The Obsessive Male Lead Wants To Become My Husband - Chapter 26

It’s you. You.

Even though I wanted to say that, I pretended to answer calmly.

“The servants must have exaggerated. Originally, there was only a little dust in my eyes, but it seems like the maid told others I cried.”
​​
Strictly speaking, the maids of the Duchess were at least the daughters of the countess, the noble girls of the same class as me. So, I was never in a position to be considered inferior.

But, I have made remarks against them openly because of the thought that I should act differently from Ophelia as much as possible.

Finally, the ceremony was almost over.

Cassius gently removed my veil.

I was terribly nervous.

It was the moment when we needed to kiss to seal the oath.

As his face slowly drew closer, I shut my eyes tightly. However, there was no kiss as expected.

“I love you, Evelyn.”

There were only the quiet whispers that reached my ears. He then grabbed my hand and lifted it, before kissing on the back of my hand.

Moments later, a sizable, gorgeous diamond ring that could be seen without having to squint was placed on my hand.

And so, I became the official fiancée of Cassius Brudenell.

The next morning.

I started the first day as Cassius’ fiancée with breakfast with him.

Of course, I did not ask for that in the first place.

Cassius was just waiting for me in the dining room with a face that it was only natural for us to have breakfast together.

Seeing that, as soon as I saw him, this was the first thing I said.

“I need to get an engagement present.”

The first step in ‘Getting away from Cassius Brudenell’ was to reveal money hungry and openly show a snobbish appearance in front of him.

At my words, he raised one eyebrow with a slightly surprised expression.

“Come to think of it, I cannot believe that a noble young lady of this size is getting engaged without receiving a single jewel… It does not make sense, does it? I am sure even my parents would have received a lot of them.”

“…Did it bother you?”

Surprisingly, Cassius was a little regretful.
​​
“Of course!”

I nodded my head continuously.

“In fact, that is why I ran away. Does it make sense that only my parents are receiving the gifts?”

“Then, why… tell me directly…”

“Oh, you do not know a woman’s heart that much? You should have given it before I spoke up. Though you do not seem to know so much… seeing that I have said this myself, withstanding my shyness.”

Was that too much…?

It did not seem to fit in with ‘Evelyn Garneid’ so far, so I glanced into Cassius’ eyes. Even though I am good at acting, there is nothing good about being caught.

“Just say it.”

Cassius opened his mouth seriously.

“I will give you anything.”

I stared straight at him.

If it was Ophelia, she would have chosen a modest gift in this situation. Such a small but sincere gift that will only snort when most people hear it.

However, I am different.

“Call the best jewelers and dress designers in the capital. I have been wandering around, and it is too much of a hassle to go out these days.”

“I will call them right away.”

If you think it will only end with clothes and jewelry, you are mistaken…

“And, I need a villa of my own to store my clothes and jewelry. Hmm… One in the capital and one on the island would be fine?”

After all, property is real estate.

* * * 

It took less than a day from the engagement ceremony for the otherwise ill-reputed Evelyn Garneid to be photographed at the Duke’s residence.

“They said she is a crazy lady, she must be really crazy…”

Frequently, the servants and maids used to gossip, but as soon as they saw Cassius, they would immediately shut their mouths.

It was because they knew very well how much their little master fell in love with that grotesque and extravagant lady.

However, there were also people who were happy with Evelyn’s new side among the servants of the Duchess.

It was the informants of Cassius.

They, too, were not satisfied with Evelyn’s move to take away their employer’s property in the beginning, but Cassius’ words immediately changed their minds.

“Young Lady of Count Garneid said she likes luxury, though it was not effective at all. So, I thought I should have changed it…”

Cassius had a voice that seemed somewhat happy.

“You do not have to do that.”

The informants were genuinely glad that Evelyn Garneid was extravagant.

If it was not for her, they were sure half of their heads would have dropped to the ground.
​​

* * * 

Despite the pouring eyes, I did not stop at a one-shot luxury.

Every day, I buy new dresses and jewelry, order furniture to decorate the villa, ask for a dozen maids from noble families, and so on.

All the luxuries that a noble girl can enjoy have been in my hands.

Naturally, the Duke of Brudenell granted all my requests.

There was only one reason.

Because Cassius has ordered him to listen to me.

Still, there are limits to how much money I can spend. Of course, I could spend more money if I had to burn the dress and buy a new one, although even I could not afford to waste it like that.

‘Should I buy a horse?’

Fortunately, I have learned to ride horses to some extent.

If I buy a famous horse and tame it well, it will be useful when I leave this disgusting town in the future.

‘…If I could leave.’

I thought of the sea, the huge ship, and Gabriel.

Before leaving with Cassius, I had to apologize to him. Since I got a job at a souvenir shop after being introduced to him, but I quit the job not long after I just started.

So, I briefly explained the situation to Cassius, and then went with him to see Gabriel.

Obviously, I did not want to go with him.

I have tact, too.

I did not want to be accompanied by a threatening man on my way to apologize. Nevertheless, what if Cassius will not leave my side?

I also had a history of running away, so I could not refuse. Moreover, the thought that ‘rejection’ is Ophelia’s main skill in the original story caught my ankle.

Finding Gabriel was not that difficult since I knew all the places he liked.

I remembered the disastrous apology attempt.

* * * 

“Eve!”

Gabriel looked at me and smiled brightly.

“Gabriel”

I swallowed dry saliva.

I could not figure out how to explain it.

Unfortunately or not, Gabriel looked at Cassius and me in turn, and seemed to quickly get the sense of the situation.

“…Your family came to pick you up?”

“Not a family.”

I did not say anything more after that.

It was true. In fact, Cassius was not even my fiancé.

At least until then.

Thankfully, Gabriel did not ask me anything.

“Congratulations, Eve.”

“Congratulations…?”

“Yes. Seeing that he came all the way to find Eve… He must be a good person.”

Why?

Every word he said pierced my heart.
​​
“…No.”

That was probably why… For a moment, I forgot even the existence of Cassius and denied Gabriel’s words.

“No?”

It was only after Gabriel’s eyes widened with astonishment that I realized my mistake.

“That… They did not come to find me. It was just a coincidence that they met me.”

I spoke gibberish, but it was already too late.

Gabriel’s eyes had already sunk into a dark atmosphere that seemed to know everything. At that, I had to turn my gaze because I could not stand the sympathy that flashed in his eyes.

“…I am sorry.”

Surprised by the unexpected apology, I suddenly raised his head and peered at him.

At that moment, I knew.

I was mistaken.

Gabriel was not sympathizing with me.

I was blaming myself for attaching myself to this situation where I did not want to be in.

A hot emotion sprouted from my chest.

“It is okay.”

I shook my head and finished my words.

“This is my problem.”

“….”

Silence passed.

The silence became unbearable. As I remembered the purpose of visiting Gabriel, I opened my mouth again.

“…Sorry.”
​​
“…What are you sorry for, Eve?”

“You gave me a lot of help and even introduced me to the store, but I quit so quickly…”

“It was not Eve’s will.”

Gabriel’s words were too loud and too determined.

But, I did not deny him.

Okay.

This is not what I meant. It was only because what Cassius Brudenell wants and what I want never match!

That was then.

Cassius, who had been silently watching, pulled me in.

“Evelyn, it is time to go.”

At that, I followed him without saying anything. Meanwhile, Gabriel did not even say a word.
​
I had to suppress the urge to look back.

Cassius Brudenell asked in a low voice.

“What was your relationship with him?”