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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

Five days left until I can leave you, My Lord.

Translated by: ME

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

*****

In the end, our discussion regarding the divorce made very little progress yesterday, but we did reach an agreement to prioritize breaking the curse first.

Perhaps due to the exhaustion from yesterday's events, I ended up sleeping until well past noon today before finally getting around to breakfast—or rather, lunch. I suppose it couldn't be helped, considering how wonderful it felt to fall asleep while hugging a small dragon. Yes.

Lord Dominic remained in his hatchling form until bedtime, and he was in high spirits the entire time. Under the pretext of breaking the curse, he seemed genuinely delighted that I was constantly by his side.

It was heartwarming... truly heartwarming, but...

The divorce issue has only been put on hold; I haven't actually given up on it yet. I wanted to bring up that crucial topic, but...

Lord Dominic won't touch the subject! Has he not noticed, or is he perhaps trying to gloss over it? Or does he truly believe our bonds as a harmonious couple have simply deepened?

While I can sometimes be swept up in the mood of the moment, I don't like leaving things half-settled or gray. Thus, I was determined to reach a proper conclusion in my own way, but as for Lord Dominic once he returned to his human form—

「Franca, you were so incredibly cute.」

「If you were awake, you should have said something!」

「Why would I ever want to stop you when you're kissing me of your own accord?」

「That was... because it was an emergency...」

「Then, would you do the same for other men?」

Lord Dominic’s sudden petulance was starting to get a bit tedious, but I turned my face away and answered with a firm, 「I would not!」 Lord Dominic seemed satisfied with that, yet he refused to let me out of his arms. We were in the middle of a meal, so we really should have been sitting in our own chairs, but he insisted on keeping me on his lap—a total breach of etiquette.

「Lord Dominic. The appetizers will be served soon, so please let me take my seat.」

「I am able to dine in my true form, so there is no problem with this. It is a Dragonoid custom for a couple to share their food and feed one another. Therefore, it is necessary to be in close proximity.」

「A... custom... you say?」

When he put it that way, I found myself almost convinced. This was largely because I was completely ignorant regarding Dragonoid customs. When I honestly confessed this, Lord Dominic whispered into my ear with a look of delight, 「I shall teach you everything personally, step-by-step, so there is no issue at all.」

M-my heart can't take this. How can he say such things in that sweet voice?!

Lord Dominic’s "iron mask" remained as brusque as ever, but I’ve learned to read his emotions by the swaying of his tail. It had been wagging vigorously for a while now, so he was clearly in a wonderful mood.

Come to think of it, I noticed I could no longer hear his inner voice today.

I instinctively glanced at my bracelet and saw that the vibrant blue gemstone had turned a murky navy. Perhaps there is a limit to the number of uses or a time constraint?

「Franca. Is it... not acceptable for us to eat together?」

「Ugh... That's a dirty way to phrase it. ...Fine. But I don't know anything about Dragonoid manners, so please be gentle with me.」

「Then!」

「Yes. I shall attempt this 'feeding one another' challenge.」

Lord Dominic hugged me tight, seemingly overcome with emotion, while the servants—Lotus included—looked on with teary eyes. The estate was wrapped in a warm atmosphere, making the room feel brighter than usual.

Until recently, I never would have imagined feeling this way...

The meal differed from our usual courses; everything was cut into bite-sized, easy-to-eat pieces. At first, he made the high-level request of having me feed him vegetable sticks by hand.

By hand, not with a spoon or fork!

I suppose it's not unheard of for fruit, but...

「Here you go.」

「Mm... it tastes like happiness.」

He looked so bashful and cute. The slight flush on his cheeks was a major selling point. Gnuuu, he’s so crafty!

His tail was wagging and he was in such a good mood that he ate quite a lot. The consommé soup was served as a jelly that melted in the mouth—a fresh and interesting sensation. Most importantly, it was easy to eat! And very delicious.

The white-wine-steamed whitefish was wonderfully fragrant, melting on the tongue with a lovely, flaky texture.

「Mmm, Lord Dominic. This fish is absolutely delicious.」

「Feed me some as well.」

It felt like we were going to feed each other every single item on the menu. The sugary atmosphere lasted all the way through dessert, but the air shifted once we moved seats to have our post-meal tea.

「Ah, to see the Master and Mistress so close... What a truly wonderful day this is.」

「Indeed. ...I am glad I was able to talk things through with Franca like this. Furthermore, the number of curses has decreased, and I've realized that even small, seemingly disconnected incidents had meaning.」

The mood was peaceful—a "case closed" sort of vibe—but Lord Dominic still hadn't touched upon the matter of the divorce himself. That made me feel somewhat sad.

Thinking that he intended to just let things slide and force his own convenience on me made me sorrowful, and then, quite suddenly, I became rather miffed.

「I understand your circumstances, Lord Dominic—however, as I stated yesterday, if you do not consent to me becoming a pâtissière, I still wish for a divorce.」

「!?」

Lord Dominic froze, and Lotus’s tears vanished instantly.

「...F-Franca.」

「On that one point, I cannot compromise. I know this is my own selfishness, and that I'm failing both as a noble and as a Duchess. Even so... I cannot abandon my dream.」

「Franca. ...I want to grant any wish you have. But... for a Dragonoid, even seeing their mate talking to a stranger rouses murderous intent. To provide confections made by my mate to men I don't even know... If it were a tea party with acquaintances, I might manage, but... I cannot overlook this.」

Lord Dominic, his tail drooping, looked so pitiful as he agonized between his grief and conflict. I caught myself feeling a throb of sympathy and almost offered him a way out. Dangerous, dangerous. What a clever trap.

Through my conversations with Lord Dominic, I realized I held no ill will toward him. In fact, I’d seen an unexpected side of him—far too much of one—and his heavy affection made my heart race. I was happy to be loved. Being neglected for these past three years was a shock, and I’d had my share of low moments, but since there were reasons for it on his end, I could swallow that part.

But the pâtissière dream? I couldn't swallow that. Because that was my driving force, my dream!

「...As I thought, we are at a standstill.」

「—! Franca.」

Lord Dominic reached out as if to prevent me from escaping, but I grabbed his hand and stopped him.

「Let us end today's talk here.」

「I cannot. If I do, you will—」

「I won't just disappear on my own. A lot happened yesterday, didn't it? Fortunately, we still have time until the actual third anniversary of our white marriage.」

「Franca.」

「Let us try to find a compromise over the next two or three days.」

I pulled on Lord Dominic’s hand and hugged him of my own accord. It was meant to show that things were different than they were a few days ago, but I wonder if he got the message?

He pulled me into his arms in an instant. Goodness, like this, I can't even stand up, let alone kiss my husband's cheek.

「Franca, I love you.」

「I... I don't dislike you either, Lord Dominic. In fact, I’m quite attracted to you.」

「Thank you. ...I will think of a way to ensure you stay by my side.」

The way he spoke as we bumped foreheads was ticklish, yet it made me happy. It was worlds apart from a few days ago. Thinking that the catalyst for all this was a divorce petition makes it a bit complicated, but I suppose I had been repressing myself for far too long.

In noble society and political marriages, even if there is no love, people often have loveless marriages just to maintain ties between houses. It’s a common thing. I had resigned myself to that, shifting my focus away from romance and toward my hobbies and territory management. Somewhere along the way, I had simply given up on facing Lord Dominic.

「My 'Good Wife Campaign' has officially ended.」

「Franca... that is...」

I gave a bitter smile to the pale-faced Lord Dominic. 「Ah, I didn't explain myself well enough.」

「I’ve decided that from now on, I will voice many opinions. If I’m not personally satisfied, I will talk things through with you as many times as it takes until we reach a conclusion.」

「You don't mean that you’ve grown to hate me, or that you’re quitting being my wife?」

「No. I’ve decided that I won't let my words to you end with excuses like 'because it’s my job' or 'because I'm busy.' I want us to find a middle ground.」

Lord Dominic said, 「I see,」 and dropped a kiss on my cheek. Then on my eyelids, my nose, my forehead... Was this his way of showing his feelings?

「Franca, I love you. May I spend the night with you again today?」

「!?」

Hmm, he wasn't bad with words at all. He was incredibly passionate. And that phrasing!

We've simply been sleeping in the same bed since yesterday!

To ensure we reached the third year of our white marriage, I had told Lord Dominic that we would not cross that line. I told him that if he forced the issue, I would use any means necessary to divorce him or disappear, regardless of my reputation—and he actually signed a written pledge. I'm glad he understands how serious I am.

I... I don't want to be apart from Lord Dominic right now either. But I don't want to give up on my dream. I’m sorry for being such a selfish wife.

*****

Note: I pick this up cuz I though it was goin to be love comedy with the emphasis on comedy but it's getting too steamy. Ah well, it's short so it's fine.

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