I Will Become the Ex-Wife of the Beast - Chapter 28

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Wait, is he talking to me? My conscience pricked, so I quickly grabbed Rose and put a finger to my lips, *shh*. For a moment, Kiers looked like he’d made a slip, but I must have imagined it. Even if he did, who could tell from behind a mask anyway?
“…Lady Eliya, are you truly certain we should proceed with the ceremony like this?”
“Hm? Me?”
“We’ve been preparing for a simple ceremony, as you requested, but if you’d prefer, we can still change it now.”
The Count, playing the elder with a gentle interruption, brought up the Wedding Ceremony that would soon take place. He wore a worried expression, as if wondering whether it was right to hold such a once-in-a-lifetime event like this, though no one could say whether it would happen once, twice, or three times.
Frankly speaking, even a dessert shop that had been doing so well went under overnight, and a small fry like me could be blown away at any moment. They say I’ll live a married life with him, but I can’t hold a wedding grander than Cecil’s, who’ll show up later.
And above all else.
“…….”
Without meaning to, my gaze lingered on Kiers’s black mask.
Didn’t I hear that he hated showing his face more than anything? Knowing that, I didn’t want to make a big fuss over it. Everyone has something they’d rather keep hidden. Just like how I didn’t want to show Rose and myself looking so pitiful a moment ago…
No, why do I keep understanding this man? Who am I to be understanding anyone! My already restless heart grew even more chaotic. As I lifted my water glass to calm my churning feelings, that voice I’d grown accustomed to called out to me.
“…Eliya, have you already finished your meal?”
“Oh, yes. Your Highness.”
“You don’t appear to have eaten much.”
Kiers cast a sharp glance at my plate. I had eaten, technically, but I’d been so busy looking after Rose that I hadn’t had a proper chance to finish anything.
To leave so much food behind. I’d repent for that later and just wrapped up what I’d been saying first. That way, I could finally bring up the thing I had prepared.
“It’s fine. Besides, the wedding is just a formality anyway. I heard there will be a separate banquet to greet everyone here, so let’s do that then.”
“…Please, finish your meal first.”
“No, I’m full. Just watching our Rose eat makes me full.”
“…….”
Why does he keep cutting me off? I needed to bring up the contract naturally from here, but Kiers’s gaze hadn’t moved from my plate since. Ha, a small sigh slipped from his lips, almost like he’d resigned himself to something.
“Count, it seems the lady has something she wishes to say.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The moment Kiers finished speaking, the Count stepped aside. The handful of his closest aides also jumped up at his single word.
When the Count finally glanced at Rose, I hesitated for a moment before setting my little sister down from my lap. It was the same as yesterday, but this isn’t something to discuss in front of a child.
“Rose, could you wait outside for a bit?”
“Hm? By myself?”
Alone, scary. Rose’s eyes wavered, as if frightened. Given what happened yesterday, she must be uneasy, but the Count and the knights’ eyes were already flushed with excitement.
Sweetheart, you may want to be alone, but you’re in no position to be alone.
“Count, may I ask a favor of you?”
“Wh-of course.”
Overjoyed at being chosen, the Count approached and held out his hand, trying hard to appear composed. Even so, when Rose took his hand after only having met him a few times and looked up at him, the corners of his mouth trembled like rough waves. At the same time, the knights’ disappointment was plain, and their shoulders drooped.
“Then please, take your time talking. Come along, my lady.”
With his ambitions laid bare, the Count straightened his shoulders more triumphantly than ever and set off, looking like a general returning in victory. I watched the knights surround Rose and file out until the very end, and only when their footsteps faded did I turn around.
“…….”
Ah, this is awkward.
With last night’s dream creeping back into my mind, the back of my neck flushed hot. Sure, I’d gotten way too immersed in the novel’s descriptions, but if he found out, I’d be humiliated beyond words. Unable to bear his red eyes, which seemed to see straight through me, I lowered my gaze.
“Your Highness, regarding what happened yesterday, there’s something I wish to say.”
“I have something to say as well.”
“…Huh?”
Just the sight of him about to open his mouth made my heart sink. After tossing out that ticking time bomb yesterday, what could he possibly have left to say? Glancing around in a daze, I suddenly realized something unexpected. It was dark and quiet here, and I was alone with that man.
“…W-Your Highness.”
As he strode toward me step by step, I swallowed hard. Surely he isn’t planning to do something here, is he? Tensed up tightly, I couldn’t begin to guess what he was thinking.
“Eliya.”
That voice, which could be called Kiers’s greatest asset, came even closer and made me break into a cold sweat. Could he really mean here… ugh, no way. I shook my head quickly. A Grand Duke of his standing wouldn’t do such a thing.
Yet that man, who was undeniably the male lead, had done all sorts of things throughout the Grand Duke’s Castle, and I couldn’t forget how he had suddenly yanked up my skirt by surprise either.
Thud. The moment he planted a hand on the table beside me, my mouth opened on its own.
“…Your Highness! Please, have mercy and—”
“Eat.”
“Huh?”
“You haven’t eaten a single bite, have you?”
Kiers still lowered his piercing gaze to my plate, as if he had more business to attend to. Even with his eyes now far more vivid than when he’d been watching from afar, I could only blink.
Is that really what he came over to say? Not to sweep everything off the table with his hand and lay me down?
“…….”
It was certainly a relief, but somehow I felt let down. I fiddled with my napkin and forced an awkward smile. Before I could drift into improper thoughts, I was determined to wrap up the contract terms.
“Your Highness, I was saying that I have something to tell you…”
“I did say so. Eat your own share, all of it.”
It wasn’t a joke; the seriousness in his eyes made that plain. For now, I’d better do as he says. There’s a knife right in front of me, after all.
I picked up the knife as if pulled by something, but my hand had no strength in it.
“Your Highness, the wedding is tomorrow, so shouldn’t we settle the special requests first—”
“Consider it heard.”
“Huh? No, whose decision is that?”
“I’ll grant it. Whatever it is.”
“…Anything?”
That’s not something you say so lightly! When I stared at him, unable to believe it, Kiers propped himself up with one hand on the table. His black hair swayed with the movement. I stared straight into the red eyes now fully revealed, but I couldn’t read what was in his mind.
“You’ll do anything for me? But you don’t even know what I’m going to ask…”
“Whatever you ask, the outcome will be the same.”
“….”
“After all, there’s nothing I can’t do.”
It was confident, but since the man saying it was Kiers, it was the plain truth itself. His sharp chin pointed at the plate again. Despite his clear intention, my heart had already begun to flutter.
“So you’ll grant whatever I want? Anything at all? Then Your Highness’s request is…”
“Eat everything to the very end.”
“….”
“You’re too thin.”
He stepped back, indifferent, but his gaze swept over my bony arm. I bit my lip, unable to do anything about it, and by the time I looked up he had already returned to his seat and laced his fingers together.
“I’ll summon Philip tomorrow, so you should finish your meal first. I’d like you to honor my request to the letter.”
“O-of course!”
Well, look at that. My hand was already cutting the meat on its own. Just try saying it’s not after saying something like that with a face like that. A moment ago my taste buds had been dead, and now they woke up all at once.
The scrap of conscience left like a speck of dust stung for a moment, but since he was the one offering, there was no need to stop myself.
“Really? Is that all you want me to do? Just that?”
Instead of answering, he gave a small nod. I stuffed a perfectly seared piece of meat into my mouth, and the juices I hadn’t noticed before surged across my tongue.
Not a beast but a sucker! Then from now on, so the Male Lead can be a little less of a sucker, I’ll eat with everything I’ve got! With my whole heart!
Chewing a steak I hadn’t laid eyes on in years, my mind already on alimony, this was the pinnacle of luxury. Even the tension I’d felt when I realized we were alone had drifted far away, drunk on happiness.
“Mm.”
It’s melting, melting. I tried hard not to look too rapturous. Rose, your big sister is eating cotton candy. The moment it touched my tongue and dissolved, keeping my composure became nearly impossible. Only a few minutes ago I’d wondered how anyone could eat with such a beast staring at them, and somehow I was already swallowing the last bite.
“…It’s not bad, I suppose.”
Compared to the days when we’d boiled a single scrap of meat for twelve hours, feeding the whole family on button soup, this was paradise. Everything I saw was breathtakingly beautiful. So much so that even that beast, no, even that man, looked rather decent.
“Your Highness, then I’ll take my leave. I do hope you keep your promise.”
I pushed back my chair and rose, smoothing my dress. It was a little late to play at being a lady, but the composure I had left was running thin. Gathering every last scrap of strength, I bent my knees with aloof dignity and walked away lightly.
But the moment I turned my back on him, the veins on the backs of my hands were already standing out. Rose, he’s going to give us land! No, he’s practically about to! We’re rich now!

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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