The Only Way to Break the Curse is Through Contact with You - Chapter 83

#83

When I just held the paper without signing, Diart’s eyes narrowed. His expression seemed to ask what kind of joke I’m playing.

“What, why aren’t you signing?”

In response to Diart’s impatience, I placed the fountain pen down. Then his eyebrows rose. I calmly retorted, waiting for that reaction.

“I think I need to think about this more slowly.”

“Why?”

Diart seemed puzzled by my hesitation to withdraw the divorce when we’ve already reached this point.

“Do you know how many nights I thought about it when I first told you about divorce?”

In reality, I made that decision without looking back, but here, I had to portray a witful expression as I tried to remember that time. With a hint of slyness, of course. That way, the impact would be greater.

“The years that were nothing but pain for both of us, the fear of life after divorce. You don’t know how many times I hesitated. It was a conclusion I reached after long deliberation, and it’s not something I can easily change.”

“Easily? The situation is different now than it was back then.”

“You’re right. The situation can change at any time. Right now, things may seem good, but life is unpredictable… “

I let out a sigh with an exaggeratedly worried expression, as if something bad was bound to happen.

“Are you saying something is going to change between us? Even after spending the night together?”

My lips naturally pursed at how uncharacteristically cute he was, having this naive thought that seemed to imply that we should be together for life after just spending one night together. Diart’s voice was so low that it was hard to hear.

The temperature in the room had become so cold that it was hard to believe it was summer. I shuddered at the eerie energy emanating from behind him.

He’s definitely not the kind of man who wouldn’t notice if I intentionally spiked his drink, so why is he being so harsh?

Diart grabbed my shoulders reflexively as I stepped back, and our eyes met like a trap.

“Listen carefully, Roeni Wheaton. There will never be a divorce between you and me. Don’t even dream about it.”

Diart’s expression was so firm that it was almost frightening. He seemed to be saying that this relationship would never change.

‘This isn’t right?’

I had just been teasing him, but how did things end up like this? I was taken aback by Diart’s unexpectedly serious reaction. I quickly pulled away from his embrace. Unlike his hands, which let go of me easily, his eyes were still fixed on me.

It felt as if he was looking at a spouse who was always thinking about leaving and running away at the slightest opportunity. I suddenly felt unjustly accused by his gaze.

“Who was it that eagerly signed the divorce papers the moment I handed them over?”

My words made Diart pause.

“When I told you my wish and begged you to hasten the divorce proceedings, it was you who ran off to the emperor the next day!”

My spirit rose when I noticed Diart’s fierce energy subsiding. He stood up from his seat without taking his eyes off me.

“I was quietly offended because you didn’t say anything. And is it really that difficult for a person to extend a hand once? There’s nothing I haven’t done to try to get in touch with you!”

I stepped back and retorted as Diart came closer and closer. I was taken aback by the situation that was unfolding differently from what I had expected, and my voice grew louder as the resentment I had towards him that I’d been ignoring all this time surged up.

“You had that unyielding iron wall, and you got mad just because I met another man? I tried to live, to survive! No, I wouldn’t feel unjust if you had actually treated me properly. But you treated me like a plaything, and it’s not right!”

As I poured out my resentment towards him and took a step back, I immediately collided with the wall. I, on the other hand, wondered that maybe you’ve lost interest in me…”

There was nowhere else to escape, and the emotions that had been welling up inside me began to subside. Diart, who was bombarded with a barrage of resentment, closed in on me as I pretended to catch my breath. Why… Why is he looking at me with such a terrifying gaze?

…Did he notice the subtle insults? It seemed that the problem was that I had repeatedly cursed him five times. I regretted saying it five times. I wish I had said it only three times. At that moment, the words that came out of Diart’s mouth were completely unexpected.

“I’m sorry.”

Huh? I began to doubt whether I had hallucinated in this situation and almost picked my ears. As I blinked in confusion, Diart once again uttered words that weren’t like him.

“It was my fault.”

So now this arrogant man is apologizing? Not only was it unexpected, but it was also a word I had never heard from him during the months we spent together.

“I didn’t know you would be hurt so deeply. I regret it too. To the point where I want to tear my own mouth apart.”

No, why does he make even an apology sound so harsh? My eyes widened in disbelief, and as I stayed still, Diart took hold of my hand.

“Give me another chance. I won’t disappoint you this time.”

I almost stumbled over from the intense energy transmitted through his cautious and polite touch, which didn’t match him. This man, he wouldn’t have planned this, right? Unable to dismiss my suspicions, I narrowed my eyes and stared at him. I wondered if he was acting again, but it didn’t seem like it.

I quickly escaped from his embrace, as if escaping from being confined.

“Just a few words of apology won’t resolve this tangled mess. My grudges run deep and persistently! Anyway, until everything that’s engraved in this heart is erased, I will never sign anything, do you understand?”

If I continued to stay with Diart and he deliberately made contact again, I didn’t have confidence that I wouldn’t crumble. I shouted as I stormed out of the room.

“And we’ll use separate rooms for a while!”

I slammed the door shut, leaving behind Diart’s distorted expression as my final blow. I immediately pressed my ear against the door and listened for any signs of him chasing after me, but it doesn’t seem like he followed. Finally feeling relieved, I leaned against the door and let out a sigh.

What started as a joke had escalated a bit, but I was satisfied that I had given Diart a taste of his own medicine. Although it wasn’t a leisurely and relaxed counterattack, it felt refreshing to pour out everything that had been subtly accumulating inside me.

‘See, it’s not so easy for me to give in and sign it.’

You should experience it too! With a content smile, I happily left the room.

* * *

Since I hadn’t been out of my room with Diart for days, it had been a long time since I’d sat down to dinner with the whole family. Grand Duke Wheaton smiled meaningfully when he saw me.

“I was worried that you were holed up with that guy, Diart, and wouldn’t come out, but it seems like it was just my needless concern.”

You actually look much better than before. Grand Duke Wheaton had a pleased expression, as if he knew everything. He gestured to Duke Feischer, who was watching me every time I turned my gaze away.

“You’ve been through unnecessary hardship.”

Duke Feischer didn’t react to Grand Duke Wheaton’s flattering words and instead drank some wine. Grand Duke Wheaton raised his hand and called for the servants instead. In response to his signal, the servants came in holding plates. The dishes on the table contained appetizing food. Grand Duke Wheaton watched as the servants separated the meat into bite-sized pieces and spoke proudly with a satisfied expression.

“Have you heard of hetar? It’s said to be good for rejuvenation, so knights consider it the best health food. It’s a must-have food before going to war. Your father went out alone to catch it for you, you know.”

Hearing Grand Duke Wheaton’s words, I turned my gaze to Duke Feischer. He remained expressionless, as if he were listening to someone else’s story. But now I could gradually read emotions from his impassive face.

“Thank you. I will enjoy it.”

As I said with a smile, a very faint smile appeared on Duke Feischer’s lips. I felt a sense of contentment from that expression. I delicately sliced the hetar meat placed in front of me. It had an unfamiliar texture, but for some reason, it tasted better than any other food.

While the meal was progressing, Grand Duke Wheaton, who had been leading the conversation almost by himself, couldn’t hold back any longer and put down his wine glass. He raised his eyebrow and asked.

“Have you two been fighting?”

“No.”

I answered immediately, but Grand Duke Wheaton had a face that showed he didn’t believe me at all. It was because Diart’s lips had remained tightly sealed since we entered the dining room for dinner.

“Then why is that guy so quiet?”