~Chapter 32~
When Elin opened her eyes, warm morning sunlight was shining gently over the bed.
The fresh morning air wrapped around her, as if the struggle from last night had never happened.
Elin woke up first. As she looked ahead, she froze while trying to stretch.
Right in front of her… was his face.
Holding her breath, she carefully looked at him, as if admiring every detail.
‘How can someone look like this…?’
It was her first time seeing the Duke this closely.
His black hair fell softly over his forehead, his long eyelashes framed his straight nose, and his lips looked both strong and delicate. His body looked like it was sculpted by an artist.
There was nothing about him that wasn’t handsome.
Lying there, he looked like a dangerous and beautiful beast.
She stared too long—
His eyebrow twitched slightly.
Startled, Elin quickly looked away.
‘At this rate, I’m going to lose my mind.’
She felt embarrassed thinking he might wake up and see her like this, so she quietly got up first.
Carefully, so she wouldn’t wake him, she stepped out of bed.
Wearing a robe, she quietly left the room.
A little while after Elin left, Dominic slowly opened his eyes.
His golden eyes shone brightly as he blinked lazily, then held his forehead and sat up.
He looked tired.
‘At this rate, this insomnia is going to ruin me.’
He had only fallen asleep at dawn, and even then, he woke up easily from the slightest movement.
Leaning against the bed, he pressed his temple.
He couldn’t even remember the last time he woke up feeling refreshed.
At this point, it might start affecting his daily life.
It seemed the only solution was for his mother to leave the mansion soon.
“Eddie looks much better now.”
Charlotte spoke as they walked through the quiet hospital hallway.
“Yes, he really does.”
Elin smiled softly, thinking of her younger brother.
His face looked brighter, and he seemed happier than before.
Even though it was just a different hospital, the change was clear.
She didn’t regret her decision.
‘Once Eddie recovers… and the one year with the Duke ends… I will also…’
So far, the contract marriage seemed to be going smoothly.
After one year, the Duke would end it without hesitation—and she was ready to accept it.
Everything was going as planned.
But for some reason, her heart felt a little uneasy.
“Does the Duke treat you well?”
Charlotte’s voice brought her back.
Elin smiled and nodded.
“Yes. He treats me well. There’s nothing more I could ask for.”
“I was worried at first when I heard about your marriage. But I’m glad you’re doing well.”
Charlotte looked at her sincerely.
Elin felt a sense of guilt.
If Charlotte ever found out this marriage was fake…
What would she think?
A shadow passed over Elin’s face.
“They say you stayed calm and wise when the Dowager Duchess collapsed. Everyone in the capital is talking about it.”
It seemed the Marchioness had been spreading the story.
Because of that, people who once doubted Elin had become quiet.
“The Dowager Duchess must be very grateful to you.”
Elin remembered Melisa after she woke up.
Now that she thought about it…
Melisa’s tone had softened.
Even the people in the mansion treated her differently.
Even Higgins, who used to be distant, now greeted her politely.
It wasn’t intentional, but things had turned in her favor.
“Ah! Did you hear the news?”
Charlotte suddenly stopped, her eyes shining.
“The Milton family is coming back!”
“Milton?”
Elin looked confused.
“You might not know. Their son and daughter were very famous in high society.”
Charlotte smiled.
“You’ll understand when you see them.”
Elin nodded, now a little curious.
At the Duke’s mansion, the sound of cutlery echoed quietly in the dining room.
Then Melisa spoke calmly.
“I want the two of you to leave the mansion for a while.”
Dominic stopped cutting his meat.
“What do you mean?”
Melisa raised her teacup calmly.
“My friends from abroad are coming. I promised to invite them.”
Dominic frowned.
“You’re asking us to leave our own house?”
“Yes.”
“What? That makes no sense. Invite them to the villa.”
Elin quietly watched them.
Melisa looked at him sharply.
“I invited them to the mansion. And you two haven’t even gone on your honeymoon yet.”
Dominic let out a dry laugh.
“Don’t use that as an excuse.”
“I also want to enjoy time with my friends. So why don’t you two go and enjoy your honeymoon? Isn’t that good for everyone?”
Then she looked at Elin.
“You want that too, don’t you?”
Caught off guard, Elin hesitated and glanced at Dominic.
Melisa continued, criticizing her son.
“You rushed the wedding, delayed the honeymoon, and left your bride alone. Even your father never did that.”
“Enough.”
Dominic cut her off.
Melisa softened her tone.
“I just want to spend some time with my friends without worrying about you.”
Then she added—
“Jeanne sent me a letter.”
At that name, Dominic’s expression changed.
Elin noticed immediately.
‘Who is Jeanne…?’
Melisa continued calmly.
“She was sad she couldn’t attend your wedding. And her health isn’t good these days. Why don’t you visit her?”
Dominic stayed silent.
It seemed his anger had faded.
“You haven’t been to Pemfald Estate in a while either. You should check on your villa.”
Elin was shocked.
‘They even have land there…?’
The wealth of the Duke’s family was unbelievable.
“Her health is bad?” Dominic asked, concerned.
Melisa sighed.
“Young people don’t understand. Look at me—I collapsed recently.”
Elin glanced at Dominic.
He seemed convinced.
Melisa gave the final push.
“You should go with your husband and rest for a few days.”
Her gaze toward Elin was gentle.
“Alright.”
Elin nodded quietly, realizing the situation.
And just like that—
Their delayed honeymoon was suddenly decided at the breakfast table.
