Episode 51
‘Yes, I’ve run countless meticulous simulations in my head. I can’t let a momentary impulse ruin everything.’
I pinched my thigh hard, unseen, and turned my gaze to Euclid, who was still staring at me with an utterly innocent expression.
Come to think of it, wasn’t there something I wanted to say to Euclid?
“Are you feeling very tired right now?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Good. Please have a seat. There’s something I’d like to talk to you about.”
At my words, Euclid’s expression grew slightly solemn.
“I also have something I’d like to say. Would you mind if I go first?”
Of course not!
I nodded eagerly, curious about what Euclid wanted to tell me.
Although, every time he opened his mouth, he would leave me dumbfounded, baffled, or utterly speechless…
‘And that’s what makes it even more thrilling!’
The “favorite” effect was even more powerful than I had imagined!
While I was waiting to hear what he’d say this time to surprise me, Euclid suddenly bowed his head.
“I’m truly sorry.”
…Excuse me? An apology out of nowhere?
Given my suspicions that Euclid might have someone else he liked, this unexpected apology only fueled my ominous thoughts.
“What are you apologizing for?”
I couldn’t help but ask stiffly, and Euclid let out a bitter smile.
“I’ve been presumptuously calling you my wife without your permission, haven’t I?”
Ah, could he be talking about the time we arrived at the castle?
“I didn’t expect the vassals to be present and acted impulsively without consulting you. You must have been startled and upset, but I really appreciate you pretending not to be bothered by it.”
It was an entirely unexpected apology and show of gratitude.
I hastily waved my hands.
“I was a bit surprised, but I wasn’t upset at all. After all, we are officially married. Isn’t it natural for you to call me your wife?”
Euclid blinked, momentarily at a loss for words at my response.
Since the topic had come up, I thought it would be a good idea to settle the matter of how we address each other.
“If it’s not uncomfortable for you, please continue calling me that.”
Then I added lightly, “Of course, you can call me by my name too, if you prefer.”
To be honest, that was a little more sincere.
Strangely enough, despite my complete immersion in this role, I felt no discomfort being called Evgenia.
It had been the same when my family called me that, and with Euclid, I even found myself wanting to be addressed that way.
Even I couldn’t fully understand my own feelings.
“Then… I will continue calling you my wife from now on.”
Euclid seemed to have made up his mind and said so.
Tsk. If he called me by my name, I could call him Euclid casually too.
“By the way, what was it you wanted to say… Ah.”
While I was silently lamenting, Euclid, who had started to speak cautiously, suddenly stopped.
“Please, have a seat first.”
His gaze flicked briefly downward before quickly returning to me.
My feet, already uncomfortable in high heels, welcomed his consideration.
But the next moment, the situation grew awkward.
I must emphasize: this room’s purpose was so blatantly obvious that the only place to sit was the bed.
Even if we wanted to have a conversation, we had no choice but to sit side by side on the bed.
‘Indeed, physical interaction feels more natural than verbal exchanges… Ahem.’
As vivid, risqué thoughts surfaced again with Euclid right in front of me, I couldn’t help but feel my face heat up.
Embarrassed and concerned for Euclid’s safety, I instinctively took half a step back to create some distance between us.
But I must have stepped on something wrong because I twisted my foot.
Normally, I could have regained my balance easily, but after straining my legs so much on the way to Grace’s room, I lost my strength, and the scene shifted rapidly.
A strong arm wrapped around my waist, but it was too late—my body landed softly on the bed.
And then, a flutter. A white lace canopy, reminiscent of a wedding veil, now covered not just my head but my entire body.
It took me a while to realize it was the canopy attached to the bedposts because Euclid was directly above me.
“……”
“……”
Even the composed, unwavering eyes he’d maintained during our feigned kiss under the veil were now shaking violently.
Flustered, Euclid tried to get up quickly, but the torn canopy I had stepped on acted like a net, ensnaring him further the more he struggled.
Naturally, I made no active attempt to escape, pretending to be equally taken aback.
Eventually, after much fumbling, we managed to free ourselves from the canopy.
“I-I’m sorry.”
“No, it was my fault.”
Although it was embarrassing, Euclid and I ended up relaxing a little and exchanged faint smiles as we looked at each other.
And since we were already both sitting on the bed…
“Then, may I now say what I wanted to say?”
“Please, go ahead.”
Euclid replied with an expression softer than before.
Although I knew the question I was about to ask wasn’t exactly appropriate for the newly relaxed atmosphere, I still asked, driven by a sense of duty.
“Do you, by any chance, have someone you hold dear in your heart?”
“Excuse me? Someone I hold dear?”
“Yes. I mean, someone you might have been forced to part with or keep only in your heart because of this marriage. If there’s someone like that, I would appreciate it if you told me honestly.”
“Ah….”
Euclid’s face froze for a moment, a slightly blank expression taking over.
That expression, though admittedly cute, made me feel a little embarrassed.
After all, I had a past where I openly chased the Crown Prince in a manner everyone knew about.
“Ahem. I’m just asking out of curiosity. I have no intention of blaming or interrogating you. However….”
I hardened my expression.
“You came to the bridal waiting room and told me, didn’t you? That you feel sorry because the Rudion Ducal Family benefits more from this marriage than I do by accepting you as my husband.”
“…Yes, because I’m not good enough.”
“But I don’t think that at all. Honestly, isn’t it you who’s too good for me, no matter who looks at it?”
If not for the people of the Basilian Ducal Family, anyone would agree with me without hesitation.
Yet, Euclid bit his lip slightly, as if he truly believed he wasn’t good enough.
There was a hint of inexplicable sadness in his expression.
An awkward silence lingered for a moment before Euclid slowly lowered his head.
“I am… not as good a person as you think I am. I will surely disappoint you.”
“No, you won’t.”
I immediately denied his words.
Euclid looked at me with a slightly startled and blank gaze.
Seizing the moment, I quickly continued speaking.
“There’s not a single thing lacking about you. Truly, not one.”
“Is… is that so?”
“Yes. Anyway, back to what I was saying. Does the comment you made earlier apply not only to me but also to yourself?”
“The comment I made earlier…?”
“You said it was okay to continue holding feelings for someone else.”
“Ah, that.”
Finally, Euclid blinked a few times, snapping out of his daze.
I spoke in a rather cold voice, fearing his response might be a confirmation.
“For your information, I have absolutely no intention of doing so. Since we’re married, I plan to be more dedicated to this marriage than anyone else.”
“…I see.”
His golden eyes lowered as if in thought, casting long shadows with his eyelashes.
Euclid’s expression was one of bewilderment—or perhaps mild dismay.
I couldn’t tell if he was surprised by my unexpected answer or if he simply didn’t trust me.
‘Maybe it’s both.’
I knew that mere words wouldn’t be enough to gain his trust. I’d have to gradually prove myself through my actions.
Still, I desperately wanted to convey my sincerity to him, so I said earnestly:
“Watch me from now on. I’ll show you.”
However, despite my heartfelt words, Euclid’s expression didn’t brighten.
At that moment, my heart dropped, as if it had fallen to the ground.
The unease that had been gnawing at me surged violently, and an inexplicable sense of betrayal began to creep in.
“Do you really have someone else?”
• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
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