25 - My Husband is My Favorite, But I Think I'm Going to Get Divorced
25
‘Is this, could this be the moment to brag about my ultimate favorite?’
I was incredibly excited, having never even shared a conversation about my ultimate favorite with anyone, let alone bragged about them.
‘As expected of the female lead, she knows how to spot a good person,’ I thought, and opened my mouth.
“I thought so too. Of course, all I’ve exchanged are greetings, but you can still sense things, right?”
“Y-Yes, you’re right.”
“He has a kind face, and his demeanor is as gentle and elegant as his appearance. I’ve often heard stories about Duke Ludion’s character, and he seems like a truly gentle and kind person.”
Actually, I also wanted to praise his upright posture, neat gait, and the low voice that inspired trust, but that seemed too unlike Evgenia, so I stopped myself.
I thought I had praised him within reasonable bounds, but was even this too much?
Melissa seemed quite flustered.
But so what? Bragging about and promoting my ultimate favorite is a fan’s calling and joy.
Of course, that didn’t mean I sincerely wanted Melissa to develop feelings beyond mere goodwill towards Euclid.
‘Not that it’ll ever happen anyway.’
I was looking at Melissa with pity, as she was in the midst of a forbidden first love.
“You were here early.”
The door opened, and as expected, Duke Basilian, Euclid, and Lionel entered the dining hall, having apparently had a separate conversation before the meal.
I started to rise from my seat, then paused.
“……?!”
Huh?
Naturally, my gaze was fixed on Euclid, without a doubt.
However, Euclid’s attire was different from before.
‘No, no. I knew he’d change out of his travel clothes into something appropriate for the banquet, but still.’
I, irreverently, made a sullen face as I looked at the light pastel-toned suit my ultimate favorite was wearing.
Just a while ago, he was wearing a dark gray suit, so I had chosen a dress of the same color family, with subtly similar details.
I tried to pull off a couple look by myself, and failed…
‘But is it just my imagination, or does Euclid look embarrassed too?’
Strangely, the color of the clothes Euclid had changed into looked very similar to the color of the dress I had been wearing earlier, so I tilted my head.
But my pointless thoughts were soon interrupted.
‘Ah… as expected, a sunshine beauty.’
Of course, dark colors also suited Euclid’s bright blonde hair very well.
But the bright color, which not everyone can pull off, made him look even more elegant.
Looking at Euclid like that, my heart pounded fiercely, and my face grew hot.
If I was this flustered even after taking a Tranquilizer, I was sure I would make a fool of myself in the dining hall, so I sighed inwardly.
And I heatedly observed Euclid from head to toe, admiring him, something I hadn’t been able to do properly in the entrance hall because I was too nervous.
Suddenly, Euclid’s cheeks flushed red.
My eyes widened at the inexplicable change, and Euclid abruptly turned his head and took his seat.
‘Even if you do that, you can’t avoid me since I’m right in front of you.’
Thinking like a possessive man, I also sat back down, and as if waiting for that moment, the table was filled with food.
I watched with a hawk’s eye to see which food Euclid picked up first and ate the most of.
Contrary to the pure image I had of him, as if he could live on dewdrops alone, Euclid surprisingly seemed to be a meat-eater.
‘Should I cook for him myself later?’
Ah, now that I think about it, I’ve never cooked before.
I was fortunate that I didn’t have to cook because of my noble status, but the desire to feed him food I made myself conflicted with that.
I was lost in all sorts of thoughts about Euclid when it happened.
“Cough, cough.”
Suddenly, Euclid, who had been eating with an elegant posture, began to slow down, and then he choked on his water.
“Are you alright?”
“…Yes, I’m fine. I apologize.”
Perhaps he was ashamed that he, a nobleman who had been learning etiquette since he started walking, and a Duke at that, had failed to maintain basic dining etiquette.
Euclid, his face as red as a ripe tomato, apologized hastily.
Duke Basilian, who seemed like he would be strict about such things, didn’t frown or look displeased. Instead, he waved his hand and worried about Euclid.
I was about to step in if he scolded Euclid, but thankfully… um?
‘But why is the Duke glancing at me so subtly?’
I blinked, not understanding, and Duke Basilian asked awkwardly.
“Evgenia, aren’t you hungry? Your food isn’t decreasing.”
It was a worried tone, but I easily understood the meaning behind it, and I bit my lip.
I realized that I had been staring intently at Euclid without even touching my utensils, making him uncomfortable.
Moreover, since I have a fierce impression, I must have looked like I was glaring at Euclid.
The Tranquilizer must have been too effective. I didn’t realize there would be such side effects from feeling so relaxed.
“Well, it’s only natural to have many questions when meeting your future husband for the first time.”
The Duke seemed to be aware of this as well, and he forced a laugh as he said.
“If you have anything you want to ask the Duke, ask him directly.”
“Ask….”
Suddenly, my mind went blank at those words. There were too many things I wanted to ask.
‘If I had to be specific, I want to know everything about Euclid.’
But I wasn’t bold enough to say that in front of him, so I just moved my lips.
The silence continued unintentionally.
Then, the Duke, as if mistaking that I had nothing I wanted to know about Euclid, cleared his throat with an embarrassed expression and desperately took my side.
“Haha, she seems to be shy.”
…That’s actually the right answer.
As I lowered my head awkwardly, Lionel, who had been watching, also asked, as if trying to lighten the mood.
“By the way, why didn’t your nephews come with you?”
At that moment, a troubled look briefly flashed across Euclid’s face.
“Yes, I think I heard that you have two young nephews.”
Even Duke Basilian added with a puzzled expression, and Euclid nodded, saying, “That’s right.”
His expression had softened as if he had never been troubled.
It was a change that no one would have noticed except for me, who had focused all my attention on Euclid.
Even I blinked, wondering if it was just my imagination, when the Duke said.
“You should have brought them along. All the children must have wanted to see their uncle’s wedding.”
Hidden within those words was a sense of pity for the children, who had lost their parents at a young age and had only Euclid left as family.
Euclid seemed to sense this as well, and he smiled bitterly.
“Both children are young and have never left the North before. Of course, thanks to the Duke’s consideration, we were able to come comfortably in the Magic Carriage, but it still took two days, so I didn’t bring them. Besides, we’re only staying in the capital for a short time.”
“Hmm. Now that I think about it, you said you were going back right after the wedding tomorrow. I was going to say this anyway, but aren’t you rushing things too much?”
It was a story that had already been settled when we exchanged the marriage proposal.
I glared at the Duke, who was objecting to the only thing Euclid had proposed in this marriage.
“We’ve already finished packing to leave tomorrow, are you trying to change the schedule now?”
“Even if you did, you can just get whatever you need right away. Even if you get married, this is still your home.”
By the way, he looked at me with a disappointed look, saying that I had already finished packing.
I tried to avoid his gaze and said.
“Anyway, there’s no reason to stay any longer. I heard that we just need to have the ceremony at the temple tomorrow and submit the marriage registration to the Imperial Family.”
Even that was to be submitted by House Basilian.
There was also the intention to participate in what Euclid had proposed, but I was also excited about having a refreshing wedding and leaving the capital, so when I strongly expressed my will, the Duke’s expression darkened slightly.
“You rushed the wedding, and if you leave like this…”
