If I was Going to Regret It Anyway

The day of the palace banquet arrived. Eleanor took Daryl’s hand and climbed into the carriage. It was the first time they had gone out together and ridden in the same carriage.

 

Eleanor was wearing a dress with a blue hue, thin lace, and diamond embroidery. She wore a tiara on her braided hair, which was styled in a bun, and wore a diamond necklace and earrings to match her dress.

 

Eleanor had a blank expression with her eyes slightly downcast. She seemed like a completely different person from the woman who had been smiling at Daryl in front of the servants until the carriage door closed.

 

“You look quite reluctant.”

 

At Daryl’s words, Eleanor lifted her gaze.

 

“Usually, women going to a banquet look more excited.”

 

“This situation is not ordinary in any way.”

 

“Why is that?”

 

Eleanor looked at Daryl without saying a word. It was a look as if asking if he really didn’t know.

 

“Whatever it is, keep your displeasure within this carriage. Don’t do it in front of Her Majesty the Empress.”

 

Eleanor sighed softly.

 

“You don’t have to worry.”

 

“Well, you’ll probably handle it well on your own. You’re naturally good at making expressions you don’t feel in front of others.”

 

“…..”

 

Eleanor turned her head towards the window. It was an attitude that blatantly ignored him, and he was annoyed. Daryl frowned and turned his head towards the window on the opposite side.

 

After a while, they arrived at the palace. In front of the banquet hall, Daryl got off the carriage first and offered his hand to Eleanor. Holding his hand, Eleanor was wearing a warm and lovely smile, as if her cold expression just a moment ago had been a dream.

 

“Thank you, honey.”

 

Daryl suppressed his rising irritation with difficulty. The two entered the banquet hall arm in arm.

 

***

 

Empress Theodora was resting in a chair adorned with gold. She was a little tired after receiving numerous greetings since the start of the banquet. The weight of her high and ornate wig felt heavier than usual.

 

She called a servant to take away her almost untouched glass of wine.

 

“Is there anything else you need?”

 

“I’ve had enough wine. Bring me some water.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

Drinking water with a slice of lemon seemed to momentarily revive her with its sour stimulation. As she reclined slightly, she noticed a couple walking towards her.

 

“Your Majesty the Empress.”

 

It was Daryl Lloyd and his wife Eleanor. Theodora took off her gloves and extended her hand. Daryl and Eleanor took turns kissing the back of her hand.

 

“It is an infinite honor to be invited like this today.”

 

“I heard you’ve been quite reclusive, so I deliberately called you out. I hear your husband keeps you hidden at home because he cherishes you so much. Is that true?”

 

At the Empress’s words, Eleanor gave a troubled smile and looked at Daryl.

 

“At least it’s clear today that the rumor is not true.”

 

Daryl spoke in a dry tone.

 

“Well, that remains to be seen.”

 

Theodora spread her fan and hid her gaze behind it. Despite nearly two months having passed since Daryl and Eleanor’s wedding, their story was still the hottest topic in social circles.

 

Eleanor had not attended any social gatherings since the wedding. Various rumors were rampant about this fact. The most convincing story was the rumor Theodora had mentioned earlier.

 

Of course, Theodora was skeptical about this hypothesis. Knowing the background of this marriage, she thought it was unlikely that Daryl’s treatment of his wife stemmed from a fondness for her.

 

However, she was not 100% certain. This was due to eyewitness accounts of Daryl engaging in a nerve war with Benjamin, the eldest son of Archibald Gallahad, at the after-party.

 

When she first heard the story, she thought it was undoubtedly an exaggerated rumor. However, after similar reports came in from others, Theodora could not ignore it. The reason she invited the Duke and Duchess this time was because she wanted to confirm the truth.

 

‘But surely not, right?’

 

Daryl had not changed at all from what Theodora remembered. He still had a cold face, devoid of any hint of emotion. The same was true even though his wife, who had been married for only two months, was on his arm.

 

He probably thought there was no need to show off his wife, who would be divorced in a year anyway. Thinking this, Theodora felt a sudden pity for Eleanor.

 

Was she twenty-two? A truly blooming age. She looked very beautiful today, all dressed up. She should have found the perfect groom to match her beauty and should be at the peak of happiness as a young duchess by now.

 

It was true that she had felt a bit intimidated when she saw her before, simply because she was the daughter of Sylvia Townsend. But now, she saw her own youth in Eleanor before her. A loveless marriage, a hollow name, and a void life. But those lonely days when everyone else believed without a doubt that she was happy as the highest woman in the empire, not knowing that she was empty inside.

 

Surely, the only person who truly understood that she was a shell was herself.

 

“Hey, Daryl.”

 

At that moment, Crown Prince Aaron walked over. He was smiling broadly with his arms spread wide.

 

“I’m late, but congratulations on your marriage. I’m sorry I couldn’t attend the ceremony.”

 

“No, thank you.”

 

After shaking hands with Daryl, Aaron turned to Eleanor.

 

“Is this your bride?”

 

“Yes. Her name is Eleanor.”

 

“It is an infinite honor to meet you, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

 

Eleanor bent her knee in greeting. Aaron smiled faintly.

 

“As I’ve heard, you truly are a beauty. So dazzling that even if all the chandeliers in this place were gathered in one spot, they would shine less than you.”

 

“You flatter me, Your Highness.”

 

“Aaron. Why is Priscilla not with you?”

 

Priscilla was the name of the crown princess that Aaron had taken in a few years ago. At Theodora’s words, Aaron glanced at her and shrugged his shoulders.

 

“I don’t know. She must be somewhere. As you know, we respect each other’s freedom.”

 

“……”

 

Unfortunately, Aaron was a child who inherited his father’s disposition to be open about his lust. The only thing better about him was that he was more cunning and didn’t get caught easily.

 

“What do you think, Daryl? If it’s okay with you, I’d like to borrow your wife for a while.”

 

“…Do as you wish.”

 

At Aaron’s words, Daryl spoke expressionlessly.

 

‘Hmm?’

 

Feeling a strange sense of discomfort, Theodora narrowed her eyes.

 

“Then, madam, will you do me the honor of being your first dance partner tonight?”

 

Eleanor took Aaron’s outstretched hand.

 

“It is my honor, Crown Prince.”

 

Aaron and Eleanor moved to the dance hall. Daryl watched their retreating figures for a moment, then bowed his head to Theodora.

 

“Then I will also take my leave.”

 

“Just a moment.”

 

Just as Daryl was about to turn around, he looked back at Theodora.

 

“If you’re not too busy, could you keep me company until your wife returns? I’m getting old, and just standing for a while tires me out.”

 

“…Yes. I understand.”

 

As a sign of gratitude, Theodora gave Daryl a faint smile. It might be a misunderstanding, and the probability was high, but there was something she wanted to confirm.

 

Soon the music changed, and the men and women lined up in pairs on the floor.

 

The dance began. Aaron was famous for being a good dancer, but Eleanor, who was his partner, also moved without hesitation. She didn’t seem particularly skilled, but her dance line was pretty, so her eyes kept going to her.

 

Eleanor, who had turned a full circle in the opposite direction of her partner, hugged Aaron with her back to him. The moment their eyes met in close contact, Eleanor lowered her eyes. On the other hand, Aaron did not take his eyes off her side face, which was filled with a strange heat.

 

It was a look that she had seen enough of from her husband, Hector III, to get tired of. Of course, not towards her, but towards other women. Theodora took her eyes off them, feeling uncomfortable and disgusted. Then she looked at Daryl next to her.

 

There was no emotion in Daryl’s expression, as it had been all day. But only in one place, his pupils, were not like that. His gaze was fixed on Aaron and Eleanor as if nailed, emitting a cold and ominous light that made her shudder for a moment.