When My Contract with the Misanthropic Duke Ended, I Filed For Divorce, But My Husband's Obsession and Doting Became Unbearable - Chapter 13

“Your hand is red. It must have hurt to hit them, right? Did it hurt so much that you cried?”

“It’s not that…! I didn’t mean to cry…!”

Maybe the Duke already knew the real reason I was crying and was just pretending not to notice, giving me another reason instead. Even so, he didn’t let go of me. His arms stayed wrapped around me from behind, and the way he took my red hand and gently stroked it was so kind. But I really hadn’t meant to cry. The tears just wouldn’t stop, and I was so shaken that I didn’t even know what I wanted to say anymore.

“It’s okay, I understand. Sharon, you’re just tired right now. So let’s rest a little. Both your heart and your body, alright?”

“Tired…?”

“Yes. You’ve been holding too much in, and now your heart and body are crying out. You might not trust me yet, but even if I divorce, I’ll make sure nothing ever forces you to endure pain again. I’ll never stop trying until the place you belong is by my side. You might think these are just empty words, but for now, please rely on me. You don’t have to hurt yourself over these people anymore.”

He whispered that close to my ear, and little by little, I started to calm down. Maybe it wasn’t because I loved him… but because the Duke’s voice itself soothed me. Like a lullaby sung to a sleepless child—it was such a comforting voice.

“Liking men… isn’t that strange?”

“It’s not strange. No matter who you love, gender doesn’t matter. You’re the one who taught me that, Sharon.”

Why… why am I asking things like this?

“Is loving someone of a different status… stupid?”

“No feeling of love is ever foolish. And no social rank can control what the heart feels.”

Why does the Duke always say exactly what I want to hear?

“Am I… disgusting?”

“Disgusting? When you’re this cute?”

Even though his kindness makes me happy, there’s still a part of me that wishes he wouldn’t be so gentle.

“…Somehow, I’m getting sleepy…”

I don’t want to think about anything anymore.

“You cried a lot. You must be tired.”

“I didn’t cry…!”

I can feel that I’m still crying, but somehow, I want to deny it. Maybe because I’m sleepy? Ah, I shouldn’t fall asleep here…

“Mm… I see. If you’re sleepy, then just sleep. I’ll carry you to bed.”

“Mm…”

Maybe I really had reached my limit. The conversation wasn’t even finished, and yet I couldn’t fight against my heavy eyelids—not even in the middle of an audience chamber. If someone asked why, I’d say it was because of the Duke’s warmth, and because he had accepted even a small part of what I’d been holding in for so long.

It’s simple, I know. But to receive the words I’d been longing to hear—there’s nothing happier than that.

As I leaned against the Duke’s chest and drifted to sleep, I never imagined that when I woke up later, I would end up agonizing over this moment all by myself.