Rejecting The Perfect Marriage - Chapter 7

“No one is to enter or leave without my permission.”

That man… he knew she had nowhere to go.

She’d thought only her family was gone, but now, even her own body had nowhere it belonged. The empty count’s manor, the many villas scattered across the country—now they were all as meaningless as sandcastles. In situations like this, property is always the first to go.

So even if the duke didn’t bother to confine her, she was little different from a bird in a cage.

Or, more accurately, a bird in a cage with the door wide open.

“……”

It wasn’t the physical restriction that frustrated her. She’d never been particularly active or outgoing; even as a child, she’d traveled from place to place, but always preferred quiet, elegant time alone. Adapting to life in House Teze hadn’t been hard for her.

So the pain tightening in her chest now must have a different cause.

It was the thought of having to listen to Decarno without even being able to protest that made her eyes sting. Her footsteps picked up speed, crunching through the silence. Almost without realizing it, she found herself at the western entrance—only to stop short.

No, she had to stop.

“There she is! That woman just came out!”

“She’s been living this comfortably all along!”

“……”

She had underestimated the power of the press. Before she knew it, the huge western gate was packed with people—sailors’ families, reporters, even some nobles. The moment they saw her, they started yelling.

“What are you going to do? Take responsibility!”

“If you lived off your father’s money, shouldn’t you at least take responsibility now? Do you know how much I invested?!”

The sight of people pounding on the gate made her fingers stiffen. Even after yesterday, she couldn’t get used to this. Meanwhile, the crowd grew more aggressive.

“Come out! Don’t just hide in there, coward!”

“How can she show her face so shamelessly…”

Their shouts thundered in her ears. She was so numb, she couldn’t even move her lips to speak—but running away wasn’t an option. She tried to force herself to say at least a word, but suddenly the noise around her died away. There was only one person who could quiet a crowd with a single appearance: the Duke of Teze.

“What is all this commotion?”

“Y-Your Grace…”

The crowd instantly parted around him as he stepped down from his carriage, removing his black gloves one finger at a time with the grace of a predator. His noble silver eyes showed no surprise, making those watching him feel even more awkward.

“Your Grace, it’s just, the situation is urgent and—”

“If it was so urgent, you could have come to see me through the main gate.”

“……”

It was an absurd suggestion. Meeting the busiest man in the Empire required connections and luck—but more than that, who would dare speak to the duke alone? Just looking at him was intimidating enough; speaking was another matter entirely.

Decarno knew that very well.

“If you have something to say to me, now’s the time. I’ll listen to whatever you want.”

“…But Your Grace, it’s Lady Ohara we wish to see.”

“What can you say to her that you can’t say to me?”

“……”

“Either say it now, or I’ll call my lawyer and we can assess your losses and settle this in a more reasonable manner.”

His eyes were utterly indifferent as he left the choice to them. In the end, those who had been hesitating bowed their heads. It was a bit shameful, but if the duke would take responsibility, it was better than anything they could hope for. Even with the western gate standing wide open, no one dared step inside.

“And what are you doing out here?”

“……”

Decarno addressed Evangeline as if the watching crowd didn’t exist. When his hand touched her shoulder, she flinched, and her eyes snapped back into focus.

“Evangeline.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll go in.”

Her voice was barely audible. As she turned to go, his hand pressed gently at her waist. Surrounded by creditors, he treated her no differently than if he were escorting her into a grand ballroom. Only when they reached the annex did he release her, but the pressure on her chest remained.

“……”

She wanted to look up at him, but couldn’t. She’d never gone through something like this before—but neither had he, probably.

Should she apologize? For tarnishing his reputation?

Her lips clamped shut. Decarno stood by, expressionless, waiting for her reaction—until Mikael arrived to announce another guest. Only then did he turn away. Once he was gone, Evangeline could finally lift her head. Even looking at his retreating back, her heart ached.

Maybe it would be better if he just cast her out quickly.

She had nowhere to go, but maybe that would be easier. Then another thought struck her.

Why hasn’t he kicked me out yet?

“……”

Now that she thought about it, it was strange. Their marriage was always a transaction—a way to fill what each of them lacked, be it wealth or power. Now that the deal had fallen through, there was no reason not to break off the engagement. Especially for the Duke of Teze, who could do as he pleased.

Why was he letting things be?

Her eyes narrowed.

“…No. That can’t be it.”

Evangeline shook her head at the ridiculous idea that popped into her mind.
With no parents and nowhere to go, she was starting to imagine all sorts of things.

Still pacing restlessly, she found herself, without knowing why, following the path Decarno had just taken, instead of returning inside.

◇ ◆ ◇

“What brings you all here today?”

By now, the news of the next duchess’s bankruptcy was everywhere. Even those relatives who had come to see Decarno did so for that reason.

“What do you mean ‘what’! The creditors have stormed the Teze estate!”

“Honestly, what kind of nonsense is this? I clearly stopped breathing when I saw the crowd outside!”

“So you just stood there and did nothing?”

“Duke!”

Count Lian, the late duke’s cousin and Decarno’s closest relative, bristled with indignation at the Duke’s cold stare. He took pride in being family.

“That’s not what matters! How could creditors come to the house of Teze?”

“So it’s fine for the next duchess to be hounded by creditors?”

“Duchess? Are you saying you’ll still marry her?”

Really? That woman?

The scorn in their words was hard to miss, even as they grumbled under their breath. But Decarno, gaze fixed on his papers, didn’t react at all.

“Of course.”

“…Huh.”

Their jaws dropped. They’d come running to the estate as soon as the papers broke the news, hoping to discuss whom to replace her with. Decarno was known for his ruthless decisiveness—no one expected him to hesitate.

“…This is absurd. The position of Duchess of Teze is no ordinary one! She must represent our nobility—how can a fallen count’s daughter fill such a role?”

“He’s right!”

Several others, watching from behind, joined in.

“Let’s be honest—the House of Ohara was never truly a match for Teze. This marriage was doomed from the start!”

“Then why didn’t you object before?”

“…Duke!”

“Why the complaints now, I wonder.”

Finally, Decarno closed the file he’d been reviewing. He met their eyes, his expression souring, then curled his lips in a mocking smile.