10 - My Husband is My Favorite, But I Think I'm Going to Get Divorced
Chapter 10
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Three days later, Ludion Duchy.
“This is absolutely absurd!”
An unusual commotion arose in the Ducal Estate, a place where loud voices were rarely heard, befitting the Duke's gentle nature.
A man, reading the words written on high-quality paper, a rare sight in the Ludion Ducal Family, put it down and tilted his head slightly.
“What is it?”
Even in this emergency situation, the man was the epitome of an elegant and perfect nobleman.
“Are you asking because you don’t know, Duke?”
Delano, the aide who would normally have been filled with admiration, shouted in indignation.
“Marriage with the Basillian Duchess! Even if we ignore the fact that she’s not from the North, her reputation is so low that it has reached even here at the edge of the Empire. And that’s not all? There isn’t an imperial citizen who doesn’t know that the Duchess has feelings for His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince!”
Unlike the agitated Delano, Euclid's expression remained unchanged, with only a slight upturn at the corner of his lips.
“So, you’re saying we should reject this marriage proposal?”
“Yes? Well…”
“Butler, how much money do we owe Beers Count this month, and how much time do we have left?”
“…The amount is 750 gold. Ten days left, Master.”
The butler reported, unable to hide his dismay.
The North, ruled by the Ludion Ducal Family, had very few merchant groups coming and going due to its rugged terrain and harsh weather, and naturally, food and necessities were more expensive than in other regions.
In particular, most of the goods were purchased through the Beers Count Family, the only merchant group operating in the North, and about ten years ago, the Count raised the prices to near extortionate levels.
Naturally, the people of the territory complained, and the Ludion Ducal Family had no choice but to step in and mediate.
As a result, the Ducal Family agreed to bear some of the costs of procuring and distributing goods, and the Ducal Family's burden increased day by day due to the monthly payments to the Beers Count Family.
The situation might have improved if they had created and operated their own merchant group, but the Ludion Duchy had no special products to sell, and above all, there was the decree of the first Duke to uphold.
And that's not all. Although the distribution costs paid to Beers Count accounted for a large portion of the current expenditure, the bigger problem was the debt that had accumulated over many years.
They had ventured into various businesses such as mines and land in order to revive the North, but all had failed, leaving them with a huge pile of debt.
Fortunately, the families that had invested or lent money were Vassals or located in the same North and had close relationships, so they were only paying small amounts of interest, but there was no telling how the situation might change in the future.
Delano, as an aide, was well aware of this situation.
‘But even so, how can the Duke marry such a villainess…!’
It was said that she was so extravagant that she would never wear an outfit more than once, which could be attributed to her family's wealth, but she also had a sharp and sensitive personality and would often throw tantrums!
There were even rumors that she frequented the Underworld and participated in auctions. Auctions in the Underworld where illegal goods and slave trades took place!
“I am absolutely opposed to this marriage. How could Duke Basilian do this!”
“Didn’t you say that she seemed like a good person, different from the rumors?”
Euclid asked with a playful voice, looking at Delano, who was trembling and shouting in betrayal.
Delano could not hide his injustice and huffed.
He had only recently seen Duke Basilian, a seasoned politician and ruthless businessman who could see several moves ahead, up close for the first time a few days ago.
Contrary to his cold appearance and terrifying rumors, Duke Basilian was a very generous person.
He had brought up the surprising and delightful news that he wanted to open a branch of the Basilian Merchant Group in the Ludion Duchy and have good business dealings in the future.
“I really thought you came to expand your business area without any ulterior motives!”
“Didn’t I say that I wouldn’t do that? I said that opening a branch in our territory would not benefit the House Basilian.”
“But I thought it was plausible! No, I even thought it was late!”
Euclid finally chuckled softly at the sight of his aide looking tearful.
However, he could not simply dismiss his aide's thoughts as absurd.
It was indeed strange that the Basilian Merchant Group, which had influence beyond the Empire and even across the continent, did not have a single branch in the Ludion Duchy, which was in the same Empire.
There were even rumors that the first Duke Basilian, who was a meritorious subject in the founding of the nation, and the first Duke Ludion were enemies.
Euclid, who had already removed the smile from his face, took off the glasses he was wearing and said calmly.
“In any case, I am grateful. Duke Basilian must have thought well of me to make such a proposal.”
He wanted to ask how he could be grateful for getting rid of such a rogue daughter, but Delano could not bring himself to do so out of conscience.
The House Basilian had promised that if the marriage was successful, they would not only establish a branch of the merchant group as mentioned during their last visit, but also transfer a huge amount of wealth as dowry.
The fact that they no longer had to rely solely on the Beers Count's merchant group was encouraging, but the promised wealth… it was too large an amount to refuse.
‘So, the Duchess is breaking the unspoken rule that she must be from the North, and the Duke is trying to accept the marriage proposal.’
In fact, if the other party had not been the Basillian Duchess, Delano would have welcomed it with open arms and even bowed deeply.
“But…”
“And isn’t it fortunate?”
“Yes? What on earth is fortunate?”
Euclid gave a playful smile as Delano blinked with a tearful expression.
“I heard that the Basillian Duchess has feelings for His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince, but I haven’t heard that they were in a romantic relationship. So, even if we get married, we won’t incur the Crown Prince's hatred.”
“No, is that what’s fortunate?”
Of course, falling out of favor with the Imperial Family was a frightening thing!
“Then what’s the point? The Duchess's heart will only be with His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince!”
Perhaps she would be like that even after the marriage.
Delano shook his head violently, horrified at the thought of the Ludion Duchess shamelessly chasing after the Crown Prince.
“That’s also a good thing. After all…”
So he didn’t hear Euclid muttering softly with a bitter expression.
Euclid, who had already composed himself, said to the butler.
“Please prepare to go to the capital as soon as possible.”
“Understood, Master.”
“Duke!”
“Is there anything else you want to say?”
Delano, who was still unhappy with this marriage proposal, shouted in frustration, but he was speechless at Euclid's question, who had already put on his glasses again and was ready to look at the documents.
His master, when he was expressionless like this without a smile, sometimes felt like royalty, or even more intimidating.
He even exuded the aura of a ruler who would never allow anyone to disobey or oppose his will.
‘The partner that such a person is marrying is unfortunately…’
Delano hid his miserable heart and opened his mouth, earnestly hoping that the Basillian Duchess would be a good person, unlike the rumors. Even if she wasn’t, he hoped that she would change her mind after seeing the Duke, who was more noble and warm than anyone else.
“Congratulations on your marriage, Duke.”
The butler, who had been watching the atmosphere, quickly added.
“Marianne and Dior will also be happy when they hear the news. They’re getting an aunt.”
Since they had lost their parents when they were so young that they couldn’t even remember, this would be the first family they had ever had, so they would be even more delighted.
Euclid, who had read the meaning in the butler's words, was about to replace his answer with a smile, unable to affirm it.
A subtle crack appeared on Euclid's forehead.
Before anyone could notice, Euclid raised the corners of his lips and said.
“Thank you for your congratulations. Then, I’ll have a lot to do, so everyone, please leave.”
Delano and the butler bowed and left without feeling the slightest bit of strangeness.
And as soon as the office door closed, Euclid hurriedly took out a handkerchief and covered his mouth.
With a face that had turned pale in an instant, he painfully looked down at the blood on the handkerchief.
- Then what’s the point? The Duchess's heart will only be with His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince!
Euclid smiled bitterly as he recalled his aide's words from earlier.
“I really hope that’s the case. I’m sorry to my nephews, but this marriage won’t last long.”
He put his heart into the murmur that no one could hear.
