27 - My Husband is My Favorite, But I Think I'm Going to Get Divorced
Chapter 27
Euclid turned around hastily, embarrassed, and got into the carriage.
His aide, Delano, was already in the carriage, passed out drunk a long time ago.
He seemed to have fallen deeply into the sweet, high-quality wine from the Basilian territory and gotten this drunk.
"Your... Duke? Sorry... Keugh!"
Euclid chuckled at Delano's drunken babbling, then sighed at the ensuing silence, looking out of the carriage.
Euclid usually preferred silence, but now he felt like it would have been better if Delano had been chattering away.
It was because the Princess, who had been staring at him intently during the meal, kept coming to mind, making his heart flutter.
He also remembered feeling embarrassed after paying attention to his attire, something he usually didn't care about.
As if shaking off his ridiculous behavior, Euclid shook his head and recalled the conversation he had with Duke Basilian separately before heading to the dining hall.
When he headed to the Duke's office, Euclid thought he was being called in to check the prenuptial agreement, including the dowry, before the wedding.
But after they had discussed everything, Duke Basilian, who had been beating around the bush for a while, finally spoke with difficulty.
- Aren't you curious why I'm rushing this marriage so much?
It was a question that Euclid's aide, Delano, had been questioning all along.
At that time, Euclid ended the conversation itself, saying that he didn't want to hear any fault-finding, even if it was out of concern, now that they had decided to form a bond.
He meant it. He had no right to question it.
Whatever the reason for House Basilian, even if it was a trap... it couldn't be a more serious problem than his own.
So, it was House Basilian that had stepped into the trap.
Euclid thought that if he knew what he was thinking when he accepted this marriage, Duke Basilian, as well as Delano, who praised him as a great man every day, would criticize him.
Therefore, he couldn't bring himself to look up and opened his mouth.
I am simply grateful that you think highly of me, and I have no other thoughts.
I appreciate you saying that, at least.
Duke Basilian let out a hearty laugh as if relieved by Euclid's answer.
But his expression hardened again.
Actually, Evgenia is my daughter, but there are times when I feel like I don't know her well. You must have heard some rumors about Evgenia, as they are so widespread.
...Yes.
Well, since the wedding hasn't taken place yet, I won't mince words.
Please speak comfortably.
As you know, my daughter has loved His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince for a long time. But she has never been reciprocated. In fact, the Imperial Family had expressed their intention to make Evgenia the Crown Princess as soon as she was born. So, I thought Evgenia would become the Crown Prince's partner.
But no one expected the Crown Prince to reject Evgenia so much.
Duke Basilian's expression darkened as he recalled Evgenia's one-sided obsession and the Crown Prince's cold rejection, which he had seen countless times.
- You must have heard that I recently found my niece and gave her the Basilian name, right?
Euclid nodded, but he blinked, unable to understand why Duke Basilian was suddenly bringing up his niece. But he was startled by the words that followed.
Recently, the Imperial Family sent a marriage proposal to our House. I naturally assumed it was for Evgenia, but the recipient of the marriage proposal was not Evgenia.
Could it be that it was sent to your niece?
Duke Basilian slowly nodded.
The Imperial Family had wanted a marriage with House Basilian for so long, but they had never actually sent a marriage proposal. And the fact that they sent it as soon as a new option other than Evgenia arose.
This could only be explained by the Crown Prince's strong will.
- To be honest, I thought the Crown Prince would eventually choose Evgenia, no matter how much he disliked her, so I just watched... It was a real wake-up call.
Even though Euclid only knew a brief summary of the rumors about Evgenia and the Crown Prince, he could easily guess the shock that Duke Basilian must have felt.
As well as the reason why he was rushing to find a match for the Princess and proceeding with the marriage talks.
Of course, our Evgenia was also greatly hurt.
...I can imagine.
The only good thing is that she has finally decided to give up her long-standing affection. And she said she would get married herself to put a definite end to it.
Euclid's eyes shook helplessly at the unexpected words.
He thought that this marriage was proceeding solely at the will of Duke Basilian.
He believed that the Princess herself was being forced to follow along.
Only then could Euclid fully understand Evgenia's heart, who seemed to be holding back tears in the lobby.
His heart ached. However... if she really chose this marriage to give up her long-standing affection, he might be making an irreversible mistake.
"So, even now, the marriage..."
Euclid, who was muttering without realizing it, quickly shut his mouth and shook his head.
He couldn't call off the marriage now.
He might lose the trust of House Basilian and perhaps turn them into enemies, and there were the family debts that needed to be resolved immediately, his young nephews, and the servants and people of the Ducal Estate...
'Really?'
At that moment, a question arose in Euclid's heart towards himself.
Euclid, who was confidently listing the reasons why he couldn't call off the marriage, hesitated to answer the question that kept demanding the truth.
Just as he was confused because he couldn't understand the reason himself.
"Wait!"
Euclid was fortunate enough to avoid the reproachful inner voice that seemed to pierce his heart.
Instead.
"Stop and identify yourself. This is the residence of the Duke Ludion."
A voice filled with annoyance, certain that no guest would come to a place that even the owner didn't visit, was heard.
Euclid's face hardened at the annoyed tone, as if he would kick out the visitor right away, implying that they must have lost their way at this late hour.
No, the moment he entered the Ludion Ducal Family's residence, his expression had already turned cold.
The man who had acted like a novice at just a single glance was not here.
Euclid opened the carriage door himself, instead of Delano, who was still asleep, oblivious to the commotion between the guard and the coachman in front of the mansion.
"What nonsense... Oh? Your Grace the Duke?"
And the guard, who couldn't believe the coachman's words, made a foolish sound when he saw Euclid's face.
"Are you, really, Duke Ludion?"
Euclid nodded with a faint smile, as if his face had never hardened. And he tried to close the carriage door.
The guard asked again, seemingly flustered.
"What brings you to the capital so suddenly?"
If Delano hadn't been drunk, he might have snapped, asking if he needed to explain why the owner was visiting his own residence.
Even the guard, who had asked the question without thinking, seemed to realize that he had made a mistake and hesitated belatedly, but he didn't apologize or retract his question.
This was probably because finding out the reason for Duke Ludion's sudden appearance in the capital was a more important task for him than being reprimanded for this mistake.
Of course, that didn't mean Euclid had to fulfill his wishes.
"I'm a little tired. I want to rest, so please open the door."
It was a polite yet indirect command.
The guard, who had hesitated for a moment, instinctively felt that he shouldn't cross the line any further and stepped back, giving a signal.
Only then did Euclid close the carriage door and lean back deeply. A cynical sigh escaped his lips.
Even inside the closed carriage, he could feel the entire mansion scrambling at the sudden visit of the owner without prior notice.
And he, the owner in name only, was not comfortable either. It was as if he had come to someone else's house.
'No, that's actually true.'
This was why he hadn't been upset at all that Duke Basilian had completely forgotten that House Ludion had a residence in the capital.
This mansion was only the Ludion Ducal Estate in name, and it had been almost empty for over 500 years since it was bestowed by the first Emperor.
