If I was Going to Regret It Anyway

“Brother, you clearly like Eleanor. You’re thinking you don’t want to divorce. Don’t think about lying to me. Everyone around you knows the truth.”

 

“……”

 

“Brother.”

 

Daryl was still fixated on the documents on the desk. Layla, choked up, rushed to Daryl and scattered the documents roughly. The papers fluttered in the air and fell all over the place.

 

“Stop being pathetic and answer me, brother!”

 

“…..”

 

Finally, Daryl’s gaze turned to Layla. It was a gloomy look. He slowly opened his mouth.

 

“…I have my own thoughts.”

 

“Huh? What do you mean?”

 

Daryl rang the handbell without saying anything else. Soon, the butler’s assistant came in. He saw Daryl’s chin gesture and picked up the fallen documents and put them back on the desk.

 

“Brother.”

 

“Get out.”

 

“Brother, do you really have a plan? You haven’t done anything right recently!”

 

“……”

 

Despite the harsh criticism, Daryl showed no reaction. Layla bit her lip slightly.

 

“If you mess up this time, I’ll hate you for the rest of my life, brother.”

 

“…..”

 

Layla declared unilaterally and left the room. Daryl, left alone, sat blankly in the same position for a while.

 

Eleanor had wanted to see Daryl for a few days, but he kept refusing. Because it was obvious what she was going to talk about.

 

There was only a week left until the end of the contract marriage with Eleanor. It was obvious that she would discuss the conclusion of the contract and the divorce procedure. Knowing this, he didn’t have the courage to face Eleanor yet.

 

So he kept making excuses and avoiding her. He hadn’t even come home in recent days. It was just an escape, and he knew that it didn’t solve the fundamental problem, but he couldn’t help it. He felt like he had suddenly become a fool.

 

He was planning to stretch the time until the day, and then talk to Eleanor.

 

That day was both the end of their contract marriage and their wedding anniversary. Daryl was redecorating the art exhibition hall in the mansion on a large scale. He bought more works by artists that Eleanor liked or showed interest in, and gathered the works she praised in one place… He planned to set up a dining table for just the two of them there. And he would convey his sincerity, which he had never honestly confessed to her.

 

He knew that Eleanor hated him. She didn’t even want to make eye contact, let alone talk.

 

So he had no choice but to rely on what Eleanor liked. The only time she showed a genuinely happy expression and bright smile in front of him was in front of a painting…

 

Daryl anxiously rolled his eyes and suddenly reached out to the cabinet. But his hand stopped just before grabbing the bottle. He swallowed a groan and withdrew his hand.

 

****

 

“…He doesn’t have time today either?”

 

“Yes. Due to important work, he doesn’t even have time to sleep for a while…”

 

Philip slightly bowed his head as if he was ashamed. Since he was usually very good at poker face, it was not easy to determine whether it was a lie or not.

 

‘…No, it must be a lie.’

 

No matter how one looks at it, Daryl was avoiding Eleanor. The reason was unclear. Maybe it was because of the Peggy incident last time. At that time, Daryl acted on his own regarding matters related to Eleanor, ignoring her wishes, and said he would claim a penalty for breach of contract.

 

Of course, she didn’t think Daryl would pay the penalty he had set ten times as much. The contract was written by Daryl in the first place, and he was good at this kind of transaction. It was obvious that he would claim that he did not violate the contract by bringing up all sorts of excuses and grounds. He would try to agree to at least reduce the amount.

 

Honestly, Eleanor didn’t care about that. She never wanted money from Daryl in the first place. What was important to Eleanor was to stamp the divorce papers for sure within the deadline. But if Daryl kept coming out like this, that was impossible too.

 

Eleanor was lost in thought for a moment without saying a word, then opened her mouth again.

 

“Please call Mr. Palmer, the legal advisor of the Duke’s family.”

 

Philip seemed to be taken aback for a moment.

 

“I think I need to ask for permission from the Duke first…”

 

“I am the Duchess of Griffith and the hostess of this mansion. I am a member of the Duke’s family, just like him. Are you saying that I don’t even have the right to seek advice from the legal advisor of the Duke’s family?”

 

“No, that’s not what I mean…”

 

“Even if he is busy with work, it wouldn’t be strange for me, his wife, to handle less important matters on his behalf. Please contact Mr. Palmer right away and tell him I want to see him.”

 

“……”

 

“Or let me see him right now.”

 

Eleanor looked straight at Philip. Despite the calm gaze, a strong sense of oppression was felt.

 

“…Understood.”

 

In the end, Philip had no choice but to answer like that.

 

“Thank you.”

 

****

 

That day, Eleanor also had dinner in the Hibiscus Room. It was after the kitchen maids had taken out the empty dishes. Emily approached nervously.

 

“Um…Madam.”

 

“Hmm, Emily. What’s wrong?”

 

“I have something to say.”

 

“Go ahead.”

 

Even after Elinor’s permission, Emily hesitated for a long time. However, Eleanor did not rush and quietly waited for her to open her mouth again.

 

Emily couldn’t say anything for a long time and kept biting her lips, then suddenly fell flat on the floor.

 

“I’m sorry, Madam!”

 

Eleanor was so surprised that she stood up from her seat.

 

“Emily, why all of a sudden? Get up.”

 

Eleanor tried to grab Emily’s hand and lift her up, but Emily did not move, keeping her forehead on the floor.

 

“I’ve committed a mortal sin against you, Madam. Instead of serving you faithfully as a servant, I’ve done wrong things with an impolite attitude.”

 

“……”

 

“But you’ve been so good to me. You saved my brother, paid off my debt, and bestowed me with a favor that I can’t repay even if I spend my whole life. Even though I don’t deserve it…!”

 

“…Emily.”

 

“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry, Madam. I know it’s shameless to say this now… But if I let you go like this, I don’t think I can forgive myself…”

 

Tears were mixed in Emily’s voice.

 

A few days ago, Eleanor also told Emily that she would soon divorce Daryl and leave Chatsworth House. Emily looked quite shocked, but she didn’t say anything at the time. And then she suddenly said this today.

 

Eleanor crouched down and took Emily’s hand.

 

“Emily, get up.”

 

“…..”

 

“Quickly. Get up and look at me.”

 

Emily slowly got up. Her face was soaked with tears. Eleanor took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped Emily’s cheeks and eyes.

 

“I told you before. I don’t harbor any resentment towards you. You initially treated me differently because you were ordered to do so from above, right? Besides, you’ve been good to me in the meantime, and you’ve served me faithfully as a master for the past six months. So don’t be upset about that anymore.”

 

“…Madam.”

 

Eleanor looked at Emily and smiled affectionately.

 

“You’re a really good girl. One can tell just by looking at you now. Only good people regret the past and feel guilty.”

 

Emily started to shed tears again. Eleanor hugged Emily and comforted her.

 

“Shh. Stop crying, now.”

 

“…Madam.”

 

Emily, who had been crying for a while, called Eleanor in a hoarse voice.

 

“Yes, Emily. What is it?”

 

“I don’t know if I should say this… I know it’s shameless…”

 

“Why, what is it? Go ahead.”

 

“When you go back to your home… Can you take me with you?”

 

Eleanor was taken aback by the unexpected words.

 

“Emily, why all of a sudden? Get up.”

 

Eleanor tried to grab Emily’s hand and lift her up, but Emily did not move, keeping her forehead on the floor.

 

“I don’t need a salary. Just let me serve you by your side. If I don’t do that, I don’t think I can repay the favor I received from you. Please. I beg you.”

 

It was a plea that felt desperate beyond earnestness. Emily grabbed Eleanor’s clothes, then let go as if it was rude, and bowed her head.

 

“……”

 

Eleanor quietly cast her eyes down.