IELNDMH - Chapter 57 < A Woman Who Wants It Badly >
I Ended Up Living Up Next Door With My Ex-Husband
“What happened last night... It was all a mistake?”
Rebecca may not have known it at that moment, but Cedric was feeling it himself.
His voice when he asks that question is trembling slightly.
'There's no way Rebecca didn't know about the imprint, so why did she come now...
His voice when he asks that question is trembling slightly.
'There's no way Rebecca didn't know about the imprint, so why did she come now...
Are you saying that everything that happened last night was a mistake?'
Cedric couldn't hide his hurt expression.
He found it difficult to even pretend to be his usual relaxed self.
Rebecca Twins.
She was a woman who could make him so helpless in just one moment.
For no reason, he just passed over his dried saliva as the numb feeling of defeat permeated him.
Rebecca looked up at him with eyes that seemed to be a little frightened, and that she seemed to have no idea what was happening.
Even though he resented her for that, he also felt sad that he couldn't reach her as much as he wanted.
“Cedric, I was so drunk yesterday...”
Cedric shook his head before Rebecca continued.
“Let’s just go back now.”
Leaving just those words behind, he immediately turned around.
He didn't want to hear the word 'mistake' again from Rebecca. If he did that, he felt like he would be able to show his hidden emotions again, even if it was too late.
Cedric took a step forward and turned his horse around, pretending to be calm.
“Everyone will be there to see us off, so we’d better hurry up and get ready.”
“Cedric...”
He could even feel some nervousness in Rebecca's voice from behind him.
'No, maybe she's sorry for having to reject me.'
A bitter smile spread across Cedric's lips.
Eventually, he turned around again, looked at Rebecca, and spoke softly.
“I don’t care if last night was a mistake for you or not.”
“. .”
“So you don’t have to feel sorry for me.”
"Really...?"
A hint of relief drifted over Rebecca's eyes.
“...Yes."
Only then did Rebecca quietly start walking next to Cedric, as if she had been acting awkward at some point.
Seeing her like that, Cedric couldn't help but be caught up in his mixed feelings once again.
Even though he said she didn't have to be sorry, did he secretly want her to be sorry?
But he meant it when he told Rebecca that it didn't matter whether what happened last night was a mistake or not.
No matter how Rebecca dismisses the incident, he has already imprinted himself on her and it is something that cannot be undone.
Moreover, even in this situation, he did not have any regrets.
The most important thing to Cedric now is just...
Rebecca can never leave his side, at least until the contract ends.
That was just the truth.
***
In front of the Gray Zone Village Hall.
Many people had already gathered to see us off.
“You owe me a lot, Devon.”
Cedric held out his hand and Chief Devon held his hand and shook his head.
“Thank you. Considering that the Twins family has taken in our mixed-blood demons from generation to generation, I feel sorry that we have kept you in such a shabby place.”
Beside Chief Devon, as he spoke, his daughter Jacqueline was also there.
Jacqueline said her greetings to Cedric first, then glanced at me.
I raised the corner of my mouth towards her.
“I had a great time yesterday, Jacqueline.”
At my words, Jacqueline looked the other way with an embarrassed expression.
“All we did was have a drink together after work, so what was the fun...?”
Jacqueline was muttering grumblingly, but I could not sense any of initial hostility from her eyes.
It was the same for the villagers standing around her.
“Well, sometimes when I go back to the Grand Duke’s house and get bored...”
“...?”
“Why don’t you come visit our village? Either way.”
When I was surprised but couldn't hide her gratitude, Jacqueline raised her voice as if embarrassed.
“No, what! How can we believe that Her Highness the Grand Duchess has changed after just spending one night together?”
“...”
“You’ll have to stay a few nights before you know. Oh, isn’t that right?!”
At Jacqueline's blunt words, comfortable laughter trickled out from around her.
I looked at Jacqueline and the other villagers with a soft smile.
“Yes, anytime, as long as you accept me. The honey beer Jacqueline made was really delicious.”
At that time, several little children who were standing among the villagers ran towards me.
The children's hands were full of dolls and snacks that I had prepared.
“Your Highness! This is so delicious, thank you so much!”
“The doll is really cute too! Mom told me to be sure to say thank you to Your Highness !”
The children with chubby cheeks chattered brightly.
I smiled softly as I stroked the small horns that sprouted from the children's heads.
“It’s been a long time since I saw this horn. Princess Bianca was disappointed because she didn't show me her horns often. It’s cute and I really like it.”
The children burst into laughter as if they were embarrassed by my words.
Then Bianca, who was next to me, grabbed the hem of my dress and made a small gesture as if asking me to put my ear to hers.
I immediately bent down and adjusted his height.
“When I return to my family’s castle, I will definitely show you this time. At that time, do you have to tell me that my horns are prettier than those children’s?”
Bianca whispered like that and stuck out her lower lip as if she was disappointed.
I gently stroked Bianca’s head.
"Sure. I’ll tell you that a hundred times, Bianca.”
Then Bianca looked up at me and smiled brightly.
It was a time when everyone in the village was still looking at Bianca and me in amazement.
“It’s something we couldn’t even imagine if you were your former Highness.”
When I turned my head to hear a gentle voice, I made eye contact with Chief Devon.
He looked at me blankly and opened his mouth again.
“Children can’t lie. Seeing that Princess Bianca has come to follow Her Highness like this, it seems that the maids were not entirely wrong in saying that Her Highness has changed from before.”
After saying that, Chief Devon looked at Cedric and continued speaking.
“The person I trust most in the world said the same thing.”
After pondering for a moment after saying those words, Chief Devon slowly opened his mouth.
“I think we need to seriously discuss the work of the welfare foundation you mentioned with the village people.”
After saying that, Chief Devon bowed his head slightly in front of me.
“Your Highness, I’m sorry, but could you give us a little time to think?”
Unlike the others, Devon had always had a polite demeanor since I first met him, but I never had the slightest feeling that he recognized me as the Grand Duchess of the Twins.
There was clearly a hint of subtle contempt in Devon's eyes as he looked at me.
However, I could feel even a little warmth in Chief Devon's gaze as he looked at me now.
Relieved by the change, I immediately nodded.
“Of course. Please think carefully and contact the villagers. Your seat will always be empty.”
With that final greeting, everyone in the Twins family, including me, headed to the carriage.
When the family of three finally got into the carriage, Bianca began chattering cheerfully.
“I spent the whole night telling funny stories to the village kids yesterday! I have a kid named ‘Jeff’. He’s quite handsome, and he talks really well!”
Bianca, who was talking excitedly, glanced at Cedric and me in turns.
“What about you two? Did you get along well last night?”
It seemed like that was what Bianca really wanted to say.
But unfortunately, the atmosphere between Cedric and I was extremely awkward.
It was because of that damn ‘mistake’ last night.
No, to be honest, the awkwardness was mine, and Cedric was showing his discomfort with his whole body.
That moment when Bianca seemed to notice it too late and was looking at Cedric's notice.
“I had a good time. To the point where everything felt perfect.”
Cedric, who had been looking out the window the whole time, frowned and slowly loosened his tie.
“...Of course, the only problem is that it was all a mistake.”
***
Meanwhile, at the same time, the Monter family is in the demon world.
Adrian held his father's withered hand and looked sadly at his face as he lay on the bed.
His father's face, which looked like a courageous general, was already decrepit, and his chest, with his ribs exposed like a dead corpse from starvation, was barely rising and falling as he breathed.
That time when he was wiping away the cold sweat that had formed on his father’s forehead. His older brother Elliot came into the room and grabbed Adrian's slumped shoulders.
“Are you here, brother?”
"Yes. You’re going back to Twins today?”
"Yes... I’m just sorry that I had to go back and leave my father in the care of my brother and sister-in-law.”
Elliot gave a mixed smile at Adrian's lifeless words.
“... I don't think this hardship will last long. I think it’s time to mentally prepare.”
At Elliot's words, Adrian looked sadly at his father's face again.
“Go out and say it, brother.”
A quiet corridor filled with darkness, like the short time left in Sir Monter's life.
In an empty place with only the two of them, the brothers let out a deep sigh of regret.
Elliot, who was closing his eyes as the night breeze blew through the pillars of the corridor, suddenly turned his head towards Adrian.
“Adrian, it’s time for us to make a decision for our family.”
There was determination in Elliot's eyes as he said that.
“But brother, my father is still...”
“I’m sure my father would want that too.”
“...”
“Adrian, think about the sacrifices your father made to protect our Monter family.”
Adrian, who was leaning his arms on the railing, immediately lowered his head and let out a long breath.
His anxiety seemed to have intensified.
His older brother Elliot held Adrian's arm tightly as if urging him on.
“Adrian. You must be the head of our Monter family.”
Elliot, the eldest son, had a firm opinion.
“With your magical power, our Monter family will not only be able to maintain its current strength but may even become stronger.”
"Older brother....”
“That is what my father, I, and all of our vassals wish for.”
At Elliot’s words, a slight wave appeared in Adrian’s violet eyes.
But Adrian eventually shook his head.
“... I don’t want to return to the demon world now.”
As Adrian said that, Rebecca's red hair flashed through his mind.
Her beautiful smile shines like sunlight.
“I now have something I want to achieve even if it means risking my life. In the human world.”
A bitter smile appeared on Adrian's lips.
Elliot, who was looking at him silently, let out a small sigh and looked up at the night sky.
“Has she become the woman you so desperately want?”
Adrian had no answer. But Elliot quickly realized that it meant positivity.
“In that case, you should even become the head of the Monter family, Adrian.”
"Older brother... !”
“If you become the head of the family, we will be the best among the mixed-blood demon nobles, no...”
Elliot, the corners of his mouth rising slightly, spoke again.
“It could be a family comparable to the Twins family.”
Adrian's eyes fluttered wide as if a stone had been thrown into a calm lake.
“Get power. And with that power...”
That time when he was wiping away the cold sweat that had formed on his father’s forehead. His older brother Elliot came into the room and grabbed Adrian's slumped shoulders.
“Are you here, brother?”
"Yes. You’re going back to Twins today?”
"Yes... I’m just sorry that I had to go back and leave my father in the care of my brother and sister-in-law.”
Elliot gave a mixed smile at Adrian's lifeless words.
“... I don't think this hardship will last long. I think it’s time to mentally prepare.”
At Elliot's words, Adrian looked sadly at his father's face again.
“Go out and say it, brother.”
A quiet corridor filled with darkness, like the short time left in Sir Monter's life.
In an empty place with only the two of them, the brothers let out a deep sigh of regret.
Elliot, who was closing his eyes as the night breeze blew through the pillars of the corridor, suddenly turned his head towards Adrian.
“Adrian, it’s time for us to make a decision for our family.”
There was determination in Elliot's eyes as he said that.
“But brother, my father is still...”
“I’m sure my father would want that too.”
“...”
“Adrian, think about the sacrifices your father made to protect our Monter family.”
Adrian, who was leaning his arms on the railing, immediately lowered his head and let out a long breath.
His anxiety seemed to have intensified.
His older brother Elliot held Adrian's arm tightly as if urging him on.
“Adrian. You must be the head of our Monter family.”
Elliot, the eldest son, had a firm opinion.
“With your magical power, our Monter family will not only be able to maintain its current strength but may even become stronger.”
"Older brother....”
“That is what my father, I, and all of our vassals wish for.”
At Elliot’s words, a slight wave appeared in Adrian’s violet eyes.
But Adrian eventually shook his head.
“... I don’t want to return to the demon world now.”
As Adrian said that, Rebecca's red hair flashed through his mind.
Her beautiful smile shines like sunlight.
“I now have something I want to achieve even if it means risking my life. In the human world.”
A bitter smile appeared on Adrian's lips.
Elliot, who was looking at him silently, let out a small sigh and looked up at the night sky.
“Has she become the woman you so desperately want?”
Adrian had no answer. But Elliot quickly realized that it meant positivity.
“In that case, you should even become the head of the Monter family, Adrian.”
"Older brother... !”
“If you become the head of the family, we will be the best among the mixed-blood demon nobles, no...”
Elliot, the corners of his mouth rising slightly, spoke again.
“It could be a family comparable to the Twins family.”
Adrian's eyes fluttered wide as if a stone had been thrown into a calm lake.
“Get power. And with that power...”
Elliot, who noticed Adrian's wavering feelings, looked straight into his eyes and spoke strongly.
“Get what you want, Adrian.”
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