“Angie. It was nothing more or less than a marriage of convenience. I don’t love Leticia Dervan. No, not just her, but all the women in the world mean nothing to me. As I’ve sworn countless times, you are the only love I have. And there’s only one woman, Angie Ridsdel!”
“...”
“Let’s go to the capital first. Once we reach the Hedestad estate, I’ll tell you everything. Everything. Without hiding anything.”
“Are you saying that I should go to the capital as the young master’s government? I should arrive on the same boat as Leticia and work as a maid in the same mansion while the young master...”
“That won’t happen. I’ll give you another place to live within the territory. You won’t have any encounters with the Duke’s people, except for a few family members who will look after you. No one will be able to lay a finger on you.”
“After all, from the beginning, Your Highness intended to make me... your government. From the beginning, I was nothing more or less than a government.”
“Angie.”
“I never presumed to take the position of Duchess. I swear I never had such intentions. The young master never formally proposed to me. But... You never mentioned any planned marriage or Leticia’s existence.”
“But before the marriage was announced to the village, on the last day you left the mansion, I sent you a letter. I told you to trust me no matter what happens in the future. I’ll explain everything later...!”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I didn’t receive anything. But even if I had, it wouldn’t have made a difference. Even if you married Leticia, your plan to keep me as your mistress would have remained the same.”
Angie didn't take her straight eyes off him. She didn't know exactly what it meant to explain everything and tell the truth later. Maybe there was some story behind his marriage to Leticia's family. But she didn't want to hear it. She didn't want to know.
“Angie. Trieste is a monarchy centered around a monarchy. The captain from the mainland said that the system was still in place even after the war. Nothing will change for at least a few years. It doesn’t matter how many concubines the nobles keep.”
“So... does that mean I won’t be pointed at as a government official? But I don’t want that, Young Master.”
Angie's green eyes sparkled. She didn't need to raise her voice or get excited. Her intentions were clearly conveyed with just that look.
“I don’t want to live as someone’s government, Master Kayle.”
“Just stay by my side.”
Kyle gritted his teeth as he spoke. His eyes were so intense that he looked like he was going to run towards her at any moment.
“I’ll provide you with a mansion near the territory, so you can live there. I won’t force you to visit or contact you unless you want me to. Just stay within my power.”
So that I can protect and keep you safe. Please do so, Angie.
“No. I want to stay here. I will live my life with my parents as I have been doing so far, so you go to Hedestad and do what you have to do. Do the succession ceremony, the engagement, the wedding...”
“Damn it! Angie!”
The table flipped over with a loud noise. Before she could blink twice, Kyle was in front of her. A strong hand grabbed her shoulder and squeezed her tightly.
Angie's delicate body swayed back and forth, unable to withstand the force. Her large emerald eyes were filled with fear. However, the misery was stronger than the fear.
“Why don’t you believe me? I said I’d explain everything!”
“Master, please don’t do this! I’m going home now...”
“Michael Randall. What did that bastard do? No matter how many letters I sent and carriages I pleaded with, you wouldn’t meet me, and now you just let him into the house...”
Angie flinched in surprise and stopped resisting. You’ve been watching the house all along with your servant.
Kyle grabbed her shoulders and shook her back and forth roughly. Angie couldn't even scream, but she was shaking so hard that she burst into tears. Then she opened her mouth. She wanted to scream out all the feelings she had been holding back.
Then come back when the wedding is over, Kai. I'll be waiting here. If it's an absolutely unavoidable political marriage, if it's something that you absolutely have to do as the Duke of Blackwell, I'll just wait. No matter how many years it takes, no matter how long it takes.
“Then after the marriage is over....”
Just as Angie was about to burst into tears and lose the sense of reason she had been holding onto, Kyle gritted his teeth and groaned.
“You just stay with me until the first child is born and the marriage is automatically annulled! Then it’s all over!”
Angie's body stiffened. She slowly closed her lips, which had barely opened. When the first child was born - the implications of that seemed to hit her again.
A political marriage is literally a marriage that is carried out based on the interests of both families or political collusion. She did not know anything about the current divorce system in the capital. However, regardless of the reason or process by which the marriage was broken, one thing was certain.
The fact that he was going to marry another woman, sleep in the same bed, and have a child as a result. Angie's mind completely shut down as she pictured the baby. It was strange. The moment the image of their unborn child came to mind, deep in her subconscious, a firm conclusion was made. The realization that this was the end for them was terrifying.
“A child... You are thinking of having a child. You want Leticia to bear your child.”
Kyle's blue eyes were ablaze. Angie's eyes, which had been shaking violently for a while, were settling down. The bubbles that had formed in the violent current seemed to disappear without a trace.
“Children are necessary. Whether it’s a boy or a girl, gender doesn’t matter, and who raises them doesn’t matter. As long as they’re born into the world, that’s it... The eldest son must be born first. Divorce comes after that.”
Angie slowly lowered her gaze. The existence of the eldest son was also an essential element of the political agreement. So, he was just saying that once a successor was born, there was no reason to continue the marriage with Leticia. But that wasn't the case for Angie.
“Your Highness, I have no intention of going to the capital. I want to end it here..."
Angie fought back her tears with all her might and spoke as calmly as she could.
“I’ll be back now. Please send me.”
They are already finished. The marriage of the young master and Leticia cannot come to a complete end. How can there be a complete breakdown when there is an heir between them?
Kyle's hand slowly dropped. Angie straightened her back, which seemed about to collapse, and opened the front of her cloak. She clenched her fists to hide her trembling fingers.
Of course, in the distant future, when he returns to her as a free man, she may change her mind. When that day comes, she may be able to accept him, whether or not he has a child with his ex-wife, but not now. Absolutely not.
“Yes, Angie.”
Kyle closed his eyes tightly as if in pain. Disillusionment was evident in every fingertip that brushed the hair that had fallen over his forehead. It could be self-loathing, or disappointment and discouragement at her not doing what he wanted.
“I understand what you mean.”
When he opened his eyes again, his face was hardened with some kind of determination. Angie lowered her head silently and hid her wet eyes. At that moment, she thought she could leave the room. She believed she could get back on the carriage and go home. But she was mistaken.
A strong hand reached out again and grabbed one of her arms, dragging Angie's helpless body back up to his nose.
Kyle gently took hold of her hands that were clasped around Cloak's chest and let them hang down. He then ran his hands through the blonde hair that was scattered here and there on her hood and shoulders and tidied it up over her back and down one shoulder.
It was such an affectionate yet strange gesture at the same time. Her face was so calm and composed as if she was going through her own farewell ritual. It seemed like a lie that she had been so emotionally agitated just a moment ago.
"Master...?"
“I’ll give you a few days.”
Angie shook her head instinctively. There was no need for time. What if, just maybe, a miracle happened in those few days? What if some excuse came along that made it so he wouldn't have to marry Leticia? But she and he both knew that wouldn't happen.
“No. Don’t do that. You don’t have to..."
“Think about it again in a quiet place.”
The hand that had been gently sweeping her voluminous blond hair over one shoulder slowly grabbed the back of her head and applied force. Angie was so shocked that she couldn’t even scream when her hair was suddenly grabbed. Kyle’s eyes changed for a moment.
“...”
“Let’s go to the capital first. Once we reach the Hedestad estate, I’ll tell you everything. Everything. Without hiding anything.”
“Are you saying that I should go to the capital as the young master’s government? I should arrive on the same boat as Leticia and work as a maid in the same mansion while the young master...”
“That won’t happen. I’ll give you another place to live within the territory. You won’t have any encounters with the Duke’s people, except for a few family members who will look after you. No one will be able to lay a finger on you.”
“After all, from the beginning, Your Highness intended to make me... your government. From the beginning, I was nothing more or less than a government.”
“Angie.”
“I never presumed to take the position of Duchess. I swear I never had such intentions. The young master never formally proposed to me. But... You never mentioned any planned marriage or Leticia’s existence.”
“But before the marriage was announced to the village, on the last day you left the mansion, I sent you a letter. I told you to trust me no matter what happens in the future. I’ll explain everything later...!”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I didn’t receive anything. But even if I had, it wouldn’t have made a difference. Even if you married Leticia, your plan to keep me as your mistress would have remained the same.”
Angie didn't take her straight eyes off him. She didn't know exactly what it meant to explain everything and tell the truth later. Maybe there was some story behind his marriage to Leticia's family. But she didn't want to hear it. She didn't want to know.
“Angie. Trieste is a monarchy centered around a monarchy. The captain from the mainland said that the system was still in place even after the war. Nothing will change for at least a few years. It doesn’t matter how many concubines the nobles keep.”
“So... does that mean I won’t be pointed at as a government official? But I don’t want that, Young Master.”
Angie's green eyes sparkled. She didn't need to raise her voice or get excited. Her intentions were clearly conveyed with just that look.
“I don’t want to live as someone’s government, Master Kayle.”
“Just stay by my side.”
Kyle gritted his teeth as he spoke. His eyes were so intense that he looked like he was going to run towards her at any moment.
“I’ll provide you with a mansion near the territory, so you can live there. I won’t force you to visit or contact you unless you want me to. Just stay within my power.”
So that I can protect and keep you safe. Please do so, Angie.
“No. I want to stay here. I will live my life with my parents as I have been doing so far, so you go to Hedestad and do what you have to do. Do the succession ceremony, the engagement, the wedding...”
“Damn it! Angie!”
The table flipped over with a loud noise. Before she could blink twice, Kyle was in front of her. A strong hand grabbed her shoulder and squeezed her tightly.
Angie's delicate body swayed back and forth, unable to withstand the force. Her large emerald eyes were filled with fear. However, the misery was stronger than the fear.
“Why don’t you believe me? I said I’d explain everything!”
“Master, please don’t do this! I’m going home now...”
“Michael Randall. What did that bastard do? No matter how many letters I sent and carriages I pleaded with, you wouldn’t meet me, and now you just let him into the house...”
Angie flinched in surprise and stopped resisting. You’ve been watching the house all along with your servant.
When she didn’t respond, he tightened his grip on her shoulder. A flash of light appeared in the icy walls. Hot and cold flames rose, and a calm growl leaked out through the cracks in the iron gate.
“Why can’t you answer, Angie? Are you even thinking of getting along with him in the future?”
“Michael is just a friend! Master, stop it now...”
“Angie. Don’t you love me?”
Kyle's face was distorted. Tears seemed ready to fall from his reddened eyes at any moment. The agony and pain added a sense of sadness to his beauty, and dark shadows fell on his elegant nose and lips. Angie's eyes, looking at him, were also quickly becoming wet.
She loved him, of course. Hatred, despair, loss, and discouragement, all of those feelings were wounds that came from loving him. If she hadn't loved him, she wouldn't have suffered this much.
“You said you loved me... But why.”
"Master."
“I’m not telling you to become the government! This damn marriage will only last a few years at most. It’s not something I can go against. Why don’t you understand that? You said you love me... You said you truly love me!”
“Why can’t you answer, Angie? Are you even thinking of getting along with him in the future?”
“Michael is just a friend! Master, stop it now...”
“Angie. Don’t you love me?”
Kyle's face was distorted. Tears seemed ready to fall from his reddened eyes at any moment. The agony and pain added a sense of sadness to his beauty, and dark shadows fell on his elegant nose and lips. Angie's eyes, looking at him, were also quickly becoming wet.
She loved him, of course. Hatred, despair, loss, and discouragement, all of those feelings were wounds that came from loving him. If she hadn't loved him, she wouldn't have suffered this much.
“You said you loved me... But why.”
"Master."
“I’m not telling you to become the government! This damn marriage will only last a few years at most. It’s not something I can go against. Why don’t you understand that? You said you love me... You said you truly love me!”
Kyle grabbed her shoulders and shook her back and forth roughly. Angie couldn't even scream, but she was shaking so hard that she burst into tears. Then she opened her mouth. She wanted to scream out all the feelings she had been holding back.
Then come back when the wedding is over, Kai. I'll be waiting here. If it's an absolutely unavoidable political marriage, if it's something that you absolutely have to do as the Duke of Blackwell, I'll just wait. No matter how many years it takes, no matter how long it takes.
“Then after the marriage is over....”
Just as Angie was about to burst into tears and lose the sense of reason she had been holding onto, Kyle gritted his teeth and groaned.
“You just stay with me until the first child is born and the marriage is automatically annulled! Then it’s all over!”
Angie's body stiffened. She slowly closed her lips, which had barely opened. When the first child was born - the implications of that seemed to hit her again.
A political marriage is literally a marriage that is carried out based on the interests of both families or political collusion. She did not know anything about the current divorce system in the capital. However, regardless of the reason or process by which the marriage was broken, one thing was certain.
The fact that he was going to marry another woman, sleep in the same bed, and have a child as a result. Angie's mind completely shut down as she pictured the baby. It was strange. The moment the image of their unborn child came to mind, deep in her subconscious, a firm conclusion was made. The realization that this was the end for them was terrifying.
“A child... You are thinking of having a child. You want Leticia to bear your child.”
Kyle's blue eyes were ablaze. Angie's eyes, which had been shaking violently for a while, were settling down. The bubbles that had formed in the violent current seemed to disappear without a trace.
“Children are necessary. Whether it’s a boy or a girl, gender doesn’t matter, and who raises them doesn’t matter. As long as they’re born into the world, that’s it... The eldest son must be born first. Divorce comes after that.”
Angie slowly lowered her gaze. The existence of the eldest son was also an essential element of the political agreement. So, he was just saying that once a successor was born, there was no reason to continue the marriage with Leticia. But that wasn't the case for Angie.
“Your Highness, I have no intention of going to the capital. I want to end it here..."
Angie fought back her tears with all her might and spoke as calmly as she could.
“I’ll be back now. Please send me.”
They are already finished. The marriage of the young master and Leticia cannot come to a complete end. How can there be a complete breakdown when there is an heir between them?
Kyle's hand slowly dropped. Angie straightened her back, which seemed about to collapse, and opened the front of her cloak. She clenched her fists to hide her trembling fingers.
Of course, in the distant future, when he returns to her as a free man, she may change her mind. When that day comes, she may be able to accept him, whether or not he has a child with his ex-wife, but not now. Absolutely not.
“Yes, Angie.”
Kyle closed his eyes tightly as if in pain. Disillusionment was evident in every fingertip that brushed the hair that had fallen over his forehead. It could be self-loathing, or disappointment and discouragement at her not doing what he wanted.
“I understand what you mean.”
When he opened his eyes again, his face was hardened with some kind of determination. Angie lowered her head silently and hid her wet eyes. At that moment, she thought she could leave the room. She believed she could get back on the carriage and go home. But she was mistaken.
A strong hand reached out again and grabbed one of her arms, dragging Angie's helpless body back up to his nose.
Kyle gently took hold of her hands that were clasped around Cloak's chest and let them hang down. He then ran his hands through the blonde hair that was scattered here and there on her hood and shoulders and tidied it up over her back and down one shoulder.
It was such an affectionate yet strange gesture at the same time. Her face was so calm and composed as if she was going through her own farewell ritual. It seemed like a lie that she had been so emotionally agitated just a moment ago.
"Master...?"
“I’ll give you a few days.”
Angie shook her head instinctively. There was no need for time. What if, just maybe, a miracle happened in those few days? What if some excuse came along that made it so he wouldn't have to marry Leticia? But she and he both knew that wouldn't happen.
“No. Don’t do that. You don’t have to..."
“Think about it again in a quiet place.”
The hand that had been gently sweeping her voluminous blond hair over one shoulder slowly grabbed the back of her head and applied force. Angie was so shocked that she couldn’t even scream when her hair was suddenly grabbed. Kyle’s eyes changed for a moment.
How should she describe those eyes? They were too calm to be ferocious, and there was a distinct madness to be cold-hearted.
“Master...!”
“Master...!”
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment