Benjamin felt something hot stirring in his chest. He was a person who rarely got angry, but it was different when he witnessed something unreasonable.
Eleanor had done nothing wrong. Even if her existence was the result of an affair, she was not the one who committed the affair.
But why should she bear that sin? Why should she give up all the life that ordinary people naturally enjoy, and live alone in that small mansion? Benjamin couldn’t accept it.
He wanted to go back to the Townsend mansion right away and tell Eleanor.
That she doesn’t need to do that. That she can be proud. That she has the right to be happy.
But in the end, he couldn’t say those words even after four years.
He spent several nights thinking about all sorts of things when he heard that Eleanor was getting married to Daryl Lloyd. Even so, he concluded that he should support her if it was her choice. So, if Eleanor regains what she lost and gets the same happiness as others, he should bless her.
But it was too hard to keep that resolution. Especially after meeting Daryl at the royal palace banquet a few days ago, and seeing how he was treating the woman who was to be his wife.
Such a person couldn’t possibly protect Eleanor from all the rumors that followed this marriage. Isn’t he leaving her alone right now? On the day of the wedding, leaving the bride alone. Especially when she’s not in good health.
The anger he felt four years ago was quietly boiling inside Benjamin.
What made him most angry was his own powerlessness. Then and now, Benjamin couldn’t do anything for Eleanor. Knowing that his desire to save her was just his own greed, he couldn’t reach out rashly.
So Benjamin didn’t make Eleanor look pitiful with premature sympathy, or make her uncomfortable with an approach that put his feelings first. Because it was a denial of the life Eleanor chose.
Eleanor certainly gave up a lot of her life. But she didn’t give up everything. There was an important role Benjamin played in protecting her world. He decided to be satisfied with that role.
Yes. He was definitely thinking that way.
But.
“Viscount Brooke.”
Eleanor spoke cautiously.
“Yes, Miss Townsend.”
“…Now, I’m the Duchess of Griffith.”
She smiled awkwardly. He felt a faint pain spreading in his chest at her expression. Benjamin clenched his lowered hand.
“Thank you. I’m much better now, so you don’t have to worry anymore.”
Eleanor bowed her head slightly. Considering her character, this was quite a clear farewell. Normally, he would have left by now, if not much earlier. But he couldn’t do that now.
“I understand what you’re saying, but I can’t leave someone who’s unwell alone.”
“…It’s nothing. I’m fine now. Really.”
“Weren’t you about to faint just a moment ago? You won’t know until you see a doctor.”
“There’s no need for that. I don’t want to make a big deal out of it.”
“…You being sick is already a big deal. Why don’t you understand that?”
“…Viscount Brooke.”
Eleanor called Benjamin in a low voice. Her eyes were filled with desperate refusal. Benjamin struggled to suppress his fluctuating emotions.
“…At least go inside and rest for a while.”
“No need to worry. My husband will be here soon. If I just go in without saying anything, he’ll worry.”
Worry? If Daryl Lloyd was the kind of person who would worry about his wife, he wouldn’t have left her alone on such a day, at such a place. But he couldn’t say that in front of Eleanor, so he just clenched his mouth shut.
Eleanor’s eyes widened slightly.
“Daryl.”
Following her gaze, he turned around and saw Daryl Lloyd standing there.
***
“Look at this.”
Daryl’s lips twisted with contempt. It was the way back after emptying the whiskey bottle that had about half left. He didn’t expect to see the two of them standing together as if they had been waiting for him while he was away for a moment.
Seeing them standing side by side made him feel even more sick to his stomach than he thought it would.. Was it because he had just married her today, even though it was just a sham? Or was it because he was drunk? Or was it because of the nonsense that Moore had been spouting?
Whatever it was, one thing was certain. Daryl felt so disgusted that he couldn’t bear it.
“Where were you? Lady Jennings has gone to find you for me. Did you happen to meet her?”
Eleanor approached and put her hand on Daryl’s arm, asking. Daryl wore a fake smile, pretending not to know anything, as if he was looking down on her, was contemptuous.
‘If that’s what you want, I can’t refuse to play with you.’
“No, I didn’t meet her. Were you waiting for me?”
Daryl raised his hand and touched Eleanor’s cheek. Her small face was completely covered by his hand, and a bewildered look crossed her face.
Daryl swept Eleanor’s hair back and ran his hand over her cheek, ear, and the area below her neck. Eleanor’s shoulder trembled, and her skin turned pink.
Benjamin Gallahad’s gaze at Daryl was full of hostility. Daryl enjoyed that look and grabbed Eleanor’s waist, pulling her towards him. Perhaps because he was drunk, he put too much force into it, and Eleanor stumbled and leaned on Daryl, putting her weight on him. Daryl didn’t let go of her and pressed her against his side. He had thought she was skinny, but she felt quite plump and soft.
“Daryl.”
Ignoring Eleanor’s awkward voice, Daryl turned to Benjamin as if he had just discovered him.
“Aren’t you Viscount Brooke? Thank you for coming. Wait, did I invite you?”
“…….My father was invited. I accompanied him here.”
“For that matter, I don’t see Count Reuben. Is it an unspoken agreement between the father and son to pretend not to know each other when enjoying their drinks?”
At the highly insulting remark, Benjamin’s expression turned cold. At the same time, Eleanor’s sound of swallowing her breath could be heard.
“Daryl, why are you doing this?”
Daryl ignored Eleanor’s words again.
“I didn’t know that Viscount Brooke was acquainted with my wife. I thought she didn’t know any other men because she lived so cautiously all her life. Was I mistaken?”
“I was just by the Duchess’ side because she seemed unwell. You keep making baseless assumptions.”
“Baseless? Do you know what I know and still say that?”
“……”
Benjamin’s gaze wavered slightly. Daryl wore a cold smile.
“I’m not such a narrow-minded person. I have no intention of interfering with my wife’s pre-marital life. But from now on, it’s different. I don’t want to see a greenhorn who doesn’t know his place hanging around my woman.”
“Daryl!”
Eleanor turned pale and grabbed Daryl’s arm.
“I only met Viscount Brooke for business. He bought a few paintings from the mansion. Today, as you said, he was just worried about my health. So please don’t say anything rude to him anymore—”
“What’s wrong with your health…?”
Daryl looked at Eleanor indifferently.
“Do you have any health problems? You look fine to me.”
“…I’m fine now.”
“That’s convenient.”
Eleanor’s face turned red. Benjamin gritted his teeth.
“She really wasn’t well. She almost fainted.”
“It’s touching that you’re so worried about my wife. But as you can see, she’s fine now, so you don’t need to worry anymore. If it’s about buying and selling paintings, you can go through my dealer from now on, so I guess there’s no need for you two to meet personally anymore?”
“……”
“Why aren’t you answering? Is what I’m saying wrong?”
“No. You’re right.”
Eleanor interjected in a calm voice.
“I won’t have any personal meetings with the Viscount in the future.”
“……”
this trash was openly having an affair with that opera singer but his wife selling paintings to a man is where he draws the line. Although it was him who wanted her to marry him but its a need for her to be “clean” for his pride while he can roll around with women any time he wants
I couldn’t agree more with this one comment, I’m intrigued to see how the author make the redemption arc of this undoubtedly trash. I never feel so so mad about some male character no matter how much of an assh*le he is until this one pops out. Maybe it’s because the fact that there IS Daryl in this world breathing the same air as me as i type this and it rage me so much just to remember that fact. Eleanor deserve better.