Chapter 3 – Part 1 “His married life.”

Eli couldn’t even flip through the documents in front of him.

Since Ruby signed the divorce papers and left, nothing seemed to register in his mind.

“Sign here, please.”

The unhelpful clerk pointed to the necessary section.

“Seems like a lot of document needs my signature today”

Eli responded with an irritated tone.

“You did a good job with the divorce papers earlier. If it bothered you so much, you could have at least asked her why she asked for divorce in the first place.”

“That would undermine my hard-earned resolve.”

“Maybe the Marchioness don’t want you to hold on to it.”

“And make it harder for her?”

With each time they shared a bed, even the few weight that clung to her body seemed to visibly diminish.

It was glaringly evident, pricking at his eyes, forcing him to hide his desires and turn away, pretending not to care.

Ruby was the one who would continue to receive him whenever he wanted.

Because of Marie, they didn’t spend their first night together until long after their wedding. On that day, Eli, who had been holding back his desires, finally succumbed and made Ruby faint.

As time passed after their marriage, despite her appearance growing more frail, she continued to force a smile. Seeing her like that greatly disturbed Eli’s heart.

“Still, you never know.”

“Holding her and letting her continue to suffer? I don’t think I can do that.”

Eli shook his head, recalling Ruby from the recent party at Shuban.

***

“Why are you sleeping so uncomfortably?”

In front of Eli’s eyes, Ruby was lying on an uncomfortable chair instead of the bed. She had gone upstairs to change into her dress, but Eli went to find her when she didn’t return, only to discover her collapsed in this state. She hadn’t changed out of her dress and had fallen asleep as is.

When Eli placed his hand on Ruby’s forehead, he felt a slight fever. Ruby seemed to be intentionally ignoring it to avoid causing concern, but the warmth he felt while holding her hand during this time wasn’t just due to his imagination.

Maybe she planned to rest for a short while before coming out again. Perhaps her body was aching.

Letting out a small sigh, Eli paused while trying to move Ruby to the bed.

“If she wakes up in bed, she might worry that someone came up.”

Ruby would easily think that way. Eli, contemplating what to do with the sleeping Ruby, eventually left the room without doing anything.

“Where is Lady Grit?”

As the atmosphere became deeper and the noise in the hall grew, Arlen leaned close to Eli’s ear and asked.

“She’s changing into her dress. My wife needs to rest at times like these.”

Marie approached, seemingly in good spirits. Eli thought it was fortunate that she seemed tipsy enough not to think much about Ruby.

* * *

“Where were you?”

Eli intentionally asked as if he didn’t know Ruby’s whereabouts, hoping she wouldn’t worry.

“Did you look for me?”

Ruby’s voice sounded worried. Eli attributed Marie’s excuse to her. If she were his known mother, she would ask Ruby about it tomorrow. It seemed like a plausible explanation.

While Eli expected to reassure Ruby that nothing had happened, she stood silently, her face filled with concern.

“Do you have something to say?”

He asked, thinking it might be because she was worried something had happened in his absence.

Eli thought he should let her know only the things that would make her feel less sorry.

“Divorce… let’s get a divorce,”

Ruby was quicker than he expected.

Eli, who was unbuttoning his shirt, froze. Perhaps his surprise was evident on his face. But more than that, Ruby looked even more astonished. Even though she had spoken impulsively.

“In two weeks.”

“What?”

“I have business in the capital, so do it then. I’ll let the Emperor know in advance.”

He deliberately emphasized the divorce before going to the capital. Ruby, who had just declared the divorce, seemed more surprised than Eli. She looked startled even though she had spoken out of her own accord.

It seemed like Ruby had impulsively spoken out.

After Ruby left the room. Eli let out a breath he had been holding.

Ruby’s divorce declaration was impulsive, but it seemed to be her sincere feelings, something she had restrained for a long time. Eli knew she had suffered a lot after their marriage. The gradually darkening and withering expression had haunted him as a lingering scar.

As time passed, seeing her like that had become increasingly uncomfortable.

It seemed that even though the initial period was not difficult for him, it eventually became harder.

Eli lay on the bed, covering his eyes with his arm.

***

“By the way, what happened to the servant?”

“I informed him properly. Since the Marchioness never visited, he seems to think it’s like any other guest.”

“Good job.”

“In the future, anything related to Lady Grit .. No, Lady Ruby Rainier, must be conveyed immediately.”

Even though the divorce wasn’t confirmed yet, just by signing the papers, the titles changed on the same day. The quick handling by Leton was the first time Eli felt dissatisfied.

At that moment, a sudden urgent knock was heard.

“Come in.”

Hurriedly opening the door, the servant entered, speaking urgently. He was a newcomer.

“My Lord, Lady Ruby had an accident.”

“What?”

“How is Lady condition? Was she taken to the hospital?”

Leton, who regained composure quicker than Eli, asked before him.

“Yes, she was moved to the nearest Lubern hospital.”

“Go there immediately. Prepare a carriage.”

Eli ordered hastily, thinking that if necessary, he would move Ruby to Grit’s residence and make sure she received treatment until she fully recovered. He pledged to wait for her to be well and then leave.

“My Lord!”

The servant urgently grabbed Eli and Leton who were about to leave the office.

“What!!…?”

It was a moment when Eli, irritated by the servant’s clumsy actions, was about to express his displeasure.

“Sh-she’s gone.”

“What? Where?”

The servant’s words made Eli furrow his brows, suspecting that she might be more seriously injured than he thought. Then relief and regret simultaneously washed over him.

It would have been better for her to stay at Grit’s residence until she fully recovered. They could have spent time together, and Eli couldn’t help but feel sorry.

“The madam was hit by the …… carriage, and she died on the spot.”

Even though he finished speaking, Eli couldn’t fully comprehend the contents.

“What… What are you saying?”

Leton asked on behalf of Eli.

This was Ruby they were talking about who had been with him only moments ago, and now that she was about to be back to her normal self. It couldn’t be.

Just like that, out of the blue, it couldn’t be…….

“I need to see it with my own eyes.”

Eli quickly left the office.

***

“Here.”

The doctor led him inside, where Ruby welcomed him with a white cloth draped over her. Ruby no longer smiled at Eli.

Certainly, it was Ruby whom Eli had sent off in the carriage, but it didn’t feel like Ruby.

Eli, now looking at Ruby who no longer looked at him, recalled her last appearance.

The gaze that stared at him before getting on the carriage. The red eyes between the bangs.

“Your work is important, but remember to take care of your health,”

After staring for a while, Ruby, who had been looking at Eli, took his hand as she got on the carriage and said,

“I was ready to hear every word of resentment, every word of regret, even if you said that you regretted marrying me.”

The unexpected words left Eli speechless.

Even as Ruby got on the carriage and the door closed, Eli stood there without saying anything.

“I think it’s you who regretted marrying me”

Eli muttered in front of the deserted palace after the carriage carrying Ruby left.

“Now, eat well, sleep well, gain some weight, live without worries, and smile”

That was what he had thought just a few hours ago.

“I’m sorry. I said I would take her to her destination, but the young madam said it was okay and that she needed to stop somewhere else! I’m truly sorry.”

The coachman to whom Eli had entrusted Ruby knelt on the ground as if he had no face. However, Eli didn’t hear any of the sounds in his ears.

Everything felt like a dream.

Even Ruby lying in front of him.