If I was Going to Regret It Anyway

“Your Highness the Crown Prince, I am moved that you think so highly of me.”

 

At Daryl’s words, Aaron narrowed his eyes.

 

“Does it sound like I’m mocking you?”

 

“Of course not. Don’t you know how firmly I support Your Highness the Crown Prince?”

 

“…”

 

“I have always supported Your Highness the Crown Prince, and I will continue to do so. So please stop this event at all costs. If you do, Griffith will firmly support the royal family during your reign.”

 

It was what he had said concerning Eleanor before, asking him to prevent her from being summoned by the Emperor. It sounded nice to declare support, but it was essentially no different from a threat. There was no doubt that he had just mentioned it to remind him of that time.

 

‘If Eleanor Townsend is so precious, why don’t you make her your woman again? Why are you stubbornly making things difficult?’ 

 

Frankly, from Aaron’s point of view, it was a hard thing to understand. He couldn’t understand why the Emperor and Daryl were so obsessed with a woman.

 

Aaron swallowed his complaints with a bitter face.

 

“I have to go now. I have another official duty.”

 

“Thank you for your precious time. I will visit you soon.”

 

Daryl bowed politely. Aaron clicked his tongue lightly and left the lounge.

 

****

 

When Daryl hurried back to the reception hall, he saw Layla and Joshua. Layla was standing close to Eleanor, having a conversation.

 

Seeing this, a relieved look crossed Daryl’s face. As he walked towards Eleanor, he heard hurried footsteps following him from behind.

 

“Master.”

 

It was Herbert. His expression was even more urgent than when he had been looking for Eleanor earlier.

 

As soon as he saw his face, Daryl had a hunch that something bad had happened.

 

“What’s the matter?”

 

Herbert brought his mouth close to Daryl’s ear and whispered a few words. Upon hearing the story, Daryl’s eyes sharpened.

 

“Keep an eye on Miss Townsend. If she comes looking for me, tell her I’m still with the Crown Prince.”

 

“Yes, Master.”

 

Daryl turned on his heel and left the reception hall.

 

****

 

Daryl rode his horse towards the main gate of the Duke’s mansion. After about five minutes of riding, he saw a group of guards gathered at the gate. The guards, hearing the sound of horse hooves, turned around and bowed their heads in unison when they recognized Daryl’s face.

 

“Duke.”

 

“Oh, you’ve finally come out.”

 

The owner of the grumbling voice was none other than Anthony.

 

He was firmly held by three guards. His eyes were bloodshot and his face was flushed, indicating that he was almost drunk. Despite this, he was dressed quite stylishly. However, due to the scuffle with the guards, even that was in disarray.

 

“These bastards should all be cut off, bro. No, I came to our house, but they’re blocking me from entering. Today is Layla’s wedding. Can I be absent from my only sister’s wedding? Isn’t that right?”

 

Anthony spoke in a slurred voice. Then he twisted his body as if he was furious.

 

“Ah, let go! Let go! My brother is here! I want to talk to my brother!”

 

But the guards did not let go of Anthony, who they held tightly. Daryl also didn’t seem to have any intention of letting him go. He opened his mouth in a low voice.

 

“What is this disgrace, Anthony?”

 

“Ah, why. What did I do. It’s Layla’s wedding! I came for the wedding. I’m her brother. But why can’t I go in? Huh?”

 

“You should know the reason best.”

 

“What?”

 

“Have you forgotten what you did four years ago?”

 

“…”

 

Daryl spoke with a blank expression.

 

“If you wanted to act like a brother to Layla, you should have come earlier, sober. Not crashing in drunk on the day of the wedding.”

 

At his words, Anthony’s face slowly crumpled.

 

“…What are you saying, you bastard…”

 

He began to struggle again, still held by the guards.

 

“What the hell, what! What did I do? Why is it only me! Huh? What’s so great about you? What’s so great that you’re only messing with me!”

 

“…”

 

“Do you know how I live these days? Everyone in the world knows that this house is brimming with money, so why do I have to live like a beggar like this!”

 

Daryl turned his head towards the guard standing next to him.

 

“Lock him in an empty warehouse, and send him back when he sobers up.”

 

“Understood.”

 

“Wait, where are you going? Where are you going! Brother! Hey!”

 

Leaving Anthony, who was screaming loudly, behind, Daryl got back on his horse and pulled the reins.

 

***

 

Eleanor left the Duke’s mansion around sunset. Originally, she planned to leave earlier. However, Layla kept holding her back, and it became this late.

 

[When we come back from our honeymoon, Eleanor will be gone to Wembury. Honestly, I don’t know when I’ll see you next…] 

 

[No. I won’t go down right away. I’ll be in the capital until Layla comes back from her honeymoon, so let’s see each other one more time then.] 

 

[Really? Really? You promised!]

 

Only after getting that promise did Layla let Eleanor go. In the carriage on the way home, Eleanor leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes slightly. It had been a long time since she had been in such a crowded place.

 

She was a bit tired and out of it, but her mood wasn’t too bad.

 

‘Sometimes this might be nice.’ 

 

As she recalled the events of the day, a quiet smile appeared on Eleanor’s lips. Eleanor enjoyed the pleasant languor, surrendering her body to the swaying carriage.

 

****

 

Anthony was sitting in a corner of the pub with a disgusted expression. Layla’s wedding day ended up being a big embarrassment.

 

Anthony, who was locked in the warehouse, screamed and raged until he finally fell asleep from exhaustion, and was only released the next morning. He didn’t see Daryl’s face, let alone Layla’s. It had already been four years since Daryl unilaterally cut him off. His money had long run out, and he had lost his mansion to a mortgage, and now he was living from house to house of his girlfriends.

 

‘…Damn it, even so. Is this something you do to your own brother?’ 

 

Honestly, he barely remembered why he went to the Duke’s library that day, or what happened there.

 

But strangely enough, his memory of meeting Daryl was very clear.

 

[Do you know the reason best? Have you forgotten what you did four years ago?]

 

It was clear that Daryl was so harsh on Anthony because of Eleanor. It’s been four years since the divorce, but still!

 

‘Damn it, if I really did something, it wouldn’t be unfair.’ 

 

What happened in the Duke’s library that day was a complete misunderstanding. But Daryl not only beat Anthony to death, but also cut off financial support.

 

‘Do you think I’ll let this go? Just wait and see. Now I really have nothing to fear. I’ll make you pay for making me like this.’

 

As Anthony vowed again, the face he had been waiting for appeared as the pub door opened. Anthony got up with a half-smile.

 

“Nora! Here, here!”

 

When he waved his hand, Nora’s eyes turned to Anthony. She adjusted her headscarf and came over quickly.

 

“Master, it’s hard if you keep calling me like this.”

 

“Why are you so upset as soon as you see me? Now, order. What do you want to drink?”

 

“I’m fine. I have to go soon.”

 

“Don’t say that. Two beers here, please!”

 

“…….”

 

Nora was avoiding eye contact with Anthony, looking away.

 

“Have you been well? Nothing happened, right?”

 

“If you have something to say, say it quickly. I have to go in.”

 

Nora spoke in a cold voice. Nora Walker was a maid who had been working at the Duke Griffith’s house for over 10 years, and Anthony had spent several nights with her.

 

When Anthony was still living at the Duke’s house, he noticed that the way she looked at him was unusual, so he casually threw a flirtatious remark and she easily fell for it.

 

‘She was so cute back then…’ 

 

She was a girl who was anxious about every word and action of Anthony’s, and acted as if she would die if she was rejected by him. It didn’t seem like that affection had completely disappeared over time. After all, she came out like this in the end.

 

“If you have nothing to say, I’ll go.”

 

“Wait. Wait a minute, Nora.”

 

Anthony hurriedly grabbed Nora’s wrist.

 

“I didn’t call you for anything in particular. I just wanted to see your face, Nora. One hour, no, 30 minutes is enough, so sit down for a while and go. Okay?”

 

“…”

 

Nora looked at Anthony with an incredulous expression. It was a determined look that she would never be fooled this time, but Anthony did not miss the slight chance that was still left in it. Just then, the beer arrived.

 

“Come on, come on. Take a sip first. You must have had a hard day at work today.”

 

“…”

 

Nora, who had been frowning without a word, sighed heavily. Then she reached for the beer glass. Anthony watched her with a beaming smile.