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

Episode 71

It was a situation that made me sigh involuntarily, but since I had promised to keep the children’s secret, I couldn’t explain myself.

‘It would be strange to insist I didn’t scold them without giving a reason.’

Still, I was worried about what Euclid might think.

And then he…

“Alright, I understand. I won’t ask anymore, so stop crying.”

Perhaps feeling guilty toward me, he spoke calmly as he saw the children sobbing again.

He then asked the head maid to bring drinking water, a cold towel, ointment for wounds, and bandages.

Hearing this, I was startled and looked over the children.

They had assured me they hadn’t been hit, but I feared there might be traces I hadn’t noticed.

“Madam, relax your hand. The wound will worsen.”

However, Euclid grabbed my hand as I was urgently checking the children.

My palm was slightly torn, blood seeping through, and it was red and swollen.

It seemed I had injured myself when I stormed out, furious after hearing someone verbally abusing the children, practically breaking through the wardrobe.

The children, realizing I was hurt, approached me with worried eyes but couldn’t even manage to apologize, just watching me nervously.

Thanks to that, the children didn’t ask why I had come out of the wardrobe, and I couldn’t bring myself to tell Euclid that I had accidentally discovered a hidden passage.

And five days passed.

Rumors spread uncontrollably, and it became an established fact that I had scolded the children.

Particularly because Amy, who used to visit the duchy daily, suddenly stopped coming altogether. People speculated that I had driven her away out of dissatisfaction and reprimanded the children.

It was frustrating to be labeled as the villain who tore apart a supposedly close relationship between an aunt and his nephews.

Even the butler, who had regarded me highly for resolving the family’s debts, and the head maid, who had confided deeply in me regarding the children, now seemed unsure of how to treat me.

And so, today as well, I sat in my office, accustomed to being misunderstood as the “villainess.”

Finally, Delano returned, having gone with Anne to find a merchant guild to sell my dowry.

‘Wait, but isn’t he supposed to report to Euclid’s office? Why is he coming to mine?’

Even though I had overseen the account management and the overall process to repay the debt, and the money was technically from my dowry, the person in charge was undeniably Euclid, the duke.

‘And Euclid, why are you just sitting here so naturally?’

I looked at Euclid with a bewildered expression, but no one seemed to care whether I was puzzled or not.

Delano, clearly overly excited about what had happened during his days with Anne, began to report.

In conclusion, he said they had decided to sell the entire dowry to the merchant guild that offered the highest price.

“So… what’s the name of this guild again?”

Even though I hadn’t missed a single word, I asked again in disbelief.

Delano, smiling as if he didn’t mind repeating it, replied joyfully.

“It’s ‘Gold’! Doesn’t the name sound great? From what I found out, it’s a guild that has rapidly expanded its influence within less than ten years of establishment. They’re known for successfully opening new trade routes and making bold, profitable investments. Oh, and!”

“…”

“They said they’ve done business with you before, Madam. I might be wrong, but I think they offered us a better price because of you. The vice leader of the guild also mentioned that the shoes you ordered are complete and that they’ll bring them along when they deliver the proceeds.”

Haha…

So, the guild’s name was ‘Gold.’

The guild I contacted last time about making low-heeled shoes was this one.

Realizing this belatedly, I let out a hollow laugh and looked at Anne.

Anne, listening to Delano’s praise of the ‘Gold’ guild, looked more than proud, as if she was personally being complimented.

Even though I should have been happy that my dowry was sold for a much better price than expected, I couldn’t help but feel like sighing.

I tried to dismiss it as just a dream and pretended as if nothing had happened, but…

I was anxious, wondering when the existence of ‘Gold’ and ‘Black’ would appear before me and disrupt my peace.

Oblivious to my unease, Delano continued speaking in an excited tone.

“The vice leader of the guild is quite a bold person. They said that expanding their distribution network to the north might be a good idea, and even suggested establishing a branch in the Rudeon Duchy, pending approval from their guild leader. They also mentioned wanting to meet you to discuss things further.”

“…Me?”

Not the duke, Euclid?

I watched, dumbfounded, but both Euclid, who was listening, and even Delano answered with faces free of any doubt.

“Yes! If things go well, not only could the Basilian Merchant Guild establish itself in the North, but the Gold Merchant Guild might also secure a foothold here. This includes various businesses owned by the Gold Guild, like transport companies and restaurants.”

Delano’s face was beaming with a wide smile.

He seemed to predict that the introduction of another merchant guild besides Basilian would help stabilize the market prices he had been worried about.

Just then, Delano suddenly wiped the smile off his face and spoke.

“To be honest, as soon as I arrived in the capital, I was planning to visit the Basilian Merchant Guild first. But thanks to Madam’s maid, I avoided making a foolish mistake. Can you imagine what the Basilian Ducal family would think if I’d disposed of Madam’s dowry at her maiden family’s behest?”

Delano, brushing his chest as if relieved at narrowly avoiding a grave mistake, praised Anne’s competence highly.

Anne, who had been looking smug until a moment ago, erased her proud expression and responded humbly.

“It’s just basic work for a maid who serves her lady.”

No, it’s not. I thought so at first, too, but it’s absolutely not basic.

“Haha, is that so? That’s truly remarkable. I need to strive harder myself!”

While I silently disagreed, Delano, deeply impressed, raised his voice.

Just as I couldn’t hold back and clicked my tongue, I felt an intense gaze near my cheek.

When I turned my head, I saw Euclid staring intently at me.

“Do you have something to say?”

Feeling a little embarrassed, I asked, and he flinched, startled, his shoulders trembling.

It was as if he hadn’t even realized he’d been staring at me.

Then, as the tips of his ears subtly reddened, he nodded as if suddenly recalling something.

“Ah, yes, I actually had something to tell you, wife.”

“What is it?”

“Well… the Mage Tower contacted us.”

Euclid hesitated a little before continuing.

“They said they feel uneasy about giving you their carriage. It seems like they’re worried they didn’t uphold their trust with a customer. So, they’re offering to send a new magical carriage with top-tier options based on the original design if we return the current one. What do you think?”

“Really? The Tower Master said that?”

That stingy, money-loving person?

I narrowed my eyes, full of doubt.

I had only met the Tower Master once, but the impression was unforgettable.

“The Tower Master doesn’t strike me as someone who’d value trust with a customer…”

Even Delano, who apparently knew Euclid’s friend, murmured in puzzlement.

It really did seem strange.

Euclid gave an awkward laugh, unable to deny it.

I already felt uneasy, and now I was even more convinced that accepting this favor wasn’t a good idea.

Relying on my instincts as always, I replied, “Could you let them know I’m fine with the current carriage? We agreed there’d be no changing terms later, so let’s stick to that.”

Delano let out a regretful gasp, but Euclid readily nodded.

“Understood. I’ll relay your wishes.”

Despite rejecting his friend’s offer outright, there wasn’t a trace of displeasure on Euclid’s face.

‘He’s just so kind… almost too kind.’

I resolved once again that I needed to stay sharp and vigilant to make up for having such a good-natured husband.

“Huh?”