A Second Divorce is Difficult - ✿ dusk blossoms ✿

Chapter 6 – Part 21

“A gift?”

“You’ll be able to leave the position of Marchioness as you wish.”

Ruby blinked at him, wondering what he was talking about.

“There’s a condition, though. You’ll have to live with a wealthy man, not with the Marquis of Grit.

“……Sorvan? you’re suddenly…… I mean, are you divorcing me?”

Ruby asked, her face filled with bewilderment. Until just now, it didn’t seem like they were talking about divorce.

But Eli’s expression changed at the sudden mention of Sorvan’s name.

“Did he ask you to marry him? When? Was it when he got you a house at Zenfield?”

“No, didn’t you just say he was a wealthy man, not a Marquis?”

It was the word “wealthy” that made Ruby think of Sorvan. Whether it was at a party or helping out at Devens, he’d always mentioned his wealth. It was just a reflex that made her think of him.

Not being Lord Grit meant excluding Eli from the conversation.

“Sorvan never asked me to marry him, Eli.”

Eli, seeming relieved at Ruby’s words, still wondered why Ruby immediately thought of Sorvan. But without asking, he hugged her waist tightly, as if not wanting to let go of her.

“I was talking about myself.”

Ruby blinked and looked at him.

“I’m giving the Marquisate to Emily, so I won’t be the Marquis of Grit anymore, just a man with a lot of money.”

Eli’s eyes focused on Ruby.

“No bothersome mother-in-law, sister-in-law, or annoying parties. How does that sound?”

“…… Is this because of me?”

“It’s my choice.”

Eli shook his head, but Ruby’s stony expression showed no sign of softening.
“You don’t have to go to such lengths. How much have you worked for your family…”

“No, my decision won’t change.”

Eli buried his head on Ruby’s shoulder.

“You said you didn’t regret the choices you made to be by my side.”

Those were Ruby’s words to Eli at the party Marie had thrown, when she’d told him everything.

“Me neither. I’d do anything to be by your side.”

“…….”

“What’s so important about that title? I have you, and that’s what I’ve come to realize.”

He was a greedy man who held on to both people and honor and refused to let go. If he couldn’t have both, he was willing to let go of one.

“By the way, I may not have a title, but I can buy you anything you want to eat, anything you want to wear, and any jewelry you want to wear.”

“…….”

“I’ll be good. I told you I’d spend the rest of my life paying you back.”

“Are you sure…… you won’t regret it?”

“Of course. How can I regret it when I can live happily ever after with you.”

Eli unwrapped his arms from around her, his eyebrows furrowing slightly as if appealing to Ruby’s speechlessness.

He was making all the appeals he could in his anxious state of mind.

But Ruby was just as nervous.

“We’ll always be newlyweds; it’ll be just the two of us until the end; are you okay with that?”

“……Ruby.”

“…….”

“Look at me.”

Eli grabbed Ruby’s cheeks and turned her to face him.

“Listen to me.”

Ruby didn’t answer, but Eli began.

“When Eve and Emily were young, I took charge of raising them.”

“…….”

“Which means I’ve had enough of parenting.”

“…….”

“It also means I don’t have to do it again.”

“…….”

“It also means you don’t have to worry about it. Okay?”

Ruby stared at Eli still, then threw her arms around his neck, and he wrapped his arms around her waist as he hugged her back.

“You’re not ……going to answer me?”

“Since you’re begging me so hard, I’ll take you up on it; you’re being sweet.”

Ruby hugged Eli tightly, trying to keep her red eyes and voice from trembling.

“Thank you for accepting.”

Eli smiled at her words of approval.

It was so strange.

She felt like she was receiving a marriage proposal from him that she had never received before.

* * *

Shannua stared at the letter. It was from the Duke of Miles, asking to send the marriage proposal.

But when Chamberlain Dice looked at the Emperor, his expression was so stern that he wondered if the reply was a rejection.

“Chamberlain. Send the proposal of marriage to the Duke of Miles.”

“Yes.”

However, the order he gave was completely different from what was expected. Even if it wasn’t a rejection, Shannua’s expression was stiff, which indicated that the content of the response might not be something to rejoice about.

It was hard for Shannua himself to recognize the emotion. Marrying Arlen was something he had always wanted, but there was an uncomfortable, unpleasant feeling lingering in the back of his mind.

It was then.

“Your Majesty, a certain nameless knight is requesting to see you.”

“What does he say it’s about?”

“He says he’s here on an errand for the Marquis of Grit, and he has a letter with the Marquis’s seal.”

“…Bring him in.”

* * *

“Your Majesty, my name is Tyrus, and I work for the Marquis of Grit.”

Kneeling before the Emperor for the first time, Tyrus’s body trembled with nervousness.

“I see. What business does the Marquis have for me?”

“The Marquis asked me to deliver a letter to Your Majesty and bring back a reply.”

With that, he politely delivered the letter with both hands.

The chamberlain took the letter and handed it to Shannua.

“The seal is indeed Marquis Grit’s.”

With that, Shannua tore open the letter.

Soon, his expression became subtle as he read the letter.

“He told you to bring with you a reply to this letter?”

“Yes.”

Why would that be necessary?

With that thought, Shannua ordered the chamberlain to fetch paper and pen.

Soon, he began writing the letter. Since it was not too long, it didn’t take much time.

Shannua folded the letter and stamped it with the emperor’s seal.

The chamberlain took the letter from Shannua and placed it back in the knight’s hand.

“Oh, also convey this message. I’ve decided to marry the Duke of Miles’s daughter, so they should attend the wedding.”

“……I understand.”

Tyrus, holding the letter carefully, bowed and left the audience chamber.

“But why would he be curious about the civil war in the Kingdom of Cains?”

Shannua muttered to himself in the empty chamber.

* * *

After making sure Ruby was asleep, Eli quietly slipped out of the room and changed into his outdoor clothes.

“How’s the mansion?”

“I left it as it was, just in case.”

Eli nodded in approval and turned to leave.

“Where are you going?”

Ruby, dressed in a chemise, came out of her room and looked at Eli, who was in his outdoor clothes.

“Are you up? I need to take a quick look around.”

Eli shielded Ruby from Gardner’s gaze.

“Where?”

“I’m going to ……your mansion.”

“Oh…….”

“Do you want to come with me?”

“Can I?”

The questioning tone of her voice already indicated that she wanted to go.

“Sure. But the house isn’t in great shape. You’ll have to prepare yourself.”

“I will.”

“Okay. Get dressed and come out. I’ll be waiting.”

Ruby headed to her room to change.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I feel more at ease if we go together.”

“Then I’ll get the other knights ready.”

“Yes.”

He had planned to follow Gardner alone in case Ruby stayed behind at the mansion, but if she was coming with him, he didn’t need to. He was going to leave a minimal number of people at the mansion to guard him and Ruby.

* * *

“I’m going to check the second floor.”
After announcing his destination, Gardner looked around the first floor before heading to the second.

The mansion was a mess.

“Watch your step.”

The floor was littered with pottery shards and objects. Eli led the way, making sure she had a safe place to step, not wanting to cut herself.

The large pieces of furniture were still there, but none of the decorations or tools were in place. Even the chairs were scattered across the floor as they entered the parlor.

Throughout their exploration of the mansion, Eli wore a stern expression.

This place was special to him and to Ruby.

It was Ruby’s first home that she had decorated entirely to her taste, and Eli loved it for that.

As much as he loved it, seeing it in such disarray made him feel like all the good memories he had with Ruby had been trampled underfoot.

“Why… would someone do this?”

Ruby’s eyes fluttered slightly as she scanned the mansion.

Apparently, she felt similarly.

“Well, I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”

When the letter is answered.

Eli muttered quietly.

Then he stepped on something.

One of the new sculptures he had purchased from Aaron was broken on the floor. Although the story of the sculpture was a myth, seeing it broken made Eli’s mood complex.

“There’s no one upstairs either.”

Just then, Gardner returned from his patrol.

“Ruby, do you want to check upstairs, or should we stay here?”

Eli said, putting an arm around Ruby’s shoulders.

“Or you can stay here.”

Ruby shook her head to indicate that she would go with him.

They walked upstairs to Ruby’s room.

Then, before they entered the room, Eli turned, so she couldn’t see inside.

“Gardner. Stay here with Ruby.”