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

Episode 53

Could it be that he called me just once and stopped? I was on the verge of disappointment.

“Um, Wife.”

Euclid lightly grabbed my arm and gently shook it, calling me again.

I almost let a smile break out, but instead, I furrowed my brows slightly, pretending to be cute as I rubbed the corner of my eye lightly. Slowly, I opened my eyes, forgetting to maintain my expression, and let my mouth drop open.

‘My goodness, is this heaven?’

I had seen his face repeatedly, all night long, without rest.

Yet, the moment I met his golden eyes, which were even more beautiful than the sunlight streaming through the window, I felt like my soul was being pulled away.

As I gazed at Euclid’s face, entranced, I belatedly noticed something strange.

Euclid had a peculiar expression, as if he felt uncomfortable or awkward, as he looked at me.

“Your Grace?”

“…It’s nothing.”

Hmm, this feels a bit unsettling.

I squinted my eyes slightly, feeling something was off.

Then Euclid hesitated, as though bringing up a difficult topic, and finally spoke.

“You were sleeping so soundly… I’m sorry to have woken you.”

“No, it’s fine.”

I reluctantly sat up and waved my hand quickly.

Since we were supposed to wash up, have breakfast together, and then tour the duchy in the morning, it made sense to wake up now.

But more than anything, I didn’t like seeing Euclid apologizing to me for no reason.

Every time he did, it felt like my heart was melting.

In a hierarchical society like this, someone of his rank shouldn’t feel the need to apologize so often.

‘Why does he act like someone who’s used to saying sorry? The one who should be apologizing is me… Wait?’

Lost in my train of thought, I paused, unable to follow where it was going, when Euclid spoke again earnestly.

“Really, if you’re tired, you should get some more rest.”

Why does he keep insisting when I’ve already said it’s fine?

I frowned unconsciously but stopped myself.

‘Could it be… I look terribly worn out?’

Unlike Euclid, who was glowing more brilliantly than sunlight, I hadn’t slept a wink, so my face might indeed look like a disaster.

Now I understood why Euclid sighed as soon as I opened my eyes.

Instead of giving him the joy of seeing a beautiful sight in the morning, I must have made him feel unsettled.

Overwhelmed with guilt, I subtly turned my head, covered my face, and lightly rubbed the corner of my eye.

“To be honest, I’m a little tired, but it’s manageable. After all, we planned to explore the duchy today.”

“There’s really no need to push yourself.”

“No.”

While I appreciated Euclid’s concern, I firmly refused.

I didn’t want to be seen as a lazy mistress who couldn’t stick to her word from the very first day. Plus, I had a feeling there would be many tasks awaiting me in the duchy.

Delaying things didn’t sit well with me.

Realizing he couldn’t change my mind, Euclid nodded.

Avoiding his gaze awkwardly, I asked dryly, trying to conceal my excitement.

“So, will Your Grace be guiding me through the duchy?”

“Ah… I’m sorry. I’m swamped with work.”

The moment he mentioned that the butler would guide me, I couldn’t hide my disappointment as I prepared to respond.

“Then, I’ll take my leave first. I’ll send up the maids to attend to you shortly, so please wait a little.”

Euclid, who had risen from the bed before I realized it, hurriedly left the bedroom.

“……?”

Why is he in such a rush? And with his face turning so red?

6. A person who repays a debt is merely light.

“Madam, this is the library. It is vast enough to occupy most of the western side of the duke’s residence.”

“Hmm, it’s really big. And there are so many books.”

I nodded in admiration at the enormous size of the library.

With this, it seemed like I could thoroughly absorb all the knowledge and history I was lacking about this place.

‘Since this is the Rudion Duke’s residence, there must certainly be information about the previous heads of the family.’

Fueled by the desire to learn about not only Euclid’s deceased family members but also his ancestors, I asked eagerly, “Can I come here whenever I want?”

“Of course, Madam. Lady Marianne and Lord Dior visit frequently as well.”

When I nodded with satisfaction at the useful information and smiled, the butler flinched.

“……?”

“Then, if you proceed to the upper floor, where the portraits of the previous heads of the family and the current family members are displayed, you will have seen everything in the main residence. Shall we head there now?”

What? Did he just say I could even see portraits of Euclid’s family, including those painted when they were children?

“Of course……!”

I was about to respond eagerly that I wanted to visit right away but stopped myself.

The unexpected treasure nearly overwhelmed me, but a better idea struck me.

“No, I’ll visit that part tomorrow.”

And preferably with Euclid!

That way, I could hear his explanations about the portraits and stories about his family in person.

‘If that’s not a date, what is?’

I never knew I had such a meticulous and strategic side.

Well, it’s probably exclusive to Euclid, but I couldn’t help admiring myself for painting a big picture with just small actions and looking far ahead into the future.

“Understood! Shall we end the tour here for today, then? I’ll take my leave….”

The butler, who had been tense all morning, couldn’t hide his relief and asked excitedly.

But unfortunately for him, I wasn’t ready to let him go just yet.

“Wait. I have a question.”

“Ah, please go ahead.”

The butler, who had inadvertently sighed, straightened his posture immediately.

“Earlier, I didn’t ask because I didn’t want to interrupt the duke, but is my office located on the same floor as his?”

“Pardon? Are you referring to your office, Madam?”

“Wouldn’t there be many books and documents that the lady of the house should review?”

The butler’s overly surprised reaction made me respond as if I found it strange.

Then, as if gradually realizing something, his confused face brightened up.

“Yes, absolutely! You’re entirely right, Madam. Until now, the master and I have shared the management of the household matters, but it’s only proper for you to take over everything from now on.”

“…….”

How odd. While I thought it was only natural for me to handle such matters, his blatant delight made me feel slightly uncomfortable.

Still, it was clear that his reaction stemmed from joy at the lady of the house taking on her role, something he hadn’t expected at all, so I decided to let it slide.

“So, where is my office located?”

“As you said, it’s on the same floor as the master’s office.”

“Is it perhaps next door?”

“Ah, no. Strictly speaking, it’s the room opposite his, located at the very end of the hallway….”

Clicking my tongue internally, I noticed that the butler was now regretting not having shown me the office earlier.

Not long ago, he had seemed terribly uncomfortable around me, but now, he seemed ready to guide me to any room I wanted.

Though it wasn’t entirely a bad thing, there was something else I wanted to ask before heading anywhere.

“One more question.”

“Please, ask away.”

“Are the lamps mounted on the walls mere decorations?”

To be honest, I’d been curious about this since last night, all the way until I went to Grace’s room late at night.

Judging by their design and their resemblance to the ones I’d seen in the Basilian Duke’s residence, they were surely magical lamps. Yet, I hadn’t seen them lit even once, despite being installed all over the duke’s residence.

This was especially puzzling since there were even candlesticks placed next to the lamps in the library, a space often visited by children. For safety reasons, I had to confirm this matter.

“Ah… no, they’re not decorations.”

The butler, who had been bright just moments ago, suddenly swallowed his words.

His expressions were remarkably transparent and diverse, I thought, as I asked again.

“Then why aren’t they being used?”

“Well, that’s because they are lamps powered by magic stones….”

“Then isn’t it just a matter of using them?”

I replied nonchalantly but paused when I saw the butler’s expression darken rapidly.

Stammering, he began to explain.

“As you know, the Rudion Dukedom has had many heads of the family who were exceptional magicians, starting with the first duke. Thanks to that, the residence is equipped with numerous magical devices that can be powered by magic stones, including these lamps!”

Hmm, while that was interesting and welcome news, it wasn’t exactly the answer to my question, was it?