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Chapter 13
“……”
Honestly, I wasn’t even expecting an apology.
His face practically said everything for him—as if it were asking, “Why should someone like you apologize to someone like her?”
“If you’re unable to bow that not-so-impressive pride of yours and apologize here and now, then we’ll have no choice but to take action on our side as well.”
When no answer came no matter how long she waited, Floria spoke up first.
“A rather interesting story about defamation will soon reach the Marquis’s ears. In that case, how do you think the man who happens to be Lady Dwayne’s biological father will react?”
“……”
“Surely he wouldn’t say something like, ‘You did wonderfully,’ would he? From what I know, he’s absolutely not that kind of person.”
Listening to that, even though I didn’t know the man well, an image of him overflowing with rage naturally formed in my mind.
“If something like that were to happen, my heart would truly ache. I sincerely hope Lady Dwayne doesn’t have to go through such an uncomfortable situation.”
For someone claiming she didn’t want trouble, her expression and words were clearly saying otherwise.
We haven’t known each other long, but she’s really terrifying.
In my mind, her title instantly changed from ‘sister-in-law who returned after graduation’ to ‘sister-in-law who’s scary when angry.’
“Brother, you can let go of Sister-in-law’s ears now. You don’t need to cover them anymore.”
…Suddenly? Why?
Only then did I notice that the woman, who had been biting her lip nervously, seemed to have given up, clearly afraid of what might come next.
“Madam.”
“Yes? Yes, Duke.”
I removed my hands from my ears and turned my head sharply to look at Adrian, who had called me quietly.
“All unnecessary conversation is over now, so Madam only needs to listen to what she should hear.”
When Adrian smiled so kindly, I couldn’t bring myself to say that I’d already heard everything.
Even if I tell him later, this isn’t the place.
Excuse me, Mastermind Duke.
Your hands didn’t block my ears very well, so I heard everything.
Unfortunately, I heard it far too clearly.
Even if I accept the apology, it’s not like I’ll feel good about it—but I should at least look like I’m willing to hear it, right?
With that in mind, I turned my head and quietly watched the woman who had finally abandoned her pride.
“Duchess Winston.”
“……”
Silence fell over the area.
That’s strange. Why call someone and then not answer?
Just as I found it odd, a realization hit me like a blow to the back of the head.
Wait—
That was me. She was calling me.
I’m so used to being called by my name that when she used my title, I thought she was calling someone else and stayed still!
That was me?!
“I… apologize.”
After a brief pause, she spoke those words and immediately bent halfway at the waist in apology.
Are those murderous eyes only visible to me?!
When she straightened up and our eyes met, her glare was sharp enough that it felt like she might slap me right here and now.
Did I only manage to get on my sister-in-law’s good side and somehow offend everyone else instead?
Please tell me I’m just imagining things.
* * *
“She did apologize this time, but I doubt she’ll let it go easily. Her eyes looked like she was ready to do something drastic.”
“There’s no need to be afraid so early. The fault wasn’t ours to begin with. If she’s grinding her teeth and preparing something, then all we have to do is respond in kind.”
That was the most memorable thing said during our carriage ride back to the estate.
Respond in kind… how exactly?
Even now, I couldn’t find an answer. There was no way to know in advance what the other side might do.
“Duke.”
“Yes, Madam.”
“Would you like to go out with me next time?”
I pushed the troublesome thoughts aside and focused on the present.
After all the effort it took just to get time together, I can’t let it slip away meaninglessly.
Perhaps he knew I usually stayed in the estate and took frequent walks in the garden—now he came out at set times even without me asking.
Thanks to that, I could stick to his side like a rice cake and talk about even the most trivial things.
“You mean an outing?”
“Yes. Together with me.”
An outing is an outing—what other outing would there be?
The moment Adrian stopped walking instead of answering, I also came to a halt beside him, parasol in hand.
I needed an answer.
“Is there somewhere specific you wish to go?”
“Not really. I just wanted to try going out together. Is that not allowed?”
“There’s no reason it wouldn’t be.”
Yes!
So that means permission, right?
I thought he’d reject it outright.
Since there wasn’t even a hint of negativity, he must be at least somewhat willing.
“Then shall we choose where to go together?”
If I didn’t want him changing his mind later, I needed to decide the destination right now.
Good thing I brought this—just in case.
I pulled out a map from my pocket, unfolded it, and held it out in front of him.
“It’s better to choose together than for me to decide alone and tell you later.”
The map showed only the most famous locations in the capital, drawn in large, clear markings.
“That doesn’t sound like a bad idea, Madam.”
I could see right through him.
He’s just agreeing so things don’t get more troublesome.
He looked like he wouldn’t seriously listen no matter what I said—utterly unreliable.
“Then let’s return—”
“No. Let’s choose here. I don’t want to waste any more time.”
If we went as far as a bench, we’d waste time anyway. We just needed to look at the map and talk briefly.
“As you wish, Madam.”
Taking the map from my hands, Adrian spoke as if he’d grant any request I made.
But by now, his words were automatically filtered through my own interpretation.
Not what I want—what’s more convenient for you.
Don’t try to sugarcoat it.
“Here seems nice. And that place over there too.”
Trying to look at the map in his hands, I realized the height difference was too great, so I rose onto my toes and pointed one place after another.
“I heard there are fireworks in this area in the afternoon. And this district is perfect for performances. And here…”
I slowly explained each optimal location, combining what I knew with what I’d heard during my solo visit to the capital.
What’s the point of talking this much if he’s not listening at all?
Despite pointing eagerly and explaining in detail, his blank expression drained my energy.
“Duke.”
“Yes, Madam.”
I puffed out my lips slightly and tightened my grip on the parasol.
“Even if what I say isn’t interesting or helpful to your life at all, couldn’t you at least react once in a while?”
Honestly, Floria or Cordelia would listen better than a husband who felt like a stone statue.
What’s the use of good weather when my mood is pouring rain?
The more I tried and acted, the more it felt like I was the only one losing something.
Even if all this was part of the divorce plan, I was still human—I couldn’t help but grow tired.
“……”
When Adrian looked flustered and rolled his eyes around, I decided to let it go.
“I’ll try.”
When those words finally came, they felt empty rather than reassuring.
It was always the same pattern.
“Thank you—for saying that.”
And once again, I responded like this.
“Then shall we decide again?”
I smiled brightly, completely opposite to how I felt inside, and continued the conversation.
With only divorce in sight.
* * *
“Oh, and this is something I got from Floria. I picked one up for you too, Duke.”
As we were about to return to our rooms after mostly deciding on a location, I remembered the fortune cards Floria had given me.
They were yearly fortune readings, individually wrapped—she must have bought several.
“Shall we open them together here and see what we get?”
“That sounds fine.”
Not wanting to waste time, he answered promptly and accepted the wrapped box.
I wonder what we’ll get.
It was just for fun, but I was still curious.
“Apparently, 98 out of 100 people say it’s amazingly accurate, Sister-in-law.”
Hearing that only made me more curious.
Let’s see… what will it be?
I opened the box.
Inside were neatly arranged small cards. When I flipped one over, there was an illustration and a title.
[Happiness That Comes Only After the End]
That’s a good meaning, right?
At least it mentioned happiness, so it didn’t seem bad. As I finished that thought, I became curious about Adrian’s result.
“What card did you get, Duke?”
Instead of answering, he showed me his card.
[Death]
“……”
This time, I couldn’t respond.
Sure, he does die at the end—but that doesn’t mean his luck is bad enough for this to appear in a yearly fortune.
No matter how accurate it supposedly was, if even 2 out of 100 people didn’t praise it, it couldn’t be fully trusted.
He’s not actually believing this, right?
…He was.
His expression had noticeably darkened.
“Duke.”
I let go of the parasol, sending it flying with the wind.
I could always pick it up later.
“Fate exists to be changed.”
Freeing both hands, I placed them on his cheeks and stepped closer, meeting his gaze.
“You take in the good things and change the bad ones. Just because ‘death’ came up doesn’t mean you’re supposed to die.”
“……”
“If everyone accepted fortunes as they are, the world would be full of unhappy people, and no one would ever check their fortune again.”
Despite feeling bad earlier, I decided to save at least one person and moved even closer, not avoiding his eyes.
Three steps away.
“But—”
“Shh.”
Afraid he’d say something negative again, I rose onto my toes and covered his mouth with both hands.
“If you get a death card, it just means you should take care of your health and avoid forming bad relationships. You don’t have to see it as purely negative—you can think of it positively too.”
“……”
“One card like this isn’t going to ruin your life, no matter what you think.”
It’s all about perspective.
How long are you going to see everything so negatively, Duke?
“What you were thinking earlier—was it wrong, or not?”
I asked, removing my hands from his mouth.
“It was wrong.”
He answered immediately, choosing from the options in my question.
You really answered that exactly as asked?
You’re honestly adorable.
“Well done.”
Maybe that was why—before I realized it, my hand moved on its own, gently stroking his golden hair like petting a puppy.
I should pull my hand back before I get embarrassed.
Just as I tried to withdraw, he caught my hand and spoke.
“Just once more… would that be possible, Madam?”
You want me to pat your head one more time?
