CHAPTER~32
At his words about “first time,” I had nothing to say and just blinked. I remember smiling a lot on my own before, but now that I think back, after meeting him again, I had been frowning or complaining every day. It had been a long time since I laughed so comfortably.
Realizing this, my heart fluttered and my face heated up.
Unable to handle the embarrassment, my fingers fidgeted awkwardly. Then Frezen’s voice, laced with a laugh, reached me.
“Ah. But don’t smile too freely in front of others.”
“Why?”
“Why, you ask? Well…”
Frezen moved his lips as if asking something so obvious was ridiculous, then stopped, seemingly lost in thought.
‘…Why is he like that?’
Looking at Frezen, his face was oddly flushed, just like mine earlier.
Maybe he remembered an embarrassing moment. I just stared blankly at him.
“…It’s nothing. Anyway, I said something pointless.”
“Y-yeah.”
Unfortunately, there was no further conversation. Even after the awkward pause, silence lingered calmly.
Feeling it would get more awkward if I stayed, I cautiously stood up.
“So, that’s it for the story? I’ll… ah!”
“Sit, not yet.”
But Frezen grabbed my wrist and made me sit back down. I nearly dropped the glass jar from surprise. His grip was incredible.
“Actually, I have something to say about the curse. I don’t know how much Fennel told you…”
This time, the introduction truly caught my interest. I had been curious anyway, so I nodded eagerly.
“I’ve heard a little. I was going to ask anyway. So, what exactly is this curse? Until five years ago, there was no such story.”
“It existed, but the rumors about the curse started spreading only five years ago. After you and I divorced.”
Ugh, the word “divorce” stabbed at my chest. But now was the time to act confidently! Divorce isn’t a crime.
“The Decart family has always valued the harmony of the household. That’s why ‘Couple’s Day’ was even designated. You know what day that is.”
For example, “Couple’s Day” had been a tradition to promote harmony since previous generations. I remembered it being the day before and the day of the red moon, a two-day period for families or couples to spend time together. Later, the meaning spread throughout the estate, almost like a holiday now.
“But I heard that the red moon now appears irregularly. Last year, it appeared only once. Could it really be because of the curse?”
“Probably.”
Frezen nodded. His expression was different from before, troubled, and I stiffened my face too.
“The cycle of the red moon is getting longer. Some days it doesn’t appear at all. That’s why the heavy snow keeps coming. Even the sun doesn’t rise; it’s a series of cloudy days.”
So that’s why the moon wasn’t in the sky earlier.
“If the red moon never rises again…”
“…If it does?”
The tension in the air dried my lips. Then came his calm reply.
“Then the Decart family will soon lose all power and enter a path of decline. The family line will end with my generation.”
He spoke about his family’s collapse as if it were someone else’s problem? I was shocked at his calm expression despite such a fierce statement.
“So the curse started after our divorce. That’s why the elders dislike me so much.”
“On the surface, yes.”
Wait, thinking about it, the elders disliking me isn’t entirely about the curse, right? They disliked me from the moment I first came to the family.
Then it became clear. That was why Aunt Artemene openly showed hostility toward me. Probably the same for the other elders. Ugh, even now thinking of that day, I’m furious. Someday I’ll get an apology.
“Evlyen, by the way. You bumped into Aunt earlier, didn’t you?”
She already knew about an incident that hadn’t even been half a day? Rumors really are frightening.
“Yes, she scolded me thoroughly.”
“It seems she pushed Mela too. No wonder she looked so down. As for your aunt, I’ll apologize on your behalf.”
“Why would you, Duke?”
“It was a Decart mistake. No excuses. Sorry.”
Earlier, my anger had burned like lava, but receiving an apology softened my feelings a little.
‘Apology? Don’t expect that from the Decarts. They wouldn’t apologize to just anyone.’
The Decarts valued bloodline and pride; they never bowed to someone they didn’t recognize. Apologies too. But now, the head of the Decart family apologized first. Yet somehow it felt like he was keeping distance. Strange feeling. How to put it… It clarified the difference between Frezen as a Decart and a non-Decart. He apologized as a Decart, not out of concern for Mela. Well, naturally.
After all, he’s still a man. Not a drop of shared blood.
‘I wish the Duke would go see flowers with Mela and Mom in the greenhouse…’
Still, part of me felt upset because it was clear Mela liked Frezen.
“…Thanks for the apology, but I want to receive it directly from Aunt Artemene. Not as a Decart.”
“…”
Frezen’s expression subtly shifted at my words. His gaze looked cold, almost angry, but I continued without flinching.
“Before the family, I’m an individual. Anyway, I will receive an apology, so you stay out of this. Understand?”
I clenched my fist and spoke firmly. Frezen just nodded without saying a word.
Soon, breaking the silence, Frezen began speaking again.
“…So, I have a proposal for you.”
“I already don’t like it.”
I immediately rejected it before hearing anything.
Yet Frezen, ignoring my refusal, quickly produced something. It was a contract.
“All of this…”
The difference was that unlike the Andra distribution contract, this one had only my name and Frezen’s.
“Considering today’s incident with Aunt Artemene, it’ll be hard to gain the elders’ recognition going forward.”
“That’s true.”
“To be recognized, we need to show that we are completely different from before. Even if each of us has separate motives, during the marriage period we should focus on our roles.”
“So, Duke, you mean… during the contract period, we must follow the terms written here?”
“Quick to understand, as expected.”
When had he prepared this? He’s meticulous.
At that moment, I read casually, thinking it wouldn’t be a big deal for a contract marriage.
[1. Couples must have at least two public dates per week if either desires.
2. They must use affectionate nicknames and show closeness.]
Up to here, I could accept it. After all, appearances matter for remarriage. And public dates would be just walks or tea time, so it’s manageable.
But there was one clause that made my hands tremble as I read the bold text. I opened my mouth, unable to continue speaking.
“Ah, and the last one is the most important, my wife.”
“……”
Frezen pointed mischievously to the last clause with a smile.
“As a married couple, maintain intimacy. Of course, once a month at first, then gradually increase.”
Frezen’s sly smile at that moment felt more devilish than ever.
