If I was Going to Regret It Anyway

“Brother, isn’t it unfair for you to steal my woman and then tell me not to do the same? You said you couldn’t even touch your wife because you were disgusted at the thought of your blood mixing. So I said I’d love her instead, why are you making a fuss now?”

 

Daryl rushed at Anthony again. This time, Anthony seemed to have anticipated it and fought back. However, he had already been beaten up badly, so it wasn’t much of a fight. In the end, he was beaten one-sidedly and sprawled out on the floor.

 

But even in that state, Anthony didn’t stop laughing. It was a grotesque laugh, mixed with intermittent coughs.

 

“It’s really a masterpiece, a masterpiece. The great Daryl Lloyd is losing his mind over a woman, even threatening to kill his own brother.”

 

“……”

 

“I bet you’ll even say you won’t divorce her. How much time is left? A month? Two months? What does your wife say? Does she know you’re like this? It’s really funny. It’s so funny I could die. I’m looking forward to the day the contract ends.”

 

Daryl clenched his blood-stained fist. But he just glared at Anthony lying on the floor, without making a move.

 

Daryl turned around and left the room. Anthony’s laughter continued to echo until the moment Daryl descended the stairs and left the house.

 

****

 

November has come. In the northern part of the continent, winter had already begun in the Empire. As if waiting for the change of the month, the snow that began to fall dyed the view outside the window white.

 

With only two weeks left until the end of the contract, Eleanor began to slowly tidy up her surroundings. The main task was to say goodbye to the relationships she had formed since coming to the Duke’s house. The first was Marianne.

 

“What? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

 

Marianne asked, her eyes wide open. She was leaning almost forehead to forehead with Eleanor across the table.

 

“Did the Duke get another woman? Is that it?”

 

Divorce was not a common occurrence in the Empire. It was not an exaggeration to say that there were no cases where it happened at the woman’s will. Even the husband’s infidelity was not a reason for divorce. Usually, it was the man who unilaterally notified the divorce when he got a lover and wanted to start a new life with her.

 

Eleanor shook her head silently at Marianne’s words.

 

“Then what? Why on earth would you divorce after only a year of marriage!”

 

“It’s not just his will. It’s a decision made by mutual agreement.”

 

“So what’s the reason!”

 

Marianne looked frustrated and desperate. Eleanor was grateful and sorry to see her so excited about her own affairs. She wanted to tell her everything, but it was impossible because there was a confidentiality clause in the contract.

 

“I’m sorry. I can’t talk about that part to others. It’s a promise with him… I hope you understand, Marianne.”

 

“……”

 

Looking at Marianne, who was almost in tears, Eleanor smiled quietly.

 

“It’s okay. I didn’t feel like anything was mine while I was in this house for a year. This room, this dress I’m wearing… It feels refreshing to think that I’m going back to my original life.”

 

“…Eleanor.”

 

“I really appreciate it, Marianne. Thanks to you being by my side, I was able to have a wedding safely, and I was happy to have you come and talk to me like this. We may not be able to meet as often as before…Can I still write to you?”

 

“Of course. Of course! And why can’t we meet often? I’ll visit you anytime after you return to your family.”

 

“But then, your reputation…”

 

“I’ve never cared about reputation! My husband is always busy with lectures and research, so don’t worry. Let’s continue to be friends without change. Okay?”

 

Marianne said, holding Eleanor’s hand tightly. Eleanor hesitated for a moment, but soon smiled with a happy expression.

 

“Thank you so much, Marianne”

 

Before parting with Marianne, Elinor asked her to keep today’s story a secret until the official announcement. Marianne solemnly promised to call her whenever she needed her before she left.

 

Eleanor brought up the story to Layla while they were having tea together. They had been having meals or tea together for several months, at least once every three days.

 

“Miss Layla also knows about the contract I made with Daryl. We’re preparing for a divorce according to that.”

 

“…..”

 

When she heard that, Layla thought, ‘finally, it’s here’. In fact, she had been anxious about when Eleanor would bring it up.

 

Recently, it seemed quite clear that her older brother didn’t want to divorce Eleanor. In fact, even Layla wasn’t sure if it was right to let her go like this. She was definitely unbearable when she came to the Duke’s house a year ago, but she was surprised at how her feelings had changed.

 

Layla was almost desperate to see her older brother, who had been so cold and distant, slowly opening up his heart. But now, she had to let go of that small hope.

 

After a series of events, Daryl was firmly disliked by Eleanor. For several months, Eleanor had been avoiding even seeing Daryl’s face. Eleanor, who was so kind and affectionate that she seemed foolish at times, was so upset that even his younger sister couldn’t defend her older brother.

 

So she had no choice but to listen to Eleanor’s words without saying anything.

 

“I plan to leave Chatsworth House on the morning of November 14th, exactly one year… I’ll make sure to clean up the Hibiscus Room and leave it empty.”

 

“…You don’t have to do that. The maids will clean up anyway…”

 

Layla muttered in a creeping voice.

 

“But I can’t do that. It was a room I borrowed.”

 

“……”

 

“Thank you for everything, Miss Layla. Despite the fact that I must have been hateful to you… you were so kind, treating me like a real friend. I really enjoyed the time I spent with you, Miss Layla. I will cherish it as a precious memory for a long time.”

 

“..…”

 

At Eleanor’s words, Layla felt a faint pain in her chest. ‘Thank you for treating me like a friend. It was fun. I will cherish it as a good memory’… All of these clearly indicated that this was the end and drew a line.

 

But just because Eleanor was divorcing Daryl didn’t mean that her relationship with Layla was over.

 

‘Let’s continue to be friends.’

 

With those words stuck in her throat, she couldn’t bring herself to say them. How could Layla be the first to say that? After all the hatred, torment, and harsh words. She dared not say now that she wanted to be friends.

 

“…Can we meet again after you leave here?”

 

So that was the only thing she could say. It was no different from a formal farewell, and she thought that Eleanor would definitely not refuse.

 

But Layla’s expectation was disappointingly off.

 

“No, I think it’s better not to.”

 

“….”

 

Layla looked at Eleanor with a hurt expression, without realizing it.

 

“Our marriage was a huge topic of conversation. The divorce will be similar, maybe even more so. There will certainly be all sorts of rumors about me… If you keep in touch with me, it will have a bad effect on your reputation, Miss Layla.”

 

At those words, Layla’s complexion changed.

 

“Reputation? I never thought about that―”

 

“Miss Leila, you’re still unmarried and have much more to lose than me. I don’t want to see you suffer or be troubled any more because of me.”

 

“What are you talking about? Why is it because of you? It’s all because of father―”

 

“Miss Layla.”

 

“…..”

 

“Thank you. I’ve found a lot of comfort thanks to your kindness, Miss Layla. But I don’t want to bother you or the Duke’s house anymore. Please understand my feelings.”

 

“…..”

 

Layla couldn’t say anything and eventually lowered her head. A small tear welled up on her eyelashes.

 

Eleanor smiled faintly, as if drawn on sand.

 

“Take care, Miss Layla. I hope you will always be happy.”

 

****

 

That night, Layla visited Daryl’s office. Even when Layla opened the door and came in, Daryl didn’t look at her.

 

Daryl’s face was getting more and more haggard day by day. His usually smooth and neat facial lines were rough, and the shadows under his eyes were now firmly in place like tattoos.

 

“Brother.”

 

“……”

 

“Are you really going to let Eleanor go like this?”

 

“…..”

 

Daryl didn’t answer. But it was clear that he had heard Leila’s words, as his hand holding the quill was trembling faintly.