The Only Way to Break the Curse is Through Contact with You - Chapter 92

#92

What do you mean you’ll give up your title? I was so shocked that my mouth fell open. The only person in the room who remained calm amidst everyone’s shocked gazes was Diart.

“Du, wait, what are you saying…”

Even the Emperor seemed bewildered, as if this wasn’t something they had agreed upon beforehand. Despite the Emperor’s opposition, Diart continued with what he had to say.

“I will not interfere in any political matters from now on, as long as they do not touch what is most precious to me.”

Diart turned his head and looked at me.

“I swear to always stand against enemies in front of His Imperial Majesty.”

It was an oath mixed with a hint of threat.

“This doesn’t sound like something I should be listening to right now?”

Jarvis whispered, tilting his head. I was sure his gaze left me and swept over Jarvis before returning to the Emperor, but that’s not the problem right now. Diart was a highly unusual case, as two ducal titles could not normally exist in the same family.

Moreover, he was one of only three dukes in the Empire. Giving up the privileges and influence that clearly indicated his significant contribution to the empire was hard to understand.

Despite the Emperor’s objections, Diart did not change his mind. He ignored the grumbling of the nobles and made his second shocking statement.

“As a celebration of His Highness the Crown Prince’s birth, I offer you the Western Diamond Mine.”

‘Huh!’

I was more shocked than the people who gasped. What? He’s giving a diamond mine as a birthday present? Did I hear that right?

Jarvis whistled softly beside me.

“It’s a way of saying ‘eat and then leave.’ It looks like he really doesn’t want me to dance with you.”

His words fell on deaf ears, as it didn’t compare to the shock I felt hearing him say that he was giving a diamond mine. Seeing me with my mouth slightly open, Jarvis chuckled.

“That’s quite an endearing obsession.”

I whipped my head around to look at him.

Diart, who had sent one shock after another through the hall, left the Emperor behind as soon as he had finished his business and headed towards me. Diart narrowed his eyes as he approached me and Jarvis, who were standing close together. Jarvis raised both hands and shrugged, then made some room beside me.

“A diamond mine is an extravagant birthday present. I’m sure it will bolster the imperial coffers.”

Ignoring Jarvis’ smugness, Diart came closer to me. There were many things I wanted to ask him, but since there were many people around, Leticia stepped forward.

“Brother, they are looking for you over there.”

Leticia took Jarvis and Annabelle and left the area. I was grateful for her quick thinking. The music that had been playing softly in the hall changed. When the Emperor and Empress appeared in the center of the dance floor, everyone’s attention turned to them. Even the conversations that were taking place stopped as the nobles watched the couple dance. I also quietly watched the Emperor and Empress dance.

Clearly, they were of imperial birth; they were incredibly elegant compared to me, who was stumbling around. When their dance ended, applause erupted.

I was also clapping when Diart blocked my view and stood in front of me. I curiously looking up at him, and he extended his hand to me and bowed his head.

“Wife, would you dance with me for one song?”

Diart’s attitude was incredibly polite. It was amazing how even his cheesy comments could make me excited, depending on who said them. I couldn’t help but smirk mischievously.

“You’’ have to watch your steps.”

“Step on my feet as much as you like.”

He still doesn’t know my dancing skills properly. I looked at Diart, who was smiling innocently without knowing anything, with a sense of pity. Soon, I could already envision how that relaxed face would contort.

As we stepped onto the dance floor, all eyes were on us. Even those who were already dancing seemed to turn their gaze towards us.

After all, despite attending numerous balls in the ten years we were married, we had never danced together. So, it was enough to capture everyone’s attention with Diart and me standing on the floor.

I suddenly realized that the relationship between Diart and me had completely changed. He used to be a man who not only refused to dance with me but also despised holding hands. It wasn’t easy to manage my expression in this awkward situation. At that moment, Diart pulled me closer by placing his hand on my waist, and my vision was filled with him in an instant.

As I looked into his deep golden eyes, I felt as if we were the only two on the dance floor. Following Diart’s lead, the dance began slowly. Diart was surprisingly skilled at dancing. I suddenly felt a sense of betrayal, as I admired him.

“You dance well. I guess you’ve been dancing often?”

He ignored me and left me alone at the previous ball because he didn’t want to dance with me for a moment. His voice didn’t sound gentle. Diart raised the corner of his mouth in response to my sly glances. It’s my first time dancing.

“My body is quick to learn things.”

And I’m good at applying it too. Diart whispered secretly, his lips close to my ear. Every time he spoke, my shoulders involuntarily shrank from the warm breath that touched my ear.

‘What is this man talking about?’

Where there are a lot of people. I heard a low chuckle as I pushed him away, my face flushed with memories of last night. I quickly looked around, wondering if anyone had heard us. Since it was just a small whisper, it seemed like no one had heard us. I quickly changed the subject in the suddenly heated atmosphere.

“What do you mean by giving up your title?”

“Ah.”

Diart’s expression was nonchalant, as if it were someone else’s business, as though he hadn’t just thrown away his noble title.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you in advance. I just decided on this.”

“…Did you just decide now?”

It was so absurd that he had made such an important decision like buying bread on the street. I was so dumbfounded that I couldn’t speak.

“I didn’t want to go to war.”

War? Ah, come to think of it, there is soon to be a war with the principality. But I don’t understand what that has to do with his title. In response to my questioning gaze, Diart glanced briefly at the Emperor.

“I tried to settle it by giving him a few mines, but he was too greedy. I said I wouldn’t participate in this war with the principality, but it’s annoying because you keep urging me.”

“What?”

“Even though he seems to be a good person, his ambition for territorial expansion is considerable.”

What? The cute and fluffy man who couldn’t even kill an ant? I forgot about dancing and looked at the Emperor, only to be caught by Diart before the Emperor turned his head towards me.

“Well, I would have gladly followed him under normal circumstances, but the situation is different now.”

So, the Emperor’s greed was also a big factor in why Diart had fought so fiercely on the battlefield that he was known as a War Demon consumed by bloodlust? Suddenly, I realized that you shouldn’t judge people by their appearance alone.

“But the situation is different now? What happened?”

Diart looked rather bewildered at my question.

“Did you forget what situation you’re in right now?”

“Ah.”

That’s right. If Diart goes out on a mission, there’s no way we can neutralize the curse right away. Because of my attachment to this man, I hadn’t had any contact with others and had withered away under the curse while he was gone.

Why didn’t I think of that? I might have been struggling with the terrible pain of the curse. Is the title a problem? My life comes first. When I praised him with a look that said he had done well, Diart smiled.

“My wife can’t live without me. That makes me very happy.”

Of course, I feel the same way. Diart whispered, looking pleased, not even changing his expression despite having his foot stepped on quite hard.

“Until this morning, he was forcing him to go to war, so I gave up my title. Since it’s a title I obtained through war, he can’t say anything once I gave it up.”

“Oh.”

So that’s why he declared it in front of all the nobles, so that the Emperor couldn’t do anything about it.

“Am I not good enough since I’m not a Duke?”

“No.”

I wasn’t exactly disappointed, but it wasn’t a big deal. He’ll get the title back soon enough, and if not, then so what? It’s not like Diart is good just because he’s a Duke.

That’s good to hear, Diart, who was laughing, quickly changed the subject.

“There’s a lot to do in the future, so we can’t waste time on that stupid war.”

A lot to do? I looked at him curiously, and he pulled me closer by my waist. Before I could even get used to the feeling of him tightly gripping my waist, he threw a shocking statement into my ear.

“I’m thinking of divorcing you.”