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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

Six days left until I can leave you, My Lord. (Part 1)

Translated by: ME

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*****

Six days remained until the divorce could be finalized.

Good heavens, the first day had vanished in the blink of an eye.

Was the cause my husband holding me back? No. Nothing of the sort occurred... though I’ll admit I was a little dejected by that.

I was supposed to have left the estate yesterday, but I suffered a major miscalculation. I got so carried away discussing a new dessert idea with the Head Chef that the entire day was wasted. It’s my own fault for letting my researcher’s spirit get the better of me regarding flavors and presentation.

I just couldn't help myself when I realized that once I left this place, I wouldn't be able to study cooking and confections with him anymore.

My husband—Lord Dominic—had apparently headed to the Royal Castle for work at some point and didn't return that day. I thought he would sign the divorce papers without a second thought, so I wonder why things have turned out like this.

While letting out a sigh, I was about to instruct the maids to resume the packing we’d abandoned yesterday when Lotus, the Head Butler, came rushing into the room. He was an elderly gentleman with chestnut hair, and I think it was the first time I’d ever seen him running at full tilt.

「My Lady! I have heard of the circumstances, but please, I beg you to reconsider!」

「Lotus... I’m sorry for making you put up with my selfishness for all this time. But now, my husband will finally be able to bring the woman he loves to this estate—」

「Whatever are you talking about?! There is no such person! My Lord loves you dearly—furthermore, he has been rendered utterly dysfunctional by the shock! He is so broken today that he cannot even perform his duties!! Please, won't you give him just one more chance to speak with you?!」

「............Pardon?」

My husband? Me?

Loved me "dearly"? I have absolutely no memory of such a thing...

「Lotus.」

「Yes, My Lady.」

「I shall use my connections with the merchant guild to see if I can find a good eye doctor for you.」

「My Lady, my vision is perfectly fine. Listen well: the person the Master longs for is you!」

Even being told that, looking back on these last three years, I’ve never seen my husband act in a way that would suggest it.

「Lotus. I understand.」

「My Lady!」

「You are suffering from auditory hallucinations. I really must find you a good doctor—」

「I am still in the prime of my career!」

「I see. It would be quite a problem if you weren't able to support my husband going forward.」

「...」

I felt bad for Lotus, but I couldn't believe a word of it.

After all, he’s never confessed his love, and our conversations are basically restricted to business. In the beginning, I tried my best to talk to him. I asked what he liked, and I even invited him on dates when he was out on inspections... but his replies were almost always limited to a three-choice menu of "Yes," "I see," or "No"!

Ours is a pure relationship with no physical intimacy whatsoever.

At this rate, we're just talking in circles.

「I realize you may not believe my words, but it is the truth. This was to be a last resort, but... My Lady, forgive me.」

「Eh?」

The moment he said that, Lotus swiftly fastened a bracelet with a blue gemstone onto my wrist. The design was stylish and quite lovely. But what on earth was this?

And what did he mean by "last resort"?

「I would like you to meet with the Master while wearing this. The Master is a man of extremely few words when he is in your presence, but that is by no means because he does not love you or because he looks down on you... The Master is...」

「The Master is...?」

「His affection is incredibly heavy, and as a result of trying to control it, various factors have collided and... resulted in that state... Ugh, it is truly pitiful.」

「Isn't it *me*, the unloved wife, who is pitiful? I don't understand how my husband is the victim here.」

As I listened, I somehow found myself swayed by Lotus’s smooth talking and reluctantly agreed to have tea. Well, I had nothing better to do while the maids were packing my things, so I suppose it was fine.

Come to think of it, it’s been a long time since I’ve had tea with my husband.

A tea party where I’d be pierced by that sharp gaze. I was a little scared, but I encouraged myself by thinking that if I could overcome this, I could finally get my divorce.

***

Perhaps thinking it would improve the atmosphere, I was led to the gazebo in the courtyard. Rare phantom-breed blue carnations were in full bloom. The pale blue flowers were stunning, and an involuntary sigh of admiration escaped my lips.

「I didn't know a place like this exis—」

{Ah... what should I do? She’s coming, yet I can't gather my thoughts. How did it come to this? But if I reveal any more of my secret... that unsightly state of mine... no, but if I don't, the divorce... No! I won't have it! I absolutely will not allow a divorce—!}

「Hmm?」

H-h-h-huh?!

It was a dignified, familiar voice, but it was echoing directly inside my head. It was a strange sensation—was this the ability of the bracelet Lotus mentioned?

Is this a magic tool that reads my husband's heart?

He really brought out a national treasure-class item, didn't he? ...Dukes are terrifying.

Sitting in the gazebo, his posture was perfect and he looked composed. However, a storm of regret was raging in his heart. I could hardly believe these were his actual inner thoughts.

{Ah... A single event might not be much on its own, but it’s a fact that various factors have piled up to lead to this moment. I suppose I messed up starting from our very first meeting. If we had gone through match-making and dates, and I had proposed to her as a lover, could we have built a different relationship? No, it’s too late for that now. At that time, several marriage proposals from other nobles were flooding in, and they were all for her to be a second wife to men much older than her! To protect my angelic, adorable girl, I used my authority to crush those proposals, but when suitors kept appearing without end, I approached His Majesty and... made her my wife! And yet! Just then *that* condition manifested, the busy fiscal period started, a subordinate's embezzlement was discovered, and I ended up taking a curse intended for the Crown Prince—it was a disaster... Even so, because I had my wife... I was able to keep going. But... ah... if only I had made more time to talk to her... if I had just found the courage to tell her about *that* sooner...}

This monologue is starting to feel like a confession booth at church.

Wait, there’s way too much information here that I'm hearing for the first time...

Marriage proposals?

Did he just casually call me an "angel"?

There are so many things I want to point out just from listening. It’s a literal flood of inner voices and words... At this rate, the day will end with me doing nothing but listening to my husband’s monologue forever. No, he’s not going to be my husband anymore, so I should call him—

「Dominic.」

「!?」

I endured a terrifying glare and a surge of pressure. Someone, please, anyone—praise me immediately for not fainting under the sharpness of that gaze!! To be honest, it’s scary! I want to run away barefoot!!

「You’ve come. ...Please, sit.」

「...Alright.」

Silence.

The heavy atmosphere made my heart feel like it was about to break. Those words that entered my head earlier... they were hallucinations, right? Yeah. Because right now, sitting next to him, I don't hear anyth—

{AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH—Why did I use such curt words?! But my wife called me by my name! My heart is pounding so hard I might die of happiness! Is there still hope? I mean, being called "Husband" was also hard to give up! My wife is so cute!! She’s sitting there so primly—oh no, what if the thundering of my heart reaches her and she’s disillusioned? Ah, AAAAAAAHHHHHH—but my wife is super cute! I love her, what should I do, she’s too adorable—Wait, no!! If I stay silent like this, she’ll leave this estate!!}

A storm of words delivered in a beautiful voice.

Wh-what?! Cute?! Me?!

Has he been thinking that this whole time?! I could feel the heat rushing to my cheeks as they turned red. Even though I was filled with embarrassment, the man himself didn't even twitch an eyebrow! Is this man's face made of iron?!

I wonder if his facial muscles are even alive. Maybe they’ve stiffened because he never uses them?

I was so flustered by his inner voice that my own thoughts were starting to drift in a weird direction.

「Excuse me.」

「「!?」」

The maid poured the tea, gave a bow, and retreated. A rich, citrusy scent tickled my nose. It was the scent of Earl Grey, my favorite.

The air in the place softened—or so it felt. To reset my thoughts, I took a sip of the tea to calm my nerves. I was impressed by the usual wonderful flavor. The quality of the tea leaves really is on another level.

{The tea she said she likes is high quality, after all. Still, to think a tea date would be realized in this manner! I must give Lotus a special bonus later!}

No, this isn't a date; it’s a discussion... To think it wasn't Lotus who needed a hospital, but Lord Dominic...

Regardless, this is perfect for extracting Dominic’s true intentions through his inner voice. I might hear things that hurt me, but I’ve already prepared myself for divorce. E-even if I know he thinks I’m cute or that he loves me, my resolve won't waver!

「Lord Dominic, I will leave the estate as soon as the maids finish organizing my belongings. I have already completed several months' worth of territory management and household chores, so the handover to your next wife will be perfect.」

「............」

Dominic only looked away and said nothing. He said nothing, but—

{I’m dooooooomed! Isn't this already checkmate?! You’re saying there’s no room for extenuating circumstances?! Ah, I have to find a way to stop the maids' preparations! No, that won't be a fundamental solution! Besides, why a next wife? There is no such person... Wh-wh-wh-what should I do? Just hearing that she’ll be gone makes me sad. I want to die... ugh.}

His heart is like a typhoon. His expression is completely dead, but the gap is hilarious. Honestly, it’s quite bold of him to act like he has no idea who this "next wife" is.

{I have no interest in anyone but my wife, so why a next wife? ...I’m so sad. It hurts. I don't care about work anymore. Busy season? Fiscal closing? None of that matters. If I keep chasing numbers, my wife will run away!! I can't let that happen. My soul will die. ...I’ll start using my paid leave from tomorrow. I’ll make the King settle all his debts to me; yes, that’s what I’ll do.}

The King is going to be inconvenienced?!

Isn't this getting out of hand?! Wait, if I leave the house now, will the finance department fall apart...? There’s no way—

「...First, I do not wish for a divorce. And I have decided to take time off work until this matter is resolved.」

「Eh?」

*****

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