I Didn’t Know I Had Two Husbands - Chapter 57

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When Lucian’s brows furrowed slightly, Elaria spoke.

“I’ll decline both going to the powder room together and inviting you to the residence, because it makes me uncomfortable. Then, I’ll be going now.”

Everyone stared at her with stunned expressions as she refused so firmly. Those were words her former self would never have said.

After the incident with Elisa, Elaria had thought deeply about many things. Only later did she realize why Noctis had been so angry back then.

Not wanting to cause Lucian any trouble anymore, she spoke coldly and then turned away. Lucian followed her with a faint smile.

Even after finding Amanda in the servants’ waiting room, he deliberately escorted her all the way to an empty powder room. The corridor was even more crowded than before.

There, as if to make a show of it, Lucian took Elaria’s hand and brought his lips to the back of it.

“Lucian…”

“I’ll be waiting outside. Take your time before you come out.”

“Yes, thank you.”

The nobles who witnessed the duke’s actions widened their eyes in surprise and admiration. His expression, which was usually cold, had softened today, and that drew even more attention.

After watching them briefly, Elaria entered the powder room.

“Was the dress too tight, perhaps?”

Amanda asked, but she did not answer. She simply stood still and steadied her breathing. For some reason, her chest felt tight. There was nothing wrong with the dress. The discomfort was coming from somewhere much deeper.

“It’s nothing, Amanda.”

“Yes?”

“I just need a little time…”

“Shall I bring you something to drink, Madam?”

“…Mm, I need some cold tea.”

“I’ll be right back.”

It was an emotion she had never felt before, but Elaria quickly realized what it was. She didn’t like other women looking at Lucian. Every time they looked at him with greedy eyes, jealousy surged up inside her.

“…This never happened when we were dating.”

Of course, even then they had hidden their relationship, but that had nothing to do with jealousy. She didn’t know what was different between then and now, but the jealousy she felt was so intense that she was startled by her own reaction.

She checked her face in the mirror of the powder room. Her face, more carefully made up than ever, was flushed red. It was a physical reaction caused by jealousy that had nowhere to go.

“This is strange, really…”

She didn’t want anyone to look at her husband, Lucian, so carelessly. If the person was a woman, she disliked it even more. Especially when they looked at him with vulgar eyes, as if he were some kind of trophy, it even made her feel unpleasant.

Elaria stood there, staring at the mirror until Amanda returned with the cold tea. Though she felt embarrassed by her slightly flushed face, it didn’t feel strange.

‘Right. I’m the only woman who knows their secret.’

Only then did the jealousy that had risen to her throat seem to settle.

* * *

Lucian was engaged in moderate conversation, but only with members of families that were connected to House Asiel through business.

He moistened his throat with champagne and glanced repeatedly toward the entrance. He was concerned because Elaria had not returned yet. From afar, he looked coldly at the group who had been speaking with her earlier.

For people who had held tea parties with her since childhood, there did not seem to be even the slightest sense of familiarity. They had looked at Elaria as if she were a toy they had once lost and were now mildly pleased to have back.

For a moment, he had wanted to gouge out their eyes, but since she had handled the situation better than expected, his displeasure faded. Long before coming to the banquet, Noctis had repeatedly warned him.

“She says everything’s fine no matter what, so you need to watch her closely. She’s unbelievably dense, seriously.”

Noctis had long disliked that side of Elaria. And yet, he also liked it. He said he hated how dense she was, but liked that she never changed.

Lucian also thought Elaria was slow to notice things, but he did not think it was her nature. He believed it was the result of the environment she had no choice but to endure.

If she had been sensitive, how could she have borne all the disregard she had suffered?

Rather, the fact that she could regulate her emotions in that way was admirable. Among the nobles, there were countless people who caused trouble because they could not control their tempers.

Like Baron Silvaris, who was now boldly approaching him.

“Pardon me, Your Grace!”

At the sight of a mere baron speaking to a duke first, the noblemen nearby all fell silent and frowned. They found it displeasing that he behaved so casually toward the duke who oversaw the entire enterprise.

“Baron Silvaris, it seems you must have something quite urgent to say.”

Otherwise, how would you dare speak to me first.

Those who understood the implication let out quiet laughter as they sipped their champagne.