Chapter 58
“The lady you brought with you.”
Xenon’s eyes widened in surprise.
“…Maria?”
He shook his head, dismissing the idea as if she’d told a strange joke.
“We’re just good friends.”
“Good friends can easily become lovers. Or even fiancées.”
That’s exactly how it happened in the original story.
Maria, who had taken refuge with the Elzen family after her own fell apart under tragic circumstances, found solace in Xenon’s kindness during her painful days—a friendship that gradually deepened.
Then, at some point, she realized. This isn’t just friendship.
I thought we were just close, but I wanted more.
And the moment they acknowledged their feelings, they fell headlong into love—as if they’d been married for years. That’s why the original Esina, who had fixated on Xenon long before Maria appeared, spiraled into madness.
They’re not in love yet, but it could happen any moment.
Frustration simmered in her chest at the thought they might still be stuck in the “friendship” stage.
I wish they’d just hurry up and fall in love already.
Xenon, however, seemed utterly unconcerned. He wandered about leisurely, indifferent to where Maria went or which man she amused herself with.
The only problem was that said “other man” happened to be Esina’s husband.
She glared pointedly at Xenon, but his response was infuriatingly bland.
“Haha. Well, I prefer resting here.”
“You dislike boating?”
“My stomach isn’t in the best state either. In that regard—”
“In that regard?”
“It seems the lady and I share some similarities.”
What nonsense is this?
I’m actually dizzy.
On top of her bloating, frequent spells of dizziness had become an issue lately. Naturally, she couldn’t board a boat without risking seasickness. And with the need to keep her distance from the female lead, boating was entirely out of the question.
Esina sighed again, her gaze drifting to the boat carrying Herman and Maria.
Maria—with her jet-black hair and emerald eyes, just like Herman’s—was, much to Esina’s reluctant admission, a perfect match for him. More so than she was with the male lead, even. Every time Maria smiled shyly, an impossible duality of enchantment and innocence radiated from her, like some absurdly alluring paradox.
‘She really is beautiful.’
Most men probably couldn’t resist speaking to her.
Especially someone like Herman—a man who couldn’t help but chase after women.
Even I, as a woman, find her magnetic.
Was this the power of a female lead? The ability to effortlessly draw eyes and captivate hearts?
‘But why Herman, of all people?’
The fact that it wasn’t just Xenon acting out of turn unsettled Esina further. Maria, the female lead, clearly had her sights set on Herman. Not content with merely being escorted by him, she persistently hovered around him…
‘Why is she fixating on someone else’s diamond trash?’
When she had Xenon—a jackpot of a man by anyone’s standards—right there. Though, admittedly, Esina would’ve picked the diamond trash over the jackpot herself.
Just as Esina swallowed a lonely sigh without realizing it, the boating party returned.
“……”
Herman, his expression unreadable as he escorted the ladies ashore, let his dry gaze linger on Esina and Xenon beside her. It couldn’t have been more frigid.
“Esina.”
His voice when calling her was strangely low—rough, as if scraped against sand. Suppressing her disappointment, Esina rose from her seat.
“You’re back.”
“……”
Herman offered no reply, simply staring at her. The same man who would’ve rushed to her side at any other time.
After a prolonged silence, he spoke in an odd tone.
“…Nothing uncomfortable?”
His sharp gaze swept over Xenon, but Esina, now sulkily staring at the ground, didn’t notice.
She also failed to grasp the implicit meaning—that if Xenon made her uncomfortable, Herman would remove him immediately.
To Esina, his words felt like he wanted her to be uncomfortable. Or worse, that he hoped she was.
‘This situation?’
No—further, this entire marriage.
She knew she was overreacting, but her gloom pushed her thoughts in that direction. His tone, as if willing her to voice dissatisfaction, only deepened her hurt.
‘Maybe he wants me to be the one to ask for a divorce first.’
Once the suspicion took root, it spiraled uncontrollably. Esina stifled a sigh just as Herman seemed about to speak again.
“Everyone enjoying themselves?”
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