Divorce Begins with Remarriage - ✿ dusk blossoms ✿

Roberto chose a suit to match Berenice’s dress.

It was a design that actively emphasized Roberto’s masculinity instead of dampening his aura.

A light navy blue suit with a black shirt.

And he chose a handkerchief made of the same fabric as Berenice’s dress.

Berenice’s shoes were navy blue with pearls to match Roberto’s.

The items they purchased today will be tailored to the measurements of the two and delivered to their mansions the day before the reception.

Now it was time for them to leave the dress shop, but the two of them were still unable to leave.

“Since I asked you to go, it’s only right that I buy these clothes.”

Roberto calmly repeated the same words.

His eyebrows twitched, feeling confused and frustrated by the ongoing debate.

But Berenice knew that Cyrilov’s situation was far from relaxed. Besides, she wanted to buy Roberto some clothes to reward him for his efforts today.

So, without losing, Berenice replied.

“I want to buy it. You pick me up every day, so can’t I do this much for you?”

Berenice asked curiously.

“But….”

Roberto nodded, wiping his neck.

“Alright. In that case, please let me pay for the dress and shoes.”

“Huh?”

Berenice’s eyes widened since she planned to pay for everything.

“Please let me handle that much, Berenice. I intended to take care of it from the beginning, so don’t worry about it.”

“But….”

“That’s how it’s going to be.”

Eventually, Berenice raised both hands in surrender.

Berenice paid for Roberto’s clothes, while Roberto paid for Berenice’s clothes.

This experience was also new for Berenice.

Although it was annoying that there was no one else to compare him with besides Livio, because when she was with him, Berenice had paid for most of the expenses.

It had become the norm.

Berenice looked at Roberto as he was paying and asked.

“You’re a really interesting person.”

“It’s hard to know how to respond when you find the natural interesting.”

Roberto tilted his head.

“This is natural…”

“Yes.”

From Berenice’s perspective, Roberto was strange, but he said it was natural instead.

And Berenice liked Roberto’s naturalness.

***

“Stop for a moment.”

Viscount Dante stopped the carriage.

While he was on an outing for official business, he spotted Roberto and Berenice walking together.

The two of them were standing on a tree-lined street, where numerous flowers blossomed.

Roberto held an umbrella, and Berenice leaned against his arm, they were leisurely walking.

“…Berenice is smiling.”

“Yes?”

Viscount Dante’s aide asked curiously.

Why would Miss Berenice be out here all of a sudden?

With a puzzled expression, the aide turned his gaze to where Viscount Dante was looking.

“Ah… So the young lady was here.”

“…Berenice used to be a cheerful child. But after her divorce, she had changed. She stopped smiling, and her face became increasingly pale and dull. No matter how much good food she ate or did whatever she wanted, it didn’t improve.”

Though he looked seemingly composed, Viscount Dante’s words trembled at the end.

He never took his eyes off Berenice and Roberto for a moment.

Berenice, who was smiling with a face resembling this spring day, seemed unfamiliar yet familiar.

I never thought I would see such a face again.

Viscount Dante bit his lip.

“…And I haven’t done anything for her.”

“No, Viscount! Didn’t you personally go to the guards and bow your head in front of the captain of the guards?”

“What parent hasn’t bowed their head once in the life of their child for something as simple as…….”

A bitter smile appeared on Viscount Dante’s face.

Ever since he learned about the relationship between Berenice and Livio, just as his aide said, he personally chased after the security guards. In the end, he didn’t achieve anything.

Even now, it wouldn’t be hard to see Livio’s face as he brazenly walked the streets.

It was a burden¹ for Viscount Dante.

The burden of having done nothing for his withering child.

But Berenice was now smiling brighter than anyone else.

For now, he could find comfort in that.

Viscount Dante chuckled bitterly and knocked on the wall of the carriage.

“Let’s go.”

***

In fact, Berenice argued that he had done enough and they should return to the mansion.

But she eventually succumbed to Roberto’s earnest persuasion.

“Where can you find a lover who passes on a jewelry store while going shopping for dresses? I heard from my aide that it is very shameful. Or they’ve had a fight. Or they’re about to break up.”

“Is… Is that so?”

Usually, a dress shop is located very close to a jewelry store, so it is a tradition for noble ladies to stop by.

She had even been recommended to visit a jewelry store on her way out of the dress shop.

After taking a deep breath, Berenice pleaded with Roberto.

“Fine. It’s fine to go, but promise me. This time, I’ll take care of it. Everything that we buy from this jewelry store.”

“I also learned that it is not in line with the sentiments of noble lovers.”

Robert’s brows furrowed. Finding it odd.

“But you spent too much at the dress shop. It is not fair.”

Berenice spoke clearly.

‘Don’t forget your situation, Berenice.’

Berenice composed herself as she saw Roberto meet her eyes during this short conversation.

It was clear that he didn’t realize how much it turned a woman on. That’s why he’s so casual about making eye contact.

It was clear that he didn’t realize that being sincere in every moment makes a woman trust you. That’s why he’s so sincere with Berenice.

But Berenice and Roberto were bound by a contractual relationship.

Every time he had a moment of excitement, doubt would creep in.

And every time she would remind herself that this was a relationship that could easily break if one of them wished for a divorce, she felt sorry for herself.

That was why Berenice was being so calculating with Roberto.

To draw a line in the sand.

To teach herself that the distance between them was enough.

But Roberto casually crossed the line that Berenice had drawn.

“No, Berenice. This is not a matter of fairness.”

Roberto’s eyelashes cast a shadow over his eyes.

Roberto, who rarely lowered his eyes, looked at Berenice’s empty hand.

After a moment of silence, Roberto raised his head.

Strangely, Berenice’s heart dropped with a thud.

‘What is he trying to say…’

A tinge of fear washed over Berenice, along with anticipation.

Roberto pursed his heavy lips.

“In the midst of the deal, I have been ignorant so far, and I’ve not been able to give Berenice a ring. This is my gift to my fiancée and my apology.”

He’s so unbelievably affectionate.

‘Why did people criticize you for being rude?’

To Berenice, Roberto provided comfort. A very warm comfort.

***

Berenice chose a chrysoberyl gem from the jewelry store.

It was a set of cufflinks for Roberto and jewelry for Berenice.

Chrysoberyl was a gemstone that appeared yellow or green depending on the angle you looked at it, and they happened to have custom-cut gemstones for the two of them.

It was green, but with a faint golden shine on Roberto.

And it was golden, but with a green hue on Berenice.

In addition to that, Berenice found a sapphire she liked, but since Roberto was paying today, she decided to buy it next time.

Roberto had a special talent for persuading Berenice.

Considering that they’ve decided for Roberto to make the payment in the end.

On their way back after entrusting the dress shop to make matching clothes for the two of them, Berenice received an unexpected gift.

That gift is what Berenice is holding in her arms right now.

“Oh my….”

Selphine exclaimed in admiration.

“Is this also a gift you received?”

“Yes….”

It was the necklace that caught Berenice’s attention as soon as she stepped into the jewelry store.

He somehow knew that Berenice had intended to buy it later, not wanting to burden Roberto, but he bought it for her and slipped it into her arms.

He was so attentive to Berenice, he knew everything that caught her gaze.

What moved Berenice was not the necklace, but Roberto’s thoughtfulness.

“…He seems like a really nice person.”

“More than I deserve.”

Berenice murmured as she gently stroked the necklace with her finger.

“Don’t be too humble! You are more than worthy, Miss!”

Selphine argued strongly.

Berenice responded with a short laugh without saying anything.

Even though she was talking to Selphine, her mind was still replaying Roberto’s words in her head.

“I think we’re going to be pretty good partners. This should be a suitable gift for a partner we will walk together with from now on. Will you accept it?”