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Our White Marriage Is in Its Third Year: In Other Words, There Are Only Seven Days Left Until I Can Legally Leave You, My Lord

I can leave you now, My Lord.

Translated by: ME

Treat me to a Ko-Fi to give me more motivation!!!

*****

When I next opened my eyes, everything was over. I had apparently been asleep for over a day, waking up in my own bed. My husband, who was by my side, looked after me with devoted care; after making sure I was hydrated, he began to recount the details piece by piece.

It turned out that everything—from the string of curses to the small fire at the monastery—had been orchestrated by Ash Forge, the attendant to the Third Prince. It was he who had indirectly sent the curses to my husband, spread the malicious rumors, and even bribed the First Knight Order in an attempt to abduct me to the Empire.

「I’m shocked he even had a connection to you, but what was this Ash person's motive?」

I asked casually while munching on an apple my husband had peeled for me, but the air surrounding him plummeted to sub-zero temperatures in an instant. Some truly infuriating facts must have come to light, as I could practically see a dark aura radiating from him. If there were sound effects, it would be a low, menacing rumble—or perhaps the roar of a towering inferno.

「The target was you, Franca.」

「...Pardon? Eh? It wasn't an attempt on your position, or a political rival, or some grand conspiracy...?」

「Apparently, he has harbored feelings for you since our Academy days. That’s why he worked behind the scenes to encourage troublesome nobles to suggest themselves as second wives for me—he intended to step in and rescue you from the flood of marriage proposals by offering an engagement himself. He used the Third Prince's connections to facilitate it all.」

「Then... the reason you were cursed... it was because of me...」

If I hadn't married him, he wouldn't have been subjected to those multiple curses. To think my husband was the victim all along, and I was the cause.

「Husband... I am so sorry. Because of me—」

「No. You were an innocent victim caught in the crossfire. In the first place, Ash was under the delusion that you were in love with him; he couldn't distinguish reality from his own fantasies. I suspect he lost all restraint when he learned of our sudden engagement and lightning-fast marriage after graduation. As Ash’s foster brother, the Third Prince had noticed his erratic behavior and urged him to seek medical help, but Ash refused vehemently, so he was sent to the family estate to recuperate.」

「...And that's when he went missing?」

「Yes. He vanished and defected to the Empire. It seems he originally purchased the grimoires from a shop there. That is likely where he gained his knowledge and his connections to the dark guilds.」

「All because of a misunderstanding on Lord Ash's part...」

It wasn't politics, and it wasn't my husband’s "woman trouble"—to think I was the target all along...

「And furthermore...」

「................」

「...Franca? Franca!?」

Overwhelmed by guilt, I fell into a deep sleep that felt more like fainting.

Perhaps due to the sheer weight of everything that had happened, I came down with a high fever. It wasn't until three days later that the doctor finally gave me permission to leave my bed.

While I slept, I thought about it over and over. This entire series of events occurred because Ash Forge set his sights on me, and the Ducal house suffered immense damage as a result. My husband's throwback only made things more complicated, but the person who deepened his emotional scars over the last three years was Ash, through his schemes...

But I was the one who triggered it. I might be the type of woman who naturally attracts trouble. I wonder what my husband thinks of such a burdensome wife?

Does he regret choosing me as his mate?

Fortunately, since we haven't officially "marked" one another yet, we aren't considered mates by Dragonoid standards. If he were to reject me now, we could still divorce. Besides, more than three years have passed in our "white marriage." On paper, we could still wipe the slate clean...

The moment my clouded mind became clear, my heart ached at the thought that we might not be able to start over.

I was the one who brought up the divorce in the first place, yet for things to turn out like this... Just when I thought we could finally be a real couple...

「My presentation for you... was all for nothing, wasn't it?」

「Why do you say that?」

「—! Husband.」

Before I realized it, my husband was standing by the bed. He was still in his uniform, likely having just returned from the Royal Castle. When his horns and tail aren't visible, his glasses give him a very intellectual air.

「I knocked, but there was no answer, so I took the liberty of entering. Forgive me.」

「N-no, it's fine.」

「Now, why would your presentation be for nothing?」

「Well... given how much trouble I've caused you with this incident, I thought the right to decide our future—that is, whether or not to divorce—had moved from me to you.」

My husband let out a deep sigh, sat on the edge of the bed, and touched my cheek. His hand was cool and pleasant. Being touched like this made me hope—hope that I might still be allowed to stay as this man's wife.

「Husband.」

「I wondered what you were going to say, but there is no world in which I would ever want to divorce you, Franca.」

「But...」

「If anything, considering my own lack of competence, my dullness, and the cowardice that left me floundering for three whole years... I was the one worried that you would lose all patience with me. I’ve been on edge for days.」

Looking closely at him, the dark circles under his eyes were terrible and his complexion was pale. The sight made my heart squeeze with painful affection.

「Divorcing you... is the last thing on my mind now.」

「Franca... then, may I hold you?」

「Of course.」

As he held me for the first time in what felt like forever, the warmth of his body made my chest swell with emotion.

「I love you, Husband.」

「And I, Franca... I love you. I adore you.」

With the curses completely lifted, my husband gave me many sweet kisses, and that day, three years late, we officially became husband and wife.

It was a sweet, unforgettable time. For three years, we had been spinning our wheels, but I no longer have to worry about that. I felt happy enough to truly believe it, as I finally accepted all of my husband's love.

Later, when I showed him the presentation materials I had worked so hard on, he gave his approval without a second thought. In fact, because the materials were so well-crafted, the topic was apparently raised that 「The kingdom should use these as a reference for submitting project proposals.」

Though there were many course corrections along the way, next month I plan to submit the member lists for the general and VIP tiers and host my first tea party.

While I was unconscious, the bracelet I was wearing disappeared, and I can no longer hear my husband's inner voice. But even without it, I feel I can understand his feelings a little bit now.

From now on, we can talk to each other about even the smallest things. I don't need a magic item for that anymore.

*****

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