Chapter 8
Diana had changed into her reception dress.
As soon as she saw Harold waiting outside the door, her shoulders involuntarily shrank. The memory of her impulsively kissing him during the ceremony flashed through her mind. She wasn’t embarrassed or shy; rather, she feared the scolding that might come from him.
“Let’s go, Diana.”
“Yes.”
…Oh, is he not going to scold me for kissing him earlier?
Diana glanced at him a few times before relaxing her previously hunched shoulders.
“Congratulations on your wedding, Your Grace, Duke and Duchess. I wish you both nothing but blessings in your future.”
“Thank you, Viscount.”
The two of them exchanged pleasantries with the nobles attending the reception. The nobles couldn’t hide their surprise as they watched Diana and Harold.
And why wouldn’t they be surprised? The couple was holding hands—bare-handed, with no gloves.
“Is the Duke really holding the Duchess’s bare hand…?”
“Oh my! Have they truly overcome everything with love? How romantic.”
However, not all reactions were positive.
“C-Congratulations on your marriage, D-D-Duchess…”
Those who had once crossed paths with “Diana” and suffered her wrath were now trembling in her presence, their faces pale with fear.
“Thank you, Viscountess Handle.”
The Viscountess of Handle had once commented on how well-suited Kaiden and Ella were together, like a picture-perfect couple. In response, “Diana” had tears out of her hair.
Diana smiled warmly at the trembling Viscountess as if to assure her there was no reason to fear. But it seemed to have the opposite effect, causing the viscountess to flee in haste.
‘Ha… Diana, you’ve really left quite a reputation.’
Once again, Diana was confronted with the weight of “villainess Diana’s” past actions.
As she sighed inwardly, she noticed a familiar figure with unruly brown hair approaching and frowned.
“To think that the infamous Duchess would be my sister.”
It was Vincent Garcia, the Viscount, and Diana’s half-brother. He was the legitimate son of the Duke’s first wife, while Diana was an illegitimate child born from a brief affair with a maid.
Vincent had also appeared in ‘The Noble Lady Captures the Heart of the Young Master’, where he harbored secret feelings for the heroine Ella and played the role of a protective older brother.
And in that story, he had humiliated “Diana” on Ella’s behalf.
“Congratulations on your wedding, Duke. But how exactly did you end up with someone like Diana? You must have a stronger stomach than I thought.”
Vincent smirked, gesturing towards Diana with his wine glass.
“Or does she at least have some impressive skills in bed?”
‘Ugh, is that something you say to your own flesh and blood?’
Diana frowned, her stomach churning with disgust.
“Viscount Vincent, that remark crosses a line.”
“Duchess, why the serious face? It’s just a family joke.”
Vincent sneered, casting a glance at Harold.
“Brothers are supposed to tease their little sisters. Duke, I hope you don’t take my joke too seriously.”
“Ah, yes. Family jokes. I understand.”
“Ha! As expected of the Duke, you’re much more reasonable than my sister.”
Just as Diana was about to wonder why Harold was humoring Vincent’s behavior, Harold suddenly intertwined his fingers with hers.
“My wife is lovely when she smiles, and her boldness is even more striking when she teases me. Every day feels new with her. I could talk endlessly about her charms.”
Harold smiled as if troubled by the fact that there wasn’t enough time to list all her virtues.
‘Wow… what amazing acting.’
Diana marveled inwardly. His gaze, dripping with affection, was so convincing that it almost made her believe he really loved her—which, of course, wasn’t true.
“My dear Diana also has a strong stomach, considering she managed to live for years in the same household as someone who constantly spewed filth.”
Vincent’s face flushed with anger.
“What… what did you just say?”
“Hmm? Why so upset? It was just a family joke, right?”
Harold’s smirk deepened.
Diana felt a wave of satisfaction wash over her as she watched Vincent, unable to respond, fume in silence.
She was once again reminded of Harold’s sharp wit, which in the novel had cut down the villainess with ease. Now, being on the same side, it felt oddly comforting.
“…I’ll take my leave then. I wish you both a happy honeymoon.”
Vincent retreated, unable to find a comeback against Harold. He then approached Ella, smiling warmly like the caring older brother he pretended to be.
‘What a broken family…’
Diana began to truly understand why “Diana” had always felt so uncomfortable. While she wasn’t entirely blameless, it was no wonder that the knight who saved her, Kaiden, seemed like a fairytale prince on a white horse to her.
As she tried to shift her focus, she noticed Kaiden standing next to the heroine, Ella. Their eyes met.
She expected him to look away in discomfort, but Kaiden continued to stare at her. Diana was the one who eventually turned her gaze.
…Only to meet Harold’s eyes, who had been watching her all along.
“You startled me…!”
“Sorry. For a moment there, I thought my wife was about to cheat on me right in front of me.”
“Cheat? No way. I just spotted a massive mosquito flying around.”
“In that case, I’ll have the servants spray insecticide throughout the estate soon.”
He took out his pocket watch and checked the time.
“It’s about time we head out.”
When the time came, the couple would retire to their chambers, and the reception would end.
“Well, I’m exhausted, so that’s good.”
The two of them smiled as they gracefully exited the hall.
Meanwhile, Kaiden couldn’t take his eyes off the retreating Diana.
“…Kaiden?”
He didn’t even hear Ella’s voice as she called out to him.
* * *
The Duchess’s chambers were far more luxurious than any guest room.
After being bathed and dressed in a nightgown by the maids, I wrapped a shawl around my shoulders.
“You may now proceed to the marital chambers, My Lady.”
In the Empire, personal space was highly regarded, so the couple’s personal chambers were separate from the shared marital chamber.
I walked down the softly lit corridor, with candles glowing faintly in the distance.
“Yawn… I just want to go and sleep,” Diana muttered to herself, feeling the fatigue weigh on her mind. While her divine power had prevented her legs from swelling, it didn’t erase the mental exhaustion. She quickened her pace, eager to collapse into bed.
“Diana.”
…Huh? Did I hear that right?
“Diana.”
She spun around, realizing she couldn’t have misheard twice.
She saw Kaiden, the prince of Vissen, standing there.
“…Prince Kaiden, why are you here?”
The reception had ended, and it was impossible that someone of his rank would simply be wandering around lost.
Before she could fully process the situation, he spoke again.
“Did you marry my brother for money? I’ll give you whatever you need. Just leave here at once.”
“…What?” Diana blinked in disbelief. “Why are you saying this to me?”
Caught off guard, Diana stared at him in disbelief, but Kaiden only fumbled for a reason.
Judging by his mention of money, it seemed like Kaiden knew something about Amanda’s deal with Harold. Still, his sudden visit and strange behavior made no sense.
Ah, could it be…?
“Are you worried I’ll keep bothering you after the marriage?” she asked, thinking about Kaiden’s past suffering from Diana’s obsession. If they were to be entangled by family ties, perhaps he feared her obsession might continue. But Kaiden’s reaction was odd.
“…Yes, that’s it.”
His facial muscles seemed to relax, as though a burden he hadn’t quite understood had been lifted.
“You avoided my gaze earlier, and acted like you didn’t care, all to get my attention, right? Your tactics are painfully obvious, Diana.”
Kaiden’s voice dripped with arrogance as he ran a hand through his hair.
“Diana, I’ll never choose you. You’re not the kind of woman who belongs at my side.”
“……”
“So stop wasting your time. I’m offering you plenty of money, so just take it and leave.”
He extended his hand, as if expecting her to eagerly accept the deal he was proposing.
“I think I should say something first,” she replied.
“What is it?”
“I’m sorry for all the trouble I caused. Forcing unwanted feelings on someone is a form of violence, and it took me far too long to realize that. I won’t bother you or make you feel uncomfortable ever again.”
Even though she hadn’t personally been the one to commit these actions, as Diana, it was an apology she felt she needed to make.
“How can I believe that? You’re in love with me.”
“Not anymore.”
“…Not anymore?”
“Yes.”
Diana’s voice was steady, hoping he’d believe her sincerity.
“I don’t love you anymore, Prince Kaiden.”
For some reason, his face tightened as if he were choking on something.
