If I was Going to Regret It Anyway

It was a long-awaited ball. After dancing two songs in a row with Joshua, Layla was taking a breather with a drink.

 

Joshua, Earl of Sheppard, was the same age as Layla, and he was a male friend who got along as well as same-sex friends. However, perhaps because they had been together since they were very young, there was no consciousness between them as the opposite sex.

 

In other words, it was a relationship that was just right to make various excuses when needed. Today, Layla also set up Joshua as a shield to block the approach of other men. Of course, that was only until a moment ago. As soon as Joshua discovered the young lady, Nichols, whom he was currently courting, he ran straight to her.

 

“I’m sorry, I’m a bit tired and want to rest.”

 

Layla said to the man who approached her, showing a somewhat apologetic smile. This was the fourth man she had turned down today. She had been with Joshua for quite a long time, yet it still happened.

 

It wasn’t that Layla suddenly became popular. These days, it was always like this wherever she went. Among them, there was no one who was really interested in Layla herself and approached her. Everyone was full of thoughts to dig out the story of the Duchess, who was the topic on streets and alleys.

 

Since the wedding, Eleanor has been staying inside the Duke’s house. She only went out twice with her older brother. So, almost all the people in the social world were curious about what was going on and were anxious.

 

Of course, Layla knew. They were just a formal couple who had a contract marriage for a year. So, it seemed plausible that Daryl had no intention of letting Eleanor act as a duchess. Especially considering his personality that hates annoying and bothersome things.

 

But these days, her older brother’s mood was strange. A while ago, he suddenly bought a large amount of artwork, and he turned the building he used as a warehouse into an extraordinary gallery. According to the rumors among the maids, all of that was for Eleanor.

 

When she first heard it, she scoffed at it. But a few days ago, her older brother even asked Layla how Eleanor seemed to be doing these days! When she got angry saying that he should know and that she didn’t know, he got angry instead.

 

‘…It’s annoying in many ways, really.’

 

Layla frowned. After ‘that incident’ last time, she gave Eleanor the Hibiscus Room to avoid debt. Since then, she has been consistently familiar with her when she passes by. Have you had a meal? Are you going out now? The weather is not good today, etc. She accepted the words once or twice because it was too blatant to ignore, but she became more and more shameless when she was excited.

 

Even though they were just having a short conversation on a trivial topic, Eleanor seemed to be quite pleased. It wasn’t easy to say harsh words to her beaming face, asking if she was deluding herself and telling her not to talk to her in the future.

 

So, it’s been a few months since they’ve been in this awkward relationship.

 

A while ago, she found out that Layla was suffering from low blood pressure every morning, and she handed over a tea with a name she had never heard of, saying it would help alleviate the symptoms. She couldn’t just ignore it since she had received it, so she tried it a few times… Well, the taste wasn’t too bad.

 

‘Anyway, it’s annoying… really.’

 

Suddenly, when she looked around, Joshua seemed to be having a great time with the young lady, Nichols. She was thinking about going home soon.

 

“Princess of Griffith.”

 

At the sound of someone calling her, Layla quickly put on a social smile and turned her head. And it was when she was about to say the words of refusal that she had been repeating all day. Layla unknowingly widened her eyes.

 

The man in front of her was none other than Benjamin Gallahad, the Viscount of Brooke.

 

It was the first time he had approached Layla personally at such an event. Layla felt her heart pounding in an instant.

 

“…Viscount of Brooke.”

 

Layla raised her hands on both sides of her skirt and bowed slightly in greeting.

 

“It’s been a while since I’ve greeted you like this. Have you been well in the meantime?”

 

“Yes. Of course. And you?”

 

“I’ve been doing well too.”

 

Benjamin smiled quietly. It was a splendid smile that made her dizzy for a moment.

 

‘Is my face okay now? What about my hair? I must have sweated from dancing earlier. If I knew this would happen, I would have checked in advance…!’

 

Despite her elegant smiling face, Layla’s mind was filled with confusion and screams.

 

“Your usual companion is not here today.”

 

“Huh? Who are you talking about?”

 

“The Viscount Sheppard. You two seemed to get along very well.”

 

“No? Not at all!”

 

Layla unknowingly raised her voice and shouted. Benjamin’s brown eyes widened in surprise.

 

“Ah, that, that’s not it. Joshua…Viscount Sheppard and I are just friends. We’re the same age and we’ve had a lot of opportunities to hang out since we were young, so that’s all it is. He has a woman he’s interested in.”

 

She swallowed the words, ‘So do I.’

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Yes. That’s right. Just in case Joshua…Viscount Sheppard has a woman he’s interested in, it could be misunderstood, so please don’t say such things to others.”

 

“I understand. I’ll keep that in mind.”

 

Layla was busy thinking about how to answer if Benjamin asked if the Duchess of Griffith also had a man she was interested in. Fortunately or unfortunately, that didn’t happen.

 

“Miss…Lloyd.”

 

“Yes, Viscount. What can I do for you?”

 

“Is the Duchess…how is she doing?”

 

Layla’s expression froze with a smile on her face. It felt like cold water had been poured over her head.

 

Layla covered her faintly trembling lips with a cup, pretending to drink.

 

‘…That’s what it was. Well, it would be.’

 

Benjamin was the same as everyone else. There was no reason not to be. There was no other reason for someone who had never shown a bit of interest in Layla to suddenly show interest.

 

Come to think of it, Benjamin seemed to be very concerned about Eleanor at the wedding. He even came to her, a person she barely knew, and asked. Such a polite person.

 

She felt so sad that she felt like crying. Layla clenched her eyes and endured it.

 

“Miss Lloyd?”

 

“…Ah, yes. The Duchess. The Duchess. Yes, of course, she’s doing well. Very well.”

 

Despite her best efforts, she couldn’t prevent a hint of sarcasm from creeping into her tone.

 

“Is that so? I heard rumors that she hasn’t left the Duke’s house, so I was worried if she was uncomfortable. I heard that she even collapsed at the palace banquet a while ago…”

 

“Ah, that. Maybe it was because she was too nervous in an unfamiliar place. She’s very healthy and doing well at Chatsworth House every day. Every time I see her, her complexion is so good that it’s enviable.”

 

Upon hearing Layla’s words, Benjamin showed a faint sign of relief.

 

“That’s a relief.”

 

“…..”

 

Layla bit her lip lightly and pretended to drink water again.

 

“Then, is there any other special reason why she doesn’t go out?”

 

“…I’m not sure.”

 

Did she inadvertently speak coldly? Benjamin looked momentarily uncomfortable.

 

“I apologize. I was rude to ask about your family’s affairs that have nothing to do with me.”

 

“Oh, no. You can ask as much as you want. It would naturally be curious to others.”

 

However, Benjamin remained silent afterwards. Layla carefully opened her mouth, watching his reaction.

 

“There seems to be some people in the world who suspect that my older brother, the Duke, is preventing the Duchess from going out… That’s not the case.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Yes. They went out together not long ago. They even rented a private exhibition of Viscount Scopfield.”

 

“…I heard that story too.”

 

“Seeing how much the Duchess enjoyed it then, my older brother has since built a separate exhibition hall in the Duke’s house. I haven’t looked around yet, but I heard it’s a collection that won’t lose to Viscount Scopfield. My older brother cares for the Duchess that much. Seeing how good they look together at home, I’m even jealous.”

 

About half of it was a fabricated story. She said it hoping that he would give up if she said this, as it was also sad that Benjamin kept caring about Eleanor.

 

“…I see.”

 

But when she saw Benjamin lowering his eyes with a bitter expression, it hurt her heart in another way. Layla kept her lips tightly closed and kept silent with Benjamin.