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

Chapter 35

As I looked at Euclid staring at me without a hint of distraction, it felt as if the time we spent together behind the veil had been nothing but a dream.

“Then, please sign the marriage vows as the final step.”

Is this for real?

Was the kiss scene I’d been anticipating most over just like that?

I glanced around in disbelief, but no one seemed to find anything strange.

To everyone else, it must have genuinely looked like we kissed.

‘What? This is so unfair!’

Even if it was just a formal gesture, how could it end up like this?

Thankfully—or not—the veil at least hid my frustrated and despondent expression.

‘If only I hadn’t been wearing this ridiculous veil, Euclid wouldn’t have pretended to kiss me out of “consideration.”’

Suppressing the simmering anger threatening to boil over, I turned my gaze to Euclid, who was busy signing the vows.

“…?”

Something felt a little off.

His complexion seemed a bit pale. Though the veil made it hard to see clearly, I thought I could catch a glimpse of sweat on his face.

My heart suddenly sank.

I had been so excited and full of expectations, yet I hadn’t stopped to consider what Euclid might be feeling.

Though my situation was born from a misunderstanding, Euclid was being forced to marry a woman he didn’t love. How could he possibly feel good about this?

A faint sense of guilt crept over me, wondering if I had been too selfish.

At that moment, Euclid finished signing.

Even amidst all the confusion, I found myself admiring the elegant handwriting that looked like a work of art.

It was the first time I had seen his handwriting in person, having failed to spot it in the response to his proposal letter at the Duke’s estate.

And though I felt a bit sorry for Euclid…

Without hesitation, I picked up the quill and left my signature beside his.

Having done this countless times daily at my job in my previous life, it wasn’t difficult at all.

‘Come to think of it, it’s such a relief my signature resembles Evgenia’s.’

Curiously, the imperial script was entirely different from the characters of my previous world, except for one thing—the first letter of my English name was strikingly similar to Evgenia’s initial.

I had casually signed my initials on a document Anne handed me, only to panic internally upon realizing it. But Anne didn’t comment on it.

Later, while organizing the desk, I discovered that Evgenia’s signature and my own were so similar they were almost indistinguishable.

Excluding financial matters, I was a pretty ordinary person, so when such unbelievable luck came my way, I felt as though…

“I now declare this marriage official in the name of the goddess, Hesseirin.”

…the deity who brought me to this world was affirming my decisions and choices.

…Though, perhaps I just wanted to believe that.

Ignoring the sting of my conscience, I raised the corners of my lips into a smile.

I had finally married him—Euclid, my one and only favorite.

“If anything happens, don’t hesitate to reach out. No matter where you go, you’re still a member of the Basilian family.”

It wasn’t the most appropriate thing to say in front of the newlywed couple who had just finished their ceremony.

Yet the Duke of Basilian said it without a hint of concern—or rather, with a deliberate air of pride.

Perhaps, in his own arrogant way, he was telling my husband not to upset me.

I understood his intent, but Euclid’s feelings mattered most to me, so I replied indifferently:

“When the marriage report was sent to the Imperial Office earlier, didn’t you notice my surname was changed to Rudion? We’ll manage just fine on our own, so don’t worry.”

But was my tone too cold?

As soon as the words were spoken, the surroundings fell silent.

Euclid and his assistant, in particular, looked quite startled by my attitude. Perhaps they were dismayed, thinking they wanted to maintain a good relationship with the Duchy of Basilian and receive support in the future, yet here I was, displaying such a cold demeanor.

I briefly debated softening my words for Euclid’s sake but decided against it.

I had been too yielding toward the affection and goodwill shown by Evgenia’s family thus far. Now that we were married, it was time to draw a clear line as per my plan.

However, the Duke of Basilian seemed unfazed by my cold reaction. Instead, he spoke with a proud expression.

“Yes. You’re now a proper lady of the Rudion Duchy.”

“……”

“Even so, Evgenia, the fact that you’re my daughter doesn’t change.”

“……Yes, I understand.”

In the end, I couldn’t resist the Duke’s warm gaze and answered him.

“Sister…”

At that moment, Melissa, who had been silent until now, approached me.

She had always been a classic beauty, but today, perhaps because she was meeting Damian, she had dressed up more and looked even more stunning.

‘Maybe Melissa suits this scene better than I do…’

Feeling oddly conscious of Euclid standing nearby, I instinctively blocked his line of sight and asked Melissa, knowing it was childish.

“What is it, Melissa?”

“Well… would it be alright if I wrote you letters, Sister?”

I thought it might be some difficult request.

For a moment, I panicked, wondering if she wanted an invitation to the Rudion Duchy like Alexis had asked before.

“Of course. I’d be delighted if you did.”

Richard, the Crown Prince, and even Damian today—after meeting all three male protagonists, my overall impression was that none of them seemed entirely normal.

Particularly, Damian, whom I thought might be the most decent, turned out differently than I had expected, making Melissa’s future seem increasingly uncertain to me.

‘Well, maybe it’s because I’m the villainess, and my attitude made things worse.’

Still, I couldn’t help but worry that they might treat even the angelically kind female protagonist with indifference or coldness.

If I could directly observe the romantic developments with the three male leads in the capital, it would be entertaining in its own way, but considering the cringe-worthy history I’ve had, it might stir up unnecessary trouble.

Of course, I also needed to focus on my married life.

Thinking about comfortably hearing updates on Melissa’s life and romance through letters made me feel content.

As I nodded with satisfaction, I suddenly felt a prickly gaze on my cheek.

When I glanced sideways, I saw Sionel, waiting to greet me after the Duke and Melissa.

“Eve…”

“I think it’s best if we depart now.”

But before he could speak further, I bid farewell first.

“Already?”

The Duke of Basilian, who seemed particularly fond of his son-in-law and was deep in conversation with Euclid, raised his head in surprise.

I stifled a bitter laugh.

“Already? We can’t just stand here talking forever, can we?”

We were currently standing in the plaza in front of the Great Temple.

Since the ceremony was over and there was no need to stop by the residence, the carriages loaded with our belongings were waiting here to depart immediately.

Even though we had minimized what we brought, there were still five carriages, including the one we would ride in.

The Duke of Basilian, noticing this, suppressed his regret and looked at Euclid.

“As I said earlier, if you ever need my help, don’t hesitate to reach out.”

“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”

The Duke seemed satisfied with Euclid’s straightforward response, nodding and patting his shoulder.

The scene looked very friendly. Compared to the frosty conversation I had with him earlier, they looked more like family.

‘Even though he looks just like me.’

And I pretended not to notice Sionel’s persistent gaze, which was as similar to mine as the Duke’s.

For some reason, my intense anger toward the Duke of Basilian had been fading, but my aversion to Sionel showed no signs of diminishing.

‘No, if anything, it feels like it’s getting worse.’

I didn’t know why, nor did I care to figure it out.

After all, once we left today, I wouldn’t have many occasions to see him again.