The Only Way to Break the Curse is Through Contact with You - Chapter 93

#93

“…. What did you just say….”

“I want to divorce you.”

Is it just me, or does it seem like every time I come to an imperial banquet, I hear something shocking?

No, why are you saying such a thing with a gentle smile? And is this something we have to discuss while dancing?

“Are you serious?”

“Are there people who joke about this?”

So you’re really saying you want to divorce me? After spending that kind of night yesterday? Saying I can’t live without you just a moment ago!

I stopped dancing and stared at the man who had surprised me multiple times today. I put strength into my twisted feet, which seemed absurdly weak. I stomped my foot, which was as stiff as it was ridiculous. Diart’s handsome brow furrowed as if he couldn’t stand the stiletto heels that threatened to pierce his instep. But he soon realized that my face was even more crumpled.

“Wait, it seems like there’s some misunderstanding.”

“Misunderstanding? Is there room for misunderstanding in the words ‘let’s get divorced’?”

Diart flinched as I spoke with a smile. Of course, I had been playing with him by not signing the divorce withdrawal documents until now. I did! But does that mean he can now casually mention actually getting a divorce? Of course, it’s a bit unfair, but this can’t be allowed. I personally showed that it’s not something only he can laugh off.

“Roeni.”

“Yes. What is it, Diart.”

As my mood soured, my voice became uneven. Diart pulled me even closer, tightening his grip on my waist. We were already so close that it was hard to tell if we were dancing or embracing. I could see the relentless nobles watching us with admiration.

“It’s hard to understand why you think I’ll let you go. Surely you’re not still planning to divorce me, are you?”

No, I’m not the one who’s saying we should get a divorce right now.

But if you really have such thoughts, it would be better to roll that small brain of yours again. His intimidating gaze seemed to imply those words, and my mouth shut tight. Wasn’t I the one who was angry a moment ago?

But if you really have such thoughts, it would be better to roll that small brain of yours again. His intimidating gaze seemed to imply those words, and my mouth shut tight. Wasn’t I the one who was angry a moment ago?

I tried to resist, but the tide had already turned against me. Diart, who held onto my restless body, spoke.

“I’ve listened to what you said and thought about it. All the actions I’ve taken, all the pain I’ve caused you, I understand it all. You held out the divorce papers, that’s what you did. Our marriage was wrong from the beginning. Yes, our marriage was wrong from the start. So let’s start anew.”

“…What?”

I tilted my head in confusion at Diart’s words. He smiled as if finding it cute. Diart lowered his head with a seriousness and warmth that seemed more genuine than ever.

“I want to marry you.”

This time, for real. Diart bowed his head as if he could kiss me at any moment, locking eyes with me.

* * *

I don’t know how the ball went by. At his unexpected proposal, it felt like all the noise around us disappeared, and I was left together with Diart in a moment of stillness. If it wasn’t for Jarvis, who intervened in the middle, I would have been swept away by the determined look in his eyes.

“Do you not know that excessive public displays of affection invite envy and jealousy from others?”

Diart’s face, which had been alluringly charming, instantly turned cold towards the unwanted intruder.

“Do not interrupt.”

“I don’t know who’s interrupting. If you’re not going to dance, then get off the floor. Can’t you see everyone’s embarrassed trying to avoid you?”

Just as Jarvis said, the nobles were circling around the outskirts of Diart and me, as if something terrible would happen if they got within a 3-meter radius. Yet, I could feel their eyes and ears subtly opening towards us.

‘Thanks to you, I was able to regain my composure.’

By the way, I never thought Diart had such a sensitive side to him.

I didn’t know he still remembered what I said when he handed me the divorce papers. It was amazing that he even thought about having another wedding because of it.

Of course, it would be nice for me to get married again. Since I don’t remember anything about Roeni’s wedding, having a wedding with Diart would be like having my first wedding.

“Your dress will definitely be from Vera Salon, right? That place is the most famous for wedding dresses! It will surely suit you well, madam!”

Lily has been going crazy since earlier. Seeing her jump around as if she were the one getting married, I started to feel Diart’s words slowly sink in.

Yeah, what’s there to overthink? Just enjoy it. It’s not like divorce is a stain in society, and it’s common to break up and remarry.

“It’s funny to prepare for a wedding while going through the divorce process, but whatever.”

I’m really excited at the thought of having a wedding. In my past life, when I was estranged from my family, I vowed never to get married in my lifetime, but here I am, getting married.

Of course, I’m a married woman now too. But just thinking about preparing for the wedding, like choosing a dress and accessories, makes my heart race. As expected, the first thing to choose would be the dress, right? As I was contemplating whether Vera Salon would be good, I suddenly stopped.

‘Wait. Was that actually a proposal?’

* * *

“Was that a proposal?”

Lambert looked at Diart with a shocked expression. Just a few minutes ago, Lambert sent disapproving glances at Diart, urging him to take action to expedite the divorce process with Roeni. But now, when he received his request to rearrange his schedule to prepare for the wedding, Lambert felt a mix of relief and disbelief. Sometimes, he doesn’t have enough words for his master.

Lambert, who had been criticizing Diart for no reason at all, was now utterly dumbfounded. He couldn’t speak for a moment; he’s more bewildered than when he heard the news that Diart had renounced his title overnight.

“…Is that really the end?”

Wondering if he had misheard, Lambert asked again, and Diart raised an eyebrow in response. With an expression that seemed to question what the problem was, Lambert swallowed a sigh.

The reason he was so flabbergasted was because of Diart’s answer when asked how he proposed.

“Isn’t that a proposal?”

I’ve never seen such a foolish man.

Lambert, who had been in a relationship for more than a decade and was now happily married, didn’t even bother to hide his contemptuous gaze. Recently, he had come to realize that while his master had excellent abilities in politics and war, he was clearly clueless when it came to women.

Why was it that the man who was so ruthless and cool when wielding a sword against enemies was so lacking in this area? Lambert bit his tongue inwardly.

The wedding was one of the most important days for women. And the most important part of making up that wedding was the proposal. A proposal was something that would be remembered for a lifetime, so how could he just brush it off like this? Lambert wondered how he could come up with the idea of redoing the wedding with such indifference.

“What the hell.”

Lambert finally spoke up, clicking his tongue, causing Diart’s brow to furrow. He was annoyed by the impolite expression in his subordinate’s eyes. Lambert, who had been staring at him silently for a while despite his question, asked again.

“So, did you get an answer from her?”

“Of course…”

—just when Diart was about to respond that he did hear an answer, he stopped short. Come to think of it, did he hear an answer from Roeni? At the reception hall, things had been chaotic due to the heckler who had interrupted them, and they had nothing to say on the carriage ride back to the townhouse. Seeing Diart’s expression change, Lambert nodded as if he had expected it. His gaze became even more impolite.

“Listen carefully.”

Lambert began from the beginning, as if he had become a teacher instructing an inadequate student.

“What is the reason for wanting to redo this wedding in the first place? Isn’t it to put an end to the past unhappy marriage and start anew?”

Without even saying it, Diart silently listened, accurately understanding the main point as Lambert spoke.

“Well, then you should do it right from the beginning. What is the start of a marriage? The proposal. If you mess up the proposal, that memory will last a lifetime. Do you want to keep getting scolded like you’re eating chocolates¹“초콜릿 뽑아먹듯 계속 혼나고” (picking chocolates and getting scolded) is used to convey the idea of facing consequences or criticism repeatedly, similar to how one might continue to indulge in picking and eating chocolates despite knowing it could lead to negative outcomes every time something happens?”

Lambert smirked, not bothering to mention that he, too, was still being punished for what had happened before. Diart narrowed his eyes. Come to think of it, Lambert’s words made sense. He couldn’t afford to make this wedding feel lacking from the start if he wanted it to be a happy memory for Roeni.

‘A proposal…’

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  “초콜릿 뽑아먹듯 계속 혼나고” (picking chocolates and getting scolded) is used to convey the idea of facing consequences or criticism repeatedly, similar to how one might continue to indulge in picking and eating chocolates despite knowing it could lead to negative outcomes