When My Contract with the Misanthropic Duke Ended, I Filed For Divorce, But My Husband's Obsession and Doting Became Unbearable - Chapter 10
“So, back to the topic—there’s something I want to ask you, Duke Bandage.”
After confirming things with me, Reed turned his attention back to the duke. He said he wanted to “return to the topic,” but judging by his tone, this wasn’t going to be a pleasant question. Then again, I didn’t think anyone in this room expected anything pleasant at this point.
“If it’s something I can answer, please ask whatever you wish.”
Everyone seemed tense as they waited for Reed’s question. Even though it was Duke Bandage he was talking to, the pressure in the air made everyone nervous.
“How many years has it been since you got married, Duke Bandage? You can answer that, right?”
“…It has been about three years.”
“Correct! That’s right—it’s already been three whole years.”
It was a simple question. But the moment Reed said the right answer, his cheerful voice stopped.
For the first time, his expression matched the coldness in his eyes.
I wasn’t the only one who swallowed hard. Even Duke Bandage stiffened at the sudden shift in atmosphere.
It felt like Reed was showing the weight of his royal status—the tension was completely different from before.
“It’s easy to say you want a chance, isn’t it? But don’t you understand that you already had three years of chances? If you didn’t divorce Sharon, then what kind of ‘chance’ are you asking for now? Because I don’t get it.”
“That is…”
“And if Sharon ends up getting hurt again for the sake of this so-called chance—what will you do then?
How can I trust you, Duke Bandage, when you didn’t even notice what was happening for three years?
I trust you with work, sure. But when it comes to Sharon, there’s nothing about you I can trust. So unless you understand that, stop talking nonsense, alright? Because unlike Sharon, I’m not kind.”
I realized I had been too naïve. Reed wasn’t just angry—he truly cared about me, and that’s why he was furious.
When he said in his letter that he would “become a demon,” this must have been what he meant.
Watching him now, I couldn’t help but wonder if wanting not to divorce had really been the right choice.
It wasn’t that my feelings for the duke had disappeared. But could I really trust him and face everything ahead, no matter what happened? I didn’t know anymore. Because I knew better than anyone—people’s hearts could change so easily. Maybe I had let myself hope too much, let myself dream of happiness I wasn’t ready for.
And now, as Reed’s words hit me, I started to realize—maybe everything I believed before coming here had been wrong.
“You’re right,” Duke Bandage said firmly.
“I have no excuses for what happened. I was a fool who failed to understand my own feelings until it was too late. But now that I do understand them, I know this—I never want to let Sharon go, no matter what. It may be selfish of me, but I say this knowing full well that selfishness is all I have left. I don’t want a divorce. I want to make Sharon happy. I want to love her with everything I have.”
Unlike my wavering heart, the duke didn’t yield to Reed’s pressure. He spoke clearly, without a single excuse—just his truth. And hearing his sincerity, I found myself staring, almost captivated. Maybe this was what it meant to love someone too much. Still, even as Reed turned into a demon on my behalf, I felt a pang of guilt for being moved so easily.
“Well, at least you’re not a complete fool—you’ve got some taste, I’ll give you that. But do you think I’d actually allow such selfishness? If I did, it’d be no different from forgiving the criminals standing here, right?”
“Reed! …Your Highness, that’s not the same—”
“Sharon,” he cut me off sharply.
“I’ll forgive you because you’re my friend, but you know you’re not supposed to speak until I give permission, right?”
“…Yes.”
The words slipped out before I could stop them, and Reed immediately rebuked me. I wanted to argue, but he was right. He was royalty—even nobles had to show him respect. The fact that I wasn’t being punished for speaking out of turn was already mercy. I didn’t want to make things harder for the duke, so I kept quiet.
“So anyway, I’m not giving you any more chances. The divorce is final. But I’m not saying you can’t remarry. Of course, you’ll still need the king’s approval for that.”
“I have no intention of giving Sharon to anyone else. I’ll do everything I can to make sure it’s approved.”
“Well then, I hope Sharon’s feelings don’t fade before that happens. Naturally, once the divorce is official, she won’t be living in your house anymore. I’ve already prepared a room for her in the royal castle. Don’t worry—none of my people are as careless as you, Duke Bandage.”
“That’s reassuring. But since I can’t bear living without my wife, I’ll be visiting the castle every day.”
Their sharp glares clashed, and the air in the audience chamber grew even tenser than before. The divorce was set—but remarriage wasn’t impossible. I didn’t know what would happen next. The duke clearly intended to win me back, and that made me happy… but I couldn’t help wondering—how long would that feeling last, when we might not even see each other after the divorce?
Realizing that I couldn’t fully trust him yet, I understood something painfully clear: we still hadn’t built the bond a true married couple should have. Maybe this divorce… was actually a chance for both of us to face each other properly.
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