MHYFMAMD Ch 9
by rosey“Is that all you have to say?”
“Pardon?”
“In essence, you are saying you don’t want to marry that old man. If that’s the case, then anyone other than me would be fine, wouldn’t it?”
A voice, devoid of emotion, drew a line.
With his hands clasped together on his lap, he presented a completely different demeanor. While his previous demeanor had at least shown an attempt at listening, now there was no room for compromise.
His cold eyes looked down at Tenesia.
“While I understand the unfortunate circumstances of the lady, you seem to have approached the wrong person. It might be better for the lady to seek someone else, so I suggest that.”
“That’s not it.”
Tenesia shook her head vigorously.
It couldn’t be anyone else. Only Dietrich would do. Her life, her very existence, was dedicated to him.
“I can provide information that would satisfy Your Excellency… ”
“Information? That’s just a single letter.”
He flicked the letter.
“I still don’t see why I should help you, Lady Blanchette. What do you have left if you don’t have that letter?”
Something was off. Wasn’t he desperate for any information about Grace? Her mind raced with anxiety.
“There’s no need for further discussion. This meeting was made out of goodwill in my wife’s name, but from the onset, I have no intention of granting any favors.”
As if to mark the end of the conversation, he abruptly stood up. A cold breeze swept past her as she involuntarily rose to her feet.
“Well then, have a peaceful day.”
“Wait!”
Her action was quite impulsive.
Her bag was empty. Nothing to catch his attention, nothing to win his favor.
Yet, she couldn’t just leave. This might be her last chance. She reached out and grabbed Dietrich’s sleeve.
“There are more letters from Grace.”
Dietrich’s eyes widened at that moment.
“So… please, let’s talk a little more …”
Tenesia couldn’t finish her sentence. Suddenly, his grip tightened around her neck as if he was going to snap it.
“Hick!”
Her body convulsed. The cold, constricting grip tightened around her neck.
She couldn’t comprehend the situation.
Who was this man strangling her? Who was that glaring at her with such hostility?
Everything was different. Every look that touched her face, every touch on her skin was entirely different from when she was Grace.
Her fingertips were numb. His grip, strong enough to break her neck, was unlike anything she had ever experienced. This wasn’t the Dietrich she knew.
His scornful gaze swept over her skin. His twisted lips curled into a sneer, revealing the truth she had been trying to ignore.
To him, she was just a stranger.
“If you dare use my wife’s name again, I’ll kill you.”
His threatening voice was accompanied by a tighter grip on her neck.
“I thought I made myself clear. Do not use my wife’s name so carelessly.”
“Huh…”
“How far must I extend my tolerance?”
She gasped for air, her hands clawing at his grip. The suffocating pain was unbearable, but the sight of his unrecognizing eyes was even more tormenting.
Grace was gone from his sight. All he saw was a strange, unknown woman – Tenesia.
“Go on, lady, babble as you did before. Try to evoke some pity, won’t you?”
“M-Madness…,” Tenesia stammered on.
“…insomnia… because of… your madness… isn’t it?”
Dietrich’s actions halted.
“…Speak.”
Cough
Suddenly, his grip tightened.
“How would you know that, lady?”
“You need to let go of my neck…”
Dietrich stared at her with disbelief, then released his grip.
“Cough, cough!”
She gasped for air, opening every pore to find breath. As her compressed airway opened, tears that had pooled in her eyes streamed down her cheeks.
“Now tell me, how do you know about that?”
You told me. Tenesia barely managed to swallow the words rising to her throat.
“…Grace told me.”
“I told you to cut out the nonsense.”
His growl scratched roughly at his throat.
“Grace, my wife, spreading secrets to just anyone. Hah, make your lies at least believable.”
His threatening voice seemed ready to strangle her again at any moment. Different from when she faced him as Grace.
Tenesia had to admit. She had taken their reunion too lightly, perhaps even complacently. She thought he would be the same, just as she had returned to the same place.
‘…Five years.’
The years she was absent finally started to feel real.
Her husband had changed, for better or worse. Maybe what Sarah said wasn’t wrong after all.
‘What exactly happened?’