If I was Going to Regret It Anyway

Eleanor’s words surprised not only Cecilia. Herbert and the other servants also stared at Eleanor with wide eyes.

 

“…That’s undoubtedly true.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Everyone here heard what you just said. Even if you try to deny your statement later, it will never be possible.”

 

“There will be no such thing.”

 

Eleanor spoke calmly, then turned and left the room. Herbert watched her retreating figure with a complicated look, then opened his mouth.

 

“…Escort the Countess out.”

 

At his words, the servants tried to drag Cecilia towards the entrance.

 

“Let go! You rude ones! I will leave on my own!”

 

The servants looked at Herbert. When Herbert nodded, they let go of Cecilia.

 

Cecilia straightened her clothes with a heave of a sigh. Then she began to shuffle towards the entrance.

 

Thinking of the treatment she had received from Eleanor, she still felt like her blood was boiling, but at least it wasn’t a wasted effort. She had received a promise from Eleanor that she would leave the Duke’s house tomorrow.

 

Now everything would return to its place. It was enough to deal with Eleanor later. Cecilia twisted her lips and forced a smile.

 

****

 

At that moment, Daryl was sitting on the terrace of a villa on the outskirts of the capital. The winter that had come without notice had stripped the mountains of their greenery, and they were now a mix of brown and white.

 

Daryl had been away from Chatsworth House for a few days, using the excuse of a business trip. The reason, needless to say, was to avoid Eleanor.

 

Now there was only one day left until the end of their contract marriage. He had managed to avoid discussing the contract by making all sorts of excuses, and had made it to today. Daryl planned to return to the Duke’s house tomorrow afternoon. Then, as planned, they would have dinner together at the gallery, and he would present his feelings along with the prepared gift.

 

Of course, he didn’t expect Eleanor to accept him easily. He was prepared to invest as much time and effort as needed to persuade her. He was willing to do anything to change Eleanor’s mind. He was anxious and craved alcohol. But he couldn’t drink now. Daryl knew that his body and mind were deteriorating day by day. And he also knew that this would not have a positive effect on persuading Eleanor. That’s why he had been abstaining from alcohol and cigars for almost a month.

 

A carriage arrived outside. It must be Philip coming to report on business. Daryl had delegated the handling of affairs during his absence of a few days to Philip.

 

Daryl rose from his seat and went inside the villa. The inside of the villa was filled with various animal taxidermy. The former Duke Frederick had a particular fondness for hunting during his lifetime. This villa was also built adjacent to the Duke’s hunting grounds.

 

After the report, Philip changed his expression to a serious one.

 

“About the contract with the Duchess…”

 

“I told you I don’t want to hear about that.”

 

“But, Your Grace.”

 

“I’ll handle it myself, so don’t say anything more. If there’s no other report, you can go.”

 

Daryl rose from his chair. But Philip did not move from his spot. “You must listen, Your Grace.”

 

“I said I don’t want to hear it. Why do you keep doing this unlike yourself?”

 

“The Duchess has sent a certificate of contract.”

 

Daryl’s eyes, which had been glaring at Philip irritably, unknowingly widened. Philip pulled out a document from the envelope and handed it over.

 

“It’s a notice that the contract is effective under the certification of the public notary, Mr. Palmer. A divorce application is also enclosed.”

 

“…..”

 

Eleanor’s name was already signed on the divorce application. It was unmistakable. It was the same beautiful and graceful signature he had seen on the prenuptial agreement. Daryl’s hand holding the divorce application trembled slightly. Philip watched it for a moment, then spoke in a low voice.

 

“…The Duchess said that if you break the contract, she will officially announce this fact and sue. She requested that you sign the divorce application and show it to her by tomorrow morning at the latest.”

 

“…..”

 

The divorce application was crumpled in Daryl’s hand. Philip’s complexion changed in surprise.

 

“Your Grace.”

 

Daryl threw the document on the floor and ran outside. He climbed onto the carriage that Philip had arrived in.

 

“Your Grace!”

 

Ignoring Philip who was chasing after him in a hurry, Daryl ordered the coachman to go to the Duke’s house immediately. The carriage departed right away.

 

****

 

Eleanor was packing her luggage with the maids.

 

Since she had been tidying up little by little for the past week, there wasn’t much work left. In the first place, there wasn’t much to take. All she took were the items she had brought when she first came to Chatsworth House. She planned to leave all the dresses and jewelry bought with Daryl’s money as they were.

 

Emily submitted her resignation this morning. Thanks to Eleanor’s advance notice to Matilda, the resignation was accepted without any problems. Even though she was no longer officially a servant of the Duke’s house, Emily didn’t look regretful at all.

 

Just then, the door burst open and Daryl entered. Eleanor narrowed her eyes. She was sure he was on a business trip and wouldn’t return until tomorrow.

 

“What are you doing?”

 

“Honey.”

 

“I asked what you’re doing!”

 

When Daryl raised his voice, the maids gasped.

 

“Go out for a moment.”

 

The maids quickly left the room. Only Emily kept looking back at Eleanor with a worried expression, but Eleanor smiled as if to say it was okay.

 

“Why are you angry?”

 

“I’ve asked twice. Don’t make me repeat myself three times.”

 

“As you can see, I’m preparing to leave.”

 

“Leave? Here? Who says?”

 

Eleanor tilted her head to the side.

 

“It was agreed upon in the contract from the beginning. You didn’t forget, did you? Our marriage was to last exactly one year, and then we would divorce. Tomorrow is exactly one year since we got married. I thought you might know.”

 

“…In society, that’s called a wedding anniversary. Didn’t you know that?”

 

“Of course I knew. But why? So I was preparing in advance. So I can leave as soon as dawn breaks tomorrow. Is that answer enough for you?”

 

“…..”

 

Daryl faintly twisted his straight-lined mouth.

 

“Wait just one more day. At least until dinner.”

 

“Why?”

 

“I have something prepared. And something I want to say.”

 

“Do it tonight.”

 

“…It’s not our wedding anniversary today.”

 

“What does it matter if we’re going to divorce tomorrow anyway? It would make sense if it was a divorce anniversary.”

 

Daryl’s face hardened. But Eleanor continued without caring.

 

“Oh, is there a formal Duke succession celebration? It’s worth celebrating. It’s a reward for waiting a whole year, even getting married against your will. But I think it’s better not to attend. If I stay without any consideration, it will spoil your mood.”

 

“…”

 

“I’ll congratulate you separately now. Congratulations, honey. No, I should call you Duke Griffith now.”

 

“…Eleanor.”

 

“Would you mind leaving now? I need to finish packing.”

 

“Don’t go.”

 

At Daryl’s words, Eleanor, who had turned around once, looked back at him again.

“Pardon?”

 

“Don’t go. Stay with me.”

 

At those words, Eleanor couldn’t believe her ears.

 

“What do you mean? What about our contract?”

 

“I told you before. A contract can be canceled at any time with mutual agreement.”

 

“I don’t understand at all. Why are you suddenly saying this?”

 

“…”

 

Daryl had no answer. Eleanor frowned. Why was this man suddenly acting like this? She had thought that Daryl had been avoiding her recently because he didn’t want to pay a penalty. She never imagined he would suddenly appear and say such things.

 

“…Because I want you to.”

 

Suddenly, Daryl opened his mouth again.

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Because I don’t want you to leave. Because I want you to continue being my wife. Is that not enough? Do you need another reason?”

 

Daryl looked anxious. He kept rolling his eyes and licking his lips, which looked strange and unfamiliar.

 

It was strange. She didn’t understand why Daryl was acting like this or what he was thinking, but she wasn’t curious at all. Eleanor realized that her expectations of Daryl had completely disappeared from within her. Finally, after a full year.

 

“You said earlier that the contract could be canceled if there was mutual agreement?”

 

At Eleanor’s words, Daryl’s face brightened.

 

“Yes. The contract itself can be invalidated. As if there was no such contract between us in the first place. We become a couple that is just like any other, properly married, without any flaws. So…”

 

“Then, conversely, it means that it can’t be canceled if I don’t agree.”

 

“……”

 

“I’m glad I raised the penalty tenfold then.”

 

“…Eleanor.”

 

Daryl’s face turned pale. Eleanor stared at him expressionlessly.

 

“I don’t know why you want to continue this marriage, but I don’t. All I want is the fulfillment of the contract. Tomorrow we divorce, you become a real Duke, and I return to the Townsend family mansion. Just as we promised a year ago.”