“But I had too much to drink… and above all, it seems that’s become difficult since you came looking for me yourself.”

“There are indeed people who drink too much and can’t tell the proper time and place before spouting nonsense.”

I retorted while glaring at Alex. In contrast, he smiled leisurely, and those observing our tense confrontation began to leave one by one.

When we were finally alone, I plopped down next to him and whispered,

“Why on earth are you doing this?”

For a while, there was no answer from him. Then, after some time had passed, he turned his head, met my eyes, and curved the corner of his mouth.

Then, a bold voice flowed from his lips,

“This seemed like the only way you would meet me.”

“……Are you insane?”

“……”

“Get up, before you create more mess that can’t be cleaned up. Right now.”

It was then that Alex chuckled and answered,

“Perhaps I am insane, but how can the cause of it say such things?”

“You speak so amusingly. Why is that because of me… I mean, me?”

I was so incredulous that I didn’t even feel like maintaining formalities anymore.

“All of this is something you’ve done on your own. So hurry up and explain things properly in front of people. Say it was done by your own decision and has nothing to do with me.”

“……”

“If things get any bigger, there’s a limit to how much I can overlook as your ex-wife.”

It was at that momen—grab. Alex seized my wrist. Surprised, I looked at him, and his resentful gaze was directed at me.

His bloodshot eyes were sorrowful yet strangely chilling. It was like glimpsing the subtle boundary between a madman and a sane person.

While I was still shocked by that gaze, Alex opened his mouth,

“Do you know with what feelings I was stuck in that rural estate for the entire two years you disappeared?”

Asking this, he tightened his grip on my wrist and pulled me toward him.

“Let go of me. Don’t you see there are many people around?”

Though I told him to let go, he didn’t even pretend to listen. I wanted to scream, but as I said, there were too many watching eyes here.

I looked at him with clenched lips, and from our close proximity, he whispered lowly,

“Every day was like hell. Half my body was burning in purgatory fire, and I had to endure that hell while sitting still. Desperately longing for this moment.”

“Hell? Ha, is it perhaps because you can no longer function as a man?”

“Who says that? That I can’t function as a man.”

“……What?”

The informant had clearly said that Alex could no longer function as a man, but that wasn’t the case?

He chuckled as if it was ridiculous and said,

“Your family must be generally naive. To fall for my false acting like that. You too.”

“…What are you talking about?”

“Innocent Levedi, if I couldn’t function as a man, I wouldn’t have appeared before you. So stop your deviation and come back. While I’m still being cute about it.”

“I think you’re mistaken, but I’m remarried. You seem to know that… what do you think my husband, Duke Esteban, would say if he knew about this?”

“Husband?”

But why? Again, he let out a small laugh.

“Do you really love that guy?”

“……”

“When you’re just a contract couple anyway.”

Suddenly, I froze without realizing it. How does Alex know this? Could there be others who know this fact besides him?

“Say that again. What did you just……”

“I can say it louder if you don’t mind.”

“Alex!”

He truly was a man who was unhelpful till the end.

“Where did you pick up such nonsense?”

The corner of his mouth curved upward.

“Nonsense, you say. If you knew what I have, you wouldn’t say such things.”

“……”

Alex was not one to take risks. Also, being suspicious by nature, he didn’t move well without solid evidence.

In other words, his words were likely true. If he had solid evidence that Assel and I had a contract marriage, the situation might spiral out of control.

“What exactly do you want?”

He smiled slyly and whispered,

“What I want? For you to return to me.”

“……”

“And as for how I found out, let’s just say it was when I sent you a gift before.”

Gift? What is he talking about? While I was confused, a memory suddenly flashed through my mind.

Could it be that assassin at the beach…?

“Were you the one who tried to kidnap me?”

A laugh involuntarily escaped me.

“You’re truly absurd till the end. Do you know I almost died because of that?”

Alex chuckled.

“Perhaps that would have been better. Seeing how you resist now.”

“……What?”

“It would have been fantastic if both of us had died. We might have been able to meet each other in hell.”

It wasn’t something that could be uttered in a sane mind. For a moment, a chill ran down my spine, but outwardly I shouted calmly without showing it:

“Hell is where you should go, and stop talking nonsense and explain.”

“So, the fact that you two, who seem to have a good relationship, are a contract couple—can I tell people about that then?”

Alex was still blurring the point. And I knew that in such a situation, I needed to be firm.

Because if you yield to blackmail once, you’ll have to pay a more severe price the second and third time.

“……Go ahead.”

“What?”

“Do you think my husband would be swayed by something like that?”

Alex’s eyes widened. As if he hadn’t expected me to respond this way.

But soon, after clearing his throat a couple of times, he shot back at me,

“What if that child knows? He seems to adore you quite a bit.”

“Don’t even mention the child with your filthy mouth.”

“I don’t understand why you’re so upset. You’re not even his real mother anyway. He’s a child the Duke had from an affair, so does he feel like your child because you’re living with him? That’s a slave mentality.”

“Shut that mouth, Alex.”

“How prickly. Fine, if you really want, I’ll let you test how long your precious family lasts. In the face of rumors, that is. Oh, and shall I tell you something interesting?”

“……What are you trying to say now?”

Then he snickered and laughed carelessly, but the moment our eyes met, he twisted his lips and whispered.

It was an abrupt change in attitude, like flipping a palm.

“Did you know your husband is mentally ill? I wonder if he still trembles at the sight of blood. He did on the battlefield.”

But what is this now?

“You, what did you just say?”

“Seeing this, it seems you don’t even know the man properly yet, so why not stop resisting and come back?”

“No, wait.”

Assel is sick? And blood…

Come to think of it, Assel didn’t eat steak with blood not drained.

I thought it was peculiar, but was it actually due to trauma from the battlefield…?

“That guy has good fortune. It seems like just yesterday he was rolling in blood like a donkey abandoned by the imperial family.”

“Were you on the battlefield too?”

“I followed my father to the front. It was brief, but enough to know that guy is mentally ill.”

His tone was still sarcastic. Unable to bear it any longer, I shouted,

“Mentally ill? Don’t make me laugh. It seems my husband is not the one with a mental illness. You are.”

With those final words, I finally got up and left.

Because while it’s one thing that we’re a contract couple, if it becomes known that Assel is sick, that’s not acceptable.

I need to go to him quickly and consult. If I try to solve it alone, I might only make the situation worse.

Even though we hadn’t talked for long, my heart was pounding.

As I trudged out of the party venue, a familiar face suddenly flashed by in my vision.

Surprised, I turned around, and there stood a woman with red hair and a cute face for her age, wearing a glamorous dress.

‘That’s Matilda.’

It was undoubtedly Matilda, the daughter of Marquis Rolls, currently also the Duchess of Icalion.

Moreover, her steps were directed toward where Alex was.

I was puzzled about what business she had here, but I soon shook my head. Whatever is between them is not my concern.

I was worried she might spread rumors, but the moment he mentions the contract marriage, he’s essentially making an enemy of House Esteban.

A significant portion of Floredo County’s business is linked to House Esteban, so he can’t easily do that.

No, he shouldn’t.

❀❀❀

After leaving the party venue and returning home, I washed up, changed into pajamas, and slept like the dead.

Not only was I too troubled to focus on work, but with my current foggy mind, I felt I might only mess things up.

When I woke up, all sorts of thoughts came to mind. I wondered if something had happened while I was asleep.

Was it really a good idea to go to the party? I became afraid that I might have provoked Alex and caused a backlash.

But I soon shook off such thoughts. It’s already done. Like spilled water, it’s an irreversible past event.

Also, wasn’t it because I went to the party that I could learn Alex had a grip on Duke Esteban’s weakness?

‘Think positively.’

Trying to convince myself of this, I called for a maid.

“Prepare water.”

❀❀❀

After washing and changing clothes, I stood in front of the mirror, and a perfectly set-up image greeted me. While I was strangely reassured by my outward appearance that seemed unwavering, a corner of my heart still harbored the complicated memories of the previous day.

“Did you know your husband is mentally ill? I wonder if he still trembles at the sight of blood. He did on the battlefield.”

Is it right to inform Assel of all these facts?

From the fact that our contract marriage has been discovered to the trauma Alex knows about him.

The concerns were still unresolved. I couldn’t rule out the possibility of unnecessarily stirring up his wounds if I told him.

But handling it on my own was also concerning due to the madness-tinged look in Alex’s eyes.

Can I handle that man with my strength alone?

While I was lost in such thoughts, sitting dazed at the dressing table mirror, the sound of a door opening was heard.

When I turned my head, a maid was standing there with her head bowed.

“What is it?”

The maid raised her head and reported,

“A guest has arrived.”

“A guest at this hour?”

“Yes, madam. She’s waiting in the reception room now.”

It’s not particularly early now, but it’s still morning. It was an implicit rule in noble society to avoid visits during this time if possible.

So who could be visiting?

“Who is it?”

“I heard it’s Lady Matilda.”

Why is Matilda here?

We weren’t close enough to frequently invite each other to parties or meet often.

Moreover, visiting the mansion, a personal space, during such a private time was even more unusual.

‘What is she up to?’

Amid the spreading questions, why did yesterday’s memory suddenly flash through my mind?

The memory of seeing her by chance on my way out after confronting Alex at last night’s party.

Come to think of it, her strange gait heading toward Alex was suspicious. Things I hadn’t thought much of then all seemed suspicious now that she had come to visit.

‘Could she have heard something from Alex?’

To the point where such a reasonable suspicion arose.

But I soon stopped speculating. Since she’s come to the mansion, I’ll know once I meet and talk with her.

❀❀❀

Upon reaching the reception room, a familiar-looking woman sitting on the sofa caught my attention through the glass walls of the reception room.

‘Matilda.’

As I thought after receiving the news earlier, why has she come to the mansion?

And so early in the morning… could something have already happened?

Feeling various thoughts crossing complexly, I finally entered the reception room.

Simultaneously, she extended her hand to me as if delighted.

“Oh, I’ve been waiting for you, Duchess.”

A rarely affectionate attitude. Something is indeed strange.

“What brought you here at this hour?”

“Aren’t you being too openly wary? As if I might have something on you.”

Saying this, Matilda held back a smile. I frowned.

“Please get to the point. You must know that coming at this early hour is against etiquette.”

“You’re so impatient. Alright, let’s talk.”

“……”

“Do you know who I met at the party yesterday?”

Saying this, Matilda looked into my eyes as if requiring an answer.

“I met your ex-husband, Count Floredo.”

It was a moment when my ominous feeling solidified into certainty. The fact that Matilda met Alex and came to see me means she must have picked up something from him.

I need to find out exactly what she knows.

Pretending not to understand her transparent intention to scratch at my insides, I deliberately acted calm.

“……And?”

“Count Floredo seemed to have had a bit too much to drink. He seemed to have many complaints about his previous marriage, so I thought you should be careful.”

“……”

“No, perhaps it’s Count Floredo who should be careful?”

“I don’t understand what you’re trying to say.”

She chuckled and then looked at me with her chin raised arrogantly and said,

“No, how can you be so brazen? I’d like to learn from you.”

“What did you say?”

“Having a fake marriage and deceiving social circles.”

As she said this, a sharp contempt flashed through her gaze directed at me.

At that moment, I realized. Alex had blown the fact of my contract marriage to Matilda.

In such situations, pretending not to know is the best option. After all, there’s no evidence.

‘Ah, I should have pretended not to know with Alex that day too.’

With belated regret, I tilted my head with an expression of complete ignorance.

“Fake marriage? I don’t understand what you’re saying. And, you seem quite rude.”

Matilda looked at me and suddenly started to snicker. As if she found me ridiculous.

“I said it earlier, didn’t I? That you’re brazen.”

“……”

“But you’re showing me even more than I imagined. How many masks do you have?”

“What……”

Somehow, from the subtle atmosphere and Matilda’s penetrating gaze, I sensed that something ominous was happening.

Right then, as if she couldn’t hold back any longer, Matilda opened her mouth,

“Count Floredo said so. That Duke Esteban has a mental illness, and that the two of you made some kind of deal to take care of that child.”

“What did you say?”

Anger welled up from within me. While I could tolerate her targeting me, I couldn’t accept her touching on Assel and Elysion.

“Duchess Icalion.”

“……Yes?”

“You said I have multiple masks earlier? It seems Count Floredo has multiple lives.”

“……”

“And so do you, for relaying his words verbatim.”

“What?”

“You’re saying Duke Esteban has a mental illness when he doesn’t. Do you not know how serious the crime of insulting the imperial family is?”

Matilda’s face turned pale blue. This was because Duke Esteban is the Emperor’s brother, and insulting him with unconfirmed facts constitutes a crime against the imperial family.

But that was only momentary. Soon, she glared at me and stood up.

“Listen, Duchess. Do you think I came here without clear evidence?”

“What evidence exactly?”

Since I couldn’t think of anything that could be used against me, I deliberately acted confidently.

Matilda shot me a look of disbelief and soon retorted,

“After hearing Count Floredo’s words yesterday, I investigated and found that you two didn’t make marriage vows at the temple.”

“……”

“Without a major fault from the spouse, divorce is almost impossible for 10 years after making marriage vows.”

It felt like my heart sank.

Marriage vows are promises made before God, one of the old customs of noble society.

But as Matilda said, since divorce is impossible for 10 years without a major fault that would cause ripples in society, Duke Esteban and I had not made marriage vows. Because our contract period is 6 years.