24 - My Husband is My Favorite, But I Think I'm Going to Get Divorced
24
Even after being so thoroughly scolded in the carriage, he still hadn't come to his senses and was about to mention the living Grim Reaper instead of offering a compliment first.
While Delano continued to berate himself for almost misunderstanding the Duke's deep intentions and misinterpreting his tastes.
"……."
Euclid, completely unaware of Delano's misunderstanding, lowered his eyes dejectedly.
His mind was still half-stuck in the moment he was getting out of the carriage.
In truth, although he had said various things to Delano, Euclid was treating Evgenia with even more indifference than Delano, in a way.
He intended to respect and consider her as much as possible so that she could do whatever she wanted after the marriage, but that was also somewhat included in his plan.
Therefore, he didn't even remember Evgenia's basic appearance very well.
Nevertheless, as soon as he saw the woman with long, ebony-black hair and eyes more beautiful than amethyst, he immediately knew that she was his marriage partner.
He had never seriously considered marriage before, but he was so certain that no one else would ever be possible.
It was the first time in his life that he had been swept away by such a strange feeling.
When their eyes met, he even had the illusion that time had stopped for a moment.
It was as if only she and he existed in this world, a strange feeling of finally finding something he had been waiting for for a very long time.
But it didn't take long to realize that it was a one-sided feeling.
The ill-fitting dress that seemed to have been forced on her, the face painted white as if to hide her darkened complexion. All of that made it clear that she had been dragged to this place against her will…….
Furthermore, seeing the tears welling up in her eyes as soon as she saw him and the way she bit her lip as if trying to hold back her sobs, he felt a sense of self-disgust for having been momentarily lost in strange emotions upon seeing her.
In the midst of all this, his aide, Delano, said that Evgenia looked 'gloomy,' which made him feel even more depressed.
But conversely, Euclid's mind became more composed.
Even Delano, who had been talking about Evgenia's infamy, had his heart react, so it must have been that her beauty was truly outstanding. His reaction was nothing special.
So it was a relief. He didn't welcome the appearance of an unexpected existence in his life plan that he had established.
'But why…….'
Why couldn't he forget her tearful face, as if it had been etched into his retina?
Euclid shook his head as if trying to shake it off.
However, the existence of another man, who was the fundamental cause of Evgenia's sad expression, came to mind instead.
'He went to war again a few days ago, didn't he.'
The Crown Prince, whom the Basillian Duchess loved so much that she couldn't live without him. Euclid's lips hardened as he thought of him.
Clearly, until he arrived in the capital, he had hoped that Evgenia would have no expectations for the marriage and that she would not be able to let go of her attachment to the Crown Prince.
But why did he feel so bitter?
Forcibly averting his gaze from the reason, Euclid opened the luggage that the butler had packed with several sets of clothes, just in case, as if to hide his hardened face.
\ \ \
"Wow, I'm doomed."
Returning to my room and belatedly checking my appearance in the mirror, I realized that I had completely ruined our historic first meeting and despaired.
I wondered why Ann had apologized and disappeared so quickly on the way to the room, and it turned out like this.
It seemed that Ann had no skill in decorating at all.
Until now, she had been doing everything meticulously, and above all, she was a close maid, so I thought she would do this as a matter of course.
"Who am I blaming? It's all my fault. I even chose the dress on purpose……."
Since Euclid was such a gentle and sunny character, I tried to choose a bright and cheerful design to match him.
It was completely the opposite of Evgenia's usual style, but I thought it would work out somehow because my face would make up for it…….
"I was arrogant."
Looking at the full-length mirror and bursting into a hollow laugh, I felt a little sad that I had stood in front of Euclid in this state.
At the same time.
"He's really too kind."
To be able to maintain such a kind attitude even knowing that a woman in this state is his marriage partner.
"How can such a creature exist in the world?"
Well, that's why he's my favorite!
It was only now that I realized that I had really met Euclid. A smile naturally crept onto my lips.
Although I was sad that our first meeting seemed to have failed, I was happy enough to sublimate even that despair into happiness.
Then, I suddenly tilted my head.
'I was definitely about to cry because I was so happy to see Euclid earlier, right?'
In fact, from my past experiences, I was very worried that I would feel unpleasant emotions rather than being moved when I encountered Euclid.
But contrary to my expectations, the moment I saw Euclid, I felt a sense of emotion and joy at finally meeting my favorite, and even a tender feeling that almost made me cry.
'Now that I think about it, it's strange. Why do I feel this way towards Euclid…… Ah, could it be!'
After pondering for a moment, I suddenly realized and widened my eyes. Then, I shook my head.
"I'm such a fool. It seems that my sincerity towards my favorite has overcome Evgenia's emotions."
Otherwise, there's no way I wouldn't feel any of the hatred or disgust that I felt when I met Evgenia's family and the Crown Prince!
I was relieved that the thing I was worried about didn't happen, and I was about to feel proud that my feelings for Euclid were so deep.
"Lady, may I come in?"
Ann, who had left her seat for a while, returned.
"Ann, where have you been……."
"Please take this, Lady."
Gasping for breath as if she had been somewhere in a hurry, Ann handed me several small medicine bottles.
"What is this?"
"It's medicine to calm your mind and a digestive medicine."
And she apologized sullenly.
"I should have taken care of it sooner, but I didn't think you would be so nervous. I'm sorry. ……And for doing your makeup like that."
I didn't know what to say, so I just moved my lips.
In fact, I had been so nervous since last night that I was out of my mind.
But I didn't want my condition to be known, so I tried hard to hide it.
But when Ann noticed and took care of me so meticulously, I was so grateful.
"I'm grateful that you're taking care of me now. Thanks to you, I think I'll be able to attend the dinner comfortably."
When I sincerely thanked her, Ann blushed and said in a small voice.
"I'm glad if I can be of any help to you, Lady."
"Really? Actually, there's something else I need help with."
When I said it lightly, Ann's eyes sparkled in an instant.
I laughed and lightly stroked the passionate maid's head. Then, scratching my cheek as if it might seem a little excessive, I opened my mouth.
"First, let's wipe off all the makeup. And some new clothes for me to change into."
\ \ \
A little later.
After taking the Tranquilizer that Ann gave me, I immediately changed my clothes and headed to the dining room.
Only Melissa was sitting at the table.
"Sister, you're here?"
"Yes. Um…… Has no one else arrived yet?"
I was going to ask if Euclid hadn't arrived yet, but I was somehow embarrassed and asked vaguely.
Then Melissa replied.
"No, no one else has arrived yet."
Perhaps she was talking to the Duke separately before dinner.
As I nodded and sat down, I suddenly felt an intense gaze.
"……Melissa?"
"So, sorry. I was staring too much."
"It's okay. But why?"
"That's…… I thought you had changed your clothes."
"Huh? Ah."
I cleared my throat, feeling my cheeks getting hot for no reason, and Melissa continued innocently.
"You took off your makeup too."
"Co, cough."
"You're much prettier!"
"……Really?"
"Yes! You were pretty before, of course."
Looking at Melissa waving her hands in a hurry, as if worried that I might be upset, I chuckled.
Far from being upset, I was rather relieved to hear Melissa's words, as it seemed that I was definitely in a better state than before.
"Thank you."
When I answered pleasantly, Melissa blushed on her cheeks. Then, she suddenly fidgeted with her fingers and asked cautiously.
"But Sister, what do you think of Duke Ludion? He seems like a good person to me."
At that moment, I took a deep breath.
