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

Chapter 21

Alexis, grumbling about whether he was a loose talker, quickly shut his mouth the moment the Crown Prince was mentioned.

However, it was only brief. With a hint of resentment in his voice, he added in a subdued tone,
“Do you think I brought it up on purpose? His Highness asked about the proposal first and inquired if you were behaving yourself.”

“So, you just confessed everything when he asked?”

“What else could I do?”

“You could’ve pretended not to know!”

I scolded him harshly, though I couldn’t say I didn’t understand his position. After all, as a knight of the royal guard, it was only natural for him to respond to the Crown Prince with sincerity.

At that moment, Alexis, seemingly oblivious to my attempt to sympathize with him, grumbled,
“And why shouldn’t I mention the marriage? Do you think anyone would even care?”

“Hey.”

“Honestly, from His Highness’s perspective, wouldn’t it feel like getting rid of a toothache? If it were me, I’d feel so relieved that I’d finish the war faster and return home.”

If that could truly happen, he seemed ready to inform the Crown Prince of my wedding at that very moment.

“Do you really want to die by my hands?”

“Fine, fine! I get it!”

Under my menacing warning, Alexis finally promised not to say another word about it. Even then, I made him swear several more times before I was reassured.

Truthfully, I thought Alexis was right. The Crown Prince would probably be delighted if I announced my marriage. Still, I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling in my chest.

It was entirely because of the Crown Prince’s strange demeanor that day.

Was it just my imagination? No matter how I think about it, his gaze that day seemed a little off!

Anyway, I had soothed Alexis and obtained the answers I came for, so my visit had fulfilled its purpose.

As I watched Alexis smirking while holding onto the handkerchief I’d given him, I stood up to leave.

Then, Alexis, who had been dismissive of me just moments earlier, suddenly sprang up and opened the door for me.

Hmph. Snorting, I walked past him, only for Alexis to grin slyly and remark from the doorway,
“By the way, this upcoming deployment is a quiet departure at dawn with no send-off, right? Thanks for the handkerchief.”

Before I could reply, he shut the door behind me.

Idiot. Did he think I wouldn’t know that?

Of course, I was aware. The royal family, pretending to be indifferent, was conducting this low-profile departure ceremony at dawn to avoid the Temple’s attention.

I only gave him the handkerchief to wish him a safe journey.

Shaking my head, I turned away.

Two days later, at dawn, Alexis departed for the southern kingdom of Aruhin alongside the Crown Prince as planned.

And two days after that, Euclid arrived in the capital for the wedding.

Chapter 3: When the Villainess Met Her Favorite

“This is my first time riding a magic carriage. It’s definitely fast and impressive.”

The journey from the northern Rudion Duchy to the capital typically took three to four days, sometimes even longer if the schedule was relaxed.

Delano, born and raised in the north where trips to the capital were rare, had been quite nervous about the unfamiliar mode of travel.

However, despite his worries, they arrived at the capital in no time, even with breaks for meals and rest.

This was all thanks to the magic carriage sent by the Basilian family to accommodate the wedding schedule.

Not wanting to appear as a country bumpkin from the north, Delano had held back his amazement for two days, but in the end, he couldn’t suppress his admiration.

Magic carriages, luxury goods sold by the Magic Tower alongside magic stones, were so expensive that they rivaled the cost of mansions in the provinces.

Naturally, they were rare, not only in the north but also in other regions, and were considered extravagant possessions. Rumor had it that nobles in the capital even went into debt to purchase them just to keep up appearances.

Initially, Delano had scoffed at the idea, thinking, It’s just a carriage. How could it cost as much as a house? But after experiencing its convenience firsthand, he began to understand why people were willing to spend so much on it.

“If time can be bought with money, it might actually be a bargain,” Euclid commented.

“Exactly,” Delano agreed with a smile and nodded.

“I didn’t expect Duke Basilian to show such generosity. It’s truly appreciated.”

However, Delano wasn’t as quick to agree with what followed. With a slightly reluctant expression, he remarked,
“Well, they’re not called the Empire’s wealthiest family for nothing. Didn’t they also send a large quantity of magic stones? Just those alone must cost a fortune…”

At first, it sounded almost like admiration, but the subtle shift in tone at the end carried a strangely negative nuance.

Euclid, who quickly sensed this, put down the file he had been reviewing and silently gazed at Delano.

Feeling caught, Delano continued.

“The more I think about it, the more unsettled I feel. I can’t help but wonder—what scheme lies behind such lavish generosity?”

“A scheme, you say?”

Delano struck his chest in frustration at Euclid’s seemingly innocent expression.

“Have you forgotten already? They suddenly appeared out of nowhere, proposing to open a branch in the North, using that as a pretext to send a marriage proposal. And now, the dowry list has doubled beyond what was originally promised, not to mention the inclusion of a magic carriage and so on…”

Lowering his voice as if he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was some hidden conspiracy, Delano whispered, “Why are they so desperate to rush this marriage?”

It was a union between two of the Empire’s founding noble families, both holding the rank of duke.

Though the Rudion Duchy had lived in near obscurity in the North, the Basilean Duchy was the most powerful and influential family in the Empire. Why would they rush into a marriage as if their feet were to the fire?

“To think they’re holding the wedding at a temple instead of sending out grand invitations and gathering people in a show of celebration.”

“Perhaps they simply have strong faith. After all, theirs might be the family that donates the most to the temples.”

“That may be true, but still…”

“With the timing coinciding with a military campaign, they might prefer a quieter ceremony.”

“Even that sounds like an overly convenient excuse!”

The exchange between the two—one attacking, the other defending—felt like a battle between sword and shield.

Finally, Euclid, who had set aside the documents completely, spoke in a low voice.

“Delano, what exactly are you trying to say?”

“Don’t you think it’s strange, my lord? That the Basilian Duchy is rushing this marriage so urgently, and conducting it so quietly as if they fear others finding out?”

Delano swallowed hard and turned the question back on him.

From Euclid’s perspective, a quick and discreet marriage would indeed help ease concerns among the retainers and residents of his domain who might be unsettled by the identity of the future duchess.

But why would the prestigious Basilean Duchy go to such lengths, practically giving away so much in the process?

“Is there some urgent reason why the marriage must happen now, or perhaps… a flaw they’re trying to hide?”

“That’s enough.”

Just as Delano was about to voice the thoughts he’d been holding back, Euclid decisively cut him off.

The faint smile that always lingered on Euclid’s lips had completely disappeared, causing Delano to freeze and fall silent.

“I know your words come from concern for me and the duchy, but the lady and I are already betrothed, and by tomorrow we will be husband and wife. No matter how well-meaning your intentions are, I don’t wish to hear any more of this.”

Realizing he had crossed a line, Delano lowered his head.

Although he thought he had accepted it when Euclid signed the marriage contract, deep down, it seemed he still couldn’t bring himself to acknowledge her as the Duchess of Rudion.

“My apologies. I overstepped,” Delano said, his voice heavy with guilt.

A wave of remorse swept over him. How could he utter such slanderous words about the future mistress of the Rudion Duchy, someone he would swear loyalty to as of tomorrow?

Still unable to lift his head, Delano heard Euclid speak gently, almost as if to console him.

“It’s good that you understand now. But if you continue to make disrespectful remarks about the lady or the Basilian Duchy, I will consider it an insult to myself.”

“Yes, my lord. I will take this to heart,” Delano replied firmly.