If I was Going to Regret It Anyway

It was the day before him and Eleanor had to go to Loud. Daryl finished his schedule that had started early in the morning and returned to the mansion in the afternoon. He changed his clothes to go out again.

 

Today, there was a congratulatory party for Crown Princess Priscilla at the palace. Originally, Eleanor’s name was also written on the invitation that came to the Duke’s house, but Daryl had decided to go alone long ago.

 

No matter what, Eleanor had a fit every time she went to the palace. He didn’t want to see her like that again. Especially since they were going out again from tomorrow morning, it was right to avoid the night party.

 

“When you go out now, when will you come back?”

 

Eleanor, who came out to see Daryl off, asked an unusual question. It seemed that she was worried about going to Loud tomorrow. Recently, Daryl often went out in the evening and returned when it was dawn, so it was enough for her to worry.

 

He understood, but seeing Eleanor’s expression, which was more like caution than worry, he felt a slight irritation.

 

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure it doesn’t interfere with tomorrow’s schedule.”

 

Recently, due to chronic insomnia, he slept a lot in three or four hours a day. He could only close his eyes for a while thanks to alcohol. He planned to return earlier than usual today, but even if he said he would return early, it was obvious that he wouldn’t be able to sleep until late at night.

 

At Daryl’s words, Eleanor didn’t add any more words. She saw him off with a calm expression.

 

“Please be careful not to be too late, honey.”

 

It was a word that he heard at least once a day, but it sounded more meaningful today.

 

****

 

The official event of the congratulatory party ended around eleven o’clock. The reason was that Crown Princess Priscilla, the protagonist of today, had to go to bed early for her body care. While the remaining people were enjoying the usual party, Daryl decided to go home slowly as planned. And when he went to find Crown Prince Aaron to say goodbye before leaving.

 

“What, are you leaving already? Don’t do that on a good day like today.”

 

“I have an important schedule from tomorrow morning, so I think I should go home not too late.”

 

“It’s not even midnight yet. Stay a little longer. Have another drink with me in my room.”

 

“I’m sorry, but today…”

 

“Oh, have I ever held you back without a reason? If I say this, understand and follow me quietly. It’s not like I’m not going to let you go home at all today.”

 

It was not uncommon for Aaron to arrange a separate drinking party after the party, but he did not always hold Daryl back.

 

It was not easy for Daryl to refuse, as it was the Crown Prince who spoke.

 

“…Then I’ll sit for a while and go.”

 

Daryl followed Aaron to the Crown Prince’s inner room. Aaron seemed to do quite a dirty thing when he was with a suitable crowd, but Daryl had always avoided such a place. Today, too, it seemed that it would not be such a drinking party, considering that he specifically named himself.

 

Aaron’s inner room was lit with subtle lighting. There were small and large tables and spacious sofas arranged here and there, so it seemed that dozens of people could sit and rest comfortably.

 

Even at a glance, it seemed like a place where only high-ranking nobles with names and influence were invited. In other words, it meant a reception. Aaron was making quite an effort in this way to gain the support of powerful families. The reason he was unusually friendly to Daryl from the past was because of the name of the Duke of Griffith, which he would inherit.

 

The current imperial politics were extremely peaceful, and the emperor also sent absolute support to his eldest son, the Crown Prince. Even though there was no need to worry about the struggle for the throne, this was because Aaron was born with a very cautious temperament.

 

“Come on, sit down and have a drink together.”

 

Aaron sat next to him with his arm around Daryl’s shoulder. Daryl took the glass of alcohol that the Crown Prince handed him.

 

“Is work hard these days? Your beauty, which many women praise, has deteriorated a lot.”

 

“…Not particularly.”

 

“Then is there another problem? Is it because of a woman?”

 

It was very much like Aaron not to ask if it was because of his wife.

 

“No. There is no problem.”

 

“You live a boring life, my friend. Isn’t it a waste to have that face? If you make up your mind, you can probably make half of the women in the social world fall for you right away.”

 

“…You overestimate me.”

 

It was not a day or two for Aaron to make obscene remarks in such a secret place. But today, it was particularly disgusting to hear. Daryl decided to leave here as soon as Aaron left his side.

 

Then Aaron raised his hand and looked somewhere.

 

“Ah, here it is. There’s someone I want to introduce you to, Duke. She’s the protagonist of the recent hot topic in the capital.”

 

Following Aaron’s lead, Daryl narrowed his eyes unknowingly as he looked at the woman sitting next to him.

 

“Her name is Esmeralda. She’s an opera singer who has performed at the palace before. You should remember seeing her. Oh, this is Duke Daryl Lloyd.”

 

“Hello, Duke. It’s an honor to meet you.”

 

Esmeralda bowed her head slightly in greeting. It seemed that her stock had risen considerably since she caught the emperor’s eye last time. Considering her status, it was a groundbreaking treatment just to be invited to this place.

 

‘The Crown Prince doesn’t seem like he would lay a hand on a woman the Emperor has his eye on… and if he did, he wouldn’t have introduced her to me.’

 

No matter how much Aaron was fond of women, he wasn’t the type to recklessly reach out to any woman. That was definitely different from his father.

 

“Why are you like that, Duke? Aren’t you going to greet her? Esmeralda must be embarrassed.”

 

“…Nice to meet you.”

 

Daryl reluctantly threw out a word.

 

“This guy is so handsome, but he’s so shy. I’m sorry, I’ll apologize on his behalf.”

 

“No, Your Highness the Crown Prince. I don’t mind at all.”

 

Esmeralda was acting tactfully and perceptively, true to her character. It would be in this context that she didn’t recognize Daryl.

 

Honestly, it was awkward to meet Esmeralda in a place like this. Especially since there had been rumors recently that the emperor had taken a liking to her. It was best to avoid getting involved in troublesome matters unnecessarily. It was a relief that, due to the caution he had exercised during his time with Esmeralda, no one knew about their relationship except for Philip.

 

‘I have one more reason to leave this place as soon as possible.’

 

However, contrary to Daryl’s intentions, Aaron did not leave his side. Every time he tried to say that he should go now, Aaron cut him off with a loud voice. In this way, the drinks he had received one after another had piled up quite a bit.

 

Daryl was originally a heavy drinker. In the past, no matter how much he drank, he rarely got drunk. But recently, whether it was because he had been drinking habitually, or because of the lack of sleep that had been going on for several months, he started to feel quite drunk as he accepted and drank the strong drinks Aaron offered.

 

Then, finally, Aaron left his seat. Looking around, he saw Aaron sitting down a woman and flirting with her from afar. Even though he was holding a celebration for his wife’s inauguration today, he was a consistently trashy guy.

 

It was then, when he thought he should get up and leave, that someone came and sat next to Daryl, who was left alone. It was Esmeralda.

 

“Are you okay? You seem to have drunk a lot today.”

 

Esmeralda was acting quite nonchalant, unlike before. Just like when the two of them were having an affair.

 

“…I’m sure I told you not to act like you know me if we meet again.”

 

“Yes. So I acted like we were meeting for the first time today. Was it strange? I thought it was quite a natural performance. I’m a singer, but I also act, you know.”

 

Esmeralda was unusually relaxed. Daryl frowned.

 

“So what are you trying to do now?”

 

“Don’t look so stern. No one is interested in us right now. They’re all engrossed in their own affairs.”

 

Looking around, there were quite a few men and women paired up. It was only men who had come to this place at first, but how did so many women appear all of a sudden? Most of the men were those who had attended the banquet with their wives today. They must have sent their wives back, considering it was an important occasion with the crown prince.

 

He felt disgusted all over again. Daryl clicked his tongue and stood up from his seat.

 

“Where are you going?”

 

Daryl ignored Esmeralda. Then another question came flying in.

 

“Are you thinking about your beloved wife?”

 

Daryl stopped and looked back at Esmeralda. His eyes, glaring at her, were shining ominously, filled with the flickering candlelight.

 

“What did I warn you about before? If you bring up my wife in vain again—”

 

“You said our relationship was over. But do I still need to be careful when it’s already over?”

 

Esmeralda was unusually provocative. There was no way Daryl, who had spent three years with her, wouldn’t know that she was also trying to provoke him.

 

“Then talk as you please.”

 

It was just when he was about to leave his seat after leaving those words.

 

“Can I really do that?”

 

Esmeralda asked again.

 

“What?”

 

“About your relationship with me. Is it really okay to talk about it as I please?”