The Broken Ring: This Marriage Will Fail Anyway Chapter 40

Chapter 40

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"I'm hungry. Can't we grab something to eat before we go?"

"We can't. What if you get indigestion during the night?"

"Everyone eats before going out."

Inés looked at Juana, who was brushing her hair in the mirror, with a pleading gaze.

"I saw you eating continuously at the banquet earlier, Senorita... No, sorry, Señora (master, honorific title for a married man). The Duchess seemed to be eyeing you as if she were going to devour you anyway."

"But she can't devour me anyway. Because I'm Escalante now.”

Inés laughed, sounding almost deflated. [ʏᴜʟʜᴇʏᴜɴ] It was more of a wry chuckle than a mockery. Seeing Juana suddenly look concerned, Inés laughed lightly again.

"I already digested while dancing."

"What's gotten into you all of a sudden? You usually hate it when nobles even talk to you."

"It's a wedding.”

"The señors (master or gentleman, an honorific given before a man’s last name) every single one of them, were all squirming... Afterwards, there was a long line. Even the Duke and Duchess were initially pleased, but later they were deliberating, saying, 'Can it continue like this...' and debating whether they should at least hand out tickets in order. In the end, they bit their tongues..."

"So were you happy? It's your masterpiece, after all."

Inés said, nudging Juana, but Juana didn't look pleased. Inés shrugged her shoulders.

"It was your masterpiece that got the positive response, not mine."

"Señora was originally beautiful. Those people were just vain. It's ridiculous how they suddenly changed their attitudes overnight just because you put on some makeup. And to think it's directed towards the newlywed today, how disgraceful.”

"People are inherently shallow, Juana. Men are even shallower.”

"But still, how can those gentlemen who are highly regarded in society act so blatantly? And what about the señoras? Suddenly being so friendly."

"I used to be shallow too. More than them.”

"When was that?"

Instead of answering, Inés gave a subtle smile.

As the first lady of the prince, her first life was shallow to the point of being superficial. Perhaps as life became emptier, as she distanced herself from Oscar, as she was betrayed and deceived, as she received contempt from the royal family... Inés adorned herself with wing-like garments, seemingly replacing that emptiness, becoming the center of attention at various gatherings, drawing people's interest.

From head to toe, she loved everything extravagant. Praises of her beauty, compliments of being the most elegant woman in Ortega momentarily filled her with joy, pushing aside her anguish. The fleeting attention of people, the servility of those who sought to please her, the power wielded like a halo over her by her father and the despised Oscar.

But when she pointed the gun at her own throat, did any of those things matter even a bit? Nothing became a reason for her to live longer.

"Well, I could have adorned you even more beautifully. I put up with it because I knew you would hate anything that was inconvenient… It was a wedding without even a dress tailored special for the Señora. I prepared properly in advance. How disgraceful must it have been?"

"It's a wedding, so even if it's shallow, it creates a hospitable atmosphere.”

The admiration of noblewomen, the courtship and desire of young noblemen... Though it was a faint memory from her past life, experiencing it again, even briefly, was still exhilarating.

It wasn't just their shallowness that had once been her friends. At some point, she had been one of them.

But even the smallest reminder of her first life, at times, sometimes bleeds as if she swallowed a blade.

Oscar's presence, now merely amusing, still couldn't elicit even a fake smile from Inés. Mocking aside...

Her days in that life were filled with frustration, with miserable survival. The despair and anger she felt daily didn't become any less significant just because he seemed ridiculous now. [ʏᴜʟʜᴇʏᴜɴ] Even though everything was fading away...

Especially if that tedious life reminded her of an even more despairing next life.

Inés looked at her reflection in the mirror and recalled two different wedding ceremonies. The first, a night where she fretted over even the smallest speck on her mirror-self, fearing it might tarnish her pristine appearance—the second, she got married in that small country chapel, borrowing an old woman's veil.

At that time, she couldn't look at herself because she didn't have a mirror, so she just looked at Emiliano's expression and guessed how it would be more appropriate to wear a veil. Emiliano just looked at her in fascination no matter what, so that wasn't much help but...

That alone was enough for one memorable night.

Her long hair, still partially damp, was coated with oil, emitting a subtle sheen, while the thin negligee she wore for the first night was revealing her beautiful shoulder line.

Unlike before when she hardly ate and looked quite thin, she now appeared reasonably attractive and healthy with a bit more weight on her.

"…I was worried about how Señora would be at the wedding, but thankfully, she was fine. I bet Captain saw Señora in a different light, so kind and gentle. And she was even laughing heartily. Of course, the Duchess said it was her first time seeing her like that…"

"I suppose.”

"And that's probably why Captain couldn't take his eyes off Señora throughout the banquet. Well, you have always been a great dancer."

"Is that so?"

"…And you kept dancing without showing any sign of discomfort, maybe out of respect for Captain's dignity?”

Juana spoke with anticipation. In response, Ines replied somewhat dryly, keeping the same smile on her face.

"Of course, because it's his first marriage."

"What do you mean? It's not like he's obligated to marry someone like Señora...."

It was the same throughout his other lives.

At twenty-six, as Inés remembered, Cárcel Escalante was unmarried and leading a bachelor's life, relinquishing the successor's position to Miguel. The details of his later life remained unknown, but he likely remained unmarried to avoid inheriting a title—or perhaps he married to evade such responsibilities. [ʏᴜʟʜᴇʏᴜɴ] Either way, it seemed likely he remained unmarried for life, enjoying his freedom and probably earning the resentment of women despite his deliberate avoidance of commitment.

Aside from the fact that she was planning to divorce the relationship, she had feelings for Cárcel in her own way, so she did not overlook that part and thought about it.

He couldn't bring shame and humiliation on his first attempt at marriage. No matter how the ending would be disastrous, that ending would be quietly - very peacefully resolved between them. Unlike weddings that begin with summoning all the nobles of Mendoza in one place.

The sense of responsibility not to cause harm from the start, the obsession with 'unilateral blame' also played a part. She would never explicitly harm him in this marriage, nor would she abandon any obligations, nor would she create any disqualifications.

As part of that determination, she danced as requested, smiling even if her heart was aching. Whether they harbored any curiosity or desire inside, they were guests, and she was the hostess of the party.

Cárcel remaining seated without responding was uncharacteristic of him, but if that was the case, then she had no choice but to respond enthusiastically...

"Oh, how surprised you must have been! The Duchess said so. The señors who asked Señora for a dance, they're all from great noble families. Why didn't you do that earlier?..."

"Enough talking about my mother. The preparations are also done."

"Oh, wait a moment, Señora. Just here.”

Before the first light of dawn, it was hard to believe she was a bride about to celebrate her first night, yet her mind was as peaceful as ever. Juana had applied perfume along her neck to her collarbones, making her fragrance even more prominent.

It was a wedding unlike any other, different from the times when they had starved themselves for three days and nights to prepare for the ceremony, or when they had laughed together without a mirror to look at each other's faces.

She reiterated her plans in her mind.

"It's okay, this kind of thing. As long as I finish what needs to be done correctly."

"Really, all you talk about is romance freezing to death... "

Although the marriage proceeded smoothly, lately Cárcel Escalante's actions had been gradually diverging from her expectations, so she was cautious.

Perhaps the words she used to put him at ease were too rushed. Unlike during their engagement when everything went according to her wishes, as they approached the wedding, the main premise of the plan kept getting distorted.

If that actually sparked his interest instead, it would be troublesome... Ines stared into the mirror as she gathered her thoughts.

Having even heard the word ‘ulterior motive’ directly, she had to show herself entering into this marriage without any hidden intentions. To prove him wrong. [ʏᴜʟʜᴇʏᴜɴ] To prove herself right.

In truth, he hadn't been wrong at all, but to keep Cárcel from realizing the whole truth until the end...

"I'll go to the bridal chamber now."

"Are you sure you're okay? Aren’t you nervous?”

"He knows women well. I just have to do what I was told”

"Really... Please show a bit of romance."

"The wedding night is a contract between families. There's no need for that kind of sentiment.”

‘Just do as he says. It's the first time, but not really the first time. The bed won't change anything, and I've already experienced enough of the kinky stuff in the unpleasant encounter with Oscar.’

She thought she would responsibly fulfill all of Cárcel's demands on the wedding night. Just like a wooden stick. So that poor Cárcel Escalante wouldn't feel any enjoyment at all.