Dear Contract Husband, I Didn't Know You Were Like This? - Chapter 81
“I also sincerely hope that I can become such a brave person.”
Maya responded calmly.
‘If he finds out that I haven’t awakened, he’ll lose interest.’
Maya thought Reserfield would now let her go.
But Reserfield didn’t gesture for her to leave.
Instead, he tapped his fingers on the throne and asked another question.
“How is your relationship with your husband?”
Not surprising.
It was typical of Reserfield to ask rude questions, even about her relationship with Tristan, in front of everyone.
“Very good, sire.”
Maya answered with all the strength she could muster.
“Oh dear, but I’ve heard that even though you’re married, your family didn’t offer their congratulations.”
The direction of the conversation was becoming increasingly strange. Maya decided to be honest.
“My family has severed ties with me. I neither expected nor needed their congratulations.”
There was a collective gasp from the crowd. It seemed they didn’t expect Maya to admit it so openly.
‘If they thought I’d be hurt by something like this, they’re mistaken.’
Maya stifled a yawn internally and bowed her head.
“They say blood is thicker than water.”
Reserfield, who had ascended to the throne after killing his brother, shamelessly mentioned family as he waved to his attendant.
“To commemorate the union of House Bayarden and House Pendragon, I intend to restore your family ties.”
Hmm, people really don’t change.
Maya had already predicted who the attendant would bring.
Was it something she had unconsciously foreseen? She wasn’t surprised.
“Maya!”
Elise approached, dressed in extravagant clothes for the occasion.
Where did the money to buy all that come from?
“Maya, it’s me, your brother.”
Beside Elise, Maguire sneered.
“Congratulations on your marriage.”
You have plenty of money now, so we can start leeching off you, right?
Even without saying it, the words were clear.
The wretched ties that Reserfield intended to keep going.
If she accepted them here, they would cling to her openly.
Maya hesitated.
Since the emperor had brought her family, if she rejected them outright, it might be used against her.
‘Tristan said it was okay, but…’
There was no guarantee that the people of House Bayarden felt the same way.
Tristan might have said it was okay to cause a scene, but who knew if the people of House Bayarden would agree?
Maya made eye contact with Doshen. Her lips moved.
‘You can do… as you wish.’
It seemed Doshen shared Tristan’s sentiment.
“Let’s leave the congratulations at that. But isn’t it too much to sever ties completely? I think it’s time to reconcile.”
But when Maya had shouted at her family and left home, she found a new path.
‘There’s always another way.’
She didn’t want to leave any regrets behind.
She wouldn’t let the festering wounds inside her go untreated.
‘No matter what happens, I don’t care.’
If something happens, she’ll deal with it.
She wouldn’t leave regrets behind because of worries about the future.
‘Tristan also told me it was okay.’
Remembering Tristan’s words, Maya smiled brightly. Her radiant joy drew everyone’s attention.
Reserfield was no exception. He stared intently at Maya.
“Your Majesty, thank you, but I must decline.”
He stared at Maya so fixedly that it seemed he hadn’t heard her properly.
Maya frowned slightly at Reserfield’s dazed expression and continued speaking.
“Though it was my family who severed ties with me first, I believe it’s up to me whether to return or not. I have no intention of going back to the people who abandoned me.”
Although she maintained a polite tone, her attitude was nothing short of disrespectful, causing the nobles to murmur again.
“Hmm.”
Rather than getting angry at Maya’s rudeness, Reserfield looked at her with a curious gaze. He seemed to be silently observing what Maya would do next.
His unexpectedly docile behavior made Maya feel uneasy, but she didn’t want to dwell on it.
‘Instead, this is an opportunity.’
She needed to make it clear that she was completely separated from House Pendragon.
She had always disliked the perception that came with being a member of House Pendragon.
“I regret that I cannot follow Your Majesty’s wishes. I will take my leave now.”
“…You may leave.”
Was it just her imagination? Maya thought there was a hint of amusement in Reserfield’s voice.
“M-Maya!”
Elise, Otto, and Maguire hurriedly followed Maya, shocked that she would so openly reject them.
The nobles, intrigued by Maya’s blunt rejection, made way for her.
“M-Maya. But I’m still your brother.”
While crossing her arms—just in case someone tried to grab her hand—Maya eyed Elise coldly.
“Don’t even think about leeching off me. Go die in a gambling den for all I care.”
Then, with a smile as bright as a blooming flower, Maya looked at them with contempt.
“Because that’s the kind of death that suits you.”
