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

Chapter 38

Naturally, the Tower Master jumped in shock.

“Do you have any idea how much money went into making that? Of all people, how could you, Lady Evgenia? Aren’t you famous in the Empire for your refined taste?”

Though his remark had a slight edge to it, he couldn’t find any reason to suspect me.

“Is it really that bad…? Even my hairstyle…?”

Seeing the Tower Master asking dejectedly with such an uncharacteristically timid face made me swallow hard.

After all, this was our first meeting, and he was a friend of Euclid’s. Maybe I had been too harsh. I felt a twinge of guilt.

“It’s not that bad. It’s just… I think I’d feel embarrassed riding it and terribly awkward stepping out of it.”

Ignoring his question about the hairstyle, I chose to honestly but politely share my thoughts about the carriage.

I had intended to soften the blow, but even that seemed to stagger the Tower Master. He wobbled slightly as if the words had physically hit him.

But there was no way to take it back.

The rocket-shaped carriage truly was bizarre.

“Maybe if I were a child, I would have liked it?”

But I wasn’t a child, and to my eyes, a classic, elegant carriage was far more beautiful.

“I even used the finest materials for the interior, not just the exterior… I even decorated it especially for the new bride’s journey…”

Seeing the Tower Master mumbling with a despondent tone made my guilt grow.

However, I couldn’t fathom traveling north in that rocket carriage, nor could I demand a refund from Euclid’s friend.

The only option was to pretend ignorance and travel with Euclid in his carriage, but Sionel’s earlier comment came to mind.

**’It would be uncomfortable for both of you.’**

To be honest, I had been excited at the thought of spending two days in the carriage with my favorite person while heading to the north.

But I realized I had only been thinking about myself. Euclid might feel uncomfortable.

Moreover, while Gressel and the other escorts would ride outside on horseback, Anne, my maid, and Euclid’s aide would have to share the carriage with us.

Even in a spacious and comfortable carriage, being stuck with four unfamiliar people for two days would be difficult.

‘Well, I need time to steady my emotions too.’

If I kept seeing my favorite person so closely, my heart might not survive.

After a moment of rational thought, a good idea popped into my mind, and I voiced it.

“In that case, Tower Master, how about this? You keep the new carriage, and I’ll take the one you came in.”

“What? But my carriage is a basic magic-powered one! This new one has all the premium options. Besides, I’ve already been paid for this.”

I had assumed he would happily agree, considering his love for money, but he seemed to have some conscience.

“Well, if you’re really determined to switch, it’s the customer’s choice.”

His wavering tone suggested he wasn’t entirely against it.

I nodded in satisfaction and turned to Sionel for confirmation.

“Is it okay if I switch carriages?”

Since Sionel was the one who had initially brought up the issue, it seemed right to get his approval.

He answered swiftly.

“If you want to.”

From the moment the new carriage was revealed, Sionel had seemed particularly horrified.

When I mentioned it was embarrassing to ride, his face looked as if he had committed the ultimate faux pas.

Oh…

I had a hunch but now felt certain: Sionel had prepared the carriage.

Then why didn’t he boast about it being his gift?

Perhaps he knew how uncomfortable I felt around him and refrained from showing off.

In any case, I had already received more than enough dowry from the Basilian family. Sionel giving this gift wouldn’t have made much of a difference to me.

Thinking about how he observed me with such a cold, unreadable expression made me even more uneasy.

Quickly, I turned my gaze away.

“Tower Master, should we swap carriages then?”

“Really! But no take-backs later, okay? You’re getting everything: the ceiling decor, the wheels, even the cushions inside. Don’t regret it.”

“Understood. Now, if you have anything in your carriage, please retrieve it.”

“My carriage? I didn’t bring anything. Just go ahead and use it.”

Worried I might change my mind, the Tower Master hurriedly opened the door of his carriage for me.

Such unnecessary kindness…

With Gressel’s escort, I climbed into the carriage, but seeing Euclid’s surprised face outside made me bite my lip.

Even if I couldn’t ride in the same carriage, I had hoped he might escort me and offer his hand.

Instead, the Tower Master’s unnecessary meddling deprived me of the chance.

As I glared at the Tower Master, who was smiling beside his rocket carriage, a soft voice drew my attention.

“Then, we’ll be on our way now.”

We?

Startled, I turned to see Euclid bidding farewell to the Duke of Basilian.

“We,” he said.

Most people wouldn’t think much of it, but I couldn’t help reacting because I had never heard him use such a phrase before.

Flustered, I stared at him until he turned away, and only then did I close the door.

Soon, the carriage began to move gently.

At last, we were on our way to the Duchy of Rudion.

“She’s really… gone.”

In the square before the temple, where Lady Evgenia had departed, the Duke of Basilian, Sionel, and the Tower Master lingered.

The duke and Sionel, coming to terms with the reality of her marriage, couldn’t bring themselves to leave.

As for the Tower Master…

“Wow, is this a dream? The price difference is at least double, no, triple!”

He couldn’t believe his unexpected windfall and kept laughing as he admired his newly acquired carriage. Yet, he tilted his head in confusion.

“But how could Lady Evgenia say this carriage is embarrassing? It doesn’t make sense…”

His muttering darkened Sionel’s expression.

The highest-quality magic-powered carriage had been ordered for Ephenia, yet it turned out to be such an absurd design.

It was a relief the situation hadn’t escalated further. Sionel thought it fortunate things were resolved smoothly, even as he cast a sharp glare at the oblivious Tower Master.

“Tower Master!”

Suddenly, a black-robed mage, clearly from the Tower, rushed over, his voice urgent.

“The VIP carriage is gone! How could you take it without informing us?”

“Huh? Didn’t I tell you?”

“No, you didn’t!”

As the familiar chaotic banter unfolded, the Duke of Basilian shook his head and began walking toward the ducal residence with his son.

“Where’s your carriage then? Why is only the VIP one here? Wasn’t the wedding over?”

“Ha, traded the old for the new.”

The Tower Master grinned boastfully.

The mage froze in disbelief.

“What? Do you mean the carriage that had last month’s income stored in it?”

“…Huh?”

The Tower Master stiffened, his proud pose faltering.

“What did you just say? Why would that be in the carriage instead of the Tower…?”

“Yesterday, you were drunk and said you wanted to sit on a ‘throne of money’! We asked if we should arrange it, and you agreed enthusiastically!”

“I never said that!”

“Yes, you did. Yesterday!”

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?!”

“You didn’t tell us you’d take the carriage!”

As the Tower Master panicked and argued with the unyielding mage, the Duke of Basilian chuckled quietly.

It seemed the Tower’s income for the past month had inadvertently ended up in Evgenia’s possession.