If I was Going to Regret It Anyway

‘Well, it can’t be said that there isn’t a single person like that in the world.’

 

Even my father was a person who pursued a life that did not contradict his reputation for being incorruptible. In fact, this marriage could be seen as a result of trying to fulfill my desires even after his death. The scandal surrounding Eleanor and her mother was the only blemish on Frederick’s record.

 

It didn’t matter. If Eleanor divorced cleanly a year later as she said, there was nothing more Daryl could ask for. Daryl put the contract in an envelope, sealed it, and handed it to the lawyer.

 

“The wedding will be expedited as much as possible. The will specifies a year from the date of the wedding. Our contract will also be executed on the same basis.”

 

“Yes. I don’t mind.”

 

“I’ll send someone soon. You can ask him all your questions about wedding preparations, and you can also charge him for necessary expenses.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Daryl got up from his seat.

 

“From the next time we meet, let’s drop the formalities.”

 

Eleanor obediently nodded her head at his words, which were practically a notification.

 

“In fact, I was surprised when you suddenly started speaking formally this time. You were informal when we first met.”

 

“I couldn’t be casual from a regrettable position.”

 

“So does that mean you’re not regretful anymore?”

 

“Do you want an honest answer?”

 

Eleanor stared into Daryl’s eyes and then shook her head.

 

“That statement alone seems to be enough of an answer.”

 

****

 

“Can’t you come on time?”

 

Daryl spoke, looking at Anthony who entered the reception room 30 minutes later than the promised time. His flat voice, almost devoid of intonation, was filled with quiet anger and contempt.

 

“Ah, sorry. Sorry. They wouldn’t let me go even though I had to.”

 

Ignoring the servant pulling out the chair for him, Anthony deliberately sat next to Layla. His body was filled with the smell of cheap women’s perfume.

 

Layla faintly grimaced and got up from her seat, taking the seat originally assigned to Anthony. Despite this, Anthony, without any sign of discomfort, smiled broadly and brushed his curly bangs.

 

The second son of the Duke’s family, Anthony Lloyd, was a man with a beautiful face and a slender figure that reminded one of a deer. Upon closer inspection, one could see that his sharp eyes and angular features were strikingly similar to his father and brother, but his personality was vastly different. Since reaching adulthood, Anthony had rejected all duties assigned to him and lived a life chasing only pleasure.

 

“My minute and second are worth far more than the time you waste in vain. If you continue like this…”

 

“Ah, I get it, I get it. That’s why I told you to just send a letter. If you’re so busy, why did you bother to set up this meeting?”

 

“Because it’s that important.”

 

“More than Father’s will? What on earth is it?”

 

Anthony had not even appeared at the opening of the Duke’s will.

 

“Oh, right. Since it came up, I heard things got quite interesting? Is it true that if you don’t marry that woman’s daughter, you won’t inherit the dukedom?”

 

Daryl didn’t answer. Anthony whistled. He leaned back in his chair and put his feet on the table.

 

“Wow, this is exciting! A play could be made out of this. A duke gone mad with illness, trying to marry his eldest son to his illegitimate child!”

 

“Put your feet down, Anthony.”

 

“Why are you being so fussy? Our father is gone now.”

 

“That’s why I’m saying this. This is my house now. If you don’t want to be kicked out, listen.”

 

Anthony smiled, lifting one corner of his mouth.

 

“Won’t care if I leave? You’re the one who called me here in the first place.”

 

“The moment you walk out that door, all support for you will come to an end.”

 

The smile disappeared from Anthony’s face.

 

His possession, the Jericho earldom, had been on the verge of bankruptcy for several years. Frederick had publicly stated during his lifetime that he had not a penny to leave to his profligate son, and indeed excluded Anthony from the inheritance. The only reason Anthony had been able to maintain his luxurious lifestyle was thanks to the money Daryl sent him every month.

 

“If you’re okay with it, then try leaving.”

 

“…”

 

Anthony had been a thorn in the side of the Duke’s family for a long time. The Duke tried to make his children stand on their own, but Daryl knew well that it was a long and winding road with no guarantee of success. To leash his wayward younger brother, baiting him with luxuries was the most effective method. Pleasure and luxury were like drugs that couldn’t be quit overnight.

 

Anthony, who had been stiff-faced for a while, suddenly chuckled and raised both hands. He took his feet off the table and straightened his posture.

 

“Alright, bro. I just have to do as you say, right? So, what now? Should I fold my hands obediently? Or should I go down on my knees?”

 

Ignoring Anthony’s mockery, Daryl took out a cigar from a silver case with delicate engravings. As the servant lit it for him, he took a puff and put it down, then opened his mouth again.

 

“I’ve decided to get married.”

 

There was a clanging sound. It was the sound of Layla dropping the teaspoon she was stirring her tea with.

 

“Brother, surely not.”

 

“The other party is Eleanor Townsend.”

 

“Brother!”

 

As Layla stood up abruptly from her seat, Anthony burst into laughter. He even pounded the table with his hand as if he couldn’t contain his amusement.

 

“This is a masterpiece! A masterpiece indeed!”

 

“Layla, sit down.”

 

Despite Daryl’s command, Layla remained standing, glaring at him.

 

“Has even my brother gone mad? How can you think of following through with such a ridiculous will?”

 

“It’s a marriage in name only. Just one year. After a year, we’ll divorce.”

 

“But still! What will people say? We’ve had enough already, with all sorts of grotesque stories going around behind our backs all our lives. Brother, you know all this, how can you―”

 

“Is that more important than inheriting the dukedom?”

 

“……”

 

Layla stood frozen with her mouth open.

 

“Enjoying gossip is human nature. It’s no different from dogs gnawing on a bone that’s been eaten and discarded. As long as they’re not insulting us to our faces, let them chatter.”

 

His voice was chilling enough to make the listener shudder. But Layla, who had been momentarily stunned, soon clenched her fists as if to start a fight.

 

“Not everyone can be as detached as you, brother! I hate it! The mere thought of it is horrifying!”

 

“Layla.”

 

“I can’t ever accept that woman as my sister-in-law. Never!”

 

“It doesn’t matter whether you accept it or not.”

 

At Daryl’s words, Layla’s face turned pale.

 

“Brother!”

 

“On the contrary, even if you welcome her with open arms, it’s the same. It’s already decided and your opinion won’t have any influence.”

 

“…”

 

“Just bear with it for exactly one year. If you can’t, find a husband quickly and leave.”

 

Layla, with tears welling up in her eyes, trembled and then abruptly left the reception room. Anthony whistled softly.

 

“It seems our lovely princess is quite upset. Is that okay?”

 

Without answering, Daryl picked up his still-lit cigar. His ascetic lips sucked in the thick cigar.

 

“Don’t just smoke by yourself, give me one too.”

 

Daryl looked at Anthony, leisurely puffing out smoke from his cigar. When Anthony frowned, Daryl finally opened the cigar case and nodded. A servant standing behind him brought a cigar to Anthony and lit it for him.

 

“What will you do if it’s true?”

 

As if asking what he meant, his gaze turned to Anthony.

 

“What will you do if that woman is really our father’s child?”

 

“I don’t care. I’m not going to embrace her anyway.”

 

“Really? So you’re saying you’ll keep her at arm’s length for a whole year?”

 

“That’s already a done deal with her. A marriage in name only means just that.”

 

“Poor thing. I heard she’s as beautiful as our mother. Or should I comfort her a bit?”

 

Anthony said with a smirk. Daryl, deeming him not worth his attention, lowered his eyes and stood up from his seat.

 

“Attend the wedding.”

 

“Yes, yes. Of course. I have to do as you command. The leash of this poor brother is in your hands, how can I resist?”

 

Daryl brushed past the teasing Anthony and left the reception room. As soon as his figure disappeared, Anthony’s expression turned chillingly cold. He rubbed out the cigar on the spotless white table top.