Chapter 29
“Why is he staring at me like he’s about to die of happiness?”
If he had a tail, it would’ve been wagging furiously from side to side, that’s how full of attachment Damon’s eyes were as they looked at me.
Embarrassed, I frowned at him.
“I don’t know why you suddenly changed your mind! Damon, I don’t want to live under the same roof as you, not even for a moment. So please, stop doing useless things.”
This was especially a warning not to try to get on my good side or pretend to be close.
“If that’s what you wish, I will quietly do nothing.”
“Quietly leave, please. We agreed on that.”
“That’s not possible. I cannot leave you alone.”
Damon shook his head firmly.
Since he had never really listened to me anyway, telling him to leave seemed useless.
“If you don’t go, I’ll have no choice but to leave. If that’s what you want…”
It was frustrating, but I had no choice but to leave Middletown temporarily.
Turning my head, I sighed as I looked affectionately at the beautiful mansion.
“After all the effort put into decorating… tsk!”
Every corner, even my room’s windows, terrace, and curtains, had been filled with my love and care.
“I’ll give you three days. If you don’t sign the divorce papers and leave this house by then, I will leave instead. And I won’t give you the wasteland, either.”
“Clarissa. Everything I own is yours.”
“What nonsense…”
I swallowed the words that wanted to escape and shook my head slightly.
“Damon. Don’t make me a bad woman. I’ve given my best to you so far. During that time, my heart got battered and bruised. I don’t want to waste any more time on you.”
“You don’t have to do anything. I will make the effort.”
“No. I don’t expect anything from you anymore. Except for never seeing you again.”
My words seemed to shock him; his golden eyes trembled.
A hot, humid breeze blew, ruffling his wet hair.
Damon, looking a bit dazed and breathing heavily, stepped closer to me.
“I owe you far too much. So please, give me time to be forgiven.”
“If you feel indebted to me, hurry. I can’t wait more than three days.”
I cut him off, holding up three fingers.
“If you continue resisting after that, I’ll leave. To a place where I’ll never have to see you again. That’s it.”
“Clarissa…”
As I headed for the carriage, he reached out his hand.
I quickly turned to avoid his touch and walked toward the carriage.
That’s when I saw a black carriage crossing the garden.
Its wheels were painted deep purple, and the roof was decorated in gold.
“The Dark Underworld matriarch, Madame Diab’s carriage!”
Madame Diab was the feared matriarch of the criminal underworld, with purple hair and pitch-black eyes.
Rumors said she was the illegitimate child of a foreign king or a pirate’s daughter. The most credible story claimed she had been sold in the back alleys for a sack of potatoes.
Born during a long famine, she was likely a farmer’s daughter, some speculated.
Clever and beautiful, Diab quickly became infamous in the streets.
It was said there was no man who met her only once.
Diab had become the widow of a count, washed her identity, and dominated high society. Not content with that, she inherited her late husband’s position and opened a dress shop, famous for its provocative, luxurious designs.
Through her clientele, she began collecting sensitive information and eventually became a guild leader.
“Plus, there’s a rumor she’s Damon’s mistress.”
Anne, the maid, had reluctantly revealed this. That woman was Diab.
Whether Diab was truly Damon’s mistress was irrelevant.
The fact that she entered my yard without permission, uninvited, left me speechless. I glared at her carriage.
I didn’t want to confront her, but I waited with arms crossed, wary of seeming like I was fleeing if I boarded the carriage.
Finally, the carriage stopped, and Diab, her long purple hair flowing and black dress fluttering, stepped down.
“Damon. Are you alright? Your face is half ruined. Is it okay to be out like this?”
Diab ignored me entirely, showering Damon with concerned words.
“Damn, she’s stunningly beautiful.”
It wasn’t just her looks—Diab radiated a dangerously intoxicating allure. Even as a woman, I was slightly stunned by her gem-like eyes and soft, enchanting voice.
“Diab. You should greet my wife first.”
“Oh, my! I was so worried about Damon, I didn’t even think to greet you. But weren’t you shocked? Almost losing such a handsome and capable husband, nearly becoming a widow!”
Diab looked at me, frowning beautifully.
“You look more surprised than I do. You two enjoy your time together. I have to go out now.”
“What? Don’t just leave, Clarissa. Don’t misunderstand me and Diab. We’re just business partners. Right, Diab?”
Damon spoke, and Diab smiled brightly, linking her arm with his.
“Of course. We communicate well, and we work well together physically too.”
“Diab! Why would you say something that invites misunderstanding? It’s true we work well together, but you don’t say it like that!”
“Oh, Damon. Are you being cautious of the Baroness? How cute!”
“Let go! Diab!”
“Hohoho.”
Watching their tussle, I couldn’t help but blurt out with disbelief:
“Countess Diab, if Damon’s that cute, do you want him?”
“Are you serious?”
“Of course. Take my husband out of my house immediately. Goodbye.”
Hoping to never see Damon or Diab again, I climbed into the carriage.
“What kind of life made a person like that?”
Watching Clarissa’s carriage fade into the distance, Damon sighed quietly.
In her past life, no cruel family or indifferent husband had troubled her; she must have lived solely for herself, without being used or sacrificing herself.
Perhaps that was why she demanded a divorce.
“Having lived freely in her previous life, she wants to do the same in this one.”
Now, Damon wanted to grant her every wish—even if it was a divorce.
But he couldn’t do so immediately because of Federic.
Federic’s twisted obsession with Clarissa had provoked all sorts of trouble. He had attempted to kidnap her before the wedding and had tried to kill Damon on the wedding day.
At Aileen and Valentine’s engagement party, Damon realized Federic’s obsession had reached its peak.
Federic not only stared at Clarissa dancing but secretly took the champagne glass she used.
The next day, when searching for the magic tome in the Racton mansion, Federic’s room contained not only the glass but her handkerchief, gloves, and hat.
Recalling that gave Damon chills.
Federic had no intention of giving up and was obsessed with possessing her, even if it meant killing her.
“In the end, he had Ingis fire a poisoned arrow at me.”
Since Damon survived, Federic might target Clarissa next.
If she divorced, Damon feared he’d immediately act to seize her.
“Millen! Follow her and provide protection.”
“Protection, sir?”
“Guard her. Many would dare trouble delicate and beautiful Clarissa. Take two more knights with you, now!”
Millen could obey Damon’s orders without question.
Having healed the ailing old Duke and secured a peaceful life as Craig’s gatekeeper, Millen owed Damon everything.
“Understood!”
“Make sure no other man approaches my wife. If Federic tries anything, use a magic receiver to call me. Stay alert.”
“Yes, Master!”
Millen led two knights to chase Clarissa’s carriage.
Diab, who had remained silent until now, lifted her chin, looking incredulous.
“Damon, didn’t you marry to separate Princess Aileen? But from what I’ve seen, you seem to care deeply for the Baroness. What’s going on?”
“Yes, I care. Because she is my wife. I feel I could die for her.”
Damon vowed never to let Clarissa sacrifice herself or die due to devotion.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Crazy… Damon Craig falling in love.”
Damon blushed deeply, denying it.
“Love? It’s not that fluffy emotion. I worry about her, fear she might be hurt, scared she could die. I must protect her.”
“That’s love.”
“No!”
Damon snapped, and Diab giggled.
“Hohoho. What’s so embarrassing about loving your wife? You haven’t even slept together yet? Oh dear, poor Baroness.”
Diab’s gaze was full of scorn, as if she thought a husband refusing intimacy deserved punishment.
Damon awkwardly scratched the back of his head.
“Why did you come? We agreed to meet only at the secret trading guild.”
“I was worried you got hit by a poisoned arrow, and I urgently needed to report on Duke Racton. If you treat me like a meddler, I won’t give you any info!”
Diab threatened Damon, implying she wouldn’t cooperate with his future revenge if he continued ignoring her.
