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chapter 51
“Haah…”
Emilina, who had gone up to her room first, flopped onto the bed and let out a long sigh.
She had told her parents she was fine and asked for some time, but the truth was, she wasn’t fine at all.
Everything was exhausting, and her mind was in complete chaos, as if struck by a sudden calamity.
‘How did things end up like this?’
Kirzen, someone she should have had no connection with, had become her husband.
And all because he had feelings for her.
Even if that was true, it was by no means something she could welcome.
‘When on earth did he even look at me to go this far and help me?’
Emilina could not comprehend it at all.
Of course, it was somewhat pleasing that Kirzen showed her not hostility but favor.
At least, unlike in the original story, she wouldn’t have to worry about dying.
But being bound as husband and wife was a completely different matter.
The woman meant to become his wife already existed, and Emilina herself was not capable enough to take that place.
More than anything, the thought of intruding into their destined love felt utterly disgusting.
Especially if it ended with her pitifully getting divorced.
“This is insane, really.”
This was why she had been obsessively keeping Serica at a distance and wary of Kirzen.
Not just for her life, but because once she meddled in the original story, she would never have a peaceful life.
Emilina did not want to waste her life being tossed around by the protagonists’ lives.
She just wanted to live quietly, enjoying small, everyday pleasures.
She didn’t want to die from an unexpected accident like in her previous life, nor be caught up in dramatic events and die unjustly.
But the situation had already arisen, and it was far from easy to handle, leaving Emilina with a headache.
She couldn’t even pinpoint where things had gone wrong.
No… actually, she could.
‘Kir…’
That child was, in a way, the starting point of all this.
When Emilina first saw Kirzen at the assembly hall, she had unconsciously thought of Kir.
There was something eerily reminiscent about him, something that had left her uneasy.
And what she had feared, no matter how unlikely it seemed, had come true.
Kir was indeed connected to Kirzen.
Moreover, Kirzen had even mentioned that child when proposing to her.
He later informed her that they were now legally married, but in any case, Kir had clearly been the cause.
‘I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions just because he looked familiar…’
Damn that pity.
Why did she arrogantly assume that Kir must have had some unfortunate circumstance?
Emilina let out a deep sigh, troubled by her thoughts.
This must be why they say you shouldn’t casually pick up a black-haired beast.
One wrong pick of a black-haired beast and your life gets tangled.
Thinking that, Emilina ruffled her hair in frustration.
Then she stretched out and stared endlessly at the ceiling.
She needed to figure out how to resolve this predicament.
‘…First, I should meet the Duke.’
Finding the answer would come afterward.
She needed to know exactly what he intended by making such a choice.
Since they couldn’t have a proper conversation at the ball, a more in-depth discussion was necessary.
And she planned to try to persuade the Duke to change the situation.
If they were to maintain this marriage, she would carefully point out each disadvantage.
If needed, she even considered divorcing him immediately to sever the relationship in advance.
Though the scheming Marquis made her uneasy, that would be somewhat resolved once she met Kirzen.
Emilina closed her eyes, planning to visit Duke Ditrio as soon as day broke.
…Yet, despite her resolution, Kirzen came to the mansion first.
Early in the morning, no less, bearing an overwhelming array of gifts.
Along the narrow path, luxurious carriages and carts loaded with goods lined up, and passersby curiously peered, wondering what was going on.
At the very front, the mastermind behind this whole affair greeted the Klein family with an utterly composed expression.
Emilina could only gape in astonishment.
“What on earth is this…?”
“Good morning.”
But Kirzen simply smiled casually.
Emilina was too flabbergasted to reply.
After dropping such a massive bomb yesterday, he greets her with “good morning”?
Though she wanted to argue, she had no choice but to speak carefully for now.
“…Yesterday, you said we’d meet separately soon, right? Isn’t this a bit too soon for ‘soon’?”
She was astounded at how quickly he interpreted “soon.”
Feeling ridiculous, Kirzen scratched his cheek, looking slightly embarrassed.
“I came because yesterday’s meeting was too brief, and I wanted to see you again.”
“….”
“Are you uncomfortable?”
Emilina shot him a look that clearly said, ‘Is that supposed to be a question?’
Kirzen cleared his throat and continued.
“Actually, I came to escort you, my lady. Even though there were circumstances, you are my wife now.”
Emilina blinked, speechless.
He had come in person to bring her to the Duke’s residence.
She could only stare blankly at his overwhelming initiative that allowed her no time to think.
At that moment, Katie stepped forward to handle the situation.
“Duke, though our greetings were late, perhaps we should move inside to talk. Otherwise, we’ll inconvenience the neighbors.”
Katie gestured toward the carriages and carts with a troubled look. Kirzen, understanding, spoke apologetically.
“I’ve been rather oblivious. I’ll have them removed promptly.”
“I’m glad you understand. Then, those gifts…”
“They are for the both of you. They are brought as a gesture of goodwill, so please accept them.”
Clearly, that was his intention. Katie was about to refuse but, seeing his mischievous smile, decided it was better to accept.
Had she refused, the conversation would only drag on.
So the Klein family had no choice but to receive the early-morning guests with some discomfort.
“….”
“….”
Emilina and Kirzen sat across from each other on the living room sofa, engulfed in awkward silence.
The Kleins had stepped aside for them.
Knowing that Emilina would speak on their behalf, they had effectively retreated, respecting her choice with a polite glance.
After a short silence, Emilina spoke first.
She wanted to get this over with quickly.
“…I cannot accept the items you’ve brought. Please take them back.”
This was a subtle request Katie had whispered before leaving.
Considering the excessive gifts she had previously received, Emilina had already decided to refuse this one.
She felt uneasy about receiving anything from Kirzen, feeling indebted to him.
Though she had much to say, she decided to address the gifts first.
Kirzen responded with a troubled expression.
“If the gift displeases you, I can send something else. But please do not refuse. It is proper to show courtesy to one’s wife’s family.”
He wanted her to accept at least for appearances’ sake.
Emilina finally realized why he had come in such a grand manner.
After yesterday’s commotion, whether she liked it or not, the nobles would be watching.
Even for verification of the facts, they would persistently observe.
Truly, it was exhausting attention.
‘The newspapers must have made a huge deal out of it by now.’
Journalists wouldn’t miss such a scoop. They would follow to determine the truth.
For Emilina, who wanted a quiet life, it was a headache.
Although being tied to Kirzen meant quiet was impossible, she at least wanted to clarify that the gifts were excessive.
“This is too much. We can’t possibly return the favor, so it’s a burden. A gift should have limits to be acceptable.”
“…I apologize. I will be more careful next time.”
“No, next time…”
Emilina was about to say there would be no next time, but she suddenly closed her mouth.
She wanted to switch to the main topic.
Sighing lightly, she changed the subject.
“Before that, there’s something I want to say.”
“Please speak freely.”
Kirzen nodded, as if he had anticipated this.
He seemed to guess what she would say next.
“It’s about the marriage you mentioned yesterday.”
“…I understand it must be complicated for you.”
Complicated? Her head was about to explode just figuring out what to do about this relationship.
But Emilina didn’t voice that.
She merely conveyed the purpose she had decided from the start.
“Honestly, I cannot accept this marriage. I know, Duke, that you chose this out of necessity… but if it’s not sincere, I want to cancel it.”
When she had heard MacTrun’s words, questions kept circling in her mind.
Why was Duke Ditrio doing this?
For a marriage that offered him nothing, that was so unfair.
Why persuade her father and go through with it if it wasn’t sincere?
Even if it was about Kir, Kirzen, a third party, was taking things too far.
He called it a necessary choice, but it was more like sheer nonsense.
With that meaning implied, she asked, and his firm voice replied:
“Why do you think it is not sincere?”
