Refusing Your Ex-Husband's Obsession: A Guide - Side Story 11
Side Story 11
Translator: Yonnee
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Ciel and Irene returned to the Grand Duchy after concluding their honeymoon. The return was swift since they had managed to accomplish almost everything they had planned.
Transitioning from a duke’s household to a grand ducal one was a bit awkward, but the thought of living there with Irene filled him with excitement.
“Welcome back! Milord, Madam!”
“Welcome back!”
The servants, lined up in a row, greeted them uniformly. Irene entered, unable to hide her amazement. She thought the ducal manor was already magnificent, but the grand ducal residence was on another level.
“How is it?”
“Amazing…”
“Huu, I’m glad you like it.”
Ciel felt proud watching his wife, who was unable to take her eyes off their surroundings.
The emperor had granted them this castle, which, while ancient on the outside, had become somewhat cozy on the inside. He spared no expense in refurbishing the interior in a short time.
Since they couldn’t bring the servants from the ducal manor, he painstakingly selected each new servant, making the effort all the more rewarding.
“Ahem, I put the most effort into preparing this place.”
Ciel said this as they now stood in front of the private chamber of the ducal couple, located on the castle’s highest floor. They planned to gradually fill this space where they would spend most of their time.
Opening the door and holding Irene’s hand, Ciel led her inside.
“Wow…”
Irene was speechless at the view in front of her. The large window offered a view of the entire capital. It seemed to be the highest castle after the imperial palace. The balcony, covered in freshly fallen snow, was also beautiful. Standing in front of it, Irene said,
“It’s wonderful.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Even compared to our previous honeymoon home, it’s amazing.”
Their honeymoon home in Korea had also been a luxurious mansion. She had said they didn’t need such a large house, but Ciel had insisted.
Thinking back, she understood why even a large mansion hadn’t satisfied him, considering he had grown up in a ducal manor.
“Having lived in a ducal house, you wouldn’t have been satisfied with any ordinary house in Korea at all.”
“…I was appalled when I first saw a military barracks.”
“Pfft!”
“The idea of sharing a bathroom and toilet was also hard to comprehend.”
“…Haha!”
“And the meals. Seeing food all on one tray for the first time was shocking. Eating everything from one plate…”
Watching Ciel shake his head, Irene couldn’t help but laugh.
“But meeting someone who compensated for all that made those inconveniences no longer a problem.”
After laughing giddily, Irene quieted down as she heard his next words. He looked down at her affectionately and continued,
“I enjoyed going to the market with you, eating tteokbokki at a humble snack bar, watching you gaze at a flower shop we passed by, and silently drinking coffee while looking outside at a coffee shop.”
He paused, took a deep breath, and exhaled.
“Looking back, it was just being with you that made me happy… At the time, it was hard to admit that. Of course, there were reasons.”
“…I enjoyed it too.”
“…Really?”
“Of course, there were times I wanted to smack you with a honey stick… But being with you, even if it was on the battlefield, was fine with me.”
“…You’re seriously so reckless.”
“I don’t want to hear that from you. Who’s calling who reckless?”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
We didn’t change clothes, just admiring the view for a while, before we finally got dressed.
“Ah, Honey.”
“Yes?”
“To call a servant, you have to pull this bell rope. The ducal mansion only needed a small bell, but this place is so big a small bell won’t cut it.”
“Should I pull it now? I’d like some tea.”
“Yes.”
Ciel immediately pulled the bell rope. She sat on the sofa, waiting for the attendant to come.
She wanted to ask their names and inquire about various things. Leaning on his shoulder next to her, she waited for the door to open.
Quite some time passed, but the servants hadn’t arrived yet. After a moment of silence, Irene asked,
“But, Honey.”
“Yes?”
“We’re on the fifth floor, right?”
“Correct. It’s higher than the ducal mansion.”
“We flew up here earlier.”
“That’s right.”
“So… the servants are climbing the stairs?”
“…It seems so.”
“Hmm…”
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