I No Longer Have Love to Offer You - Chapter 6

“Are you really sure about this?”

Startled by Ricardo’s words, Mirabelle had been lost in memories of the past when Marietta’s questioning voice lifted her gaze.

“That’s right. Just as Ricardo said.”

(Though I was never truly convinced.)

She added this silently in her heart, of course without voicing it aloud.

(Now that I think about it, the reason for our “white marriage” was also explained the day after the wedding.)

During breakfast the morning after their wedding, a meal filled with awkward tension following that shocking night Ricardo had reiterated his reasons for marrying Mirabelle.

Namely, that finding a suitable groom rather than becoming a bride was difficult since most good candidates were either already engaged or married.

Namely, that searching for a partner now would likely yield no worthwhile prospects.

Namely, that he owed a debt to Mirabelle’s parents, and marrying her would be the best way to help her. However, to him, Mirabelle would always remain just an important childhood friend nothing more so he wished for theirs to be a white marriage.

In short, that was the gist of it.

Her uncle had told her she didn’t need to marry right away, but Ricardo was right finding a suitable partner now would indeed be difficult.

(But that doesn’t mean I wanted a white marriage. And to bring up something so important only after we’re already married…)

Though their engagement had been brief, there had been opportunities to discuss it. They even lived in the same mansion. There was no shortage of chances to talk or consult each other.

Ricardo had deliberately chosen not to tell Mirabelle. She realized this immediately.

(As for why I suppose there’s no need to dwell on it.)

On their wedding day, Ludovic and Marietta had congratulated them. The answer had already been clear then.

“I never thought Ricardo would beat me to it. But I’m glad things have settled down. Now I can invite you both over without hesitation, even after Marietta and I are married.”

“That’s right. I thought we wouldn’t be able to see each other for a while since Ludovic said having a bachelor around a newlywed couple would be awkward. But now that worry’s gone. Once we’re married, you and Mirabelle must come visit.”

“…Right. I knew what you and Marietta were concerned about. I’d like for us Mirabelle and me to keep interacting as families from now on.”

Mirabelle had listened to their conversation beside Ricardo. Some parts had bothered her, but she told herself she was overthinking it.

(Ludovic knew Ricardo’s feelings, so he must have genuinely been worried for him. Of course, there was probably also some concern about avoiding any misunderstandings between Ricardo and Marietta.)

Ludovic was earnest by nature and fully understood how much Ricardo had been hurt when he and Marietta fell in love.

(As for Marietta… Did she really not notice Ricardo’s feelings? But then again, Marietta has always taken things at face value. She likely meant exactly what she said. Even if she lacked some consideration…)

Being hurt by words spoken without malice or awareness was Mirabelle’s own issue.

And then there was Ricardo.

(Ricardo chose to marry me so he could stay by Marietta’s side.)

That realization crushed Mirabelle.

The thought that had briefly crossed her mind when she overheard the three of them talking now solidified into certainty.

(To keep seeing Marietta, he had to convince Ludovic that he no longer had any special feelings for her. And the quickest way to do that was to marry me.)

Had things been normal, Ricardo would never have proposed this to Mirabelle. And if her parents had still been alive, they would have surely seen through his intentions.

But as things stood, Mirabelle could neither inherit the family nor find a husband. And she was close enough to both Ludovic and Marietta that they could continue interacting as families after marriage.

Could there have been a more convenient match?

(Of course, if he’d outright disliked me, it would’ve been impossible. But at the very least, as childhood friends, there must have been some friendship there.)

And Ricardo must have realized Mirabelle’s feelings.

By proposing and maintaining the pretense of affection, he could smoothly secure the position he wanted.

(Or maybe, just maybe, he was slightly concerned about my unstable future.)

Was that just wishful thinking on her part?

(In this marriage, Ricardo gets to stay close to Marietta, and I who love him get to marry him without future worries. So, everything neatly falls into place. That’s what he thought, isn’t it?)

How utterly arrogant.

(And if that was his plan, he should’ve just gone through with the wedding night instead of declaring a white marriage. At least then I wouldn’t have realized his scheme by now.)

But Ricardo had chosen a white marriage. Was it his unyielding principle? Or was it his twisted devotion to Marietta, even after doing something so cruel to Mirabelle?

Or perhaps…

(Don’t tell me… Does he plan to take Marietta from Ludovic someday?)

If Ricardo ever found a way to claim Marietta, he could say his marriage to Mirabelle was only on paper. That he’d married her out of pity to save her from ruin, making himself seem even nobler.

(How despicable.)

This wasn’t how Mirabelle had wanted her feelings to be realized. She had even considered leaving everything behind, abandoning her place as his childhood friend.

Yet here she was, dragged back.

Trapped in an inescapable cage.

As memories of past despair resurfaced, Mirabelle shot Ricardo a sharp glance.

“Ours is a white marriage. Just as you wished, Ricardo.”