Acidity of Regret Ch 21
- Dec 21, 2025
- 7 min read
Julian’s gaping mouth vividly displayed just how shocked he was. Declan, thinking he wanted to shut that mouth for him, coolly nodded his head.
At an unexpected point, with an even more unexpected name popping up, Julian couldn't form words and just opened and closed his mouth like a fish.
From Carter to Julian, the reactions of those around him expressing 'astonishment' were identical, as if scripted. So, he couldn't help but ask.
[Declan] "Is it that surprising?"
[Julian] "Is it just that? The fact that you're getting married is surprising enough, but why on earth is the partner..."
Julian rubbed his face dryly, as if his words were blocked and he couldn't continue.
[Declan] "What about the partner?"
When Declan asked in a nonchalant tone, Julian revealed a gaze filled with complex emotions. The look heavily implied, Do you really not know why I'm asking?
When one thought of 'Vanessa Rohawk,' more than a few modifiers came to mind immediately. A beautiful appearance, the Angel of Ingzella, the daughter of a family protected by the Goddess.
However, all those honorable titles were now dusty and sullied. Now, she was merely a sinner stripped of her title.
Becoming a national sinner was bad enough, but the charge was 'treason.' And Declan was a collateral blood relative of the Imperial Family, the very target of that treason.
What an absurd combination. That was why his jaw wouldn't close.
Even so, Julian didn't intend to point out every single detail. Declan Vinkart was a thorough and cold-blooded man. It made no sense for such a man to enter a marriage unaware of this situation.
The Grand Duke fully understood her plight and circumstances, and yet he had decided to proceed with the marriage. His unwavering attitude made that abundantly clear.
[Julian] "...Does the Imperial Family know about this marriage?"
Declan, gulping down his drink, answered indifferently.
[Declan] "No."
[Julian] "What? Th-then you intend to go through with it without even getting permission?"
[Declan] "I intend to marry Vanessa Rohawk; why do I need the Imperial Family's permission for that?"
Declan leaned back against the sofa, crossing his arms as if daring him to challenge it. His twitching eyebrow revealed his displeasure without filter.
[Julian] "...You're serious."
Julian was surprised anew. It was the first time Declan had shown such genuine emotion regarding the Imperial Family.
The Imperial Family and the Vinkart Grand Duchy were entangled in countless deep and dark interests.
Within that lay a hidden history not revealed to the public. Specifically, that a faction of the Imperial Family had plotted to eliminate competitors, pushing their collateral relatives to the brink of death.
However, the Grand Ducal family did not crumble under such cruel treatment but survived tenaciously.
As a result, they made this barren land prosper and became the sole masters acknowledged by all the people of the Duchy. That trust thickened as the Grand Duke hunted demonic beasts, fulfilling the role of a fortress perfectly.
They were connected to the Imperial Family by blood, but that was dismissed as a tale from a very distant past. Now, rather than family, they were no different from business partners holding hands for mutual benefit.
In fact, now that the status of the Vinkart Grand Duchy had risen to a level incomparable to before, if they didn't volunteer as a fortress against the beasts, the Ingzella Empire would face a major crisis. In that respect, the Duchy was no longer in a position where it had to bow blindly to the Imperial Family.
Even so, outwardly, Declan appeared to serve them thoroughly. But his inner thoughts were not much different from what others guessed. He knew clearly that he didn't need the Imperial Family's permission regarding his personal affairs.
[Julian] "When Helia hears this news, there's going to be quite an uproar."
Julian pressed his temples firmly as if his head already ached.
Helia was Julian’s sister, who had fallen in love with Declan at first sight and chased after him, pining for him day and night. Growing up receiving only love, she was a lady praised as the top beauty of the social circle within the Duchy.
Therefore, she was overflowing with confidence, and because of that, she had no doubt she would become the mistress of this Grand Ducal house.
Declan hadn't shown her even a speck of interest, but she steadfastly continued her love, thinking she could turn his heart with her own power. Her love, unyielding even against the dissuasion of those around her, was as devoted as a sunflower.
The face of his sister, blushing just at the sight of Declan, floated before his eyes. It was obvious she would weep and wail enough to bring down her bedroom when she heard this news.
[Julian] "She might even barge into the ceremony and make a mess of it."
Despite Julian’s sincere worry, Declan smirked and spoke as if there was nothing to worry about.
[Declan] "I plan to finish it simply, without a ceremony."
He poured alcohol into his glass, finding it quite unfamiliar that he was discussing marriage with someone he knew.
[Declan] "So there won't be anything for her to barge into and mess up."
[Julian] "No ceremony? Why?"
[Declan] "I think you know that better than I do."
Julian groaned shortly after. The very thing he had questioned earlier was the cause.
Because Vanessa Rohawk was a sinner.
Even if they organized a lavish and beautiful ceremony, the seats would only be filled with people who thought unpleasantly of it, just like him.
It should be a place to receive congratulations, but it was obvious that only bad words regarding her would come out. And that would clearly hurt Vanessa Rohawk.
So, not proceeding with a ceremony might be beneficial to everyone in many ways.
Of course, from Declan’s standpoint, it didn't matter at all if they held a ceremony. Well, even if his honor as a noble was scratched by marrying a sinner, the Grand Duke was the type who didn't care about such things originally.
His decision to boldly omit the once-in-a-lifetime wedding ceremony was likely heavily intended for the bride’s sake.
[Julian] "Do you love Vanessa Rohawk?"
When his thoughts reached that point, Julian couldn't help but ask.
Declan, who was tilting his glass, paused at the stealthily approached question. Julian was staring at him with eyes devoid of any playfulness.
A heavy silence hung in the room for a moment.
Julian had asked, but he was the one flustered. Seeing such consideration, he was sure the emotion called love was deeply embedded, but unexpectedly, the Grand Duke did not answer.
Finally, when Declan’s elegant lips parted...
[Declan] "Why ask such a thing?"
He brought up something absurd, completely unrelated to the question.
[Julian] "Because you're getting married."
[Declan] "Why is that so surprising?"
[Julian] "...You know why."
[Declan] "Because of my parents?"
This time, Julian’s mouth, which had been answering smoothly, clamped shut. It was as good as an affirmation.
Declan smirked and tossed the overflowing glass into his mouth. The potent liquid flowing down his esophagus burned his throat. Yet, the memories encompassing his mind were even more miserable, so he had no time to feel that pain.
He recalled his parents' relationship, which was like shattered glass fragments.
A father who loved a woman other than his mother, and a mother who went mad from not receiving that father’s love.
In his memory, there was no image of them laughing affectionately together. His father was always indifferent, and his mother always wept. His father was steeped in inferiority and defeat, and his mother withered away, thirsty for love.
Family should be a relationship implying warmth, but the fence Declan experienced was always thin ice. It was like glass shards that cut and drew blood if you reached out. No matter how much they tried to embrace, it was a relationship where they only scarred each other.
What is love? What the hell is that love?
As memories he had forcibly buried and never looked at surfaced, his mood plummeted uncontrollably. His insides felt crushed enough to make him want to return to before the reminiscence.
He silently increased the speed at which he tilted his glass.
If the 'love' Julian referred to resembled that of his parents, Declan could say without hesitation.
[Declan] "No."
Whenever he saw her, he thought of the corners of her eyes bending gently, as if she had found a sanctuary. How was she made that even such trivial parts were pretty?
Whenever he looked into her clear face, where no flaw could be found, he sometimes understood why they said she received God's love in abundance.
He thought, If that isn't a face loved by God, what is?
Contrary to his mind blurring from the alcohol, the silhouette of the woman shimmering on his retina only became clearer.
[Declan] "I don't love her."
The soft voice of the woman whispering that she liked him hovered in his ears like an echo.
It was late.
Vanessa, who had been reading a book, widened her eyes at the loud knocking. She knew there was only one person who could visit her bedroom as he pleased, but the uncharacteristic knock pounded on her heart.
She closed the book, stood up, and headed for the door. Swallowing hard, she opened it to find Declan leaning against the wall, looking at her.
As his familiar face came into view, her elevated heart rate quickly found its rhythm.
She took a step toward him, then paused at the sudden smell.
[Vanessa] "Did you drink?"
Declan, with eyes looser than usual, stared straight at her wordlessly. Then, suddenly, he reached out and pulled her into his embrace.
Vanessa was flustered by the abrupt hug, but she didn't even have time to feel that emotion due to the weight leaning on her. Her legs, tensed to keep from falling, wobbled aimlessly.
[Vanessa] "D-Declan. We're going to fall."
He rubbed his face against her shoulder as if seeking warmth. A much stronger scent of alcohol wafted from his breath.
Thinking someone might see them if they stayed by the door like this, she quickly led him inside.
In the process, they almost fell several times, but thanks to him holding up on his two legs, they managed to avoid any mishaps.
Only after seating him on a chair did she realize sweat had formed on her forehead. Perhaps because his frame was twice hers, she had quite a hard time dragging him just from the door to here.
Sitting on the chair, Declan frowned slightly as if he had a headache. She turned her body, intending to bring him a glass of water at least. But before she could take a step, her wrist was caught, and she was pulled back in front of him.
Declan hugged her waist tightly, like a kitten seeking its owner's embrace. Vanessa was a little taken aback by the skinship that was unreserved today, but she didn't show it. Since they were soon to be husband and wife, she thought a hug wasn't a big deal.
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