5 - My Husband is My Favorite, But I Think I'm Going to Get Divorced
5
I regretted my forceful tone belatedly, but I couldn't take back my words.
Richard, who had been wearing an incomprehensible expression the entire time, slowly bent down and picked up the bunch of keys, beginning to unlock the shackles on his feet.
Seeing this, I unknowingly bit down hard on the tender flesh inside my mouth.
In fact, the shackles Richard was unlocking were not ordinary shackles, but a magical tool that suppressed Richard's mana.
It was because he wore them that Richard had obediently listened to Evgenia's words until now.
If Richard, now free, were to suddenly turn and strangle me, my neck might break and I would die.
'Of course, that's if I wasn't wearing this bracelet.'
I glanced down at the bracelet I was wearing.
This bracelet also looked like an ordinary accessory, but in reality, it was a Magic tool enchanted to protect the wearer.
Thanks to this, I was able to feel safe when escaping from the room, and even now.
'As expected of the Basilian Family. To think there would be so many expensive Magic tools in the dressing room!'
Trusting in the reliable bracelet, I turned my back and brought over a box that was placed in the corner of the prison. Inside, as I had expected, were a black robe and shoes.
Strangely, as soon as I entered the underground prison, I felt like I knew what was in this box.
"Wear this."
I spoke to Richard, who was standing awkwardly after having his shackles removed, in a softer tone than before, and handed him the robe and shoes.
Richard still looked suspicious, but he obediently accepted them and slowly put on the robe and shoes.
Seeing the clothes and shoes fit Richard perfectly, I wondered if they had been prepared just for him.
But I didn't show it and handed over the last black pouch I had brought.
Richard accepted this without complaint as well, and I felt a sigh of relief, as it seemed the goal I had come here for would be successfully achieved.
Of course, when I thought about my happy future with Euclid, this was only the first step, but a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
"Then go now."
I said cheerfully, feeling somehow refreshed.
Then Richard frowned deeply.
He revealed his emotions so clearly for the first time that I flinched without realizing it.
'Come to think of it, I haven't even apologized yet. I made such a mistake!'
"I'm sorry for everything."
"……."
"If I say this now, you'll probably think I have some ulterior motive and be dumbfounded. But I'm really sorry for buying you, locking you up in a place like this, and hurting you."
As I continued to speak, Richard's face became more and more distorted.
I had clearly apologized with all my heart, but perhaps because my voice was so cold, it didn't seem like my sincerity was being conveyed well.
Feeling even more sorry, I said the words that would make Richard the happiest.
"You are now free."
What words could Richard, who was born in the black market and lived as a slave his entire life, want to hear more than this?
In fact, his mark would still be there, so his status would remain the same, but when Richard escaped from the Vasillian Duke's Residence and took control of the Underworld, he clearly said that he didn't have a slave mark.
'So he'll probably erase it himself after he gets out of here.'
"There are gold coins and jewels in the pouch. It won't be bad for settling down wherever you want."
I said it as if it wasn't a big deal, but I had packed the pouch full of jewels from Evgenia's dressing room.
The black pouch was also found in the dressing room drawer, and even this looked luxurious with its glossy sheen, so the value of the jewels inside must be considerable.
'With this much, wouldn't he forgive me for the torment he's suffered……?'
I glanced at Richard, who was quietly looking down at the pouch I had given him, and at his wounded left hand.
My conscience was awakened by the sight of the wound, which looked so painful that it made me frown, and I suddenly noticed that the left sleeve of the robe Richard was wearing had a flame-shaped embroidery in gold thread, just like the pouch.
However, I casually looked away.
At that time, I was completely unaware.
That in this world, the slave mark was located on the back of the left hand.
And…… the meaning of the golden flame as well.
\ \ *
"Will he be okay……?"
After sending Richard away first, I also left the annex.
I thought I would feel relieved if I just got Richard out of the Ducal House, but strangely, I felt a heavy weight in my chest.
In fact, even before coming to the annex, I had vaguely thought that facing Richard would not be easy.
But that was a burden that came from the fact that it might not be easy to sever the resentment.
'Well, I never thought he would refuse to leave!'
I sighed deeply and recalled the embarrassing situation a little while ago.
Go? Why?
What? What do you mean, why?
Does he not know why he is asking?
Has he been a slave for too long and his brain is messed up?
Just as I was becoming as confused as Richard's red eyes, which were shaking erratically.
Richard suddenly knelt down in front of me.
- M, Master!
I gasped at the unexpected words.
Richard approached me on his knees, facing me, who had stiffened.
- Is it because I didn't call you Master…… that's why you're abandoning me? I was wrong. So please don't abandon me.
Richard was sobbing and clinging to me.
I couldn't hide my embarrassment at the sight, which I couldn't have imagined even after reading the novel several times.
Moreover, Richard's face, which was completely revealing his emotions, looked surprisingly young.
Only then was I able to recall Richard's age.
'He was only eighteen years old…….'
Four years younger than Evgenia.
A boy who was still young, wounded, and starving.
I suddenly felt deep pity for Richard, who was begging me not to abandon him.
But I did not change my decision to send him out of the Ducal House.
Fortunately, Richard seemed to sense that my mind would not change, and he slowly got up and walked out of the prison.
His slow-moving back, as if he wanted me to hold him back, kept lingering in my eyes.
'Sigh, Evgenia locked him up, and I just released him, so why do I have to feel guilty?'
I shook my head and brushed off the heavy emotions.
If my expectations were correct, I would be getting married soon, so I couldn't keep Richard with me out of momentary pity.
Evgenia had bought Richard as a slave just by looking at his eye color without knowing anything, but in fact, he was like a ticking time bomb.
Richard's true identity was so powerful that even the Basilian Ducal House, which could be said to be the most powerful family after the Imperial Family, would have difficulty handling him.
Moreover, although he showed a completely different side of himself today than I had expected, Richard is by no means a weak person.
Anyway, Richard was planning to escape from the Ducal House on his own soon.
Of course, Evgenia must have been out of her mind with the forced marriage approaching, as she dropped the mana control device and the bunch of keys to the prison door in front of the bars, making it easy for him to escape.
The point is that Richard single-handedly broke through the security of the Basilian Duke's Residence, which was full of knights, and escaped from the mansion.
'In other words, he's skilled, but he just couldn't use his strength because of the control device.'
And after leaving the Basilian Ducal House, Richard completely erased his slave mark and took over the Underworld. Becoming the master of a huge Assassination Guild called 'Black'.
Yes, so I don't need to worry about Richard.
Whether he takes over the Underworld or leaves freely with the money I gave him.
He will probably follow the original story for revenge, but anything is fine as long as I am excluded from that revenge target.
My mind was somewhat organized, so I felt much more comfortable.
Now I can go back to my room and reassure Ann, who must be worried…….
"Hey."
At that moment, my body froze at the voice coming from behind.
2. The Villainess's Family.
'W, was I found out?'
I definitely checked the knights' shift times and movements?
I was so surprised that I didn't even realize that the title calling me was unusual, and I just pressed down on my heart, which felt like it was about to burst, and held my breath.
Please don't let him have found me!
But, contrary to my desperate wish, steady footsteps stopped in front of me.
I swallowed hard and slowly raised my head.
A man who looked like a knight at first glance, with a neat knight's uniform that was slightly different from the knights guarding my door, short hair, and a sword tied to his waist, was looking down at me with a scowl on his face.
He must have known who I was since he had confirmed my face.
I quickly recognized the man's identity at the sight of him not even twitching an eyebrow even when facing the infamous Evgenia.
Well, it would have been stranger if I didn't know.
Black hair and blue eyes of the same color as Evgenia's.
This person is definitely…….
"Alexis."
Because he must be Evgenia's younger brother and Imperial Knight, Alexis Basilian.
