When My Contract with the Misanthropic Duke Ended, I Filed For Divorce, But My Husband's Obsession and Doting Became Unbearable - Chapter 2

The contract I managed to make with the duke was simple. If our white marriage lasted for three years, we would divorce afterward—but in exchange, I wanted him to share at least one meal a day with me—morning, noon, or night—whenever he wasn’t too busy with unavoidable work.

To the duke, it might have seemed like I was just trying to get close to him. But for me, it was a matter of survival. And for someone like him, who hated dealing with people, a quiet and trouble-free divorce must have sounded appealing, even if he wasn’t thrilled about it. So, though reluctantly, he agreed to the contract.

Honestly, I could have asked him to do something about the servants’ attitudes, but without any proof, no one would have believed me—a newcomer from another house. It could have even made things worse. So, I was satisfied just to secure a time where meals would actually be provided.

More than anything, I was happy that for the next three years, I would have guaranteed time with the person I loved. Just that alone made me feel blessed.

But as we started having more meals together, small changes began to appear between us. Changes that made me happy.

“What’s so fun for you all the time?”

“Huh? Do I really look that happy?”

“You’re always smiling during meals.”

“Hmm… maybe because I’m just happy to eat delicious food with you, Duke.”

“What’s so enjoyable about something like that…”

“You might find it annoying, but I’m just happy because I like you, Duke. Simple as that.”

“…You’re strange.”

It was a small thing, but I had finally started to talk with him. That alone made me glad—because it gave me a chance to be honest about how I felt. We were supposed to divorce in three years anyway, so at least I wanted to make sure I had no regrets.

Being able to tell the person you love that you love them, again and again, is a blessing—even if it’s one-sided.

Every time I confessed, the duke would just give me a puzzled look, but that was fine.
It was enough that he listened.

To others, I probably looked like I was trying to flatter him, which only made the servants’ harassment worse. But the thought of our three-year limit and the time I had with him made me feel invincible.

Besides, not all the servants were cruel.

“I wanted to report this to the head butler, but he’s the only one the duke truly trusts, and it’s been hard to find the right time. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay! I’m used to it.”

“This is not something you should ever get used to…! If only I were doing my job properly as the head maid…”

The one who showed me kindness was the head maid. She tried to help, but unlike the butler, she didn’t hold real authority. She’d only been given the title because of her years of service, and now she struggled daily to manage the noble-born servants under her. Honestly, she looked even more exhausted than I was. She had dark circles under her eyes, and I wished she’d rest instead of worrying about me.

From how she spoke, the head butler must have been a trustworthy person, but because of the duke’s dislike of people, even he had no chance to speak with him properly.

I told her I was fine—it really didn’t bother me that much. But maybe that was the mistake.

With only one month left on the contract, things finally went beyond harassment.

“How can you still not understand after all this? You lowborn fool!”

“—ugh…”

“That plain face of yours—whether I scar it or not, it won’t make a difference, so I’ll be kind and leave it spotless!”

It was violence. Real, physical violence—and to make it worse, they made sure the bruises wouldn’t show. And the one doing it wasn’t a servant, but my etiquette tutor—the very person who was supposed to teach me proper manners.

I had let my guard down. He’d always mocked me, saying I couldn’t do anything right, but I never thought he’d actually hit me. Maybe I had looked too happy lately, since I’d been spending more time with the duke.

At least there was only one month left. If this had happened any earlier, I don’t think I would’ve lasted a whole year, no matter how much my relationship with the duke had improved.

“Improved” might be too strong a word, though. We only started having more meals together, and sometimes we talked a little more—but that was it.

I’m human too. Even if I’m used to it, it still hurts. There’s a limit to how long small bits of happiness can cover the pain.

“Reed gave me this chance, and I couldn’t even make it count…”

Reed—the second prince who made same-s3x marriage possible, and my dear friend. Our ranks were different, but our friendship was real. I wanted to make him proud, to show that his support wasn’t wasted. That was one of the reasons I’d kept going for these three years.

But in the end, nothing major changed. No matter how many times I said I loved him, a love between two men just couldn’t work out.
I didn’t regret loving the duke, but when the day of our divorce came, I promised myself I’d cry as much as I wanted.

Which hurt more—my body, or my heart? Thinking about that, I decided to end the marriage early. Maybe this was God’s way of telling me it was time to let go.