It Feels Like I’m About to be Divorced, But my Husband is My Favorite

Chapter 11

A week had already passed since I met the Duke.

My temporary confinement was lifted immediately that day, but my movements were still restricted.

‘Seriously, it was just a mild cold, so why am I being treated like someone with a serious illness?’

It was only unfortunate timing that made me collapse due to a high fever and stress; I was perfectly fine otherwise.

Even the day I fainted, I’d simply had trouble sleeping the night before and woke up feeling refreshed after a good rest. But the sight that greeted me then was quite a shock.

“Evgenia!”

“Are you conscious?”

“Hey, you! You weakling! If you’re feeling sick, you should say something!”

“…What’s everyone doing in my room?”

Trying to calm my pounding heart, I managed to frown slightly and ask. Only then did the Duke, Sionel, and Alexis, who were gathered around my bed, clear their throats awkwardly.

I recalled that I’d collapsed in the office, but there was no reason for them to stay here.

And then…

“Evgenia, I’m sorry. I had to leave the house due to an urgent matter.”

“…Pardon?”

“I didn’t consider how you’d feel waking up alone. Being sick without family nearby is incredibly sorrowful.”

Suddenly, the Duke apologized. It was a completely unexpected and absurd apology!

Meanwhile, Sionel was looking down with a guilty expression that didn’t suit him, and Alexis seemed oddly pleased with himself.

Blinking in confusion, I finally realized what was going on.

Even a person oblivious to hints would have known that Alexis must’ve been running his mouth.

I had a bad feeling when he excused himself for not knowing I was unwell because he’d been away training. And now, here they were, making a ridiculous assumption!

Of course, I did feel a little hurt by Alexis for a brief moment.

‘But that was only because I wasn’t feeling well!’

I even thought it was fortunate the Duke wasn’t in the capital.

So I hurriedly shouted out,

“I wasn’t upset at all! And I wasn’t hurt either!”

However, my words only made the atmosphere even stranger.

Not just the Duke and his sons, but even Anne, who was standing by the door, looked at me with an expression of even deeper sympathy.

“Yes, yes. Evgenia, you’re as resilient as anyone. Actually, I felt remorseful and regretful myself.”

Seeing the Duke, usually so cold and composed, speaking in such an oddly gentle tone rendered me speechless.

It felt as though I’d become a stubborn child refusing to admit I was hurt because of my pride.

Even though I tried to clarify the misunderstanding, the situation only worsened.

‘To be honest, I’d even scolded Alexis. I didn’t show even the slightest sign of disappointment, so why are they acting like this?’

Frustrated to the point of exploding, I never managed to clear up the misunderstanding that day.

That wasn’t the end of it. For the entire week, the Duke’s family visited constantly as if I were bedridden. I began to think it would’ve been better if I’d stayed under temporary confinement, oblivious to all this.

And every morning, afternoon, and evening…

“Miss, it’s time for your tonic.”

Yes, the herbal tonic was prepared for me three times a day!

‘Anyone would think I’d been coughing up blood as if on the verge of death.’

If that had been the case, I wouldn’t have felt so unfairly treated.

“Miss, please.”

I clicked my tongue, annoyed at the overkill, but Anne held out the tonic once more, watching me without even blinking.

“…Anne, you don’t need to stare at me like that.”

I spoke firmly, though I felt a little embarrassed.

A few days ago, I’d been caught red-handed trying to dispose of the tonic.

“I know you despise taking medicine, Miss, but it’s necessary. And please make sure you eat regularly.”

It seemed she was concerned, thinking it wasn’t typical behavior for Evgenia, though I was glad to hear that the original Evgenia also disliked medicine.

‘And she often skipped meals too, just like me.’

Thanks to that, I could now openly resist taking the tonic.

“Good job. Here’s a candy for you.”

“Ah, uh… Thanks.”

Suddenly, I found myself receiving an unexpected flood of attention from my family, along with the dedicated care of a maid who seemed less and less afraid of me. It felt a bit strange.

It was awkward, but I didn’t entirely dislike it. I absentmindedly touched my ears, which were starting to feel warm, as I watched Anne clear away the medicine dish.

Knock, knock. Someone tapped on the door from outside.

Glancing at the clock, I could easily guess who it was.

And just as I expected:

“Oh, sis! Can I come in…?”

A soft voice called from beyond the door.

Sitting before me was a girl who looked like she had stepped straight out of a fairytale: her bright golden-blond hair and fresh, green eyes; her pure, flawless appearance and innocent, lovely aura.

This was none other than Evgenia’s cousin and the original protagonist of the story, Melissa.

‘Isn’t she just too beautiful?’

With Melissa here amidst the Duke’s beautifully landscaped garden, it felt like a feast for the eyes.

Until now, Evgenia had been regarded as the empire’s most beautiful woman despite her personality and reputation, but that might change once Melissa made her debut in society.

Of course, Evgenia was still the epitome of a captivating, cold beauty, but I just had a soft spot for these gentle-looking beauties.

After being surrounded by the sharp-edged Duke and his sons, Melissa’s presence felt even rarer and more precious.

‘A face like hers could hardly come from just the Basilian Duke’s bloodline.’

I’d heard that the Duke’s sister, Melissa’s mother, had eloped with a commoner to escape an arranged marriage, and that man must’ve had such gentle features.

While I was thinking that perhaps our tastes were similar, Melissa, who was fidgeting with her teacup, shyly spoke up.

“Sis, thank you for having tea with me again today.”

With her cheeks tinged a soft pink as she glanced at me, Melissa was so lovely that I felt my heart melt.

“No need to thank me. I’m glad to get some fresh air, thanks to you.”

A surprisingly gentle voice slipped from my mouth.

And I wasn’t lying.

It was Melissa, after all, who’d rescued me from being cooped up in my room, where I’d been held captive by the Duke, who refused to believe the doctor’s assurances that my cold had fully healed.

The only unfortunate part was…

“I’m sorry, sis. I didn’t know if I should visit you, so I didn’t. I didn’t think you’d be hurt…”

Melissa had come to see me because that embarrassing rumor had spread through the entire Duke’s residence.

After struggling to clear up the relentless misunderstanding, I’d gotten frustrated without realizing it.

“Enough! I wasn’t upset at all!”

“R-right. You wouldn’t feel that way just because I didn’t come…”

Currently, Melissa was still adjusting to the shocking news that she was part of the Duke’s family.

Yet out of nowhere, the imperial family had sent a marriage proposal for her, and this led to her cousin supposedly throwing a fit and collapsing. She had probably felt she should keep her distance and remain quiet.

And now that she’d mustered the courage to visit, only to be met with a cold response, I could see her wilting under the rejection.

Feeling flustered at unintentionally playing the villain, I quickly added,

“But I’m truly happy you came to see me.”

“R-really? Then, can I visit you every day?”

“If that’s what you’d like.”

“Actually… I’d love to take a stroll in the garden with you too.”

“You can come along when I’m fully recovered from my cold. In fact, I think I’m almost better.”

“W-wow!”

Was it difficult for her to adjust to living with the Duke’s three icy childrens in this unfamiliar environment?

In a way, Evgenia’s face was the most intimidating of all, yet Melissa seemed as excited as a puppy greeting its owner.

And, contrary to appearances, the Duke—who had a bit of a soft spot when it came to his children—couldn’t resist his niece’s request to walk in the garden with her cousin.