It's Too Late for Regrets - Chapter 5.3

‘…This is frustrating.’

Rayan let out a sigh and turned his eyes toward the sunset outside the window.

It didn’t feel good at all that that woman was avoiding him.
He had always believed she would be foolishly innocent and blindly devoted to him for life.
It was unpleasant, as always, when things didn’t go the way he expected.

“When the baby is born and grows a bit, Your Highness…”

Before he knew it, Ines had finished her cake and called out to him. That uncomfortable feeling in his heart eased a little at the sound of her voice.

“Yes? What is it?”

He didn’t even realize that his voice was softer than usual.

Rayan focused all his attention on her lips.

“I want to go down to the southern villa.”

But the words she spoke firmly made his insides twist again.

“What do you mean by that?”

His voice instantly turned sharp.

Meeting his doubtful green eyes, Ines slowly began to share what had been on her mind lately.

“Since we got married, I’ve been thinking… It feels like I don’t really matter here at the Grand Duchy.”

“…”

“My aunt is already at the estate anyway… It would be nice if the baby is a girl, but even if it’s a boy, I think it’s fine for him to stay with me until he’s five…”

“I’m sorry, Ines.”

Rayan’s cold voice cut her off.

“Whether it’s a girl or a boy, the baby will be Eleanor’s only direct heir. The sooner the succession education starts, the better.”

“…”

“If you’re asking to go on vacation with the child, one month. Any longer would be difficult.”

Ines’s face stiffened. Judging from her expression, she truly wanted to leave.
Even after having his child.

His head throbbed. Rayan pressed his temple and spoke roughly.

“What on earth do I have to do to stop you from always talking about leaving?”

“Not even this time?”

“That’s right. No.”

“Not even for three years?”

His wife, who had been avoiding him like she was doing it on purpose, finally looked him straight in the eyes for the first time in a long while.
And then she said:

“This child is not only the heir of Eleanor, but also has the blood of Jenaire.”

“What?”

“It’s Your Highness’s child, yes, but also mine.”

“…”

“I want to stay away at least until the child turns three.”

She wanted to leave. It had been a long time since those words came from Ines’s mouth.
Even with the woman right in front of him, that familiar thorn returned again.

Her words began to come out faster.

“The truth is, I want to go south right away. If Your Highness would only allow it.”

“You want to leave now?”

“Yes.”

The pale blue eyes, which had always seemed weak, now looked at him with a firm glow.
The displeasure that had surged up in him vanished, replaced by a sudden realization.

When they married, Ines had just turned twenty. She was still close to a girl with a trace of youth. The purity that once lingered in those blue eyes had disappeared for a time—only to return as if it had never left. Clearer and stronger than before.

It had been so long since Rayan saw that look in her eyes. He stared at her for a moment before hearing her next words.

“I’m not needed in Eleanor, Your Highness. I’ve thought about it a lot.”

“What have you thought about?”

“How long we have to continue this marriage.”

He must have misheard. He forced himself to speak calmly.

“What do you mean by that? You’re not saying you want a divorce, are you?”

“I am.”

His wife smiled. It had been a long time since he saw her smile so brightly.

And yet she dared to speak of divorce with that smile? Rayan’s face lost all expression.

Ines continued clearly.

“I saw all those marriage proposals piled on your desk. I know very well that there are many better options for you than me. Divorce may be dishonorable, but it’s still better than keeping me as the Grand Duchess.”

“…”

“There are many fine ladies who could bring more honor to Eleanor. I think stepping aside would be more helpful to Your Highness…”

“Ines Eleanor.”

Ines stopped at Rayan’s voice.

It was the first time in three months she heard that tone—the one that faintly revealed his anger.

His green eyes looked like they could tear her apart.

“If you were going to bring up divorce, you should’ve done it before getting pregnant.”

While Ines was left speechless, Rayan’s sharp voice continued.

“Hearing this now, it just sounds like you want something from me. Am I wrong?”

“…”

“If I’m wrong, tell me. Why are you acting so differently these days?”

She hadn’t expected him to react like this.
She thought he’d agree to a divorce without hesitation.

Ines asked, puzzled:

“Didn’t Your Highness want a divorce as well?”

“Me?”

Rayan looked at her as if it was absurd. He stared at her for a moment, then asked in a low voice:

“Is it because of the letters in my office?”

She only stared at him quietly, but Rayan took that as confirmation.

While he was away, Kyra had accepted those marriage proposals just in case something happened in the future.
They were worthless papers, easily thrown away, but it must have upset her.

His voice began to show impatience.

“I won’t accept any more of them. They’re worthless anyway.”

“…”

“I have no intention of bearing the disgrace of divorce. If you misunderstood, I’m sorry.”

“…You’re sorry…”

For the first time in two years, Ines repeated the words he said—‘I’m sorry.’

I’m sorry.

What exactly was he sorry for?

Was it for making her believe he wanted a divorce?

But that wasn’t the problem. The letters were just a trigger.

Ines whispered bitterly:

“There’s no need, Your Highness.”

She no longer expected enough from him to need an apology.

“There’s still half a year until the baby is born. Maybe Your Highness could take more time to think…”

“There’s no need to think.”

Rayan cut her off. His tone was sharp.

“Ines Eleanor. As long as you’re carrying my child, you’re not going anywhere.”

His eyes were more intense than ever.

But she knew he wasn’t saying this out of love.

Rayan had shown her a strong possessiveness many times.
But once she gave in and opened her body to him, he returned to being cold and indifferent.
The only thing he ever seemed to want was her thin, frail body.

It was obvious he didn’t even like the child in her belly. He just wanted to raise the baby to his liking.

Just like he had tried to brainwash her.

The idea of letting him do the same to her child was terrifying.
She wanted the child to live a different life from hers.

But the child would resemble her too much—so much that unless they belonged to Eleanor, they would have nowhere to stand.

Just because she was the mother.

So it was her place to cling to Rayan. Even if she felt pathetic and disgusted by herself, there was no choice.

She didn’t know how much longer she’d live.

Her child needed a father. Someone who could protect them after she was gone.

Ines raised her downcast eyes again.

“If that’s the case, Your Highness, then please protect them.”

“Protect who?”

“My child. Please, Your Highness, protect our baby so they can be born safely.”

“You speak as if there’s someone in this house who would harm Eleanor’s heir.”

Her throat tightened.

Ines remembered all too well how Rayan had reacted when she first spoke to him about Kyra.

If it were me, I would’ve at least made some effort to win your aunt’s favor.

That was the first time she saw her husband truly angry.

She was afraid of seeing that side of him again. Just the memory of it crushed her with fear.

In a faint voice, Ines whispered:

“There’s always the possibility, Your Highness.”

“…”

“Even if I die, my child must live.”

“Ines.”

Rayan couldn’t hold it in and called out to her again. Something was definitely wrong with her today.

Die? Who? Why?

Why would his wife talk like that?

Rayan stared at her in disbelief.

“Why would you say something like that?”

Who in this Grand Duchy would dare to harm the Grand Duchess?

This estate, this country—it had belonged to Rayan even before he was born.

His will was Eleanor’s will. As long as he had no intention of casting her aside, Ines would be safe here for life.

Yet her blue eyes pierced straight into him again.

The presence of Ines—the name, the memory—grew larger in his heart.

In the end, Rayan nodded.

“I promise. So please, don’t ever bring up a topic like this again.”

“…”

Ines lowered her head. For some reason, she felt like crying.

Early that spring, the long-standing problem of the barbaric Torgen tribe, the chronic sore of Eleanor, flared up again.

One of the main reasons was that the Grand Duke hadn’t led the army himself for several months. This time, he couldn’t delay it any longer.

It was the most unstable time for Eleanor—both inside and out.

Rayan anxiously counted the days.

‘Four months until the baby is born. Can I wipe out Torgen before then?’

Time was tight. He even briefly considered taking Ines to the frontier with him.

But no matter how he looked at it, that fragile woman couldn’t possibly endure such harsh conditions while pregnant.

“…Guess I have no choice.”

Even though the thought of being away from her for a long time made him uneasy, there was no other option.

In truth, now was the best time for a campaign.

Ines’s belly was growing, and until the baby was born, she would be stuck in the mansion anyway.

After the baby was born… who knows when she might slip away.

There wasn’t much to debate.

Thus, the date for the third campaign against Torgen was set.

The promise he made to Ines—to protect the child and ensure a safe birth—was already far from his mind.

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