“Where could Lord Kernes be?” I wondered aloud as I walked through the corridor in search of him.
“Oh!”
I saw him standing in front of Diana’s room. Before I could call out to him, he stepped inside.
“Has my sister-in-law woken up?”
As I approached, I noticed the door was slightly ajar, and their voices drifted out.
Though I knew it was wrong to eavesdrop, I couldn’t help but listen.
Inside, Diana was sitting up in bed, while Lord Kernes sat nearby in a chair, speaking to her.
“…The doctor said you should start moving your body a little to regain strength. I’m relieved you’ve started eating more,” he said.
“…Yes,” Diana replied weakly, her voice barely audible.
“If there’s anything you need, just tell me. I’ll make sure you get it right away.”
“…Kernes…”
“What is it?”
“This morning… Father-in-law told me…”
“Told you what?”
“…That…”
She looked down, silent and hesitant to speak.
“Diana?”
“…He told me to marry you!”
“What!?”
“He said he’ll make you the next head of the family, but only if you marry me. Otherwise, he wants me to leave Utrecht behind and leave the estate!”
Diana covered her face with her hands, sobbing.
That vile old man! How dare he suggest something so outrageous!
“What is he thinking!?” Lord Kernes exclaimed angrily.
“Kernes!” Diana cried as she threw herself into his arms.
“Please, marry me! If you don’t, they’ll take Utrecht away from me!”
“Diana…” His voice was filled with hesitation and confusion.
“If I lose Utrecht after losing Frank… I… Please, Kernes, I’m begging you!”
“Diana…”
As she sobbed and pleaded, Kernes hesitantly placed his hand on her back in a comforting gesture.
I quietly closed the door and stepped away, leaving them alone.
Later, I asked the butler to pass along a message to Lord Kernes and returned to the estate alone.
Sitting in the carriage, I contemplated my father-in-law’s motives.
With Lord Frank gone, the position of the next head of the family was now vacant.
Ideally, Utrecht would inherit the title, but he was still a child.
Naturally, the right to succession would pass to the second son—Lord Kernes.
The real issue is the wife—my father-in-law's thoughts on the matter.
Knowing his mindset, he would undoubtedly consider my sister-in-law, an earl’s widow, a better match than me, a viscount’s daughter.
It’s true that when the eldest son passes away, it isn’t uncommon for the second son to inherit the title and marry the late brother’s widow.
Even if Diana refused, my father-in-law would likely push it forward, using Utrecht as leverage.
Though Lord Kernes is already married to me, that scheming old man would surely do everything in his power to force us to divorce.
But… while I was furious at the outrageous suggestion when I first heard it, upon cooling down, I couldn’t help but wonder—could this actually be the best outcome for Lord Kernes?
Lord Frank… forgive me for such irreverent thoughts.
But when considering the future, isn’t Lord Kernes the only one who could truly take care of Diana? Utrecht adores him, and above all, this would give Kernes a chance for his feelings to be reciprocated.
As for me, I never had a desire for marriage in the first place. Returning to being single wouldn’t be a problem.
…Although… I’ve started to think, just a little, that maybe life with this man wouldn’t be so bad. Just a little.
Even after I returned home, there was no sign of Lord Kernes coming back.
◇◇◇◇
Knock knock
“Come in.”
“Excuse me, madam. I’ve brought your tea,” the maid said as she entered with a tea set.
“Will the master be late again tonight?” I asked.
“Ah, um… The master sent a message earlier… He said he wouldn’t be returning tonight…” the maid replied hesitantly.
It was no secret among the household staff that my husband had begun staying overnight at the main estate.
“He’s with her, isn’t he? I see. You may rest for the night as well.”
“…Goodnight, madam,” the maid said, bowing before leaving the room.
I took the teacup and walked to the window. Staring into the pitch-black night, I murmured to myself:
“I suppose I’ll have to give him a divorce.”
Staying overnight on the same day Diana begged him so desperately… perhaps this is Lord Kernes’s answer to her plea.
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