IDMH - Chapter 4

IDMH - Chapter 4

I Decided My Husband

The atmosphere at the Duke's residence, which had just finished the funeral, was generally dark.

It felt even darker and more gloomy because I hadn't taken off my black clothes because there was still a memorial service left.

The servants also had gloomy and dark expressions. Among them, there was a person who was deeply saddened by the death of my father and collapsed while mourning.

The people of the Dukedom were very sorry for my father's death and did not even ask for it, but they refrained from entertainment such as closing taverns during the memorial period.

However, even in the middle of everyone being sad and careful about every action, there were people who hit the bow.

"Put this away."

"Oh, are you saying you can't do even this much properly?"

It was the Ghellan couple. They arrogantly pointed out the behavior of the servants and harassed them, as if they were the owners of the duchy. No, they seemed to be mistaken that they had become the real owners of this mansion.

"Adele, can we welcome the mourners who come during the memorial period?"

Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to say anything like that. When I stared at her without answering, my aunt smiled awkwardly and excused herself.

"It doesn't mean anything else. Up until now, it's been difficult for you alone to greet the mourners. So, from now on, we are here to help."

Ghellan helped out.

"Okay. Since my brother-in-law passed away suddenly, you probably haven't gotten your mind together yet, so leave it to us to welcome the mourners and get some rest."

Just listening to their stories made it sound like they genuinely cared about me. But what they wanted was to get acquainted with the nobility and establish their position.
That way, I won't be able to kick them out of the duchy, even if I want to. They have a place to stick.

The thought itself was like a worm, and it was disgusting to try to use other people's sorrow as an opportunity.

"Yes, do it."

Even so. I allowed them to do whatever they wanted, because the more they ran wild, the more useful they would be later.

Harnes expressed concern about my decision, but I did not reverse it.

He entrusted the Ghellan couple with the task of digging through the accumulated snow and welcoming the mourners who visited the Duke's residence with difficulty. I locked myself in my room and thought about what to do in the future while sorting out the things of my past life.

So far the flow has been similar to that of the first life.

My heart at the center was different, but what I could see was perfectly the same.

"Then the man will come in a week."

  
Chernosor 2nd Prince. He was my first husband and the one who killed me at the request of the Emperor.

 
Just thinking about Chernosor made me angry, my heart beating fast, and my breathing became increasingly rough.
The touch of the cold knife that sliced through my heart and the figure of the man who laughed at me as I was dying in agony was clearly drawn before my eyes.

I don't look, don't think. Forget about that guy, Adele.

"Whoa."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath to control my pounding heart when I heard a knock.

'Come in.'

I answered with my eyes closed.

Click, the sound of the door opening resounded quietly.

After that, the sound of footsteps followed like a shadow. It was a very small sound, but it was loud because the hallway was quiet.

 "What is going on?"

"... Miss"

"!"

I know this voice. I opened my eyes wide and looked at my maid standing at the door.
Common brown hair and freckles on the bridge of the nose. Puppy-like innocent eyes.

"Lîne."

It was the maid who betrayed and poisoned me in my third life. Have I forgotten about that maid's existence?

No matter how busy I was with other things, I felt like a fool for completely forgetting that the person who had poisoned me in my previous life was staying in the same house.

No, more than that. Rine is my exclusive maid. Why did she not show up until now, and now she appears?

"To think that this happened while l was on vacation..."

Before I could ask Rene why, she said she had taken a vacation. Looking back, it seemed like that. After repeating several lives, it became a far-off thing that was more than 10 years old, and I forgot that fact too.

"To think that the Duke died like this."

" Hey,"

"My Lady, I am sorry... I'm really, really sorry.... huhuhuh...."

Over the image of Rinė, who burst into tears, the shameless image of her asking for forgiveness for poisoning me in a previous life flooded me with anger. Everything she had done disappeared as the clock rewinded, but it remained vivid in my memory.

 
To be honest, it wasn't that I couldn't understand Rine's choice. No matter how close she and I were, we weren't blood-related.

It was only natural that she valued the lives of her younger siblings, who had a strong bloodline, more than myself. So, I understood that Rine couldn't overcome the Emperor's threat and poisoned me, but that didn't mean I forgave her. Now, in the future, I have no intention of forgiving her in my entire life.

"Stop making noise and get out."

When I said it coldly, Rine widened her teary eyes. A look of bewilderment was evident on her face.

It was worth it. Because the me now will be quite different from the me she knew. If I was who she knew, I would have hugged her and cried profusely rather than kicked her out.

In fact, I did that in my first and second lives.

In the third life, instead of expelling her, I comforted the sad Rine. 

If Rinne hadn't betrayed me in my third life, it would have been the same this time too.

 "Can't you hear me?"

 
But I had no intention of hugging her any longer.

"I told you to get out."

Rine rolled her eyes and hesitated. Then nodded.

"Ah. I see. You must be having a hard time too, so you need some quiet time to rest."

"..."

"This is a gift from my sister. I made sure to tell the Lady."

What Rine hesitantly held out was a dream catcher made of seashell. Rine put down the dream catcher on the table and turned around.

.".....Rine."

Right before Rine left the room. I suddenly had something I wanted to ask her, so I called her. Rine looked at me with a brighter face than before.

"Yes, Lady!"

"Did you say you had a younger sibling?"

"Yes! I have a sister!"

"Then, if your sister and I are in danger at the same time, who will you save first?"

"Yes...?"

The joy was short-lived, but her face, stained with bewilderment, stiffened again

.

"Why are you asking such a question all of a sudden?"

"I asked you to answer, I never asked you to ask."

When I responded firmly. Rine closed her mouth like a clam. Confused eyes rolled and looked at me. It was clear on her face that she was contemplating what to answer with her small head.

She is such a well-expressed child. Why did I never notice that she betrayed me? I suddenly had doubts. I don't think my acting skills are particularly good, but what is it?

"Me, me!"

As if she had finally made up her mind to answer, Rine clasped her hands close to her chest and answered loudly.

"I will save the Lady first!"

"Okay?"

"Yes! I like you the most in the whole world! Better than my sister!"

I let out a small laugh at that answer, and Rine's face brightened again. Apparently, Rine thinks I'm laughing because I like her answer. Stupid.

"Then I'll be on my way, Lady. Take a good rest and call me anytime If you need it!"

After Rine left, I picked up the dream catcher she left behind. The decorations on the dream catcher made a clear sound as they clashed. On top of that. as the answers Rine gave earlier spread in my head like ink, I burst into laughter.

"Liar."

If I had told the truth, I wouldn't have felt so bad. No, even if I told the truth, I would have felt bad. Just her presence scratched my nerves. That's why I asked such a strange question.

A question that, of course, is bound to lie.

I twitched my lips and dropped the dream catcher.

Clink

The dream catcher fell to the floor and completely shattered with a loud sound. 

It was a future that hadn't happened yet. It may depend on how I behave, but...

"I can't."

My faith and trust in Rine were completely shattered like that dream catcher, so I couldn't put it back on again.

***

"Are you asking me to go to Duke Leopold's memorial?"

2nd Prince Chernosor questioned the Emperor, doubting his own ears. The Emperor nodded at this and linked his eyes with an absurd face.

"The person who saved Duke Leopold's life was my brother, not me. But why do I have to go to the memorial service?"

"The Crown Prince's injury hasn't fully healed yet, so it's impossible to travel long distances. So you go instead."

"But, Your Majesty the Father, I..."

"Do you still not understand why I bother to send you out of countless Princes?"

Chernosor blinked as if he had no idea, and the Emperor clicked his tongue.

"Right now, Lady Leopold must be in a very difficult state mentally as she suddenly lost her father. At that time, if you take good care of her and comfort her, she has no choice but to open her heart to you."

"Are you telling me to buy Lady Leopold's favor?"

"Okay. Then you will be able to become Duke Leopold. The vast and fertile Leopold estate and the vast property of the Leopold dukedom will all be yours."

At those words, Chernosor's eyes sparkled like jewels. There were no more immature men who, just a moment ago, used arrogance because they did not want to go to the memorial service. 

'All right. I will personally go to the memorial service to comfort Lady Leopold and win her heart." 

"Okay. I'm telling you to get ready to leave tomorrow." 

Chernosor greeted the Emperor and left the Emperor's office.

He was returning to the Prince's palace, thinking about how to win Adele's favor, but he saw a shadow hurriedly hiding in the bushes.

"Who is there?"

"..."

"Can't I come out right away!"

 

The owner of the shadow came out of the bush hesitantly at the terrifying cry. He was now a boy who looked about 13 years old. Chernosor's lips slanted at the sight of the boy. 

"Hey, who is this?"

"I.. It's me, Brother."

"Do not say. It annoys me when I hear you stutter like an idiot." 

As soon as he finished speaking. Chernosor kicked the boy hard in the chest.

'Evil!"

The violent force threw the boy backward as if he were being thrown. The pain was so severe that the boy could hardly stand up while clutching his chest. A dry cough erupted from between cracked lips.

"I'm in a good mood today, so I know I'll end it at this point."

"..."

 "If I stand out just one more time, then it won't end like this."

Chernosor spat on the floor and left abruptly.

Left alone, the boy got up from his seat and brushed off the dusty clothes. Then, when I

He found footprints clearly left on his chest, and he sighed deeply.

"I'm going to get scolded by Jack."

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