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

Episode 34

“Ah… Evgenia.”

It was not the time to feel at ease simply because Alexis was absent.

Though Evgenia had been uncharacteristically quiet lately, assuming she would passively listen to such a lecture was a grave misjudgment.

‘She’s likely grasped onto something in his words,’ thought Sionel, recalling Evgenia’s usual habits in social settings. He straightened up, pondering how to resolve this situation.

As everyone present nervously swallowed and waited for the High Priest’s response, a tense silence hung in the air.

Damian, who had initially appeared startled by Evgenia’s rebuttal, replied cautiously, “You might never get another chance.”

“That’s usually the case,” Evgenia responded with a casual shrug, silencing Damian.

The temple was enveloped in an awkward stillness.

“What exactly is going on here?”

“I’m not sure either,” Duke Basilian and Sionel exchanged glances, speaking with their eyes.

The other priests seemed equally bewildered, unable to grasp the situation.

Finally, the High Priest broke the long silence.

“May blessings accompany you in the days to come.”

At last, it was a benediction fitting for a wedding.

Although Damian’s behavior deeply irritated me, my sole objective was to ensure the wedding concluded without issues.

As someone in a thoroughly subordinate position, I had no intention of challenging or interrupting the ceremony.

Until he said that.

“You must humbly accept the destiny set before you.”

At that moment, the original storyline flashed through my mind.

The tale where Evgenia, even after marrying Euclid, remained obsessed with the Crown Prince, eventually divorcing and meeting her downfall…

“I have no intention of accepting such a fate.” » A sentence from the original novel

“What if my destiny is to carve out my own path?”

Before I could think, the words spilled out of my mouth.

I startled myself, but I felt no regret.

From the beginning, I had believed I was here to meet Euclid.

Even if that weren’t the case, having taken over Evgenia’s body, I was determined to marry Euclid and live a happy, fulfilling life with him.

With that resolve in mind, I turned to look at Damian. His usually sharp, blue eyes briefly flickered with a vision of a desolate ruin before regaining their clarity.

His previously wandering gaze returned to focus, but his brow furrowed slightly.

“You might never get another chance,” he repeated.

“That’s usually the case,” I replied nonchalantly.

After all, I never expected to experience regression in addition to possession.

However, Damian’s frown deepened at my lighthearted response.

For someone who had always pressured me, the crack in his demeanor should have felt satisfying.

But the anguish in his gaze made me feel strangely uneasy.

Then, after a prolonged silence, Damian finally spoke.

“May blessings accompany you in the days to come.”

His voice sounded strangely desperate.

But before I could dwell on it, he moved on.

“Now, the bride and groom shall exchange their vows.”

The priests, who had been flustered earlier, finally seemed to believe the wedding was back on track and let out relieved breaths.

For a moment, I forgot my irritation and looked at Euclid with a fluttering heart.

Although the officiating priest had explained the general form of vows, it was essentially left to personal choice. I wondered what sentiments Euclid held about this marriage.

Raising his right hand, Euclid began.

“I, Euclid Rudion, take Evgenia Basilian as my wife and vow to respect her until the end of my life.”

I focused intently, committing every word to memory.

As expected, phrases like “cherish and love,” which were typical of traditional vows, were absent.

While one might think this was only natural for a political marriage, Euclid’s sincerity was unmistakable.

“Bride?”

As I bit my lip lightly, overcome with emotion, Damian called my name.

It seemed I had been so caught up in my thoughts that I had failed to respond in time.

I couldn’t let Euclid misunderstand, thinking I was reluctant about the marriage.

Hurriedly, I raised my right hand.

Recalling the vow I had rehearsed countless times, I began to speak.

“I, Evgenia Basilian, take Euclid Rudion as my husband and vow to cherish him above my own life and protect him with all that I am.”

It was a single, simple sentence, but I trembled so much that it felt overwhelming.

Yet, something was off.

Damian, who had prompted the vow, looked taken aback.

The guests, who had been prepared to applaud at the conclusion of the vows, sat in stunned silence.

Most importantly…

‘…Euclid?’

Euclid stared at me with wide eyes.

Did I say something wrong?

‘I’m sure I said I would treat you sincerely with all my heart until the end of my life…’

Of course, if it were up to me, I’d swear to love him forever, even after death.

But such a vow didn’t seem appropriate for Evgenia, who had been obsessed with the Crown Prince until recently.

It could easily be taken as a lie.

‘At least I don’t want Euclid to misunderstand me.’

I hoped he would believe my vow to be genuine.

Truly, I intended to live my life treating Euclid with 100% sincerity.

As I poured all my feelings into looking at him, Euclid flinched as if snapped out of a trance and lowered his head, as though it was too much to meet my gaze.

‘Oh, could it be…?’

Was he scared of my face?

I thought the veil would make it less intimidating.

While I was struggling to contain my disappointment, Damian finally spoke, as if regaining his composure.

“Now, exchange your rings and seal the vow with a kiss.”

A kiss!

This was the moment I had been most looking forward to during the wedding.

With my heart racing uncontrollably, I watched the officiant bring over the rings.

The wedding rings had been prepared by the Duke of Rudion’s household.

Although the Basilian family had initially insisted on handling it, the Rudion household had insisted on providing the rings themselves.

The Duke of Basilian seemed disappointed, as the rings weren’t adorned with rare, expensive gems or even diamonds.

But I preferred the amethyst rings that the first Duke and Duchess of Rudion had worn over the diamond rings the Basilian Duke had intended.

Perhaps it was the careful touch of Euclid’s hand as he slipped the ring onto my stiff, nervous fingers. Or maybe it was the overwhelming happiness of slipping the ring onto his hand.

The moment felt so surreal that I wondered if that was why the simple amethyst ring seemed more precious.

As I alternated my gaze between my hand and Euclid’s, now wearing matching rings, I savored the joy of this moment.

Euclid, his expression slightly tense, extended his hand toward me.

Soon, the veil over my head was lifted, and his handsome face came into view.

My chest tightened, my neck flushed, and my lips went dry. I could even feel my eyelashes trembling from the tension.

As Euclid leaned closer, his face moving into the space beneath the veil, I instinctively closed my eyes.

I wanted to etch this moment into my memory, but my pounding heart made it impossible to endure.

Just then, I heard the rustle of fabric, and Euclid let go of the veil he had been holding.

Startled, I opened my eyes wide, only to hear him whisper softly.

“Don’t worry. I’ll just pretend.”

…Pardon? What did you just say?

Wait, hold on.

Why? Seriously, why?

I had been looking forward to this moment so much!

Before I could fully process my disbelief, Euclid tilted his face slightly and leaned closer to me.

I felt his breath near my lips… or did I?

It happened so quickly that I couldn’t tell.

“……”

I stared blankly at Euclid, feeling like a raccoon that had just seen its cotton candy dissolve in water.