so stiff that she could only stare out the window, anxiously waiting for their arrival.
At last, the front gates of Winchester’s duchy came into view.
Estelle declined his attempt to escort her and stepped out of the carriage alone.
“Please return safely, Your Highness.”
She stood still, watching until the carriage completely disappeared from view.
‘Oh… the necklace…’
She had felt it against her neck earlier, yet Michael hadn’t reacted to it at all.
That meant he had forgotten about the gift.
‘If it really meant something to him, he wouldn’t have left it by the lakeside in the first place.’
A strange sense of disappointment crept over her.
She shouldn’t feel this way. She had no right to.
But even knowing that, the weight in her chest didn’t fade.
—
Estelle was packing for her visit to the Count Madel estate.
‘If I head toward the station now, I can catch the 3 PM train.’
Through the window, she saw new furniture being carried into the duchy.
‘Everything’s slowly being replaced. By the time I return from the South, I’ll probably be staying in the west wing.’
This place—this wretched room where Melody had once poisoned her with snake venom—she despised even setting foot in it.
She was ready to leave with her packed bags when Lucas suddenly leaned in close.
“Move your face away, will you?”
Suppressing her irritation at the unwelcome proximity, she sighed.
“What’s with the suitcase? Where are you going?”
Lucas eyed her luggage with a sullen expression.
“Hey, are you deaf? When someone asks you a question, at least have the decency to answer.”
“I’m going to the Madel County estate. I’ll be staying there for a few days.”
She responded half-heartedly, annoyed by his persistence, and continued securing her luggage.
“You’re going to the South alone? Are you out of your mind? No, never mind that—this isn’t the time for that. You need to go to Father’s office right now.”
“Why?”
“How should I know? He’s furious, so watch yourself.”
Lucas grumbled before stepping aside.
‘He’s angry? Why?’
It didn’t matter. The delay in her departure was frustrating enough, and now she had to deal with the Duke of Winchester.
On her way to his office, she handed her luggage to a passing servant.
Knocking on the door, she stepped inside.
“How dare they!”
Lucas’s words hadn’t been an exaggeration—Duke Winchester was tearing apart a letter with sheer force.
Estelle bent down to pick up the scattered pieces of paper.
Michael Valderman, Prince. Estelle Winchester, Duchess.
Among the torn fragments, she could make out those names along with the Empress’s seal.
‘She officially sent the marriage proposal this quickly?’
She had thought they would at least be given some time. This was unexpected.
“You just tore up a letter personally written by the Empress. That’s treason, you know.”
“Are you joking with me right now?”
The Duke let out a sharp breath.
“This is about your marriage to Michael, isn’t it?”
“…How do you—? No, you already knew. You met the Empress yesterday, didn’t you?”
“Yes. It was a one-sided declaration, but I was informed.”
The Duke grabbed his jacket, as if preparing to storm out.
“You should have told me!”
“And what difference would it have made? If you’re planning to go confront her, don’t.”
“So you’re really going through with this marriage?!”
The Duke slammed his fist onto the desk, the sound ringing sharply in her ears.
“He may be illegitimate, but he’s still a recognized prince. Many would envy such a match. If you think about it rationally, this isn’t a disgraceful marriage.”
Michael wasn’t someone who would tarnish Winchester’s name or lower its standing.
And what did it matter if he was born out of marriage?
At the very least, he had royal blood—unlike an adopted daughter.
“…Of course you would think that. You’re close to him, after all.”
The Duke scoffed as he poured himself a glass of whiskey.
“This is beneath you. Beneath you. You could be the Crown Princess. No, you could marry someone even better. So why—”
The scent of whiskey hit her nose, making her stomach churn.
But more than that, it was the way he spoke—like a father concerned for his daughter—that truly unsettled her.
His objection wasn’t because Michael was illegitimate.
“I thought you wouldn’t care if I married a baron, or even a commoner.”
He was focused on who she married, not how it affected Winchester.
“A baron? A commoner? Hah.”
“When did you become such a devoted father?”
“…Estelle. I know I’ve wronged you. If this is your way of retaliating, then stop. You don’t have to go through with it.”
A laugh escaped her lips before she could stop it.
It was almost amusing how he thought she was doing this out of spite.
“Michael is my best option. If I have a choice between the best and the second-best, wouldn’t it make sense to choose the best?”
She made it clear—his opinion had no bearing on her decision.
“Once I’m married, I won’t return to Winchester unless absolutely necessary. Aside from the dowry, you won’t have to provide any further support.”
The dowry was just a formality. If she divorced Michael, it would return to Winchester anyway.
“Shouldn’t this be good news for you? You’ve always wanted me gone.”
“…Estelle.”
How many times had she heard it growing up?
That she should never have been born.
“Father!”
At that moment, a bright voice interrupted.
“Oh? Sister, you’re here too?”
Melody entered, tucking her light brown hair behind her ear.
A dazzlingly innocent smile on her lips.
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