If I was Going to Regret It Anyway

“Isn’t that it? Then what is it?”

 

“I’m not trying to negotiate with Your Lordship. I have nothing to ask of you. This is the absolute truth without a shred of falsehood.”

 

Truth, really? Although he couldn’t read the truth in Eleanor’s eyes, he also couldn’t read any falsehood. The only thing he felt was the fatigue from the tug-of-war with him.

 

‘So, she’s not going to reveal her inner thoughts after all.’

 

Considering Eleanor’s behavior six years ago, he had somewhat expected this. Daryl decided to use a different approach. If she valued justification, then he should target that.

 

“Didn’t you say you were grateful for the favor you received from my father? You also said you would never forget the share of the late Lady of Dashwood.”

 

“I did.”

 

“That’s exactly my father’s will. Our marriage. He went so far as to leave a crazy will saying that if we don’t get married, he won’t hand over the dukedom.”

 

“…”

 

His slightly raised voice was an intentional act, but as he spoke, his emotions really did get involved.

 

“Didn’t I say earlier whether I become a duke or not has to do with you? If you hadn’t been stubborn in the first place, none of this would have happened. If you had entered a suitable family as a daughter as my father arranged, if you had married normally like others, my father wouldn’t have had to come up with this crazy idea. Then I, as the rightful heir, wouldn’t have had to become a clown like this just to get the rightful reward I should naturally receive.”

 

“……”

 

Clown. Indeed, that was the case. There was no better word to describe his current situation. He was proposing to a woman who everyone in the royal court considered to be his father’s illegitimate child. There was no farce like this.

 

“Even if you don’t feel any responsibility for this situation, if your words of wanting to repay my father’s favor were sincere, you should accept this proposal. It’s the last wish of my father that you’ve repeatedly refused.”

 

Although there was quite a bit of sincere frustration in his words, the content was essentially forced. Appealing to moral responsibility was a method Daryl hated the most. Nevertheless, he said such words because he was confident that it would work on Eleanor.

 

Eleanor’s eyebrows twisted as if in pain. Although she had no intention at heart, she couldn’t ignore it morally, and her expression of conflict was almost a perfect act. At this point, it was more admirable than contemptible. He had provided her with the justification she wanted, so he just needed to push a little more.

 

“It’s just one year. Just maintain a marriage in name for exactly one year, and after that, you can return to being Eleanor Townsend as you wish. You have nothing to lose anyway, right? You said you have no intention of getting married in your lifetime, so you don’t have to worry about remarriage.”

 

Eleanor kept her eyes slightly downcast and remained silent for a moment.

 

“…Please let me think about it alone.”

 

It was an answer that was as good as an acceptance. His experience of having conducted numerous transactions told him so. Knowing that, Daryl got up from his seat without hesitation.

 

“Alright. Please do so.”

 

Eleanor escorted Daryl to the mansion’s entrance. As Daryl was about to leave after saying goodbye, Eleanor’s words stopped him.

 

“Do you remember the last thing I said to you six years ago?”

 

“You said you hoped we would never see each other again.”

 

“You remember.”

 

Eleanor’s eyes clouded over for a moment, then cleared again. She looked straight at Daryl and spoke.

 

“I’ve regretted it for a long time. I shouldn’t have said that. Could you forget it as a mistake of my immature days?”

 

Did she not want to leave any room for her mistakes to be criticized, even if they were from her younger days? Wanting to appear as a perfectly dignified and virtuous woman to others. Now, it seemed like Eleanor’s true nature was slowly revealing itself. Hiding his mockery, Daryl respectfully bowed his head.

 

“It seems we’re both to blame. I was rude back then too.”

 

“Then I’ll take it as your forgiveness.”

 

Eleanor bent her waist and said goodbye. Her manners were still as elegant as ever. Daryl left the mansion, glanced at the closed door for a moment, shrugged his shoulders, and turned away.

 

A few days later, Eleanor conveyed her intention to accept the contract.

 

****

 

Eleanor wanted to read the will herself at their next meeting. Daryl brought a lawyer so that Eleanor could read the parts that mentioned her directly. Eleanor stared at the will with narrowed eyes for a while, then sighed.

 

“So it was true.”

 

“Do you think I lied?”

 

“No. But it was a hard story to believe.”

 

“Shall we proceed with the contract now?”

 

Eleanor looked at Daryl for a moment, then said in a small voice, “Yes.” Daryl spread out the prenuptial contract on the table.

 

“You’ve read it before, but please check it again carefully. See if there’s anything you want to modify or add.”

 

While checking the contract, Eleanor glanced at the lawyer standing next to Daryl with a hesitant look.

 

“The reason I brought Mr. Palmer today is not just because of the will. He will be the notary for this contract. He’s been a dedicated lawyer for the Duke’s house since my father’s time, and he’s trustworthy, so don’t worry. Whatever conversation takes place here, it will never leak out.”

 

“That’s not it.”

 

“Is it because of item 11?”

 

Eleanor still looked uncomfortable, but soon seemed to give up and said, “…Yes.”

 

Item 11 of the contract was as follows:

 

‘During the one-year contract period from after marriage until divorce, Party 1 and Party 2 do not cohabit or have a marital relationship. This also applies to Party 2’s extramarital affairs.’

 

“Is there something that bothers you?”

 

“I’m curious why you included this clause.”

 

“It’s simple. If Miss Townsend were to get pregnant during the one year we’re maintaining this relationship, things would get complicated. Whether it’s my child or not.”

 

“Why isn’t Lord Grayson included in the latter part?”

 

“Why should I be included?”

 

At Daryl’s question, Eleanor looked a bit taken aback.

 

“Even if there is a deadline and the marriage is only in name, I believe that mutual respect as a couple is necessary.”

 

“Do you mean that my abstinence is a sign of respect for you?”

 

“I don’t think a husband blatantly having an affair can be seen as respecting his wife.”

 

“You mean I don’t have to get caught?”

 

“Lord Grayson.”

 

Daryl looked at Eleanor with one eyebrow raised. His long legs crossed slowly in the opposite direction.

 

“Or will you take care of my sexual needs?”

 

“…”

 

Eleanor’s mouth opened slightly. She, who was usually as poker-faced as Daryl, had a faint tremble in her eyes.

 

“Take care of? That kind of language…”

 

“As you just said, this marriage is merely a formality. There’s no reason for the usual marriage vows or obligations of a couple to apply. I included clause 11 for highly practical reasons.”

 

“…”

 

“Don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying I won’t respect you. I will respect you in my own way, strictly as a contractual partner.”

 

Eleanor looked down for a moment, then looked back at Daryl.

 

“…I understand.”

 

“Is there anything else you want to modify or add?”

 

“No, there isn’t.”

 

“Then please write the amount you want in item 7 and sign it.”

 

Eleanor picked up a pen, wrote something on the contract, and handed it back to Daryl. Daryl’s eyes narrowed as he checked the contract.

 

“There’s no number written in item 7.”

 

“I intentionally didn’t write anything.”

 

“Do you mean you want a blank check?”

 

“No, I mean I don’t want any money.”

 

Daryl looked at Eleanor as if he was seeing a rare creature for the first time.

 

“Are you really okay with that?”

 

“The reason I accepted your proposal, Your Lordship, is because I owe a debt to the late Duke. Receiving money as a reward wouldn’t be a repayment.”

 

“So you’re saying you’ll marry me without any compensation?”

 

“Yes. If you divorce me after a year as stated in the contract, that’s enough for me.”

 

Then it could be said that Eleanor gains almost nothing from this marriage. She could enjoy a luxurious and affluent life as a duchess, but only for a year. If that’s what Eleanor wanted, she would have sought ways to extend the contract period for more than a year.

 

‘Could it really be?’

 

Could it be that this woman had no ulterior motives in refusing my father’s aid all this time? Could she truly value an honorable and upright life more than money?