Doctor Caleb had never called her Lian. The old-fashioned middle-aged gentleman had drawn a line, saying people would look unfavorably if he used her nickname.

“Lian……”

Her gaze, which had been fixed on Brill’s large eyes, turned forward. He approached like he’s about to bury his face in Brill’s fur. With the horse in front and that person behind, she wasn’t sure if there was anywhere else to escape to……”

The moment his arms wrapped around her waist, Celian sensed it.

Too late.

“Lian, Lian……”

He was crying.

The ends of her shortened hair became damp with tears. While holding her and crying like that, he neither groped her chest nor kissed her.

“I thought you……”

She seemed to hear words he hadn’t even said: were dead.

Celian removed his hands. The man released her more easily than expected.

Only then could she turn to face him.

Her first impression was that this person was truly broken.

The news of him that occasionally reached the capital had been flawless. Even those who had been uncomfortable with his background all acknowledged him for his achievements. Being the son-in-law of the reinstated Marquis Berienne seemed to have played a part in elevating his honor.

However, the Izer Chesterfield she faced directly was very different from what she had imagined.

His slightly longer hair was brittle. And not just his hair — his skin and eyes were brittle too. Two holes gaped in his pale white face, both red — the pupils and the bloodshot whites.

His lips were cracked as if blood had dried on them. Among all this, only his chin looked clean, but looking closely, small scratches were visible.

His lips parted again.

“Lian,”

Her name coming from lips that could have belonged to a corpse felt strange. It didn’t make sense. From his perspective, it was Celian who had returned from death, yet he was the one who looked like he had returned from death.

Was it a dream?

Was it reality?

Was it a dream?

Was it reality?

A trembling hand stroked her cheek. The rough fingertips had almost no nails.

The moment she saw the terribly bitten nails, Celian came to her senses. Brill’s warm body made her aware.

This was reality.

Snap, Celian harshly knocked away his hand. The sensation on her cheek was still vivid. She pressed her back against Brill as much as possible and gripped the reins as if ready to mount the horse at any moment.

“How did you come here?”

“Lian……”

Celian shouted.

“Did Owen tell you? That I was here?”

A heavy voice cut in.

“—I called him.”

“Doctor!”

After coming here, Celian hadn’t exchanged news with Owen. As he had asked, she only sent news through Doctor Caleb, and after that, she had asked him not to write about her to Owen.

Though she thought it was quite shameless, it was the best option. Doctor Caleb probably didn’t want her to be with his son, so perhaps he had even been happy about her words. Fortunately, the doctor had listened to her request with a kind face.

Or so she thought.

Doctor Caleb leaned slightly against his long hunting rifle. The tall grass swayed in the wind.

“I told His Grace that you were here.”

“Doctor, what do you mean?”

Celian shouted. Ignoring the man’s desperate gaze, Celian glared at Doctor Caleb.

“I was going to repay what I owed. I was saving money too. I didn’t plan to stay long. Just about another year……”

A cold voice cut through the air. Celian flinched and stepped back when she saw Izer’s burning gaze, but there was nowhere else to go.

“And then?”

“……Izer,”

“Were you planning to run away again? Even taking my child?”

His brittle eyes flashed dangerously. The hand that had been floating in the air grabbed her shoulder. Though she expected great pain, contrary to the violent action, there was no strength in his hand.

Doctor Caleb stopped him.

“Your Grace, you’ll frighten Celian.”

At those words, Izer released her. His gaze fell on her belly, which was barely noticeable unless one looked at carefully, then away.

Celian turned away from him. If Doctor Caleb had called Izer, they were already past the point where pathetic excuses like ‘you’re not the baby’s father’ would work.

Instead, she gripped the horse’s reins with determination not to leave easily. Sensing her predicament, Brill stamped his feet fiercely at the intruder.

Celian hugged Brill’s neck and shouted.

“You’ve been watching all this time! I thought you respected my opinion, Doctor!”

“Your due date is approaching.”

“……!”

“The baby needs a father, Celian. I can’t watch an innocent baby become a victim of adults’ quarrels.”

“Doctor!”

Despite her scream, Doctor Caleb was firm.

“Return to Humingham, Celian. Everyone will be happy to know that the Duchess of Chesterfield is alive.”

That’s why she hated it. She didn’t want to become the duchess again.

Even while staying in the countryside, she knew the situation. Her honor had been restored, and she clearly knew she no longer blocked Izer’s future.

But Izer Chesterfield still loved her. His eyes filled with madness proved that fact. He still hadn’t let go of the dirty love that had destroyed him.

She was still the worst love for him.

Izer snatched the reins from her as she resisted.

Celian let out a sharp scream.

“No!”

Sensing her anxiety, Brill snorted. As the horse looked ready to kick Izer immediately, Doctor Caleb hurriedly held out a cube of sugar.

Izer grabbed Celian’s wrist and pulled.

“Let’s go. The maid has packed your things, and the carriage is waiting.”

Celian held onto his arm and resisted.

“No, I won’t go. You go alone. Who said you could take me?”

“……Lian.”

“I’ve been doing well. I’m perfectly fine. I’m much happier than when I was with you. The baby is too. This child is mine. You can’t take it away……”

Izer apparently hadn’t expected her to refuse this strongly. The man’s eyes wavered. Not missing the momentary hesitation that showed, Celian violently shook off his hand.

“Let’s divorce.”

“What?”

Izer was someone who had to return to the duke’s mansion. Because he was the master of that house. But Celian didn’t need to. Celian spoke without hesitation.

“Say I lived with another man during the months I was gone. I don’t care what rumors spread.”

“……”

“I don’t need any settlement money. If it’s money, I……”

The mouth that was about to say more closed. The man’s face looking at her was unbearably cold. The hesitation, longing, and relief that had shown briefly were all gone.

All that remained was the savage madness she knew well. Celian felt the blood draining from her body.

The words from his mouth were no different from his gaze.

“Do you want me to tear Doctor Caleb to pieces?”

“No, that’s not what I……”

She had forgotten what kind of person he was. For just a moment, seeing him cry at the sight of her, she thought Izer had regained his warmth from long ago.

It was all an illusion. Now his finger pointed toward Celian’s belly.

“Then, should I live my whole life thinking my child might grow up under another man?”

“……”

“You are a Chesterfield, Lian. Though you could become Marquise Berienne with a single gesture, that doesn’t mean your name will return to Berienne.”

“Izer!”

“The same goes for my child.”

After delivering the cruel sentence, the man pulled Celian’s hand. Celian looked back as she was dragged away.

Doctor Caleb was growing distant. 

 * * *

 Whoosh. Brill snorted as if displeased. Doctor Caleb stroked the horse’s back. His body swayed back and forth with the discontented steps.

“Brill, seems you grew attached to that child.”

“Purrrrrr.”

“I feel just as disappointed. But this is our best option. If only Owen keeps his mouth shut well.”

“Purrrrrr.”

“Seems impossible, doesn’t it? I just hope Celian doesn’t resent Owen too much. Even that glib fellow would be hurt if a woman he likes curses at him.”

“Purrrrrr……”

“That fellow seems to need to come to his senses too. Indeed, this is no time for me to worry about Celian. We’re overflowing with mentally weak men.”

“Purrrrrr!”

Doctor Caleb, mounted on the horse, looked back. There wasn’t a single human presence in the field full of grass.

“From today, I’ll have to prepare meals for just one person again……” 

 * * *

 The rattling sound subsided. The coachman called out vigorously.

“We’ve arrived.”

“Get down, Lian.”

Even without the coachman and Izer’s words, she knew where this was. Celian ignored the hand extended toward her and stepped out of the carriage.

“……”

The weather was similar to the day she first came to this house. White marble fountain, green lawn, blue sky. Unknown yellow wildflowers blooming along the fence swayed gently in the wind.

However, her attire was completely different from a year ago. Before going to the train station, Izer had bought her new clothes. Though she hadn’t seen the price tags, she could guess the prices just from the fabric.

Wearing clothes befitting the Duchess Chesterfield, she had come to the house where she should be. A white-gloved hand approached even closer to her, who stood as if rooted to the ground.