Divorce Begins with Remarriage - Chapter 19

“What do you mean by that?”

It was Berenice who was rather confused.

She said he didn’t have to go through the trouble, so why did he look so burdened with guilt?

“…Have I been so unreliable? I don’t take on more than I can handle. It’s something I initiated, so it shouldn’t be a burden for you. But if I seemed unreliable and untrustworthy enough to quit midway…”

What…?

Berenice’s mouth hung open in surprise.

“That would be my fault. I’m sorry, Berenice.”

Roberto seemed at a loss for how to continue, fidgeting with his collar, as though he was unsure of what else to say.

The gesture alone was enough to show how flustered Roberto was.

Roberto rarely changed his facial expressions, but he used that little gesture to express his emotions.

Berenice’s eyes widened.

“Berenice, could you give me one more chance? Please allow me to continue picking you up in my carriage until we get married.”

Is he asking me for that?

Berenice blinked back the tears and pressed down on her reddening eyes.

She only wanted someone to act as her shield, but she gained something more.

Roberto had unreservedly brought Berenice into his world.

“Thank you…”

He was someone who knew how to value a person.

Roberto, whom she had known for only a short while, was giving Berenice something she had never gotten from Livio.

A deep sense of gratitude filled Berenice from head to toe.

“I should thank you, Berenice, for giving me another chance.”

She had only sought a shield but had gained a gem.

A very precious gem.

***

Berenice and Roberto arrived at the most famous dress shop in the imperial fortress.

It was always bustling, so it was a good place where rumors spread easily.

Today, the place was crowded, and among the people were those who knew Berenice and Roberto.

They exchanged greetings and began to look around the dress shop.

“Roberto. On this side, there are dresses, and on that side are where the men’s suits are. Didn’t you say this dress shop was your first?”

“The dress shop itself is my first. Normally, an aide would buy my clothes according to my measurements.”

No wonder.

Berenice smiled inwardly.

Because Roberto was wandering around the dress shop with a stiff face.

These days, there is a trend to prefer ready-made clothes rather than custom-made clothes, so it is common to choose the dress you want and adjust the detailed measurements.

Instead, they only made one piece of clothing per design, so they had to examine the designs and sizes of all the clothes to choose from.

“Well then…”

She took a step towards the suits, intending to choose Roberto’s clothes.

“Berenice.”

Roberto called Berenice.

“If it’s not too much trouble, may I recommend a dress?”

“What?”

A surprised Berenice turned her head.

It was because Roberto, who had appeared in front of the dress display shelves, was pointing to a pearl-colored dress.

“Besides this one, there’s this one too. And this one seems good as well.”

He also chose dresses in deep navy and green.

In response to Roberto’s gesture, observant shop assistants brought out the selected dresses and hung them on the hangers.

“Roberto…?”

“Hmm. Before coming to the dress shop today, I read the pamphlet. It said that this dress shop will showcase a new collection. I also heard that lovers sometimes choose clothes for each other from here.”

“So, you studied because of that?”

Is this what they call learning about love through writing?

Berenice suppressed a laugh.

If it were Roberto, he would have read the pamphlet with a serious look, just like how he examines documents.

“Yes. I know it’s not something you can learn in a day, but I can’t be a burden to you, Berenice.”

No wonder he didn’t hesitate and chose a dress.

Berenice reached her hand towards the dress Roberto chose.

“It’s really beautiful. Especially this pearl-colored dress, I really like it.”

Roberto cleared his throat.

“Ahem ahem.”

“Roberto?”

“I’m relieved. According to the brochure, this dress adds luxury with its satin fabric, which is adorned with hand-sewn golden flowers and ruffles. The lace hanging at the ends is a unique pattern that can’t be found anywhere else, as it was hand-woven. And instead of leaving the shoulders bare with large pleats, the dress is secured on the arms and embellished with pearls to complement its charm.”

The shop assistant remained silent after Roberto’s explanation.

There was no need for any further explanation.

Roberto nodded in satisfaction as he poured out the exact words the designer had printed in the booklet.

“Did you memorize all of that?”

“I thought I should know what kind of dress it is to recommend it to you, Berenice. Since I can’t see, I thought I’d have to make up for it.”

She couldn’t help it.

Berenice laughed brightly.

He’s always sincere, and he’s sincere to Berenice.

He’s never disappointed Berenice, and he goes the extra mile for her.

‘What if it had been this person from the beginning?’

If it had been Roberto and not Livio.

Berenice unknowingly bit down on the flesh inside her mouth at the sudden thought.

She didn’t want to gnaw at herself with useless thoughts.

“This dress, can I try it on?”

In response to Berenice’s words, Roberto loosened his clenched fist in relief.

‘He’s such a good man…’

Berenice turned her back on Roberto.

If she kept looking at Livio and meeting his gaze, she felt like she would burst into tears.

“Will you come this way?”

Berenice nodded and spoke to Roberto in a stifled voice.

Still with her back turned.

“Can you wait for a moment?”

“Yes.”

She quickly gathered her hair and fixed it loosely with a hairpin, then applied a lighter shade of lipstick.

Because the waist was slightly big, she only left the dress shop after securing the dress with a clothespin from behind.

It took quite a while.

Berenice hurriedly opened the dress shop door.

Roberto, who seemed to be guided to the sofa by the salespeople, was seen reading a brochure while sitting on the sofa.

He was looking at the wedding collection.

Rumors were circulating that Roberto and Berenice’s wedding was imminent, and the salespeople seemed to have encouraged it.

Roberto, who was listening intently, occasionally threw questions at the salesperson, who was passionately explaining.

Unable to hold back her laughter any longer, Berenice called out to Roberto.

“Roberto.”

“Oh, Berenice.”

“Did I take too long?”

She asked, and he shook him seriously.

“No, it wasn’t long. It was a helpful time.”

Helpful, huh.

The salespeople looked at Roberto with strangely relaxed faces.

To hear that such a person lacks manners.

Berenice laughed out loud and asked.

“Is that so? Look at me this time, Roberto. Do I look good?”

Berenice grabbed her dress slightly and turned around.

“……Yes. I’m really glad, Berenice.”

“Why are you glad?”

“Because no matter what dress I picked out, it would have looked good on you, Berenice.”

“Hmm?”

Berenice shrugged, wondering what he meant.

Roberto answered seriously once again.

“Berenice, you’re beautiful no matter who sees you. That’s why I’m glad.”

Berenice’s cheeks turned red.

Ah, I didn’t expect this.

In fact, Cornell had constantly praised her, so she didn’t know why Roberto’s words sounded so sincere when he said she was beautiful.

After hearing Roberto’s words, the salespeople let out small sighs.

He was different from men who tried to impress women by using flattering words.

Berenice couldn’t avoid meeting his eyes, and she spoke sincerely from the bottom of her heart.

She could feel herself blushing down to her collarbone.

Berenice bowed her head deeply and cupped her cheeks.

“…That’s enough. Let’s go see Roberto’s clothes.”

“You haven’t tried the other dresses….”

“It’s okay! I’ll go with this one.”

Berenice quickly lifted her head.

She couldn’t imagine what Roberto would say next.

Although Roberto glanced sadly towards the hanger, Berenice was not at all disappointed.

Because she had already heard the highest praise.

***

Livio also received an invitation to Marquis Mikelov’s party.

Going alone would attract attention, so he went to the dress shop with someone to help him choose his outfit.

“Why are you looking at him like that?”

Livio stopped in front of the dress shop, where Berenice and Roberto were.

‘They’re together?’

After confirming the truth of the rumors with his own eyes, he felt a surge of anger rush through him.

It was completely different from what he had just heard about.

Berenice was really enjoying dating another man while leaving Livio behind.

“Where are you looking at! Let’s go somewhere else.”

“Why?”

“Because I said so.”

Livio pulled the woman towards him, annoyed.

He wanted to take Berenice out of there right away, but now he knows that such coercive methods won’t work.

Besides, there was no need to worry about it since Berenice was only putting on a show for Livio to see.

In times like this, it was necessary for him to show a resolute image.

The battle for dominance between men and women was important.

Berenice would be even more frustrated if Livio pretended not to care.

Next, he’ll scold Roberto.

After Berenice returns to Livio.