ASDEF 15

Chapter 15

“You’re late.”

Daniel finally spoke to Briana after a long silence.

Her blue eyes, which had been focused on me, turned toward him.

“There was some business at the temple, so it took a while. I came as quickly as I could. Sorry.”

“And His Highness the Prince?”

“From his letter, it seems he left Brochurch quite some time ago, but he hasn’t returned to the country yet.”

“He must have had urgent business. Seeing as he didn’t even mention it to me.”

“Don’t feel hurt. That wasn’t his intention at all. I only found out about it myself when we stopped by the café together the other day.”

At those words, Daniel’s face stiffened slightly.

“…You two seem to go out together quite often.”

“Daniel, really. When His Highness comes, let’s have tea together, the three of us.”

Did Briana know that her very words only fueled Daniel’s jealousy?

I was cautiously looking around when I suddenly made eye contact with someone. It was Duke Benson, Robert.

‘Oh no!’

In the original story, the Duke watches Daniel, who can’t take his eyes off Briana throughout the wedding ceremony, and becomes enraged. That anger then splatters entirely onto his daughter-in-law.

She gets blamed for not being able to secure her husband’s heart even after marriage, and so on.

Daniel’s wife thus begins her marriage on a rocky path.

Come to think of it, what fault was it of hers? The root of all this evil was entirely Daniel’s.

Why on earth did he have to love Briana? You two are destined to never be together anyway! Because…!

I wanted to tell him everything, but if I were to blurt it out, I’d instantly destroy the original story, and I wasn’t confident I could handle the aftermath, so I had to keep my mouth firmly shut.

Thinking I needed to save myself first, my mind raced.

I had to stay at the Benson mansion for a month, but I couldn’t afford to be harshly treated and then kicked out during that time.

—

*’You foolish thing, can’t even keep your husband’s heart in check!’*

*’I told you so, Father. What did I say? I said it was suspicious from the moment brother suddenly brought that woman forward.’*

*’I’m sorry, but it seems Father has caught on to our relationship.’*

*’What are you talking about? Then what about my money?’*

*’Didn’t you hear? We haven’t even completed the full year, and Father has noticed, so the contract is off.’*

*’Wh-What?!’*

*’Now leave.’*

*’No! I can’t leave! I’m not leaving until you give me my money!!’*

—

“Oh, I wonder if we’ll have trouble meeting as a trio now because of your married life? But surely you’ll allow it sometimes, won’t you, my benevolent lady?”

“No. Absolutely not. Not until the day I die and have dirt thrown in my eyes…”

I needed to find a solution. I covered my mouth with one hand and pondered deeply.

“My, my lady…?”

To me, who couldn’t hear any of that, I needed a breakthrough to overcome this situation.

“Daniel, Daniel. I think her complexion doesn’t look too good…”

A powerful blow to stop the Duke, who was still half-doubting our relationship, and Daniel’s rampage—unaware of the coming crisis and staring blankly at Briana.

“My lady, are you alright?”

Yes! I’ve got it!

“Is something wrong, my lady?”

“Very wrong. Extremely wrong… Ugh!”

He, he stepped on my foot again!

Coming to my senses, I finally saw Daniel’s fierce glare.

“What’s so wrong? You’d better rest inside while I call the physician.”

Why? So you can stay here and continue this with her!?

I frantically waved my hands.

“Oh, no. It’s not that…”

“Didn’t you just say you were uncomfortable?”

Your relationship is what’s most uncomfortable, you brat. And the Duke’s fierce glare from afar is also extremely uncomfortable.

“You’d better go inside and rest. I’ll call for the butler to attend to you.”

Daniel signaled to Wally, who was nearby.

No. If I go in now, a life of harsh in-law treatment is confirmed!

I quickly grabbed Daniel’s wrist. The affectionate look I hastily put on was a bonus.

“I’m fine. It was just the dress being uncomfortable.”

“But your complexion is pale…”

“Dear.”

At the word that suddenly blurted out, everyone’s attention instantly focused on me.

Daniel, seemingly quite shocked, awkwardly raised one corner of his mouth and repeated.

“D-Dear…?”

At this, I naturally nodded. Then, adjusting my eyes to look as sparkling as possible, I looked at Daniel.

“Oh, dear. Why are you so shy? Aing.”

At the word ‘dear’ and the sudden aegyo, not only Daniel but even the butler beside us turned pale in an instant.

Daniel couldn’t say anything and his face began to flush red. He was clearly getting worked up because of me.

Well, it must have been embarrassing in front of the woman he loves.

For a moment I wondered if I shouldn’t have said that, but from my perspective, I didn’t feel sorry at all.

After all, we’re married, so ‘dear’ it is, not ‘hello.’

Just as an awkward atmosphere lingered, Daniel broke the heavy silence.

“That address isn’t bad at all.”

Daniel was now wearing a meaningful smile.

“I was worried about what to call you, so this works out well. From now on, I’ll get used to it too. And if you’re uncomfortable, tell me anytime.”

“Excuse me…?”

I just blinked my eyes at the strange atmosphere.

As if agreeing with me, Daniel wrapped his arm around my waist.

With me, wide-eyed, in his arms, he spoke to Briana.

“Now it will be the four of us. My wife will have many questions about your relationship with me too.”

“Our relationship…?”

Even Briana, who was answering, fixed her gaze on Daniel’s hand around my waist, as if finding it curious.

“The ridiculous rumor that I like you.”

At his flat voice, both my and Briana’s expressions instantly froze.

Yes. At this point, Daniel’s wife firmly believes that Daniel’s heart has turned toward her, and that she too has a chance.

And that was a delusion.

But I won’t have that kind of delusion. Because I know exactly what that bastard is thinking.

In fact, Daniel’s actions here were also thoroughly calculated. To divert the Duke’s gaze, who was watching Daniel and Briana from a distance.

At that moment, Daniel’s gentle gaze turned toward me.

My eyes, looking up at him, trembled faintly without my realizing.

Daniel’s red lips curved into a smooth, elegant arc. His face, as if capable of enchanting anyone, slowly drew closer to me.

Soon, with a faint breath, Daniel’s lips slowly approached mine. And then, a soft touch grazed the tip of my lips…?

Th-This is different from the original…!

“Wh-What was that, all of a sudden!”

I quickly pushed him away and fanned myself to calm my flushed face.

Just then, Daniel grabbed my chin and turned me toward him. With his face so close again, my breath caught in my throat.

“If you’re going to do it, you should do it properly, don’t you think?”

“…Excuse me?”

“Isn’t that right, dear?”

A sinister smile spread across his face.

After what felt like an eternity, and I wasn’t sure how I got there, I finally found myself able to rest in a new space prepared on the second floor of the mansion.

I stretched my neck, stiff from all the accessories, and looked around.

“So this is my room.”

A splendid bed with white sheets spread without a crease.

There was a dressing room with a large wardrobe, and bookshelves befitting the lady of the Duke’s household.

It was a place completely unfamiliar to me, who had slept in a cramped side room that barely caught a ray of sunlight.

From spring to early summer could be called the season of Burshton, the capital.

During that time, nobles would show their faces at royal councils and also devote energy to socializing.

From summer to autumn, they would move to areas where hunting was possible, like the Nospia Mountains, to hunt birds and animals.

Then in winter, they would return to their hometowns to inspect their territories, and when spring came, they would return to the capital. That was the general pattern.

Of course, since the Dimension Gates opened, this situation had also changed.

Cautious nobles preferred to stay in cities with defensive magic rather than retreat to their own territories.

I clicked my tongue in amazement, then soon curled the corners of my mouth.

“Yes, this is the life of the rich! Mmm, even the scent is wonderful!”

Though the thought of living quietly in the Benson mansion for a year was daunting, for now, I was determined to enjoy this wealth and glory.