The Broken Ring: This Marriage Will Fail Anyway Chapter 9

Chapter 9

'That's how much I'm not interested in you. Escalante.’

Yes, it wasn't something like tolerance. But why? Cárcel continued to pace in a manner reminiscent of navigating a maze.

A misconception? Calling it a misconception? Thinking about the shy girl who, at seven, eight, nine, ten, and then eleven……. had sent him countless gifts and letters, he concluded that it couldn't be a mere misconception.

Wasn't the curt speech and stern expression eventually part of embarrassment? Unlike her actions in front of him, his fiancée had once used very affectionate language. [ʏᴜʟʜᴇʏᴜɴ] Well, in written words, that is.

Inés was always quick to open her mouth, spewing either dull moralistic words or condescending remarks that treated him with disdain. And even that was infrequent enough to make it hard to hear. However, at least in her letters, he could discern her sincerity.

Countless words expressing concern and worry for him. Affectionate blessings and expressions of love. Ardent expressions that left him with no way to respond or reciprocate the affection……

To the point where it became overwhelming, Inés Valeztena once liked him. Clearly.

‘…...Once?’

Cárcel felt a twinge of unease in his thoughts.

No, so... From the time they entered adolescence, everything began to wane.

It's adolescence, after all. Voices change, bodies change, and isn't it entirely natural for somewhat awkward interactions between growing boys and girls? Of course, young Cárcel couldn't have found girls challenging back then, but Inés was always an exception.

Back then, they were awkward around each other. It's only natural for distances to grow. And at some point, she stopped even calling his name, and then at another moment.…..

Cárcel muttered to himself, burying his puzzled face in his palm.

"Since then? Or perhaps before entering the military academy...."

There seemed to be a sudden influx of questioning moments.

No, it's still strange. Even after that, Ines's unwavering affection toward him was well-known in the Mendosa social circles. Despite all the unfriendly glances directed at her…..

"...What's going on? Escalante."

Ines asked, noticing Cárcel sitting ominously in the room from a distance.

At least since then, you haven't been using formal language again... Cárcel leaned back, feigning nonchalance, and checked something with a relaxed posture.

He shouldn't answer right away as if he has been waiting for it. [ʏᴜʟʜᴇʏᴜɴ] Nothing seems more lacking than that.

He glanced at Ines, who was wearing a dark, tight-fitting dress that reached just above the ankles, buttoned all the way up to the neck, ensuring not a single strand of Ines's black hair, firmly pinned to avoid flowing loosely, escaped.

She has a color that is far from decorating every time she sees it. Even this remains the same as when she was young, but there is one thing that has changed in this room.

A well-developed figure that cannot be concealed even with those modest clothes resembling traditional attire…..

That was nothing but a ray of light for Cárcel in their future-like marriage. Especially that chest... It was so convenient to have a serious impression as if considering something serious even though you were thinking about something so trashy. Being handsome is not enough……

"...Why are you not interested?"

Contrary to his seemingly relaxed demeanor, what immediately sprang from Cárcel's sculpted lips was straight to the point.

As if she had completely forgotten Cárcel's presence, Ines, washing her hands with her back turned to him, let out a sigh without even glancing his way.

"Ines."

"Why on earth do you care?"

"Why are you not interested?”

She calmly finished washing her hands, even in the face of consecutive questions. The habitual act of compulsively washing hands seemed unchanged from the past to the present.

Cárcel, having decided to remain calmer, silently waited for it.

"It means nothing at all."

Finally, Ines turned around while drying her hands. Instead of a simple answer, Cárcel was taken aback by the rare sight of her glaring at him.

For a moment, an old habit pressed on his nerves. However, he was no longer the boy from those times; he was now a sturdy officer with three years of service. Cárcel stood up.

"That's not a satisfactory answer."

"Whether you find it sufficient or not is not something I particularly care about..."

"Ines Valeztena.”

She briefly displayed an expression of apparent annoyance and frustration, unsure of how to handle it. [ʏᴜʟʜᴇʏᴜɴ] Eventually, she composed herself with a determined expression.

"I was trying to make you comfortable."

"...How so?”

"I said it was okay because I already knew it, I said it was okay not to care about me, I said I didn't have to explain it, I told you to do what you wanted.”

".….."

"Is there anything here that falls short for you, even a little?”

Cárcel furrowed his handsome brow. There was a brief moment of silence.

As if he had suddenly gained insight, he murmured.

"Yeah. You were angry."

".…."

"So that's why you were so dismissive."

"… Me? When?”

No matter how much he thought, this seemed to be the only rational answer.

"If not, you would have forced words that aren't in your heart."

"What's forced?"

"You said you're not forgiving, but in reality, you are. And the truth is, you're not.”

Ines's determined expression slightly faltered. While there seemed to be a desire to ask what nonsense he was talking about, Cárcel interpreted that expression in his own way and continued speaking.

"Ines Valeztena, you tend to place too much importance on dignity. So, being jealous, fussing, hitting, getting angry – all of it must be uncomfortable for you.”

"Not at all."

"If not, then perhaps, by any chance, you're trying to gauge my reactions...”

While simmering in the denial of their spouses, pitiful noble ladies, unable to openly express themselves while discreetly watching their husbands. Of course, they weren't yet each other's spouses, but it was soon to be the case. Moreover, Inés unilaterally liked him, or used to like him……

However, Cárcel, realizing how frighteningly incoherent his words were about to become, stopped speaking and discarded them.

Who cares about whose reactions... Ines laughed as if he had read the realization.

"Even thinking about it yourself, it doesn't seem to make sense, right."

"Yeah."

"Whatever happened, Escalante, what does any of this matter?"

".……"

“If anyone saw this, they would think I had a man.”

“…….do you have?”

"Does it matter?"

Cárcel forcibly stopped the head that was about to nod unconsciously. Ines let out a sigh, visibly annoyed.

"I am the flower of a wall that no one dares to touch, and the crow of Valeztena. As your cousin once said.”

"…....The reason men don't pursue you is that you already have an exceptionally handsome fiancé. And...”

Her attire was modest, so it was natural not to stand out, but occasionally, she stood out like a crow sitting among colorful birds.

So if it’s that figure, even foolish noble guys would... Cárcel seemed like he wanted to say more, but he just pursed his lips and kept silent.

He couldn't line up his chest or waistline like a piece of trash on that noble face based on the argument that 'I'm just too good-looking and you're not too bad'.

"And the reason women are after you so much is that, unlike you, my charm is not so intimidating."

“…….”

"I know. And I really don't care... Escalante, seriously, I mean it. If we really need to discuss matters between us, I should be the one doing it, but I really don't want to. It's just too bothersome and... excessively tiresome.”

“…….”

"It's also something useless between us.”

“…….”

"So, stop the crazy act of investigating me just because I don't investigate and bother you.”

Ines passed by Cárcel with her head fluttering. [ʏᴜʟʜᴇʏᴜɴ] He watched where Ines disappeared, turned his head after a brief moment.

"So, what you're saying is, our relationship is...”

“—You are a good man to marry.”

It was a phrase he had never heard before. Even countless women who would want to drive Ines away and marry him wouldn't agree with that sentiment.

"I have no complaints about this marriage. It's the same for you... There's no reason to ruin our relationship over such trivial matters."

"...Trivial? How so?”

Cárcel briefly reflected on his actions and immediately questioned.

"Is there something broken in you?”

The head. He gestured to his own head while she wasn't looking.

The more he spoke—pleading for punishment, blame, a beating, behaving like a pervert despite her reassurances that she was okay—the more Cárcel became concerned about her. A good man to marry. Trivial issues... Unless something is wrong with his head…….

"My head is fine."

Cárcel paused, looking at Ines turning around. Just as he thought she might sigh again, she approached him.

"I know the feeling of jealousy too. I can get angry, and I'm good at fussing too."

"…. Really?"

"Hitting too... I might be good at it if I exercise a bit more. I'm generally good at everything.”

Amidst this, she unexpectedly expressed a sense of pride. Cárcel nodded.

"I see."

"But that's trivial, isn't it? I mean, how much can it hurt if I hit you with these hands?”

Although memories of being hit a few times a decade ago were far from trivial, it was nonetheless the delicate hand of a slender woman. Cárcel nodded again.

"So, if you betray me, I'll kill you."

"...Is that the conclusion?”

The harsh words that came out of Ines's mouth were hard to believe. [ʏᴜʟʜᴇʏᴜɴ] From saying it's a trivial matter, she suddenly declared that she would kill him if he betrayed her. Wasn't there something in between? Wouldn't there be a less extreme response….

While Cárcel seemed momentarily perplexed, Ines grabbed his arm and planted a soft kiss on his lips.

"That's so for the man I love.”

“…….”

"Escalante. You know my personality isn't great by default."

To say the least. Ines's personality wasn't just not great; it was on the verge of being bad. However, Cárcel's awareness halted at 'the man I love.’

More precisely, 'for the man I love.'

"So, I don't want to waste unnecessary effort on a man I don't even like, like you."

It was a confirmatory killing.