If I was Going to Regret It Anyway

“No, it’s nothing.”

 

Anthony mumbled with a smile. Despite the smile on his lips, his gaze at Edith’s portrait was icy cold.

 

[Why? Why mother, why! Why?]

 

Despite his tearful reproach, his mother just stared at him with an empty, hollow look. She spoke in a faint voice.

 

[…Because I couldn’t bear it if I didn’t do that.]

 

“Lord Jericho?”

 

“Ah, yes.”

 

Eleanor looked at Anthony with a puzzled look. Anthony hid his expression by pretending to drink tea.

 

“…I ended up recalling unpleasant memories.”

 

A bitter taste spread in his mouth. Did I steep the tea too much?

 

“Are you okay?”

 

“Yes? What is it?”

 

Anthony put on a playful smile again and looked at Eleanor. Eleanor still looked puzzled, but she didn’t pry any further.

 

‘By now, she should have slowly come over.’

 

From experience, most women would naturally lean on him if he gave them such obvious hints. Whether they were virgins, unmarried, or married, it was all the same. In fact, this was the first time he had put so much effort into a woman.

 

Of course, he realized at their first meeting that Eleanor was not an easy opponent. So he planned to patiently and slowly woo her.

 

The fact that he was her husband’s brother seemed like a barrier at first glance, but it was also an advantage. Most noblewomen, especially those of high status, were bored with their daily lives and thirsty for stimulation. That’s why there were so many adulterous relationships in society. The thrill of breaking a taboo was hard to escape once tasted.

 

Moreover, Eleanor had been left alone since the wedding, and she was not even allowed to go outside the mansion. By now, her body should have been hot from loneliness and idleness. Why isn’t she showing signs of falling for his seduction?

 

Perhaps the biggest problem was that he missed the opportunity on the wedding day. Who would have known that Benjamin Gallahad would steal the initiative?

 

‘That guy was unusually sharp.’

 

Even Daryl seemed to be excessively restraining Benjamin. There might have been another way to get back at his brother by using him.

 

Of course, that was a matter to think about later, and the first thing was to find a way to conquer Eleanor.

 

‘…Maybe the approach is wrong?’

 

Eleanor was quite conservative among the women Anthony had met so far. He seemed to remember hearing that breaking down psychological barriers was the top priority for such a calm woman.

 

“By the way, what do you like, sister-in-law?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“I mean hobbies. What did you usually do to pass the time before you got married?”

 

At Anthony’s question, Eleanor hesitated for a moment and then answered.

 

“I often… read books.”

 

“Books? Like poetry or novels?”

 

“Yes.”

 

As expected, it was a boring hobby.

 

“So, do you still read a lot when you’re alone?”

 

“No. I don’t have many books. The few that Lady Jennings brought me are all…”

 

“Huh? Then, haven’t you been to the library in the mansion?”

 

“Huh? Was there…something like that?”

 

Eleanor tilted her head slightly.

 

“Yes. There’s one built as an annex next to the north garden, didn’t you know? Well, it’s a place where no one usually goes, so it’s not surprising…”

 

Upon hearing that, Eleanor’s heart suddenly pounded. In fact, she had been regretting not bringing a book from home while spending many idle days. It was because she didn’t want to create any distance that could be caught, even if it was a very small thing.

 

After the wedding, she had been alone almost every day, and she thought that it might have been better to bring her painting tools.

 

Building a library, not just a study, was indeed like a grand duke’s house. If she could borrow books from there, she was excited that she might be able to spend the remaining 11 months more happily.

 

“Then, since it came up, would you like to go together? I will guide you personally.”

 

Anthony stood up from his seat as if it was a decided matter. Eleanor was surprised and widened her eyes.

 

“No, it’s okay. You don’t have to do that.”

 

“You don’t need to refuse. The weather is nice outside, so let’s take a walk in the garden. I’ll have the maid prepare an outer garment.”

 

“Really, it’s okay, Lord Jericho. I appreciate the thought, but I’ll decline.”

 

Eleanor declared clearly with a slightly raised voice. Anthony frowned his handsome eyebrows.

 

“Why? You said you like reading books.”

 

“That’s true, but I think I should ask him for permission first. I don’t think it’s appropriate for you and I to go to such a secluded place alone.”

 

“It’s okay. My brother may seem a bit petty, but he’s not narrow-minded enough to get angry over such a trivial matter. And if you’re worried about other people’s eyes, you can just bring a few servants.”

 

Eleanor quietly shook her head. Her expression was soft, but her eyes were filled with a strong will.

 

It was when Anthony sat down again with a disgruntled look. Someone opened the slightly ajar reception room door and came in.

 

It was Layla. She frowned when she saw Eleanor and Anthony sitting face to face.

 

“What are you doing now?”

 

It was a voice full of discomfort.

 

“Can’t you see? We’re having tea.”

 

“I’m asking you. Answer me.”

 

Layla ignored Anthony’s answer and spoke again. The posture of turning completely towards Eleanor seemed to declare that she would treat Anthony as if he didn’t exist.

 

Eleanor stood up with a bewildered expression.

 

“Miss Layla.”

 

“I’m asking you if you think this is appropriate behavior as a duchess! Answer me!”

 

“Hey, Layla.”

 

Anthony approached Layla and reached out his hand. But before his hand could touch Layla’s shoulder, she jerked back as if startled.

 

“……”

 

Layla glared at Anthony with clenched teeth. Anthony withdrew his hand at her glare.

 

“Miss Layla. There was absolutely no misunderstanding. Lord Jericho and I were just having tea together…”

 

“A misunderstanding?”

 

Layla interrupted Eleanor’s words with a snort.

 

“I’m telling you that it’s inappropriate for the two of you to be in a confined space.”

 

“What do you mean confined space? The door was clearly open. And what else is inappropriate? Are you saying I’m going to do something bad to my sister-in-law?”

 

Anthony spoke with a somewhat wronged expression.

 

‘Even if I did, there would be nothing strange about it.’

 

Although she wanted to confront him, Layla had decided to treat Anthony as if he didn’t exist for the rest of her life.

 

“Was I wrong? If I was wrong, then refute me!”

 

Layla raised her voice, glaring at Eleanor.

 

“…”

 

Eleanor was silent for a moment with a calm face, then bowed her head to Layla.

 

“No, Miss Layla is right. I was careless. I’m sorry.”

 

“Sister-in-law! No, why is sister-in-law apologizing? We were just having tea and chatting! Layla, stop nitpicking!”

 

Anthony exclaimed incredulously.

 

“No. As Miss Layla said, it doesn’t matter what we actually did. The problem was that we created a situation that could be seen as inappropriate by others. It was inappropriate behavior for a married woman.”

 

Her expression and voice were so serious that they felt solemn. At her momentum, Layla hesitated and took a step back.

 

“Well, I’m glad you know…”

 

“Thank you for pointing it out. I will make sure that this never happens again.”

 

Eleanor spoke with emphasis on each word. Layla mumbled nervously, avoiding Eleanor’s gaze.

 

“…I see.”

 

“Therefore, Lord Jericho, let’s avoid having tea time like this in the future. Of course, I will always respond if it’s a gathering with other family members like him or Miss Layla.”

 

“…”

 

Anthony looked back and forth between Eleanor and Layla with a grimace on his face.

 

“Then I’ll go back to my room now. I’m sorry I can’t see you off, Lord Jericho. See you later, Miss Layla.”

 

Eleanor greeted each of them in turn with a posture that was beautiful enough to be straight and upright, and then left the reception room through the opposite door leading to the Hibiscus Room.

 

And only the two siblings were left.

 

‘…I was planning on giving a sharp rebuke at this opportunity, but why do I feel like I was used instead?’

 

Layla bit her lip. Anthony looked at Layla.

 

“Hey, Layla…”

 

By then, Layla was already leaving the reception room. Anthony glared at the slamming door and clicked his tongue.

 

He had a bad taste in his mouth. He felt like he wouldn’t feel better unless he got drunk and held a woman today.