When My Contract with the Misanthropic Duke Ended, I Filed For Divorce, But My Husband's Obsession and Doting Became Unbearable - Chapter 4

Had I ever felt anger for someone else like this before in my life? Maybe I had been too happy, thinking it was luck that the first person I ever fell for—despite being a man—had become my wife by royal decree.

But this was all my own fault. I was so drawn to him that I forgot the very contract I made myself. And yet, I never once tried to find out how much he had suffered all this time.

“Tsong, bring me the head maid and all the servants who were assigned to my wife. Immediately.”

“As you wish.”

Overcome with anger after learning the truth, I gave the order to my butler and assistant, Tsong.

Then I thought back. He always smiled when he was with me, so I believed he was living a comfortable life. As long as my wife smiled, I thought this peaceful time would last forever. Because I had always avoided interacting with people, I became satisfied with the little time we shared together—and now, I wanted to punish myself for that foolishness.

It wasn’t about gender. It was that I refused to admit I had fallen for someone I once despised. Even after three years together, our relationship had barely changed, despite him creating such a warm and peaceful atmosphere around me.

Every time we met, he smiled and expressed his affection honestly. I didn’t want to admit how easily I was swayed by that simple warmth—but now, that excuse means nothing.

Only when he asked for a divorce did I realize how much I didn’t want to let him go.
I hated myself for that.
And even more, for not realizing his suffering sooner because I had been too caught up in my own thoughts.

“I originally wanted more time with you, Duke, but since meals weren’t prepared unless you were present, that’s why I made that contract.”

I had thought it was a strange contract. If only I had asked back then why he limited our time together to mealtimes. If I had noticed, maybe he wouldn’t have asked for a divorce.

“Well, I expected to be bullied, so I didn’t mind it that much… but lately, there’s been violence, and honestly, it’s hard to keep enduring it.”

Just hearing about the harassment made me furious—but violence? That made me lose control. When he showed me the bruises as proof, I realized he hadn’t planned to tell me any of this unless I had confronted him about the divorce. His calm attitude only made me feel even more miserable.

Even if it was my own doing, realizing I truly loved him at a time like this—when it was already too late—made the past three years unbearable. And now, clinging pathetically to delay the divorce, promising to “make things right,” only made me seem more pitiful.

Still, I could only feel gratitude toward my wife’s kindness for agreeing, even while confused by my reaction.

“Duke… the servants you requested are waiting outside. But before that, the head maid wishes to speak first.”

“…I don’t care. I just want to know what exactly happened to my wife during these three years.”

“I know it’s late, but I will tell you everything that was done to him.”

With a weary look but determined eyes, the head maid began to speak. She told me everything—from the wedding day and the disastrous first night, to the harassment that worsened when we began sharing meals together.

Even the reasons behind it. Before blaming the servants, I realized the first thing I needed to do was sincerely apologize.

If I had cherished my wife from the start, none of this would have happened. It wasn’t a matter of awareness—it was my complete failure as a husband.

To be honest, for someone like me, my wife was nothing short of an angel—or even a goddess—for continuing to express affection despite everything. Once I admitted my feelings, I could no longer hold them back.

Knowing now what it meant for him to express affection every time we met made me hate myself even more.

That’s why I made up my mind.

I would never let him go. I would use everything I had to keep him by my side—and make up for every wound I caused with happiness.

“From now on, I will never allow such a failure to happen again—to anyone.”

And as I prayed in gratitude that my wife’s feelings for me hadn’t changed, I swore that vow deep within my heart.