If I was Going to Regret It Anyway

Daryl left the mansion right after that. Normally, they should have left for their honeymoon today, but his schedule was packed with work for the time being. Eleanor was honestly relieved. The thought of traveling alone with Daryl was uncomfortable.

 

There was another visitor for Eleanor that morning. It was Marianne.

 

“Was everything okay yesterday? You didn’t fight with the Duke, did you?”

 

“No, nothing like that happened. You don’t have to worry.”

 

As expected, Daryl’s harsh words to Benjamin had become quite a topic among the guests. She was worried that it might have negatively affected Benjamin’s reputation more than the rumors about her.

 

Perhaps her feelings showed on her face. Marianne said, “It means that the Duke loves Eleanor, so it’s a good thing,” and smiled. Knowing that she was trying to ease her worries, Eleanor also smiled.

 

“So, how was your first night? Was the Duke as splendid at night as he was during the day?”

 

Marianne asked in a whisper, covering her mouth with her hand. Eleanor could only laugh it off.

 

She was grateful to Marianne in many ways. The few hours she spent learning bridal lessons from her every day for the past month meant a lot to Eleanor. Not only was Marianne the only person she could talk to in this huge mansion, but her unique bright and cheerful energy also helped Eleanor from being consumed by depression.

 

Thinking that it would be hard to see Mariane from now on made her feel lonely and sad. But Eleanor tried her best not to show it.

 

Even though her official duties were over, Marianne said she would like to continue being friends.

 

“See you at the next party.”

 

After leaving those words as her last greeting she winked charmingly with her teary eye.

 

When she returned to her room after seeing Marianne off to the entrance of the mansion, an unexpected third visitor was waiting for Eleanor.

 

“Let’s talk.”

 

It was Layla.

 

****

 

Layla was staring at the teacup in front of her.

 

“Thank you. You can leave now.”

 

“Yes.”

 

At Eleanor’s words, the maid put down the tea set and left the room. Even after the door closed, Layla didn’t lift her head or open her mouth.

 

“Are you feeling better now?”

 

Eleanor asked cautiously. Then, eyes as black as Daryl’s stared back at Eleanor.

 

“Why did you lie?”

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

“About what happened last night! You told the maid that you did it!”

 

There seemed to be a small flame burning in Layla’s eyes.

 

‘…She looks like her brother, but she’s actually the opposite.’

 

Eleanor corrected her thoughts internally. Daryl’s eyes were never this warm, never revealing his emotions so openly. They were like a glacier. Ice that would never melt until the end of the world, bitterly cold.

 

“I thought you wouldn’t want it to be known.”

 

“That doesn’t mean I wanted you to take the blame! Why did you do something I didn’t ask for?”

 

“…..”

 

Eleanor lowered her eyes without a word. Layla bit her lip slightly.

 

“Don’t you mind being slandered for something you didn’t do?”

 

At Layla’s question, Eleanor almost let out a bitter laugh. Her question seemed to represent her life.

 

“I can’t say I don’t mind.”

 

“Then why did you do it?”

 

“Because I thought there was nothing worse that could happen.”

 

“Nothing worse? What if it gets to my brother’s ears, your… your husband, thinking he made such a…such a disgrace…”

 

Layla’s cheeks turned red. She closed her eyes tightly.

 

“…I would rather die!”

 

Eleanor, who had been looking at Layla with wide eyes, eventually smiled faintly.

 

“I’m fine.”

 

“What’s fine? Don’t you have any sense of shame?”

 

“Daryl hates me anyway. So there’s nothing worse that can happen.”

 

“…….”

 

Layla opened her eyes and looked at Eleanor. But there was no hint of sarcasm or self-mockery in her expression. It was just a calm, matter-of-fact statement. As if saying the sky is blue, and the sun rises from the east.

 

“So don’t worry too much. It wasn’t a big deal to me.”

 

“……”

 

Layla, who had been staring blankly, frowned again.

 

“No. That can’t be.”

 

“Why?”

 

“How can you not care about being falsely accused? I’m not such a shameless person!”

 

The pride and integrity of a noble lady could be felt in her trembling voice. Eleanor couldn’t help but admire Layla.

 

As she herself had just said, it was something that could make an eighteen-year-old girl want to die of shame. Despite this, Layla didn’t cover up the incident. She thought it was wrong to falsely accuse someone, even if it was someone she hated.

 

Eleanor thought Layla was wonderful. And she wondered what it would have been like if they had met differently. If that incident hadn’t happened. If she had made her debut in society like other noble ladies, could they have been friends?

 

“Then please help me next time.”

 

“…What? What do you want me to help with?”

 

“Anything is fine. If you feel indebted to me for this, please do me a favor next time. Even if it’s a very small and trivial thing. Even if it’s so small that I won’t notice, it’s okay. Then, please forget about this.”

 

“…….”

 

It seemed like a thousand thoughts were going through Layla’s head. She bit her lips, then suddenly stood up.

 

“…I will definitely repay the debt. Even though it’s a favor I didn’t ask for, I can’t just let it go.”

 

Layla left Eleanor’s room. At the sound of the door slamming shut, Eleanor shuddered slightly. She held the still hot teacup in both hands.

 

Layla walked down the hallway with a stern expression. The eastern section of the mansion where Eleanor’s room was located was mainly used for servants’ quarters and storage. The room was spacious but had been left vacant since before Layla was born. It was only hastily wallpapered and furnished with new furniture just before Eleanor moved in.

 

Although it was decorated decently on the surface, it was practically an isolation zone in terms of location. Being on the outer edge of the building, it was much colder than the other rooms. Her room was like a remote island in the vast Chatsworth House.

 

Of course, she wasn’t feeling sympathetic about the situation now. After all, it was Layla herself who had confined Eleanor to that room.

 

After returning to her room, Layla immediately called for the head maid, Matilda.

 

“How’s the construction in the Hibiscus Room going?”

 

A look of surprise crossed Matilda’s face, as if she knew well what Layla was asking.

 

“If we start working properly, it can be finished within a day.”

 

“Then make sure it’s done today.”

 

“…..”

 

Matilda was silent for a moment.

 

“Are you really sure?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Alright.”

 

Matilda bowed and left the room.

 

The reason why the Hibiscus Room was never empty due to renovation work was undoubtedly because Layla didn’t want to hand over her mother’s room to Eleanor. She planned to keep it that way until her older brother spoke up. If possible, she wanted that woman to leave this mansion, at least until next year.

 

Layla wondered if she would regret this decision later. Maybe she would. But it was still okay. It was better than owing something to that woman.

 

The overwhelming relief in her heart right now must be because of that. Layla believed so.

 

****

 

“It’s been a while since you came, but it seems like you’re not in the mood.”

 

Esmeralda spoke while lying naked on the bed. She was casually shaking her long and smooth legs back and forth.

 

Daryl didn’t visit Esmeralda often. At most once a week, usually once every two weeks. Of course, he didn’t have a naive belief that he was the only man in her life. But it was also true that he was a busy man.

 

When Daryl visited Esmeralda, he persisted until his desires were completely satisfied. Of course, he didn’t always move as he pleased, but he didn’t consider the woman’s situation either.

 

Even if she tried to run away on her knees, he eventually grabbed her and forced her legs open. After being intensely explored three or four times, she didn’t have the strength to even move a finger. Her voice was so hoarse that she couldn’t even sing properly the next day.

 

But today, for some reason, it ended with just one time. It was the first visit since Daryl’s marriage. Therefore, she couldn’t help but be aware of his new wife’s existence.

 

“Is it because you feel sorry for your wife?”