Chapter 3

Chapter 3 (3/177)

#3.

When it seemed that her brother was in a tight spot, Bestia shed tears and acted weak.

Her fine blonde hair cascaded down past her shoulders.

"Sniff! Stop it!"

"Bestia, don't cry."

The Duke tried to console her, and she continued.

"Your Highness, my brother is more passionate about his studies than anyone else."

"Yes, I know the Baron's temperament well."

"That's right. There must have been a misunderstanding. The Duchess must have come in late and only saw the result without knowing the situation."

"A misunderstanding..."

"According to my brother, the Duke's heir didn't do his pre-study and often lied. He also made things difficult by refusing punishment."

"..."

"Perhaps it was just a simple punishment. Everyone does it, right?"

The Duke remained silent. She took this as his agreement, foolishly.

'She's digging her own grave.'

I asked her casually.

"Lady Lork, are you saying that it's normal for a tutor to hit a student?"

"If necessary. When I was young, I was often beaten by Madam, but I never considered it abuse. It was a loving punishment!"

Lady Lork spoke dramatically, leaning into the Duke's embrace like a character in a play.

Her skill in sharing her personal experiences was impressive. Unfortunately, she didn't realize that this only further irritated the Duke.

'Right. Goodbye, Lady Lork, the Duke's passing lover.'

I offered a light condolence. A moment later, the Duke gently pulled her away.

"Your Highness?"

Bestia looked at him in surprise. His face had hardened.

"Go home for today. I'm tired."

When the Duke dismissed her, Bestia blinked in confusion.

She seemed bewildered that he was sending her away without even scolding me.

"Just a moment, Your Highness. Am I really going like this? Really?"

Usually, the Duke would have been pleased by Lady Lork's coquettish behavior, but not today. Duke Hadelus coldly dismissed her.

"Go on."

"No! You promised to scold the Duchess!"

As Bestia shook her head and threw a tantrum, the Duke's expression changed.

"Lady Lork, when did you start to contradict and refuse my words?"

"W-well, that..."

Bestia flinched at the change in atmosphere. But it was too late.

"It seems I've been too lenient with you."

"Me?"

"I'd prefer it if you didn't come to my castle anymore. I'll also clear out the room you used to stay in."

"Y-you can't be serious!"

Bestia trembled as if she had just heard a bolt from the blue.

The Duke nodded, and a nearby attendant politely said to her,

"Please go, Lady Lork."

"You can't come to the castle? What do you mean, Your Highness?!"

What do you mean? It means I'm done with you.

I smirked, watching the scene unfold.

"Take her away."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The attendants, who had been standing by, promptly took Lady Lork away.

"Duke! How can you treat me like this, Duke!"

Bestia pleaded with tears, but the Duke ignored her.

I hummed a tune in my head as I watched Bestia being led away by the attendants.

Bestia had just made a huge mistake.

After all, she only knew how to put on a good face and never paid attention to what the Duke was doing. This put her on a precarious edge.

Recently, the Duke had submitted a bill to the parliament to ban child abuse and corporal punishment.

He couldn't ignore the scene of his son being punished, even if the target was the brother of his lover.

He was probably afraid that this incident would leak and decided to silence and remove the Lork siblings.

Love is one thing, but business is another. No matter how free-spirited the Duke was, he didn't need a lover who interfered with his work.

Moreover, Lady Lork's constant whining had become a nuisance.

It was about time he got tired of her, and she had just provided the perfect excuse.

'Phew, one problematic couple is out of the way.'

In the original story, the Duchess found out about Akid's abuse and blackmailed the Duke to get a mine.

But now, the Duke had found out first by chance.

It was originally a card the Duchess had kept to use against the Duke, but what did it matter? I had to stop my husband from being beaten.

I tried to hide my rising smile and chuckled inwardly.

Akid looked at me strangely but didn't press the issue. Then the Duke called me.

"Little one."

"Yes, Father."

"About this matter..."

"Don't worry. I won't say a word."

When I answered cleverly, the Duke shrugged.

"Then both of you go now."

"Then I'll leave."

Akid stood up and bowed politely.

"Yes, Father! Have a good night!"

My cheerful greeting made the Duke raise an eyebrow. He seemed to wonder why Akid was suddenly so friendly.

If I had kissed him goodnight, he would have been shocked. I shrugged and grabbed Akid's hand, calling out brightly,

"Let's go, honey!"

This time, Akid stared at his captured hand in surprise. The Duke also seemed very surprised by my actions.

'Oh, right. We were supposed to be a couple with a bad relationship.'

In my excitement over dealing with the Lork siblings, I had acted too affectionately.

Moreover, I had called him "honey."

Roena had never called Akid that.

'I just let my feelings get the better of me.'

Even before meeting him, I had a habit of calling people "honey," "darling," and "mine," which I couldn't shake.

Now, it would be strange to let go of his hand. So I decided to act as if I was wearing a mask.

I didn't let go of his hand but held it firmly.

Then I smiled innocently, and the Duke said,

"Since when..."

"Yes?"

"Never mind. As a couple, it's natural. Go on."

The Duke waved his hand dismissively. I bowed again and left the room with Akid.

Akid was quiet as we walked down the corridor. When we reached the bedroom,

"What are you thinking?"

Akid asked with a stern face.

"What do you mean? Is there a problem with me protecting my husband?"

"Not that... but..."

Akid frowned and couldn't continue. He clearly didn't understand why I suddenly wanted to protect him.

I hadn't planned to act this way. I wanted to take it slowly, but what was I supposed to do about the Baron's actions?

After a moment, Akid asked calmly,

"Did you do it on purpose?"

"Do what?"

"Provoking Lady Lork."

Akid got straight to the point, as if telling me not to dodge the question. But I blinked and pretended to be innocent.

"Provoking? I just acted as I usually do."

Roena had always been this mischievous, right?

When I replied as if it was nothing new, he couldn't continue. His confused expression was evident.

I felt a bit sorry for him, who suspected my intentions even with such small gestures.

"More importantly, are you okay? I'm glad you got treated, as I said."

When I reached out to touch his forehead, he gently stopped me.

"I'm fine."

"Let me see for myself."

"Why are you acting like this all of a sudden? Didn't you hate me?"

His gray eyes flickered beneath his black hair.

His grip was very gentle, and he would let go with the slightest movement.

Despite his cold tone, he was someone who cared deeply for his wife.

He felt guilty about the arranged marriage that brought her to him at a young age.

Roena Hadelus had noticed his vulnerable side and used it to torment him.

'If it were me, I would have understood his feelings...'

After a year of constant mischief, it would be suspicious to deny ever hating him. So I admitted it.

"Yes, I did hate... Lord Akid."

Seeing his expression harden at the word "hate" made my heart ache, so I mumbled the rest. Before he could speak, I quickly explained.

"But not anymore. I hope you can believe me."

"Didn't you try to drown yourself in the water? Because you hated me, your husband, and didn't want to be near me?"

Akid forced out words that were hard for him to say.

His lower lip trembled, and he looked very distressed.

He was right. Roena Hadelus had hated him intensely, just because he was a bastard.

And the day she fell into the water, I became Roena. Even if I had possessed her, this fact wouldn't change.

"Yes, I did."

"What do you think I felt when I saw you fall into the water?"

Akid clenched his fists, clearly angry at my calm response.

"I accepted that you hated me. But now, you're trying to kill yourself. How miserable do you think you're making me feel?"

Akid raised his head, shielding his eyes with his hand and taking a deep breath.

"Wait, Lord Akid..."

I was taken aback by Akid's obvious agitation.

Trying to calm the heated atmosphere, I reached out, but he pulled back. Akid didn't stop talking.

"Don't confuse me like this."

He seemed about to enter his private room but turned back and handed me a document.

"I'll grant your wish. Take it. It's what you wanted."

"This is..."

"A divorce document. You can have any compensation you want..."

"That's not acceptable."

Before he could finish, I tore the divorce document to shreds.

I made sure to tear it into tiny pieces in case it could be reused.

White paper fell to the floor like snow. Akid's eyes widened at my actions.

I declared to the stunned Akid,

"I won't get divorced. I don't want to get divorced."

An emergency alarm started ringing in my head.

No returns, no refunds, no divorce!