“Chance?
What chance?”
I asked confused and Reinhardt smiled.
“It's a chance to see the princess again.
It would be nice if we heard good news then.”
'Good news?' 'Is he talking about pregnancy?'
Of course, I was carrying Eric's baby in my womb, but for some reason I didn't want him to know.
“Stop this nonsense and go.”
“Yes, then I will return soon with a gift, Your Highness.”
As Reinhardt's carriage drove off, I reported to Eric as if I were telling him.
“I'm going to my room now...”
At that moment, Eric said:
“I'm sure you have some things to talk to me about.”
“Something to talk about?
Ah.”
I remembered the mine's presence, so I spoke with an annoyed expression.
“Yes, I understand”
Then he extended his hand as if offering me to accompany him.
Normally, I would have ignored such a signal, but I dismissed it with a quick motion.
“There's no need for that.”
I couldn't see his facial expression, but his rejection was refreshing.
She left him and entered the palace.
Bang -
As soon as I entered, I heard a loud voice greeting me.
“Are you back, ma'am?”
It was Randon, who had recently been demoted from butler to servant.
“I understand”
This morning, Eric personally accompanied me, so everything must have seemed fine between us.
'So he's trying to impress me so he can come back as the butler.'
However, Randon wasn't the only one trying to impress me.
“Ma’am, are you back?”
The other servants and maids bowed to me in unison, but I passed them without paying any attention.
I no longer need to live with these people.
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
b
Once I entered the office, I expressed my dissatisfaction openly.
“I'm tired, so I hope you can finish this quickly.”
Eric stared at me and then said, “Wait a minute.
I asked my assistant to bring the necessary documents for the transfer.”
It seems he actually intends to abandon the mine.
'Thanks to that, I have to endure this difficult time alone with this man.'
How long did we sit in silence like that?
ways -
With a knock, someone entered.
“Your Excellency, I have brought the documents you requested.”
When I saw him, I involuntarily clenched my fists and stared at him.
'That man...'
Erik's assistant, Zenon Reiner, leaned over, holding a stack of documents.
He bowed gently when our eyes met, then handed the documents to Erik.
“I apologize for interrupting.”
After greeting him and leaving, I gritted my teeth.
Eric's loyal servant who threatened me and my child.
Even though it was his master's order, he tried to get rid of me.
For some reason, I had a suspicious feeling that Zenon would pose a threat to me again in this life.
The look in his eyes before.
We may not be a harmonious couple, but still, a disrespectful look towards me, the lady of the house?
Even if I was not his master's assistant wife, his eyes were like someone looking at an enemy.
I don't know if the source of this hatred is excessive loyalty to his master or his contempt for humanity.
Anyway, I have to keep a close eye on Eric and Zenon's movements.
'I've prepared for this'
At that moment, I heard Eric's voice.
“Take this, please.”
I took the mine transfer documents and started reviewing them.
This seems like a pretty straightforward transfer...
I checked for any clauses like “no divorce in exchange for moving the mine”, but fortunately, I didn’t find them.
“Now, shall I sign?”
I extended the quill, ready to sign in the designated place.
As I was about to sign, Eric's nearby voice interrupted me.
“It's best to stay as far away from Archduke Tarrant as possible.”
Of course I will stay away from him; He's a creep, but hearing Eric talk to me like that made me fight back.
“Why should I?
He even said he would bring a gift.”
Then Eric sighed and said:
“I only say this because I'm worried.”
“Worried?”
I was shocked for a moment by these unfamiliar words.
But it didn't last long.
Memories of the hardship I endured from him quickly came back to mind.
I came back to consciousness, and I tightened my grip on Eric's hand.
'Don't be silly.
How long have you cared for me?'
After our marriage, he always wore gloves whenever he held my hand.
If I tried to catch him while he was not wearing gloves, he would flinch as if I was dirty, then move away from my hand and walk away at a fast pace.
Even if I did not perform my duties as the Duke's wife, he would never talk to me about it.
He would only get angry and scold me when I would pick fights with other nobles or cause trouble.
That was kind of normal.
It was a loveless marriage in the first place, and he must have considered me a burden he had suddenly taken on his shoulders.
He probably thought that as long as I didn't embarrass him in front of the Emperor, everything would be okay.
So, Eric controlled and manipulated me to the point where I could no longer do anything, and I became just an ignorant fool.
Even if I turned evil, it wouldn't matter as long as I didn't tarnish his reputation.
‘If he's worried about something, it's not about me; It's about his reputation.
I said, with a slight sarcasm.
“You don't have to worry about me.
Especially if it's about my relationships.”
He ignored my refusal and continued talking.
“Cornelia, he may be showing you kindness, but he is a dangerous man.”
I was struck by the word “dangerous.” Until my death, Reinhardt did not threaten me, but rather wrote to me, checking on me and worrying about my safety.
'You are actually dangerous.
Eric Lennon Brant'
You were the one who sent your men after me to eliminate me and start a new life.
You are the one who ordered the killing of the child who loyally followed you.
The most dangerous person to me now is this scoundrel in front of me.
"For my sake?
Tell the truth."
I stared at him, revealing the truth I had hidden so long.
“Eric Lennon Brant, you're just worried I'll cause another scandal with another man, aren't you?”
Did my words affect him?
Eric's face twisted into an angry expression.
“I told you it wasn't like that.”
“So, what’s the matter?
Explain to me why I shouldn’t meet Reinhardt.”
He frowned and stared at me after my question.
After a long silence, he said, “I can’t answer that.”
If he had concerns as a husband or simply didn't want me to be with another man, I would understand.
But his answer was simply “no.”
'Well, I guess having a woman you don't consider your wife with another man wouldn't bother you.'
I laughed sarcastically and said: “You prevent me from meeting him without explaining to me why?
Would you consider this situation acceptable if the roles were reversed?”
“I don't understand why you're reacting so sensitively.
I just...”
Before he finished his sentence, I revealed what I had hidden inside me for a long time.
“What makes you think you have the right to say that to me?
You're the one being disrespectful now.”
“What does this mean?”
“Are you trying to act stupid?
I saw you alone with Madeleine today.”
Although I had denied it since my return, I was jealous of him being with Madeleine.
So, when I mentioned the divorce, I lied about having an affair.
I lied because I wanted him to be jealous of a man who didn't exist.
But now, after I had abandoned all expectations, I felt strangely numb.
Then I heard Eric's voice, trying to say something.
“I think I mentioned this before.
I am only accompanying Madeleine because of a contract.
Now that the contract has been broken, there is no longer a reason to...”
“I don’t consider that woman my wife.
It’s just because of people’s eyes.”
As soon as the words were out of my mouth, Eric's facial expression hardened.
I finally gathered the courage, overcoming my pride, to say what I was unable to say out of fear.
“I know you don't consider me a wife.
So, I decided not to consider you my husband anymore.”
I smiled and added, "However, since you don't want a divorce, we won't have one.
But remember, we are just a front for a marital relationship now."
He remained silent, staring at me with an incomprehensible expression.
“That face again… are you really listening to what I’m saying?”
I felt frustrated and angry, and I couldn't help but utter the words I had held back.
“Now, there is no need to force ourselves to share a bed or pretend to be a normal couple.
As annoying as you find me, I now find you equally annoying.”
I placed the unsigned document on the table.
“And I don’t need any of this, so don’t bother me again.
And I don’t need bodyguards either, so don’t assign them to me.”
After I had said my opinion, I got up and left the room.