18 - My Husband is My Favorite, But I Think I'm Going to Get Divorced
Episode 18
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'That guy, all brawn and no brains. Still a kid.'
I shook my head, recalling Alexis, his eyes red-rimmed, as he stormed out of the dining hall.
But, I was sorry to say, I didn't have the bandwidth to worry about Alexis right now.
I walked down the hallway, replaying my conversation with the Duke.
And I glanced at Ann, who was quietly following behind me.
- Milady, shall I proceed on my own?
After I'd more or less threatened the knight guarding my door, Ann had secretly asked if I liked him.
And I'd vaguely nodded, never imagining Evgenia would think of finding me a Royal Knight.
'Wait. What was that knight's name again?'
It sounded strangely familiar, but my head wasn't working well due to my cold, so I'd brushed it off.
After that, I'd naturally forgotten. I didn't think it was important.
But...
The moment I spotted the knight standing stiffly in front of my door, I couldn't help but stop.
It wasn't just surprise. His name, which I'd somehow found familiar, flashed through my mind like lightning.
'Gressel Phuion.'
He was the knight who had given his life to protect Evgenia when she launched her rebellion after her divorce.
He was also a supporting character, even more minor than Ann, with far less screen time, so I'd only just remembered him.
'What is this...?'
Hiding my bewilderment, I let Gressel into the room, and he immediately knelt on one knee.
"Milady, please forgive my past disloyalty."
Just a little while ago, he couldn't even meet my eyes and trembled, looking like a complete novice knight, but today, something had happened, and his whole demeanor was different, his expression utterly determined.
Unable to find the words, I just blinked, and Gressel recited as if confessing a sin.
"I believed the rumors without truly knowing you, Milady. I was afraid, and I thought you were someone I never wanted to be near. So, when I received the order to guard your door, I honestly thought I was unlucky."
"..."
"I am truly grateful for the immeasurable grace you have shown me. From now on, I will not be swayed by slander against you and will devote myself to your service."
Gressel's voice was choked with emotion as he swore his oath, and I was still confused and didn't know what was going on, but I knew one thing.
'If I say even one wrong word here, things could go very wrong.'
The gut feeling I'd relied on so heavily when making investments, and which had generally been accurate, was kicking in again. I didn't know what it was, but it felt like a jackpot...!
"Get up for now."
I couldn't keep silent, so I said something appropriately bland, and Gressel rose quickly, like the knight who had just sworn allegiance.
It was as if he would jump out the window if I ordered him to.
I pondered even more carefully over my next words and cautiously opened my mouth.
"If you become my knight, that means you'll follow me wherever I go. I'm getting married soon and leaving the Basilian Family to go to the North. Are you sure you're okay with leaving the capital?"
"Yes! I don't have any parents anyway, and I left my hometown to get treatment for my younger sibling, so there's no problem at all."
Gressel answered spiritedly, then suddenly bit his lip.
"Actually, even after coming to the capital, the medical bills were so expensive that I was at my wit's end, but now, to think that my sibling can receive treatment without worrying about money, I really can't believe it."
I hesitated, unsure of what to say as I watched Gressel's expression crumple as if he were about to cry, but he glanced at Ann and continued.
"The maid said my sibling was a hostage and wouldn't allow them to go to the North with me..."
So, Ann had been the one who'd acted.
Wait, what? A hostage?
I'd been nodding along, but I was shocked that such words had come from Ann's mouth, as she usually seemed so gentle.
'But, is he snitching on her to me right now?'
It was clear. He was trying to appeal to me to let him go with his sibling...
"The cold North is by no means a good environment for a patient. Although she spoke harshly, she ultimately ensured that they could receive treatment in a safe and comfortable place. I'm not that clueless!"
No, I think you are clueless?
"Hmph! I knew you'd realize. Milady is always endlessly generous to those who have earned her favor. But don't even think about taking advantage of it."
"Of course not! I will repay your kindness with my life."
...Is this real life?
I watched Ann and Gressel's conversation, my mouth agape in confusion.
After Ann had lectured him for a long time about how he should respect and revere me, and Gressel had listened fervently, they finally looked at me.
"Okay, you can leave now."
I frowned and said.
I was a little tired from the situations that had come crashing down on me before I could even fully enjoy the joy of receiving a response to my marriage proposal.
Only after Gressel saluted sharply and left did I relax and slump onto the sofa, watching Ann's retreating figure as she firmly closed the door.
To have thoroughly investigated a knight's background in a week, even supporting the medical expenses of his younger sibling, his weakness, and making him swear allegiance to me, was not something an ordinary maid could do.
'And Evgenia, Ann's master, must be extraordinary as well.'
I'd thought of her as nothing more than a vicious and thoughtless villainess obsessed with His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince...
"Milady, shall I draw a bath? Or would you like to rest for a bit?"
Lost in complex thoughts, Ann, who had approached unnoticed, asked kindly as usual.
I stared at Ann and blurted out a question.
"Ann, aren't you surprised that I suddenly decided to marry someone other than His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince?"
And only after voicing that question did my heart begin to pound fiercely.
In fact, when I'd subtly informed Melissa about the marriage proposal from Euclid, I'd been more concerned about Ann, who was attending to her, than about Melissa herself.
Since Ann had served Evgenia for so long, she would know her best, so I thought she would find this change of heart strange.
I'd even given my family some explanation, saying that I was hurt or that my pride was wounded, but to Ann, it was just a notification.
'So, I thought she might ask about it at least once...'
Until now, despite having had several opportunities, Ann hadn't shown any sign of it.
And even now.
Ann, who looked very surprised, her eyes wide as if she hadn't expected me to ask so directly, slowly lowered her gaze.
"Milady, I have sworn my loyalty to you long ago. Your will is my own, and your success is my greatest wish. I only feel joy in believing in you, following you, and being able to support you even in the smallest way."
Ann's loyal words were filled with the utmost sincerity.
When I thought about it, I'd been worried from the beginning that Ann would be suspicious, but even after I'd made the excuse that I had partial amnesia, Ann had never tried to pry into me or guess at my intentions. Instead, she had been even more attentive and caring.
'She really trusts Evgenia.'
She was confident that Evgenia would tell her if she needed help.
So, even if I honestly revealed the parts I couldn't remember or even did things that were incomprehensible, Ann would do her best to help without the slightest suspicion.
How could one person trust another so completely?
Could I, who didn't know the trust that Evgenia and Ann had built, really maintain this relationship well?
Seeing me silent, Ann added, as if she thought her answer was insufficient.
"Do I not know you, Milady? Although I cannot read your deepest thoughts or intentions, you are not one to have your will broken or falter, so there must be a good reason for this decision."
...No, it's just because the person inside has changed.
"I believe there must be a valid reason why you chose Duke Ludion."
...No, it's just because he's my ultimate favorite.
I clearly knew the truth, but when I saw Ann confidently answering that if it wasn't her, who would know Evgenia, I felt strange, as if it might be true.
