When My Contract with the Misanthropic Duke Ended, I Filed For Divorce, But My Husband's Obsession and Doting Became Unbearable - Chapter 28

“…I see. So you’re aiming for Sharon, then?”

Duke…? How could anyone possibly mishear things that badly…?

“H-how could you even—no, I mean, of course not. I’m not aiming for her, so please don’t worry.”

“Are you insulting Sharon by saying she’s not attractive enough for you?”

I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who thinks the Duke’s ears must be broken. Well… if he actually thinks I’m attractive, maybe his eyes are broken too.

“I meant no insult. I simply said that our preferences differ.”

The butler handled that perfectly. Surely with an answer like that, there’s no weird way for it to—

“Sharon isn’t a matter of ‘type’ or preference. She’s beyond that—she transcends all such things.
I don’t know what kind of woman you like, but if you can look at Sharon and not be captivated, you should see a doctor.

You claim you’re following the Second Prince’s orders just to stay close to her, but that’s proof enough you’ve already fallen under her spell. Did you really think you could deceive my eyes? No matter how much you desire her, Sharon belongs to me.”

At this point, I can’t help but feel sorry for the butler. I wonder what I even look like in the Duke’s eyes right now. Does he still see me as a person—or something else entirely? Still, I can’t stop my face from heating up. Maybe I’m not just simple-minded… maybe I’m actually stupid.

“…I think you two look good together, but since you’re divorced, she isn’t yours anymore. And besides, Lady Sharon isn’t an object to be owned—”

“So, you’re bragging that you’re close enough to call her by name?”

Yeah, at this point, I don’t think anything the butler says will help. He only calls me by name because he can’t call me “Duchess” anymore. When I got married, my name was removed from the baron’s family register, so “Lady Sharon” was the only proper form of address left. I even gave permission for him—and the others—to call me that.

But how do I even explain that right now…? Actually, wait. Could this be jealousy?
If it’s not, then why else would he be so aggressive toward the butler? Normally, I’d think it’s just a misunderstanding—but seeing how persistent he’s being, it’s hard not to think he’s jealous…

“D-Duke…”

“Ah, Sharon… is that why you haven’t been calling my name? Because of him?”

Okay, no—this isn’t jealousy anymore. This is just a huge misunderstanding. Can’t he just accept that I’m not used to calling him by name yet?

“N-no, it’s just that I’m not used to it yet… A-and, please don’t be too harsh on the butler. There’s really nothing going on between us.”

“You being shy about it is adorable, but since we’ll be getting remarried, you should start getting used to it now. Oh—though instead of my name, calling me ‘husband’ wouldn’t be bad either.”

“H-husband…?”

I know we’re supposedly divorced, but is it really okay to suggest something like that? Still… if I had to choose between calling him by name or calling him “husband,” I honestly don’t know which would be easier. Maybe “husband” would actually be less embarrassing—kind of like I’m playing the role of a servant or something.

“You’re so cute I could just kidnap you right now.
Would a kiss be allowed?”

“N-no, it’s not!”

Can someone please do something about this Duke who turns sweet without warning? This is exactly why I keep wondering if I should build some resistance to him first. But then again, if I actually got used to this version of him, and he ever went back to how he used to be… I don’t think I’d be able to handle it.

Because honestly, he’s changed so much—it’s hard to believe a person can become this different.