Chapter 1 (1/2)

End Of Romance – 1

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End of Romance – 1

She– the one who fell in love at first sight and won love through constant courtship, was known to everyone in the empire. Their story was the romance of the century, a hot scandal. Seeing the count’s daughter chasing the infamous duke’s second son, some said it was vulgar, laughing at the young girl’s guts and infatuation while sympathizing with her. It didn’t matter what they said. The girl, who had just finished her social debut, was invited to a party hosted by the duke one day, only to fall in love head over heels with him. Could there possibly be something more interesting than this? Moreover, if the man was the best bachelor of the empire, her longing would seem hilarious.

But, she was never intimidated. She smiled at the face of the man who pushed her away with a stoic look, confessing her deep love for him. She was hurt constantly by him, who said he was sick and tired of looking at her, forcing a smile on her face. To everyone’s shock, she threw herself in front of her love. Despite her constant courtship, thanks to her father, who was trusted by the emperor, and her capable brother, who rose to a high position at a young age, she was not dragged down by the gossip.

Over time, her constant courtship was now taken as a norm, like sunset and sunrise. Some people thought it was cute. He started seeing her a year after she conveyed her love. With his gentlemanly behavior and superior appearance, he, the most popular man in the empire, finally accepted the girl. He smiled and treated her sincerely.

‘After a year of passionate courtship, I fell to her.’

* * *

The girl became a woman. The cheerful, cute, and infinitely energetic girl became a calm, quiet, and rational woman. The woman became the wife of her loved one and gave birth to children who resembled them. Now she wasn’t a girl who only had him in her eyes.

Time had made the girl turn into an adult, and now, as his wife, she was obligated to take care of her family.

Nevertheless, in front of him, she was always a girl who fell in love. An adorable girl who gave everything to love. However, having become an adult, she could not act rashly. She had pride, and acted cool. She counted the profit and loss, acted like she didn’t care, talked to him with the same smile. Until the day she could say that she became the proud and noble “duchess”, she never stopped making efforts.

Everything had changed, but only one thing was the same, she still loved him like hell.

“…”

Isilia raised her trembling eyelashes, eyes threatening to pool up with tears, staring at her husband. Her lips thinned automatically, even though she tried hard to smile, it was barely visible. Thanks to the title she had been ‘gifted’ by him, she was able to keep her mind.

She was now the ‘Duchess’ who had fallen in the eyes of the servants…

Seeing him introduce ‘her’ confidently, having known about it all this while, she didn’t think it would be that painful.

“…”

But she couldn’t utter a single word. Her body felt incredibly numb.

She heard that people become absent-minded when in shock. Maybe it was actually true.

Looking at his wife, who didn’t budge, Ruiyan sighed. He grabbed the delicate hand of the woman standing beside him, and pulled her slightly close to him. He held back his laughter as he saw the nervous woman melting onto him. Isilia, aghast, just looked at the woman with dead eyes, almost letting go of the reason she was barely holding onto.

Are you serious?

Her legs wobbled, no more strength left in them, when Ruiyan opened his mouth.

“Let me introduce her officially. This is Lady Marillian van Enderrick, who will be my concubine in the future. Mari, this is my wife, Isilia von Endrians.”

“Nice to meet you, Madame. I’m Marilyn van Enderrick. Please call me Mari.”

Sweeping her soft red hair behind her ears, the woman spoke in a quiet tone. Isilia replied silently to the greeting she gave, her body stiff as a block of wood.

‘If it’s Enderrick, didn’t she belong to the same bloodline as him?’

They were well-known for producing outstanding knights and contributors to the founding of the country.

Red hair and amber eyes; markings of the Enderrick family.

…Are you serious?

Isilia bit her lip to not let these words tumble out of her mouth. Her heart was beating hard, almost painfully against her chest, having heard his words of taking another woman as his concubine. But no matter how absurd it felt, she had to ‘understand’ and ‘bear’. She knew some nobles had secret mistresses other than their wives. So she could ‘understand’. Within their five years of marriage, Isilia and Ruiyan did not even have any common marital fights. If he had some anger towards her that he couldn’t let go, she could accept him having a mistress by his side to resolve it.

But her tender lovestruck heart was undoubtedly broken into tiny pieces. The love-filled gaze he directed at the woman in front of him made her eyes burn, stabbing her in a million ways. The soft way he spoke to her made her ears ring. His confidence in introducing her to a new woman in front of all the servants. Isilia was convinced. She had no right to say anything even if her own husband brought a new woman into the house.

Nevertheless, her heart ached. She could understand the reason, but her heart couldn’t. So Isilia greeted the woman and stared blankly at the two who disappeared.

Do you know why I was busy?

Do you know why the servants were gathered in the quiet hall?

Do you know… what day tomorrow is?

Do you…?

“…”

Isilia turned around to see where her husband disappeared. She could feel the gazes of the servants looking at her.

Icilia, Duchess Endrians, pulled her lips into a smile.

This was the ending of the girl and man who were the talk of the century. Isilia clapped her hands, a mocking smile on her face.