I Had No Complaints About This Marriage - Chapter 67

The question he couldn’t bring himself to voice lingered in Herman’s mouth, leaving a raw sting.

The memory of Esina—who had once claimed she married him because she liked him, because she loved him—passed by like a distant past. Along with the words he had said to her.

“You know, Esina.”

“Feelings mean nothing between us.”

“Don’t expect what can’t be.”

“Don’t forget our contract, Esina.”

“This is nothing more than an act for the sake of bearing a child. No sentiment involved.”

The more he dwelled on it, the more a bitter laugh escaped him.

Ah. After hearing such things, of course her affection would wither.

The love she once felt must have been uprooted and left to die. All that remained was resentment and hatred—enough to make living with a man like him unbearable.

Herman knew well how cold a person could become once their affection faded. He had seen it before—women who had once claimed to love him, who had approached him on their own, only to turn icy the moment they felt betrayed.

And so, out of all the confessions he had ever received, the only one that had ever meant anything to him—the emotions it carried—had vanished. Died, leaving behind nothing but red stains.

Herman let out a crooked smile as he watched the sleeping Esina. He could no longer hide his self-mockery.

This was his own doing.

Even if he clung to her side now, trying to undo it, could affection already lost ever return?

…It’s fine.

A contractual relationship was something that could continue even without affection. Hadn’t he thought so himself? Wasn’t that why, even knowing love existed, he had stubbornly denied it?

Because he feared the moment love shattered, this relationship would shatter with it.

Even if Esina now wanted a divorce, all he had to do was refuse.

He would replace the affection she had lost for him with something else. Transferring the department store to her name had been part of that. He would build fences upon fences to ensure she could never leave. Herman was confident in himself. This was his own mess—he would clean it up.

But that confidence began to fracture into pieces the moment he saw that bug approaching Esina with kindness.

“Are you alright, my lady?”

It didn’t take Herman more than a few hours to uncover who that man was.

Xenon Elzen.

Of all people—the younger brother of that Baron Elzen.

The man Esina could have married instead of him. A groom even Roger would have welcomed with open arms—a not-bad match for someone in Esina’s position.

Of course, Herman was confident he wouldn’t lose to Baron Elzen. After all, what was the baron but a man who had never pioneered or attempted anything on his own, merely living off the tenant farming of inherited land?

A man with nothing to boast of besides a stable fiefdom—though that alone was enough to attract plenty of suitors.

‘…Wait.’

But upon reflection, a man like that had no reason to covet Esina.

By all accounts, Esina was a bastard, practically discarded by her own family. A man like Elzen could have chosen any other bride, so why had he specifically sought her out?

A sudden unease gripped Herman.

…And now, that bastard’s insect of a younger brother was circling her too.

Herman coldly observed the persistent way the man hovered around Esina. If possible, he would have swatted him away without hesitation. The thought of Esina allowing him near made his skin crawl.

“…So, what should I do?”

“Try being more proactive.”

“But Xenon is so shy.”

There was a reason he hadn’t brushed off the woman who introduced herself as Maria.

She had feelings for Xenon but couldn’t express them properly, and under the pretense of seeking advice from someone she assumed was experienced in romance, she clung to him like an irritating pest.

Yet, despite his suggestions, she made no move to reel in the bug, which only frustrated Herman further.

And then, earlier today—just a few hours ago—