If I was Going to Regret It Anyway

The anger in Benjamin’s eyes was mixed with a poignant light. Daryl chuckled as if to say, listen.

 

“Well done. Shall we go? There are many people to introduce you to.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Daryl tried to turn around with Eleanor’s shoulder. But Eleanor pushed Daryl’s hand away with a surprisingly strong force for her frailty. When Daryl frowned and looked back, Eleanor was bowing to Benjamin.

 

“Thank you very much, Viscount Brooke.”

 

As always, it was a perfectly upright, and therefore beautiful, goodbye. Benjamin was silently watching her with a heavy gaze.

 

Daryl clicked his tongue and grimaced roughly.

 

****

 

Cecilia had been dealing with important guests in place of Daryl, who had been away from his seat for a while. It was a gathering of well-known figures in politics and business. At this point, it was closer to the network of the previous Duke of Griffith, Frederick, than Daryl’s. It was not an exaggeration to say that today was the first occasion to officially inherit his network.

 

‘But where on earth is he on such an important day, this child.’

 

There were too many parts about Daryl that she didn’t like these days. She knew that he was bound to be inferior to Frederick because he had his mother’s blood, but she acknowledged his business ability. She was worried about the future of the Duke’s family if he was like this already.

 

It was the same the other night. She just thought that she should educate the girl who came into the Duke’s house without any roots. But then he got so angry that veins bulged on his forehead just because she was his wife. Frederick was also deeply in love with Edith, but he never persecuted Cecilia like this because of her.

 

She was furious thinking of that day. If only Frederick had been alive, he would never have allowed her to suffer such humiliation.

 

Toby approached, wiping his forehead with a handkerchief. The handkerchief was already soaked with his sweat and was stained.

 

“This is endless. Do you still not know where Daryl went?”

 

Toby Atley, the Earl of Crawford, was shorter and more petite than his wife, Cecilia. He was as small and petty as he looked. Now, in Daryl’s absence, he was playing the role of a stand-in host, helping Cecilia.

 

He must be sweating, dealing with the core figures of the country that he wouldn’t dare to speak to normally. Cecilia glanced down at her husband with a contemptuous look.

 

“Daryl? Watch your mouth. He is now the rightful head of the Duke of Griffith. He’s not someone you can casually call by name.”

 

“Well, from my point of view, he’s still a young nephew… Well, I understand.”

 

Toby grumbled in a small voice, then shrank under Cecilia’s sharp gaze.

 

“Just stand by my side. You don’t need to say anything unnecessary.”

 

“……”

 

Toby wiped an indescribable part of his body with his damp handkerchief again. It was disgusting and annoying to watch. Cecilia turned her gaze away from her husband with a stern face.

 

“Oh, there…”

 

“I told you not to say anything.”

 

“That’s not it. There’s Daryl… I mean, isn’t that the Duke of Griffith?”

 

The direction Toby pointed to was where Eleanor Townsend had been standing. When she turned around, she saw Daryl grabbing her and pulling her away. It looked as if he was trying to separate her from the man she had been with just a moment ago. Cecilia frowned without realizing it.

 

Eleanor had been left alone, rejected by her husband, and didn’t know what to do. It was embarrassing for the Duke’s family, but she thought it was a good opportunity to correct her habits, so she deliberately left her alone.

 

In the meantime, a young man approached Eleanor. He seemed to be a man without any manners or decency, but it seemed that the two knew each other.

 

‘She’s just imitating what she had learned from her mother. That’s why a lowly blood…’

 

She was dizzy thinking about the gossip people would make. How much time would it take to make that girl at least look like a human being? It might be impossible even if she spent a whole year on it.

 

Daryl was brazenly quarreling with that man, and even grabbed his wife’s wrist and left the banquet. It was an unbelievable sight, even though she saw it with her own eyes.

 

Even if that lowly woman could do that, she didn’t expect Daryl, the host of this wedding and the one who inherited Frederick’s name, to behave like that in front of the guests.

 

“What on earth is this…”

 

“Be quiet.”

 

Cecilia scolded Toby, who was opening his mouth without any sense. Toby closed his mouth again.

 

All of this was that woman’s fault. She behaved like that because she didn’t know what kind of place this was and how much of a fortunate opportunity she had gotten.

 

Thinking about it, it was the same at the banquet. Daryl was never a child who easily raised his voice and got angry. The cleaner and purer you are, the easier it is to get dirty. Because that lowly woman was by his side, even Daryl was tainted by her.

 

Cecilia gritted her teeth. Her knuckles turned white as she clenched her fist.

 

****

 

Contrary to what he had said earlier, Daryl did not introduce Eleanor to anyone. He ignored the people who came to talk to him and dragged Eleanor out of the banquet hall.

 

“Daryl, it hurts. A little slower—”

 

Eleanor complained of pain while her wrist was being held, but it seemed like Daryl didn’t hear her. It wasn’t until they reached their bedroom that Daryl let go of her hand as if throwing it away. Eleanor cradled her throbbing wrist, marked red by his grip, with her other hand.

 

“…What are you doing now? There are still so many guests left, and you didn’t even ask for permission—”

 

“You said you were in pain. Is it a problem to let my sick wife rest?”

 

“……”

 

Ignoring Eleanor’s gaze, which seemed to be blaming him, Daryl rang the handbell.

 

“Bring some alcohol. Herbert will know what kind.”

 

“Yes, sir.”

 

The maid bowed her head and went out.

 

“You seem to be quite drunk already, wouldn’t it be better not to drink more?”

 

“It’s none of your business.”

 

Daryl started to take off his jacket and loosen his tie. Eleanor stiffened slightly.

 

“Aren’t you going back to the banquet hall?”

 

“Can’t you see?”

 

“They are here to celebrate our wedding. It’s only right to treat them properly.”

 

“The servants will take care of that. There’s plenty of food and drink, so there shouldn’t be a problem.”

 

“Daryl.”

 

“Don’t make a fuss. The ceremony is over. I’m getting tired of clowning around.”

 

“……”

 

Today was Eleanor’s wedding day and also the day she first entered society. If she had been a normal debutante, she would have been introduced to others among other girls of the same status, or led by her mother or another chaperone.

 

But Eleanor’s situation was different from the norm. Since she had already accepted her husband and become the Duchess, the only person who could introduce her was Daryl. Of course, Cecilia could have done that role instead, but she also deliberately left Eleanor alone in the banquet, pretending not to see her.

 

In the end, Daryl had no intention of acknowledging Eleanor as his wife. Without being introduced to Daryl’s friends, important connections, or their wives, Eleanor would not be able to play the role of Daryl’s wife in society in the future. She had only had a wedding, but she was treated no differently than a concubine.

 

She knew it. She knew it clearly.

 

Eleanor clenched the hem of her dress with her lowered hand. She felt a sudden disgust at her appearance, which was only superficially decorated.

 

Soon, the maid returned with a tray containing whiskey, ice, and a glass. Daryl poured a drink and took a sip. As he replenished the alcohol, he felt a little relieved from the tension.

 

Daryl glanced at Eleanor. Since she entered this room, she had been standing still in one place.

 

“How long are you going to stand there?”