ILMCHAMB Chapter 16

Chapter 16

“Th-that was before the wedding. It was just casual meetings. I was planning to focus only on you after we got married, Beloni.”
“And?”
“What?”
“And what do you expect me to do about that?”
His gaze swept over me again.
Earlier, it felt like he was assessing my appearance and figure, but now it seemed like he was examining what I was wearing.
“…If you come back, I’ll take you back.”
The words were so off-putting that I lost all interest in engaging with him.
I stifled a sigh and turned to leave, but Ian continued speaking.
“Since it’s come to this, why not stay at the ducal house for a while longer? And when you leave… how about taking some things with you?”
“You’re truly insane.”
There was no other explanation for such an absurd proposal.
Judging by his flushed face, he seemed to realize it too.
“B-but the count’s house is in serious trouble! And it’s all because of you. Do you know how much money my mother spent to bring you in? Even with those disgraceful rumors, you’re probably the only person who could still command such a high price for marriage.”
“Those disgraceful rumors… your mother spread them.”
I couldn’t hold back anymore at his patronizing tone.
“Don’t acknowledge me again. Of all the things exchanged between the marquisate and the count’s family, I haven’t benefited once. Handle it yourselves.”
Before leaving, I looked at Ian with a mixture of pity and disdain.
“Let me give you some advice: wake up from that delusion. Why would I leave someone richer, more handsome, and kinder than you to settle for someone like you?”
“Wh-what are you saying…!”
Ignoring him, I walked over to Marina.
Marina, who had been on edge since Ian appeared, hurried over to me.
“Are you alright, miss?”
“Yes. Let’s head back.”
Marina kept glancing back at Ian nervously as we walked.
Since I needed to remain discreet for this outing, we used a plain carriage.
But even the “plain” carriage was so luxurious that anyone would assume it belonged to a high-ranking noble. We had parked it in a quiet alley to avoid attention.
As soon as I stepped into the carriage, I leaned back against the seat and let out a sigh.
“…Hah…”
Ian’s words replayed in my mind, making me sigh again.
I pressed my temples to ease the throbbing headache, then noticed Marina watching me with concern.
“Miss… are you going to tell His Highness about this?”
Before I could answer, Marina hurriedly added,
“Maybe it’s better not to say anything?”
“Marina.”
“I mean, His Highness doesn’t seem like that kind of person, but… who would believe you just happened to run into a man you almost married?”
Since Marina overheard parts of my conversation with Ian, she could vouch for my innocence.
The real problem was that I had left Noselle behind today, which made Marina worry that Shanur might not believe my account.
“Of all days, today, without Sir Noselle, we bump into him,” Marina fretted.
I reached out and gently patted the back of her hand.
“Marina, don’t worry too much. I’ll handle it.”
“Miss…”
“You said you trust me, didn’t you?”
“Of course!” Marina nodded firmly.
Her unwavering eyes filled with trust made me smile.
“I trust His Highness too. We’re not in an ordinary relationship; ours is based on mutual exchange. Trust is essential in such a relationship. How could I deceive him?”
As I spoke calmly, Marina’s stiff expression started to soften.
“…I don’t know much about His Highness, but since you trust him, I will too. I’m sorry for almost making things harder for you.”
“It’s alright. You helped me realize something important.”
And I meant it.
I had been unsure about telling Shanur everything, but Marina’s words solidified my decision.
I had trusted someone before and been betrayed. That kind of pain was unbearable, and I didn’t want to inflict it on anyone else.
‘Though I don’t know if he truly trusts me…’
At the very least, I trusted him. I couldn’t bring myself to lie to Shanur.
Once I made up my mind, I felt at peace. I mentally replayed my conversation with Ian to commit every detail to memory. As soon as we returned to the ducal estate, I went straight to Shanur.
Since the formalization of our arrangement, Shanur had emerged from his seclusion. To be precise, he no longer lounged in robes all day and even kept his chambers well-lit.
The now lively ducal estate no longer felt unfamiliar to me.
“Miss, you’re back?”
Rosalyn greeted me with a warm smile.
“Rosalyn, where’s His Highness?”
“He’s in his office.”
I thanked her with a nod and headed to the office.
Since Marina was still visibly anxious, I sent her to rest in her room.
When I arrived at the office door, I took a deep breath, preparing myself.
Just as I raised my hand to knock, the door suddenly opened.
“Y-Your Highness?”
Startled, I stepped back. Shanur gave me a curious look.
“You were just standing there. Weren’t you planning to come in?”
“Oh, I was. Let’s go inside.”
Shanur stepped aside to let me pass, and I quickly entered the office and took a seat.
“How was your outing? Did you get any reactions?”
“It was a huge success. Everyone seemed to be carrying the latest ‘society scandal’.”
Starting with a light conversation, I began to relax. My racing heart gradually calmed, and I barely noticed Shanur watching me.
“I have something to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“I ran into Ian today.”
“Ian Beckham?”
Shanur’s brow twitched.
At first, I felt nervous, but once I started speaking, the words flowed naturally.
“Yes. It seems he thought the news of our engagement was fake. When I told him it was true, he got angry and told me to come back to him. He even claimed I was just a pretty face and would only ever be your mistress.”
“He said that?”
“Yes?”
“He said you’d only ever be my mistress?”
Shanur’s expression twisted with anger, and I realized I’d recounted everything like a tattletale.
It hadn’t occurred to me how it might sound until I saw his reaction.
“Ah, yes. He did say that, but…”
“Where should I start?”
I blinked at the unexpected question, and Shanur spoke in a low voice.
“Which limb should I cut off first?”
“Uh…”
Unsure if he was serious, I stammered, “Maybe… the groin?”
Shanur chuckled.
“Ah, I almost forgot that part. Then, the groin it is.”
Confused by his reaction, I hesitated. Shanur muttered faint curses under his breath before noticing my awkwardness and softening his expression.
“Go on. Was there anything else that annoyed you?”
“Ah, well, he suggested I stay at the ducal house longer and… take a few things when I leave.”
The memory of Ian’s shamelessness made me want to disappear into the ground.
I was mortified. I had nearly married this man, even spent five years with him in my past life.
How could I have settled for someone like that?
I fidgeted with my hands as I finished explaining.
“I told him there was no chance and to stop deluding himself. I don’t know if he’ll take it to heart, though…”
“It doesn’t matter. Once his groin and other parts are cut off, he’ll understand.”
I dismissed his words as empty threats and lightened my tone.
“At least he knows our marriage is real now.”
“And why does that matter?”
I looked up instinctively.
Shanur’s face was stern, almost displeased. His tone unsettled me.
“That was inevitable. Whether Ian Beckham knows or not isn’t as important as how you feel about it.”
How do I feel?
His words puzzled me, and I couldn’t make sense of them.
Before I could look away, his hand reached out, cupping my cheek. His cool palm gently brushed against my skin.
“Beloni.”
He called my name.
“Look at me.”