If I was Going to Regret It Anyway

Refusing was not difficult in itself. But she didn’t want to. They were people Daryl invited without consulting Eleanor, but they were undoubtedly her relatives. Even if they had never been in contact all their lives, and even if it was a contractual marriage of only one year, the fact that those with the name Townsend attended this wedding had meaning in itself. Because there would still be those who doubted Eleanor’s origin even at present.

 

Of course, that didn’t mean she was going to hand over the jewels she received from Daryl as Annabel wanted. If she had to use Daryl’s money, she would have refused outright. But Eleanor could afford that amount.

 

Moreover, there was a possibility that the couple’s circumstances were difficult. Then it wouldn’t be bad for her, who had the means, to give.

 

“Aunt, then I…”

 

When Eleanor, who had made up her mind, opened her mouth again.

 

“How much is it?”

 

Surprised by the sudden voice, she turned around, and Daryl had already entered the room.

 

“…Daryl.”

 

At Eleanor’s murmur, Robert and Annabel changed their complexion and stood up from their seats.

 

“Your, Your Grace.”

 

“Tell me. How much do you need?”

 

Daryl walked slowly with a blank expression. Eleanor stood up and blocked the couple who didn’t know what to do and was rolling their eyes in disbelief.

 

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.”

 

But Daryl lightly pushed Eleanor away and sat down where Eleanor had been sitting.

 

“So, how much is it?”

 

“…Your Grace, actually, we…”

 

Daryl, who was blankly staring at Robert, who was stuttering in dismay, turned to look at Philip standing by the door.

 

“Bring the checkbook.”

 

At his words, the couple’s eyes widened. There was a coexistence of anxiety and anticipation in their wandering eyes.

 

Daryl wrote an amount on the check, tore it off, and pushed it in front of the couple.

 

“Is this enough?”

 

“…!”

 

Annabel checked the check and swallowed her scream with her mouth shut.

 

“Your, Your Grace, we didn’t mean to…”

 

“Is it not enough?”

 

“No, no way! How dare we, we are too much even for this…!”

 

“Then I’ll take it as you’re satisfied. Philip, paper.”

 

Daryl wrote something on the paper that Philip brought with graceful handwriting. Not only the couple, but Eleanor was also looking at him with an inexplicable face.

 

“Read it and sign it.”

 

“What is this…”

 

“It’s a pledge. In exchange for receiving this money, you will never approach my wife again.”

 

A silence flowed as if the temperature around had dropped a few degrees in an instant.

 

“Daryl.”

 

Ignoring Eleanor’s call, Daryl continued his words.

 

“Sign it. Then I’ll give it to you right away.”

 

“Your, Your Grace. We didn’t mean to, we just wanted to attend Eleanor’s wedding as a few relatives…”

 

“Do you mean you don’t need it?”

 

When Robert closed his mouth, Daryl reached out for the check. He held the ends of the check with his long fingers, ready to tear it at any moment. Then Robert’s complexion changed.

 

“Wa, wait a minute!”

 

Daryl stared at Robert with his head tilted. Robert, with trembling hands, picked up the pen and took it to the signature line of the pledge.

 

But Annabel grabbed Robert’s hand.

 

“Give us double.”

 

She said with a determined expression.

 

While Robert was speechless and staring at his wife with wide eyes, Daryl gave a cold smile. He wrote a new check and flicked it with his finger towards Annabel. After confirming the amount on the check, Annabel signed the pledge and had her husband sign it too.

 

Daryl took the pledge, glanced at it, and handed it to Philip.

 

“Tell the butler that the guests are leaving.”

 

“Yes, Lord.”

 

Daryl got up from his seat and left the room. Annabel carefully put the check in her bosom, grabbed her husband’s hand, and followed him. Robert looked back at Eleanor a few times, but soon disappeared outside the door.

 

****

 

That night, when Daryl returned home, Eleanor was among the servants who came to greet him. Daryl passed by as if he didn’t see her, but Eleanor followed silently.

 

“Daryl, let’s talk.”

 

After the door closed and they were left alone, Eleanor spoke.

 

Daryl turned his back and didn’t answer. He loosened his tie and unbuttoned his vest.

 

“Daryl.”

 

“What do you want to talk about? If it’s not important, I’d like to do it next time. I’m tired.”

 

“It’s important.”

 

Finally, Daryl turned towards Eleanor. As he unbuttoned the cufflinks on his left and right sleeves, he spoke in a flat tone.

 

“Then go ahead. As short as possible.”

 

“Why did you do that during the day?”

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

“Why did you send my guest away without any discussion with me?”

 

“Your guest?”

 

Daryl looked at Eleanor with narrowed eyes.

 

“Do you really think so? That they are your guests?”

 

“…”

 

“They came for my money. They crawled all the way here, smelling the crumbs they could lick.”

 

Despite the deep contempt, there was hardly any emotion in his voice. As if it wasn’t worth it. Eleanor bit her lip lightly.

 

“…Your words are too harsh. They are my relatives.”

 

“Surprising. Do you still want to treat those guys as relatives? They didn’t even attend your mother’s funeral, and they left you alone knowing that a young girl was living alone. But as soon as they heard that you were getting married to the Duke of Griffiths, they rushed over and started talking about money.”

 

Despite the sarcastic criticism, Eleanor did not break. She stared at Daryl with strong eyes.

 

“Even so, they are my aunt and uncle, and the fact that they came to attend my wedding does not change.”

 

“So?”

 

“I should treat them as guests. Because it’s the right thing to do.”

 

“Do you still talk about righteousness even though they don’t know such a thing?”

 

“It doesn’t matter who the other person is. Righteousness is followed to maintain one’s dignity.”

 

The corner of Daryl’s mouth twisted slightly. He was suddenly annoyed. He couldn’t understand why she was so annoying.

 

Daryl knew very well about the kind of people like the couple during the day. He too had seen countless leeches clinging to him, waiting for an opportunity to suck his blood. It wasn’t for nothing that he made them write a pledge. He knew that the same thing would happen several times in the future if he left them alone.

 

‘So she should be grateful to me. Not arguing with such nonsense.’

 

He couldn’t understand why she was criticizing him for turning red and arguing over such a thing, when she smiled as if nothing had happened when he vented his anger and cursed.

 

“So, what were you going to do if I didn’t interfere? Were you going to take off that necklace and give it to them?”

 

The pearl necklace was still hanging around Eleanor’s neck. Daryl hadn’t missed the woman, who was said to be Eleanor’s aunt, looking at the necklace with greedy eyes.

 

“Don’t tell me you’re deluded that the jewelry bought with my money is yours because you’re wearing it.”

 

At the cold ridicule, Eleanor’s face turned red with embarrassment.

 

“I never intended to give the jewelry. I have money too. I could have handled it myself, even if you hadn’t interfered,”

 

“How much of your mother’s inheritance, which you don’t even know how much is left, were you planning to give? Do you think they would have been satisfied with that?”

 

“I could have handled it sufficiently. And it was something I had to do.”

 

“No, you couldn’t.”

 

“Daryl.”

 

“Those parasites will never let go of a sucker like you. Do you think I would let those lowly creatures hang around the Duke’s house in the future?”

 

“…I would never have bothered you. So please leave my affairs to me from now on. Even if you feel the need to get involved, at least consult beforehand—”

 

“Who do you think you are?”

 

“What?”

 

His irritation had already reached its peak a long time ago. Daryl spat out his words.

 

“It seems you’re deluded that you’ve been a lady for a few years in that anthill-sized house, but this is the Duke of Griffith’s house. I’m the owner of this house and I make all the decisions. All you have to do is do as I say.”

 

“…”

 

Eleanor’s face lost its color. Daryl took off his vest with a rough touch and threw it on the sofa.

 

“Stop bothering me and get out.”

 

Eleanor didn’t move from her spot.

 

“I told you to get out.”

 

Daryl glared at Eleanor threateningly. But Eleanor didn’t even blink. There was a calm but definite anger flickering in her blue eyes.

 

“Didn’t you promise to respect me as a contractual partner?”