Episode 46. Feel the Feeling of Having Your Husband Stolen Too
Meanwhile, Cedric lay in bed. He closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep.
He tossed and turned for a long time. Only the rustling of sheets echoed quietly in the large bedroom.
"Die."
Eric's voice echoed in Cedric's mind. Cedric, who had been closing his eyes, slowly lifted them.
"Huh..."
He let out a deep sigh and raised his upper body.
Sleep wouldn't come. The events of earlier kept lingering in his mind.
Cedric got up from the bed, looking haggard. His mind was filled with thoughts of Eric.
Eric had never disobeyed him, except for marriage.
Of course, he had occasionally shown his displeasure, but this was the first time he had acted so shockingly.
He ran his hand over his throbbing head. His mind was in turmoil.
"...How dare you take a weapon against your father?"
He had never raised his son that way. He had worked tirelessly to raise Eric well.
To him, a "good son" meant a "good son" who would obey him unconditionally.
Therefore, he had thoroughly subjugated his son. Only by obeying his orders, having built his success from the ground up, could wealth and power be passed down through his hands.
Everything was for Eric and the family. How could he rebel in this way, oblivious to his own inner struggles?
Cedric simply couldn't let it go. He left his room and walked quietly down the long hallway.
He headed not for Eric's room, but for Tercia's.
A maid standing in front of Tercia's room greeted Cedric. She knocked on Tercia's door and said,
"The former Count is waiting."
"Please come in."
Perhaps she had fallen asleep, a drowsy voice rang out.
The maid opened the door. Cedric entered the room and walked straight to Tercia's bed.
Tercia sat up when she saw Eric in her room. She seemed to have just woken up, rubbing her eyes with a tired expression.
“What’s wrong?”
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine. It wasn’t even a deep stab to begin with.”
She should have smiled at Cedric, who had come to her out of concern, but her attitude was utterly cold.
“I’m glad you’re okay,”
Cedric muttered absentmindedly, staring blankly down at Tercia’s hand.
“Then I’ll be going now. ”
“Where are you going?”
In contrast, Daemon was blunt.
“I have an appointment.”
“Who are you going to see? A date, perhaps?”
As soon as he finished the word “date,” Daemon’s eyes lit up. His previously indifferent eyes suddenly lit up with a blazing fire.
“No. I have someone to meet for work.”
Fortunately, Rose’s refusal caused Daemon’s fire to subside. His eyes calmed, and he asked again,
“What do you mean by work?”
“That is...”
Rose’s words trailed off, unable to open her mouth. She was debating whether or not to talk about business.
“There’s something I’ve wanted to do. I need to be capable if I want to become independent.”
Rose’s words were vague, avoiding specifics. Daemon was about to ask specifically what she was planning, but someone came knocking.
There was a knock on the door.
“Oh, I guess you’re here. I’ll be off then!”
Rose quickly stopped by and opened the door. Daemon and Rivera stood behind Rose, peeking around, curious to see who had arrived.
“You’re early, Your Highness.”
“Your Highness?”
Daemon’s eyes widened slightly at the sight of the Grand Duke of Artaeum. He hadn’t expected the Grand Duke to come.
“Oh, are you with the Grand Duke?”
The Grand Duke nodded to Rivera and Daemon.
“Would you like to have a cup of tea before you go?”
Rivera offered a friendly remark, but Rose blocked her path.
“Tea later. I have a lot to do today.”
Rivera couldn’t hide her disappointment, but Rose couldn’t help it.
“I saw the Grand Duke's momentary confusion.”
If she hadn’t stopped her, he probably wouldn’t have refused Rivera’s offer. It might have been different for someone else, but Daemon and the Grand Duke were master and student. It would have been difficult for him to refuse Rivera, Daemon’s wife.
“Let’s go, Your Highness.”
Rose spoke brightly as she passed the Grand Duke. The Grand Duke of Artaeum pulled back the hat of his robe and followed her.
A carriage waited in front of the alley. It wasn't the Grand Duke of Artaeum.
It seemed they had borrowed it from the village to move more freely amidst the public gaze.
As they approached the carriage, the Grand Duke of Artaeum naturally extended a hand to Rose. Rose was now quite accustomed to such escorts.
Rose gently placed her hand on the Grand Duke's. Then, she carefully climbed into the carriage.
Rivera's dress wasn't as extravagant and elaborate as the one she'd worn at the Count's residence.
Therefore, an escort wasn't particularly necessary. However, she didn't mind the Grand Duke's outstretched hand.
As Rose took her seat inside the carriage, the Grand Duke soon followed suit.
"Come to think of it, is this my first time riding in a carriage with the Grand Duke?"
Rose glanced at the Grand Duke sitting next to her. The Grand Duke took off the robe that had been suffocating him, revealing his face. His clear skin and handsome features were revealed. Grand Duke Artaeum must have sensed Rose's gaze and looked at her.
"Then, shall we stop by the bank first? I need to lend you some business funds."
"Hmm..."
Rose couldn't easily respond to the Grand Duke's words. One thing weighed on her mind. When Rose trailed off, the Grand Duke looked at her with a puzzled look.
"I thought you'd answer right away."
The disparity between her impassioned speech about borrowing business funds and her current hesitation was palpable.
However, the Grand Duke's doubts were soon dispelled.
"Um... Your Highness, are you very busy today?"
The Grand Duke of Artaeum was indeed having a very busy day.
He was investigating the Imperialist nobles and was busy uncovering the identity of the monster he encountered when he was framed for the murder of Marquis Bled.
And with so much work to do, he was even sacrificing his sleep.
The Grand Duke stared blankly at Rose, who was fidgeting with her fingers, wary of his reaction.
Her flushed face and quivering lips were the unmistakable image of a woman in love.
Rose, who, as always, had no intention of hiding her feelings, found the Grand Duke endearing.
'You're asking me out on a date, but I can't say I'm busy, can I?'
He misunderstood again and spoke.
"I've set aside today."
Rose's face brightened at the Grand Duke's words.
"I'm truly sorry, but... could you grant me one favor?"
"I'm sure I can."
I suppose all you want is a date with me.
The Grand Duke looked at Rose with a relaxed expression. However, the words that came out of Rose's mouth were different from what the Grand Duke had expected.
"There's a place I'd like to stop by before going to the bank. Could I go there first?"
One of the Grand Duke's eyebrows rose at Rose's words.
'...You're not angry, are you?'
Rose worried that her words had offended the Grand Duke, but...
'Since we've already brought it up, let's talk about it properly.'
She decided to face her fear.
"I have business at the temple."
"The temple..."
It was where Count Wence's wedding was being held.
She had heard the rumors. The entire empire was in an uproar over the fact that he was remarrying so soon after his divorce.
Grand Duke Artaeum swallowed his words and looked at Rose with a puzzled expression.
'It's not like she has any lingering feelings for Count Wence .'
Rose carefully took out the wedding invitation she had brought with her. Then she held it out to Grand Duke Artaeum.
"One of the Count's maids is pregnant with Eric's child. Because of this child, the butler who had worked for the Count Wence family for over 30 years was kicked out."
The Grand Duke listened intently to Rose's words and accepted the wedding invitation she handed him.
Even without the invitation, he knew who the bride would be.
Beliana of the Marquis of Dikar.
She was the one who would be at today's wedding.
"I think she believed she would become the Countess. She even harassed the maids I cherished... I'm embarrassed to say this, but I've been through a lot myself."
The Grand Duke understood Rose's meaning.
"You'll show off and laugh at that maid, or something like that."
Rose nodded without denying the Grand Duke's words. The Grand Duke stared at Rose.
It wasn't the date request he'd expected, but it wasn't a difficult request either.
"Well, before we go to the temple, let's stop by one more place first."
"Ues?"
Rose tilted her head at the Grand Duke's words. While there was still some time left before the wedding, it wasn't exactly leisurely.
However, Rose couldn't help but agree with the Grand Duke's subsequent words.
"It's your ex-husband's wedding, so I can't send you off like this."
Oh, I hadn't thought of that...!
Rose wasn't exactly shabby. But her attire wasn't appropriate for a guest, either. If she went like this, she might be laughed at by Eric, Doana, and the other guests.
They would say she was a pitiful woman, not only divorced, but also ill-dressed, hanging around her ex-husband's wedding.
Rose's eyes sparkled, and she clapped her hands like a seal.
"Your Highness, you're so wise...!"
Rose gazed at him with innocent eyes. He found her so adorable that he couldn't help but smile.
Rose couldn't hide the enthusiasm in her eyes and smiled happily.
I won't laugh at you in your past life, but I will laugh at you a lot in this life, Doana.
You, too, feel what it feels like to have your husband stolen.
Meanwhile, Cedric lay in bed. He closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep.
He tossed and turned for a long time. Only the rustling of sheets echoed quietly in the large bedroom.
"Die."
Eric's voice echoed in Cedric's mind. Cedric, who had been closing his eyes, slowly lifted them.
"Huh..."
He let out a deep sigh and raised his upper body.
Sleep wouldn't come. The events of earlier kept lingering in his mind.
Cedric got up from the bed, looking haggard. His mind was filled with thoughts of Eric.
Eric had never disobeyed him, except for marriage.
Of course, he had occasionally shown his displeasure, but this was the first time he had acted so shockingly.
He ran his hand over his throbbing head. His mind was in turmoil.
"...How dare you take a weapon against your father?"
He had never raised his son that way. He had worked tirelessly to raise Eric well.
To him, a "good son" meant a "good son" who would obey him unconditionally.
Therefore, he had thoroughly subjugated his son. Only by obeying his orders, having built his success from the ground up, could wealth and power be passed down through his hands.
Everything was for Eric and the family. How could he rebel in this way, oblivious to his own inner struggles?
Cedric simply couldn't let it go. He left his room and walked quietly down the long hallway.
He headed not for Eric's room, but for Tercia's.
A maid standing in front of Tercia's room greeted Cedric. She knocked on Tercia's door and said,
"The former Count is waiting."
"Please come in."
Perhaps she had fallen asleep, a drowsy voice rang out.
The maid opened the door. Cedric entered the room and walked straight to Tercia's bed.
Tercia sat up when she saw Eric in her room. She seemed to have just woken up, rubbing her eyes with a tired expression.
“What’s wrong?”
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine. It wasn’t even a deep stab to begin with.”
She should have smiled at Cedric, who had come to her out of concern, but her attitude was utterly cold.
“I’m glad you’re okay,”
Cedric muttered absentmindedly, staring blankly down at Tercia’s hand.
“Then I’ll be going now. ”
As Cedric turned to leave, Tercia’s voice came from behind him.
“Are you going to Eric?”
At Tercia’s words, Cedric froze in place and glanced back, neither confirming nor denying.
Tercia saw him and spoke sharply.
“Don’t go.”
“So you’re telling me to just watch this? That kid stabbed you!”
Instead of pushing him away, she stopped him.
Cedric snapped at Tercia’s actions and raised his voice.
But Tercia wasn't easy either. She shouted, louder than Cedric.
"..."
"I told you countless times! Now, please let Eric go... Is it because you want to see Eric ruined?!"
Cedric remained silent as Tercia shouted at him.
"When you get older, you'll just be an old, sick, toothless monster. So don't touch Eric anymore."
"...Do you think it's normal to attack your father just because he disciplined you once?"
Despite Tercia's appealing words, Cedric didn't agree. In fact, her words only served to repel him even more.
"Even a father who disciplines like you isn't normal."
"Tercia!"
"Eric said that today."
Tercia didn't close her mouth even as she watched Cedric's face twist in anger. In fact, she spoke in a more forceful, whispered voice.
“He said you didn’t look human.”
“What?”
“He said you didn’t look human. He said at one point, you looked like a monster. So... he said he picked up a weapon without realizing it.”
“What on earth do you mean?”
Cedric sighed deeply and looked at Tercia.
He didn’t feel the gravity of the situation at all. He only thought about whether he should send Eric to psychiatric treatment.
That wasn’t the main point.
Cedric, who had come to Tercia and become more complicated for no reason, left Tercia’s room with brisk steps.
“Cedric!”
Tercia called his name, as if she had something left to say, but Cedric didn’t turn around.
The night before Eric’s wedding passed like that.
The next morning.
Rose was busily getting ready to go out.
“It feels so awkward doing it alone, after all the maids always do it.”
There were no hired servants at the Serviat mansion. She had to do everything herself, from washing to dressing up.
Suddenly, Rose found herself laughing at herself, thinking this.
“Ugh, it was normal in Korea...”
It seemed she had become quite accustomed to life in a novel. Rose wore a hat with a large brim over her neatly braided hair, almost obscuring her face.
Since she hadn’t brought anything else with her, both her dress and hat belonged to her mother, Rivera.
Rose finished dressing and went down to the first floor. Rivera greeted her with a bright smile.
“Oh, you’re so pretty.”
“Are you going to Eric?”
At Tercia’s words, Cedric froze in place and glanced back, neither confirming nor denying.
Tercia saw him and spoke sharply.
“Don’t go.”
“So you’re telling me to just watch this? That kid stabbed you!”
Instead of pushing him away, she stopped him.
Cedric snapped at Tercia’s actions and raised his voice.
But Tercia wasn't easy either. She shouted, louder than Cedric.
“It wasn't me that he stabbed—it was you!”
"I told you countless times! Now, please let Eric go... Is it because you want to see Eric ruined?!"
Cedric remained silent as Tercia shouted at him.
"When you get older, you'll just be an old, sick, toothless monster. So don't touch Eric anymore."
"...Do you think it's normal to attack your father just because he disciplined you once?"
Despite Tercia's appealing words, Cedric didn't agree. In fact, her words only served to repel him even more.
"Even a father who disciplines like you isn't normal."
"Tercia!"
"Eric said that today."
Tercia didn't close her mouth even as she watched Cedric's face twist in anger. In fact, she spoke in a more forceful, whispered voice.
“He said you didn’t look human.”
“What?”
“He said you didn’t look human. He said at one point, you looked like a monster. So... he said he picked up a weapon without realizing it.”
“What on earth do you mean?”
Cedric sighed deeply and looked at Tercia.
He didn’t feel the gravity of the situation at all. He only thought about whether he should send Eric to psychiatric treatment.
That wasn’t the main point.
Cedric, who had come to Tercia and become more complicated for no reason, left Tercia’s room with brisk steps.
“Cedric!”
Tercia called his name, as if she had something left to say, but Cedric didn’t turn around.
The night before Eric’s wedding passed like that.
***
The next morning.
Rose was busily getting ready to go out.
“It feels so awkward doing it alone, after all the maids always do it.”
There were no hired servants at the Serviat mansion. She had to do everything herself, from washing to dressing up.
Suddenly, Rose found herself laughing at herself, thinking this.
“Ugh, it was normal in Korea...”
It seemed she had become quite accustomed to life in a novel. Rose wore a hat with a large brim over her neatly braided hair, almost obscuring her face.
Since she hadn’t brought anything else with her, both her dress and hat belonged to her mother, Rivera.
Rose finished dressing and went down to the first floor. Rivera greeted her with a bright smile.
“Oh, you’re so pretty.”
“Where are you going?”
In contrast, Daemon was blunt.
“I have an appointment.”
“Who are you going to see? A date, perhaps?”
As soon as he finished the word “date,” Daemon’s eyes lit up. His previously indifferent eyes suddenly lit up with a blazing fire.
“No. I have someone to meet for work.”
Fortunately, Rose’s refusal caused Daemon’s fire to subside. His eyes calmed, and he asked again,
“What do you mean by work?”
“That is...”
Rose’s words trailed off, unable to open her mouth. She was debating whether or not to talk about business.
“There’s something I’ve wanted to do. I need to be capable if I want to become independent.”
Rose’s words were vague, avoiding specifics. Daemon was about to ask specifically what she was planning, but someone came knocking.
There was a knock on the door.
“Oh, I guess you’re here. I’ll be off then!”
Rose quickly stopped by and opened the door. Daemon and Rivera stood behind Rose, peeking around, curious to see who had arrived.
“You’re early, Your Highness.”
“Your Highness?”
Daemon’s eyes widened slightly at the sight of the Grand Duke of Artaeum. He hadn’t expected the Grand Duke to come.
“Oh, are you with the Grand Duke?”
The Grand Duke nodded to Rivera and Daemon.
“Would you like to have a cup of tea before you go?”
Rivera offered a friendly remark, but Rose blocked her path.
“Tea later. I have a lot to do today.”
Rivera couldn’t hide her disappointment, but Rose couldn’t help it.
“I saw the Grand Duke's momentary confusion.”
If she hadn’t stopped her, he probably wouldn’t have refused Rivera’s offer. It might have been different for someone else, but Daemon and the Grand Duke were master and student. It would have been difficult for him to refuse Rivera, Daemon’s wife.
“Let’s go, Your Highness.”
Rose spoke brightly as she passed the Grand Duke. The Grand Duke of Artaeum pulled back the hat of his robe and followed her.
A carriage waited in front of the alley. It wasn't the Grand Duke of Artaeum.
It seemed they had borrowed it from the village to move more freely amidst the public gaze.
As they approached the carriage, the Grand Duke of Artaeum naturally extended a hand to Rose. Rose was now quite accustomed to such escorts.
Rose gently placed her hand on the Grand Duke's. Then, she carefully climbed into the carriage.
Rivera's dress wasn't as extravagant and elaborate as the one she'd worn at the Count's residence.
Therefore, an escort wasn't particularly necessary. However, she didn't mind the Grand Duke's outstretched hand.
As Rose took her seat inside the carriage, the Grand Duke soon followed suit.
"Come to think of it, is this my first time riding in a carriage with the Grand Duke?"
Rose glanced at the Grand Duke sitting next to her. The Grand Duke took off the robe that had been suffocating him, revealing his face. His clear skin and handsome features were revealed. Grand Duke Artaeum must have sensed Rose's gaze and looked at her.
"Then, shall we stop by the bank first? I need to lend you some business funds."
"Hmm..."
Rose couldn't easily respond to the Grand Duke's words. One thing weighed on her mind. When Rose trailed off, the Grand Duke looked at her with a puzzled look.
"I thought you'd answer right away."
The disparity between her impassioned speech about borrowing business funds and her current hesitation was palpable.
However, the Grand Duke's doubts were soon dispelled.
"Um... Your Highness, are you very busy today?"
The Grand Duke of Artaeum was indeed having a very busy day.
He was investigating the Imperialist nobles and was busy uncovering the identity of the monster he encountered when he was framed for the murder of Marquis Bled.
And with so much work to do, he was even sacrificing his sleep.
The Grand Duke stared blankly at Rose, who was fidgeting with her fingers, wary of his reaction.
Her flushed face and quivering lips were the unmistakable image of a woman in love.
Rose, who, as always, had no intention of hiding her feelings, found the Grand Duke endearing.
'You're asking me out on a date, but I can't say I'm busy, can I?'
He misunderstood again and spoke.
"I've set aside today."
Rose's face brightened at the Grand Duke's words.
"I'm truly sorry, but... could you grant me one favor?"
"I'm sure I can."
I suppose all you want is a date with me.
The Grand Duke looked at Rose with a relaxed expression. However, the words that came out of Rose's mouth were different from what the Grand Duke had expected.
"There's a place I'd like to stop by before going to the bank. Could I go there first?"
One of the Grand Duke's eyebrows rose at Rose's words.
'...You're not angry, are you?'
Rose worried that her words had offended the Grand Duke, but...
'Since we've already brought it up, let's talk about it properly.'
She decided to face her fear.
"I have business at the temple."
"The temple..."
It was where Count Wence's wedding was being held.
She had heard the rumors. The entire empire was in an uproar over the fact that he was remarrying so soon after his divorce.
Grand Duke Artaeum swallowed his words and looked at Rose with a puzzled expression.
'It's not like she has any lingering feelings for Count Wence .'
Rose carefully took out the wedding invitation she had brought with her. Then she held it out to Grand Duke Artaeum.
"One of the Count's maids is pregnant with Eric's child. Because of this child, the butler who had worked for the Count Wence family for over 30 years was kicked out."
The Grand Duke listened intently to Rose's words and accepted the wedding invitation she handed him.
Even without the invitation, he knew who the bride would be.
Beliana of the Marquis of Dikar.
She was the one who would be at today's wedding.
"I think she believed she would become the Countess. She even harassed the maids I cherished... I'm embarrassed to say this, but I've been through a lot myself."
The Grand Duke understood Rose's meaning.
"You'll show off and laugh at that maid, or something like that."
Rose nodded without denying the Grand Duke's words. The Grand Duke stared at Rose.
It wasn't the date request he'd expected, but it wasn't a difficult request either.
"Well, before we go to the temple, let's stop by one more place first."
"Ues?"
Rose tilted her head at the Grand Duke's words. While there was still some time left before the wedding, it wasn't exactly leisurely.
However, Rose couldn't help but agree with the Grand Duke's subsequent words.
"It's your ex-husband's wedding, so I can't send you off like this."
Oh, I hadn't thought of that...!
Rose wasn't exactly shabby. But her attire wasn't appropriate for a guest, either. If she went like this, she might be laughed at by Eric, Doana, and the other guests.
They would say she was a pitiful woman, not only divorced, but also ill-dressed, hanging around her ex-husband's wedding.
Rose's eyes sparkled, and she clapped her hands like a seal.
"Your Highness, you're so wise...!"
Rose gazed at him with innocent eyes. He found her so adorable that he couldn't help but smile.
Rose couldn't hide the enthusiasm in her eyes and smiled happily.
I won't laugh at you in your past life, but I will laugh at you a lot in this life, Doana.
You, too, feel what it feels like to have your husband stolen.
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