My Husband Picked Up a Woman - Chapter 17

Avenre di Mayze, the Dowager Grand Duchess, felt a wave of nausea at having to praise a commoner, but she had no choice. She had clearly noticed Briseis’s eyes reddening as if the words had struck a nerve. Briseis lowered her head slightly, her fiery red hair falling like a curtain to shroud her face in shadow.

To Avenre, that small movement was a satisfying confirmation of the girl’s pain.

“Thank you, My Lady! I want to marry a wonderful person like you and be sure to bear him a son,” Delilah chirped.

“What a precious thought.”

Avenre thought the sentiment was vulgar, but she liked the words. A mistress was just a mistress; she could be discarded the moment Damian grew bored. Even if she bore a child, it wouldn’t be a stain on the family as long as the child wasn’t officially recognized. Avenre intended to humiliate Briseis by humoring this girl until her usefulness or Damian’s interest ran out.

Briseis, however, was different. She was already married to her son, and she was a wicked girl who used the Philia family’s wealth to dampen Damian’s spirit.

“A woman must be submissive to her husband above all else. Miss Delilah, you should marry quickly once you graduate from the Academy.”

“May I ask why marrying early is so important?” Delilah asked, her eyes wide with a performative curiosity.

Avenre found the question affected, but it pleased her. As long as it kept Briseis silent and excluded, she was happy to indulge it.

“Marrying early means having children early. If I were your mother, I would have made you quit that Academy immediately.”

Delilah listened intently, feigning realization. Encouraged by her reaction, Avenre continued.

“Having a child even one year earlier makes you the proper mistress of the house. What power does a woman without a child have?”

“Really?”

“Of course. A child is proof of a woman’s devotion to the family. Only by bearing a child do you truly become a complete member of that household.”

As Delilah nodded in feigned awe, Avenre took it a step further.

“Refusing the wedding night is just foolish. There are rumors that playing hard to get wins a man’s heart, but that is a lie.”

“You are truly wise, My Lady.”

“Indeed. I was the mistress of this Grand Duchy for many years. Until my husband passed, I put in a great deal of effort.”

Briseis remained silent. It was obvious the barbs were aimed at her, as she had been refusing to share a bed with Damian since his return. But she had no desire to touch him. Before he had brought Delilah back, Damian was a man who had been shy even to hold her hand.

‘Why do you keep such a distance from me, Damian?’

‘Because I am trembling… I am just so nervous around you.’

That was the Damian she remembered. Now, he shared kisses with another woman and acted as her lover in public. He didn’t feel like the same man anymore. She couldn’t trust him.

“So, having the wedding night as quickly as possible and bearing a child is the wisest path for a woman?”

“Naturally. Men’s affections are simple; even if they stray, they will return once there are many children.”

Damian stayed quiet, feeling a bit embarrassed by his mother’s bluntness but satisfied nonetheless. He saw Briseis sitting with her head bowed and felt a surge of triumph. He thought she should take his mother’s “wise” advice to heart and beg for his forgiveness.

“Those are very true words,” Delilah agreed, clasping her hands.

Briseis knew Delilah didn’t actually agree. Even if the original story was twisted, some core of Delilah’s nature surely remained. If she truly believed Avenre’s words, she never would have insisted on attending the Academy. Enrolling in Wilhelm was entirely Delilah’s own ambition.

“By the way, Demi.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Finger foods were served, and the water and wine glasses were refilled.

“Has the wedding night still not happened?”

“…Do not concern yourself with a couple’s private affairs,” Damian said, glancing at Briseis. Their eyes met for an instant. Seeing the hurt in her sky-blue eyes, his heart raced with a sense of victory.

“I hear the girl wants to divorce you.”

“It is just a tantrum,” Damian replied dismissively.

Briseis closed her mouth, refusing to speak further.

“As Mother said, I am a simple man. If a woman acts like a woman should, my heart will return to her soon enough.”

“Ho ho ho. As expected, my son is wise.”

Damian looked at Briseis again. Seeing her look of disappointment and the way she stared at him, he spoke impulsively.

“Still, I believe a husband should grant his wife’s wishes.”

“Demi?”

Delilah smiled and toyed with the ring on her necklace. Damian’s eyes grew dull again as he smiled back at her.

“We won’t be having just one child, after all.”

“Quite right.”

Avenre laughed contentedly and signaled for the finger foods to be cleared. The appetizers arrived, but Briseis had no appetite. Finally, the main course was served.

“Ugh…”

Briseis bit into the veal steak and immediately grimaced; it was impossibly salty.

“I am so thrilled to be at the same table as someone so wise,” Delilah said to Avenre.

“Miss Delilah is quite charming. A woman should have such aegyo.”

Briseis realized her food was the only one affected when she saw the others eating normally. By the door, Helain, her mother-in-law’s trusted maid, was watching Briseis with a smirk.

“Brie? Why are you eating so little?” Damian asked.

“I’ve lost my appetite.”

“Hmph. Stay seated. How dare you try to leave the table when your elder is still present?” Avenre barked. She knew exactly why Briseis was reacting this way; the salt had been her own instruction.

Briseis wanted to snap, but she forced herself to endure. It would be easier to get a divorce if Damian remained the clearly responsible party. He needed the Philia fortune and her dowry—he would need that money to be happy with Delilah. The thought made her feel like she was suffocating with rage, but she held on.

“Damian.”

“Yes, Brie. Are you feeling unwell?”

“Switch plates with me.”

“Pardon? That is quite undignified, is it not?”

Damian, who had been acting with no dignity whatsoever regarding Delilah, seemed to hesitate at Briseis’s request. But seeing her eyes downcast, he said with a grand air of generosity, “Fine. Let’s switch.”

“Demi! As a noble, that is…!”

“Enough, Mother. I know you and Father did the same.”

“Demi! Even so…!”

Damian gave his mother a cold look. A servant quickly stepped forward and swapped their plates.

“I suppose I have upset your mood lately,” Damian said with a smirk, assuming Briseis was lashing out because she was hurt and wanted his attention like Delilah. “I haven’t even touched my food yet, so there is no breach of etiquette.”

“I see.”

Briseis had touched hers, but she didn’t care.

“If… if that is the case, give me the girl’s plate!” Avenre sputtered.

“I can eat what Brie has touched, but I’m not so sure about eating after you, Mother.”

“Would you like mine, My Lady?” Delilah asked brightly.

Avenre was flustered and signaled to Delilah for help, but the girl just kept smiling as if she didn’t understand.

“Shall I cut it for you, Brie?”

“I’m fine.”

Briseis pretended nothing was wrong and began cutting the veal steak on her new plate. She took a bite. The texture was excellent and the sauce was superb. But to her, it tasted like nothing, as if she were chewing on tough boot leather. It felt like a thorn was stuck in her throat, hurting her with every swallow.

“I love seeing you eat, Brie.”

Briseis looked at Damian instinctively as he spoke with a trace of his old self. Seeing his genuine smile and the way he seemed to care for her made her feel strange. The version of him she had loved was still there. It made it even harder to understand who he really was.

“You should eat too, Damian.”

“I will.”

He gave her a radiant smile. Avenre looked around frantically, but it was too late. She turned pale as she watched Damian cut a piece of the salty steak and put it in his mouth.

“Ugh…!”

The moment he bit down, Damian’s face twisted in shock at the overwhelming saltiness filling his mouth.