If I was Going to Regret It Anyway

“……”

 

“…As I said before, it wasn’t me who was regrettable from the start. I accepted your proposed contract purely out of goodwill. If you don’t keep your promise, I don’t have to either.”

 

Daryl was silent for a while. He went to the desk, picked up a cigar, and lit it. Soon, the smoke Daryl exhaled swirled and dispersed towards the ceiling.

 

“So, are you going to cancel the contract now? I must have warned you clearly at that time. Unless both parties agree, it is impossible to cancel the contract.”

 

“Strictly speaking, it’s not absolutely impossible.”

 

The prenuptial contract signed by Eleanor was legally drafted and concluded under the kingdom’s law. If the terms written in the contract were not fulfilled, a hefty penalty would be imposed. Daryl was certain that Eleanor would never be able to pay that amount, even if she hypothetically mortgaged the mansion in Loud.

 

Daryl stared at Eleanor.

 

“Do you know what you’re talking about?”

 

“Of course.”

 

“Even if you mortgage the mansion in Loud, you won’t be able to cover it all. Do you know that too?”

 

“As I said before, I have money.”

 

Does she have some reliable backing? The face of Benjamin Gallahad, whom he met at the palace banquet, crossed Daryl’s mind. According to the investigation, they were definitely not in a deep relationship. There was no way they could be. Nevertheless, he didn’t feel like she was bluffing without any basis.

 

[I hope you wouldn’t say things you don’t mean, even as a joke. For the sake of the future Duchess.]

 

When he recalled Benjamin’s words, a bitter taste filled his mouth. Tsk. Daryl clicked his tongue in a small sound.

 

“What do you want?”

 

“From now on, I would appreciate it if you do not decide and handle matters related to me unilaterally. If you need to get involved, please consult with me in advance.”

 

“Is that all?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Are you sure? It would be difficult if you stab me in the back like this again, so if you have anything you want, say it all now.”

 

At Daryl’s words, Eleanor hesitated for a moment, then opened her mouth again.

 

“…If possible, I would appreciate it if you could refrain from harsh words or actions.”

 

Daryl’s eyes narrowed.

 

“What?”

 

“Even if it’s a formal marital relationship, I want to maintain a relationship where we respect each other. So, I hope you can refrain from actions like the other night… or today.”

 

“How do you determine whether it’s harsh or not?”

 

“A common sense line is enough. Just avoid saying things that a husband wouldn’t say to his wife in public.”

 

Daryl looked at Eleanor, tilting his head slightly.

 

“That seems to depend on you, not me.”

 

“…What do you mean?”

 

“I mean, my words were harsh because you provoked me both then and today. If you don’t provoke me in the future, there won’t be such a thing.”

 

“…”

 

“If you have a sense, avoid me when you think I’m annoyed. Then you won’t have to hear unpleasant things. The probability will be a little lower if you don’t bother me early in the morning or late at night.”

 

“I didn’t come at this time because I wanted to. It’s because it’s hard to see your face if it’s not this time.”

 

“Talk to Philip and make an appointment in advance.”

 

Eleanor made a face as if it was absurd.

 

“I’m the one who’s going to be your wife. What’s the point of living in the same mansion and making an appointment—”

 

“What did I just say? Don’t you know what it means to be considerate?”

 

Daryl raised his voice in annoyance.

 

“……”

 

“If you keep your line as a wife, I won’t have to be harsh.”

 

Eleanor didn’t say anything. She just stared at Daryl quietly.

 

“Then I’ll take it that there are no more requests.”

 

Daryl extinguished the cigar in the ashtray and rang the bell to call the butler.

 

“Send someone to Mr. Palmer’s house and tell him to come right away because there is something urgent to modify in the previous contract.”

 

At his words, Eleanor’s eyes widened.

 

“It’s already past eleven. It’s enough to modify the contract tomorrow afternoon.”

 

“How do I know if the words will change overnight?”

 

“I won’t change it, so do it tomorrow. It’s not right to call an elderly person at such a late hour.”

 

Daryl looked at the young butler, who was hesitating and looking around, with cold eyes.

 

“What are you doing? Why aren’t you going?”

 

“Daryl.”

 

Despite Eleanor’s restraint, Daryl finally called the lawyer in charge of the Duke’s house. He was reviewing the newly drafted prenuptial contract with additional clauses.

 

“Increase the penalty for breach of contract to ten times the original.”

 

“…What?”

 

At Daryl’s words, Eleanor opened her eyes wide and looked at him. It was already an amount that was close to the annual budget of the Duke’s house, and now it was ten times that. It was an amount that Eleanor could never afford, no matter what backing she had.

 

“Or you might bluff like earlier.”

 

“There won’t be such a thing. I don’t change what I’ve said once.”

 

“Then it doesn’t matter even more. It’s going to be a meaningless clause anyway. Mr. Palmer, please modify it as I said.”

 

“……”

 

The lawyer glanced at Eleanor over his glasses for a moment, and when he confirmed that she didn’t say anything else, he picked up his pen.

 

****

 

Empress Theodora was not in a good mood from the morning. Things that would normally not bother her were annoyingly on her nerves. Even the maid in charge of makeup seemed to be particularly time-consuming with her rouge today. She knew it was because her complexion had worsened due to recent sleepless nights, but it was annoying.

 

“That’s enough.”

 

At the unexpectedly cold voice, the maid looked at her with a roll of her eyes. That was also annoying, so she ended up sending everyone out for a while.

 

She knew very well why she was feeling uncomfortable. It was because she was scheduled to meet the prospective Duke and Duchess of Griffith today.

 

In fact, she didn’t suddenly feel down on the day. She had been disturbed since the schedule was first set. If one thought about it, it was something that started when she heard the news of the Duke’s marriage, no, in fact, when Frederick Lloyd, the former Duke of Griffith, left the world.

 

Frederick Lloyd, the former Duke of Griffith, was a man who every woman of his generation would have held in her heart at least once. Theodora was no exception. There were many handsome men in the social world, but there was no one like Frederick.

 

His beauty stemmed not only from his appearance, but also from his noble and dignified attitude. He was taciturn but not cold, intelligent but not arrogant. Despite his status and wealth, he never looked down on others or treated them rudely.

 

Theodora had been designated as the future queen even before she made her debut in society. Therefore, Frederick was a person she could never have from the beginning. Considering that many young ladies were tormented by the hope of a future with him, it could be seen as a fortunate thing.

 

Theodora was a dignified and elegant girl, but strictly speaking, she was not a beauty. She was more mature than other girls of her age, and she was more attached to what she didn’t have than what she had.

 

Theodora thought she was too plain to stand next to Frederick. Therefore, even when other young ladies surrounded Frederick and rushed to talk to him, she just watched from afar.

 

Then, the day she first spoke to Frederick, Theodora still couldn’t forget it even after decades.

 

That day, Theodora accidentally dropped her glove while walking. It happened to be near Frederick. The moment she turned around and made eye contact with Frederick, her face turned red with embarrassment.

 

–Dropping your belongings on purpose while passing in front of a man you’re interested in was a bold move that only very bold women would make. 

 

She was worried that he would think she was seducing Frederick without any shame, even though she was already engaged. Theodora was about to run away from the spot. That’s when it happened.

 

[Lady Humphreys.]

 

At the voice coming from behind, Theodora stiffened and stopped in her place. Frederick slowly turned around to face Theodora and bowed his head to her.

 

[I apologize for my lack of attention, causing me to be unaware of your passing and committing a discourtesy. Please forgive me.]

 

It was when Theodora was just wide-eyed at the incomprehensible words, Frederick held out the glove she had dropped.

 

[You dropped it when we bumped into each other just now.]

 

[Oh…]

 

Then she seemed to understand. Frederick had intended to take her dropping the glove as his mistake. Even though their clothes hadn’t even brushed against each other, he said they had “bumped into each other” out of consideration. After apologizing once again, he left Theodora.