Prologue

「Roberto Cyrilov.

Greetings, Roberto.

It’s been a month since we met. The cold winter wind has passed, and the season of early spring is coming.

We haven’t shared much during that time, but I feel like I’ve gotten to know you to some extent. You didn’t hesitate to help me when I was in danger, and your warm consideration has been a great strength to me. I shudder to think what I would have done if it weren’t for you.

So I want to thank you, now and always.

You are a just person who reaches out a hand to the weak when no one else does, and a caring person who knows how to consider others more than anyone else.

And I have to confess that I know a little more about you than that.

I looked into Roberto Cyrilov. This is a necessary step for me to propose something to you, so please understand.

And as a result, I felt that we could fulfill what we needed from each other. It’s difficult to include detailed content in this letter, but it’s not a bad proposal for you either.

I believe we can become good partners.

I would like to discuss the details in person, so could you spare some time for me?

I’ll wait for your reply.

–Berenice Dante.

P.S. I hope you don’t think of me as a strange person just because I’m making this proposal after only a month of knowing each other. It’s because it’s urgent. Well then, that’s all for now.

Raivan Imperial Calendar, February 24, 671.」

Berenice carefully enclosed the letter, and let out a faint sigh.

“Will he think I’m a strange woman?”

Hopefully not. But still, she had no excuses. From their first meeting when she was saved from being a mess because of Livio, to how she was secretly ignored by the guards, to her reputation in the social world, which was rolling on the floor. In any case, he didn’t seem like a reliable partner to make a proposal important enough to be called a partner.

However, she believed that Roberto would understand that this was the best choice. In this narrow and noble social circle, everyone knew about Berenice’s tragic situation.

Berenice gently stroked her own name neatly written on the envelope with her finger.

“Berenice Dante.”

Berenice went from Dante to Cornell, back to Dante, and now she was trying to become Cyrilov. The reason behind this transformation of Berenice’s family name was all because of her ‘trash-like ex-husband.’

Berenice reminisced lightly.

***

Imperial Calendar, September 20, 670, Count Cornell’s Residence.

On this day, Berenice learned for the first time that love, which she believed would last forever, could turn into hatred in just a second.

Berenice had come to his office to meet Livio, intending to surprise him on their anniversary. Since Livio had reserved a restaurant to celebrate their anniversary in the evening, she wanted to make a special lunch for him.

“Hah, she’s still calling me. Don’t these noble ladies realize how embarrassing it is?” 

Livio’s voice flowed out through the slightly open door. Berenice’s footsteps gradually slowed down.

‘Ladies? Embarrassing….’

They weren’t particularly strange words, but they didn’t seem like words she would hear from Livio, a married man. Suddenly, a strange feeling tickled the back of her neck.

Faintly, she could hear the conversation between the butler and Livio from the office.

“That woman is so persistent. She knew I was a married man when we met. She should have known it was just a casual fling, so why does she not understand and keep clinging?”

‘Woman?’

Her heart fluttered. Could it be…? Are the words coming out of Livio’s mouth right now true?

Instinctively, Berenice held her breath.

“Count.”

“I quickly got bored of this woman, haha. Ugh. Aren’t there any interesting women out there? Why does it always end up the same? Even if we kiss or roll around in bed together, it doesn’t excite me. Butler, do you understand what I mean? They’re not as tight below as they used to be…”

That was enough. Just hearing that much, Berenice could understand what Livio and the butler were talking about. Unable to bear listening to any more vulgar talk, Berenice staggered and swayed her body.

With a pale face filled with disgust, Berenice fled from that place.

The gifts she had prepared for Livio were left crumpled in despair.

Her heart sank into a dark abyss.

Berenice bit her lips, suppressing the scream that was about to burst out.

Her married life with Livio was not particularly happy, but it wasn’t unhappy either.

Berenice truly loved Livio.

Even when she had occasional complaints about their marriage, she had always suppressed them, reminding herself that it was the marriage she had chosen.

‘He is still my husband.’

‘He is the man I love.’

‘He is the man I chose. It’s okay.’

In an instant, the words that had been building up in her heart and serving as her last stronghold crumbled down.

All the efforts and love she had put in… turned into nothingness and lay beneath Berenice’s feet. Like a hollow corridor, she ran and ran, feeling empty inside. As she reached the end of this corridor, she hoped that everything would disappear like a dream. But the truth cruelly mocked Berenice, and she remained trapped in her own personal hell.

***

The first time Berenice met Livio was when she was twenty years old, at a palace ball.

Even on that day, when she was just starting to socialize, Livio was surrounded by women. Despite his glamorous and handsome appearance, he exuded a slightly decadent atmosphere. His blond hair and grayish-blue eyes added to his mysterious aura. And the teardrop mole on his face accentuated his melancholic decadence.

It was only natural for Berenice to be captivated by him. 

He was too beautiful of a man to let go of, even for a fledgling like her.

Just six months after they met, they succeeded in getting married. 

No, Berenice succeeded in getting married. 

With a bittersweet smile, Berenice held the wedding vows she and Livio had written together. The gilded edges of the paper were worn out and shabby, as Berenice had taken them out and examined them countless times, filled with various emotions.

The first year of their marriage was filled with excitement. Berenice couldn’t believe that a man like Livio had become her husband, and she kept staring at him.

The following year, she would look at the wedding vows and remind herself of what she should do as the Countess in this marriage. What she needed to do to be a suitable wife for Livio. 

Looking back now, it was a foolish thing to do.

The last year was filled with anxiety. Livio often showed indifference and coldness towards Berenice, and he frequently stayed out late. But still, he was her husband. Looking at the wedding vows, Berenice reassured herself that Livio would never betray her.

‘I was such a fool!’

Berenice crumpled the wedding vows in her hands, feeling anger rise within her. Now that the obstacle that had been blocking her vision was removed, it felt like her sanity had returned. Biting her lip, Berenice called for the maid she had brought from her family home.

“There must have been other women that Livio has met. Investigate them for me.”

“Madam…”

“I’m fine, so go quickly.”

The maid bowed her head at her command and left the room. Berenice threw the wedding vows into the crackling fireplace with a snap. Only Berenice knew that the sacred oath they had made on that day was nothing more than a piece of paper.

In front of the red-hot flames of the fireplace, Berenice slowly crumbled. Her heart, which had turned into ashes, turned into tears and flowed down.

“Son of a bitch…”

For the first time, a curse word came out of Berenice’s lips, as she had never known harsh words and was known for her gracefulness and elegance.

***

It was a day when her insides were burning black.

Just as Berenice had expected, Livio had made a reservation at the restaurant where he had proposed. It was a place where they could enjoy their meal alone in a separate space. In the past, Livio’s actions like this had felt romantic to her. But now, she didn’t care about anything.

‘Maybe Livio insisted on this restaurant to avoid running into other noblewomen.’

It seemed like a reasonable guess. Since discovering Livio’s infidelity, Berenice had been analyzing his behavior, searching for evidence of his affair, and driving herself into misery.

“…renice!”

“Hmm?”

Berenice looked up with a pale face. Irritation was written all over Livio’s face as he had called her several times.

‘Even this is different from the past. Before, he used to look worried when I acted like this.’

Berenice scrutinized Livio’s smooth face.

‘What else has changed?’

She knew her behavior was foolish, but she couldn’t stop herself.

“…Haa. I guess you don’t feel like eating. Let’s go.”

Livio wiped his lips with the white cloth he had placed on his knees and carelessly folded it before throwing it on the table. Berenice felt sorry for the cloth, now stained with food and looking as miserable as she felt. Livio stood up from his seat.

He glanced at Berenice as if to say, “What are you doing? Why aren’t you coming?” 

Berenice slowly began to eat. Livio stared at her as if he couldn’t believe it and then left his seat.

Berenice continued to eat until Livio’s presence had completely disappeared.

“Ha.”

His passionless gaze, his inconsiderate actions, and… the cold empty seat Livio left behind.

This was not just a one-day occurrence. There were so many signs that could have revealed Livio’s change of heart, so why hadn’t she noticed until now? Berenice raised her hand and called the waiter.

“What can I assist you with?”

“Please clear the seat in front of me. From the next course onwards, you only need to bring mine.”

“Understood.”

One of the advantages of upscale restaurants is that they don’t inquire about the personal circumstances of their guests. Just like clearing away a messy object, Berenice wished that Livio would cleanly disappear from her heart. She continued her meal, facing the empty seat.

She knew she would never come to this restaurant again.