Divorce Begins with Remarriage - Chapter 31
Berenice was with Selphine, waiting for Roberto, who said he would come to pick her up. Roberto sent all the wedding magazines he had collected to Berenice. Amid his busy schedule, he looked through them and put yellow stickers on dresses he thought would suit Berenice.
It seemed like he had chosen them together with Terenzio since it wasn’t just any yellow sticker but a teddy bear yellow sticker.
The note was neatly written, ‘I’m not very good at this. But I thought it might help, so I’m attaching my opinion.’
That’s what is said, so Roberto and Terenzio must have put so much effort into it, as evident by the worn corners of the magazines.
“I don’t know.”
Berenice added, holding back a smile.
“Isn’t it too cute?”
Where her fingertip pointed, there was a teddy bear yellow sticker firmly attached.
“Did the young master…?”
“Probably. Roberto isn’t someone who would like this kind of thing.”
“But he always seems to be diligent. It’s my first time seeing a groom so diligently looking through wedding magazines.”
“Me too. He always tries his best for me.”
“He’s a good person.”
Berenice nodded.
That’s right, there were no better words to describe Roberto than what Selphine had said. Roberto was such a good person. And that good person was making an effort…
He’s perfect.
Others might say that Roberto’s flaw was that he had a child, but to Berenice, even that child was perfect. They’re such a lovely pair of father and son.
Berenice smiled a beautiful smile and closed the booklet.
The sound of horse hooves was approaching from outside.
***
To have the wedding dress tailored, four people, including Selphine visited Stove’s Dress Shop. Everything went well, thanks to the Madam’s insistence that she could make time for Berenice anytime.
Roberto and Terenzio sat side by side with sparkling eyes, their postures too much alike.
“What would the young lord like to have?”
The clerk asked politely. It was to prepare snacks, books, and toys for Terenzio, who would have to sit for a long time and might get bored.
“Umm…”
Terenzio pointed at the menu with his chubby fingers.
“Hot chocolate is not allowed.”
Roberto immediately cut in.
“Then I’ll choose something else.”
Roberto narrowed his eyes and observed Terenzio. It was strange for the child, who would usually ask ‘why not’ three times, to quietly agree. He soon realized why.
It was because of Berenice. With a face that seemed to drip honey, she was smiling and stroking Terenzio’s head.
“How can you be so good? Chocolate might harm your teeth, so let’s eat something else. What would you like? Hmm, I think milk tea with milk in it here might be good.”
“Then I’ll have that!”
Terenzio quickly nodded his head.
“Aha.”
Roberto clicked his tongue.
‘What a sly fox.’
It seemed as if a fox’s tail was sticking out from behind Terenzio. It was unclear what Terenzio liked about Berenice, but the child was doing his best to make a good impression on her.
He was enduring what he wanted to do and suppressing his rebellious spirit.
It was quite remarkable patience for a seven-year-old.
In some ways, this was a good thing for Roberto… but he had been feeling a subtle discomfort for a while now.
Roberto found himself frowning without realizing it.
Snacks were prepared for Terenzio, and Berenice got up from her seat.
“It’s good that the two of you are together. I was worried you might get bored. Changing into a wedding dress takes longer than changing into regular clothes.”
Roberto smiled at Berenice’s words.
“It’s okay.”
“It’s okay!”
Their simultaneous responses made Berenice burst into laughter. Nobody could have watched that scene without laughing. Selphine also went to the dressing room to help Berenice change clothes.
Now, only Terenzio and Roberto were left alone.
Unlike the warm atmosphere before, a chilly silence flowed.
“… Terenzio, you’re behaving differently than usual.”
“Me? No, I’m not.”
Roberto looked at Terenzio, who was raising his eyebrows in disbelief, finding it ridiculous. The young wolf, who was already showing his claws, spoke well. Looking at Terenzio, who was happily munching on the snacks Berenice chose for him, was annoying.
I wonder where he got that from.
But seeing how much Terenzio liked Berenice, he felt both pity and heartbroken. It seems Roberto alone wasn’t enough for the child, who’s at an age when he needed a mother’s touch…
Roberto coughed.
“Do you like Berenice?”
“…Really.”
Terenzio nodded like a grown-up. Where did the aggressive little one go, and who’s this child with gentle, twinkling eyes?
“I really like her. If anyone tries to take Miss Berenice away from me, I’ll chase them to the end and get revenge.”
The young wolf bared his teeth.
His hair seemed to bristle as he growled. Roberto swallowed a sigh and stroked Terenzio’s head.
It would have been fine if he never knew, but how could a young child let go of that warm affection once he experienced it? Berenice seemed to have taken quite a big place in Terenzio’s heart.
But the following words made Roberto want to scold rather than pat him.
“Even if it’s you, Dad. I really won’t forgive… Ouch!”
“There’s nothing you can’t say.”
Roberto shook his head as he scolded him.
Where did this perverse and cheeky behavior come from…
***
At that time, somewhere in the Raivan Empire.
“Excuse me!”
“Yes? Did you call for me?”
“That’s right. I’ve come from the Valencia Merchantry.”
Panting, the man who was hurriedly following caught his breath. How could anyone walk so fast…
“Why does someone from the Valencia Merchantry want to stop me?”
A glimpse of ash-colored hair was seen under the man’s hood. It exactly matched the hair color of the protagonist of a massive manhunt issued by the Valencia Merchantry.
“Hmm. Well… You look so much like my deceased friend. Cough cough, could you perhaps stop by the Valencia Merchantry once in a while?”
It was the best excuse he could hastily come up with. Though flimsy, it was to anyone who heard it.
The man narrowed his eyes and chuckled dismissively.
“I’m not buying anything.”
And then he turned around and disappeared coldly.
“Ah, really.”
There were still many things he had to check. But it felt like he found a clue, which lightened the mood. It was a mission from the headquarters, so it was definitely important. He wondered if he would be promoted to the head office if he did a good job this time.
The man clicked his tongue in disappointment and kept looking back.
***
Slide.
The curtain was drawn back.
“…Hmm. How is it?”
Berenice asked awkwardly. This was a dress picked out by Roberto. Berenice decided to try on two dresses picked by Roberto and two dresses she had chosen herself.
“Wow… You’re like, like a princess…”
Terenzio, with his chubby cheeks in his hands, exclaimed in admiration. He got up with sparkling eyes and circled around Berenice. It was clear enough that it wasn’t mere flattery but Terenzio’s genuine admiration.
But Roberto said nothing and just stared blankly at Berenice.
“Why, does it look strange?”
Berenice asked with a trembling voice. Since Roberto wasn’t saying anything, she tensed, feeling her heart shrinking.
“…No, it’s not that…”
Roberto added absentmindedly.
“I was just praising my own taste for the first time. It’s as if this dress was made for you, Berenice…”
Only after hearing Roberto’s comment did Berenice breathe a sigh of relief. Even to herself, the dress Roberto had chosen seemed perfect.
It showcased Berenice’s elegance and it exuded a pure atmosphere at the same time. The diamonds, not too extravagantly attached, sparkled and reflected light, enhancing her curves with elegance.
“You look really beautiful, Berenice.”
“…Well, that’s good to hear. I’ve been worried about gaining weight recently…”
Roberto frowned seriously and shook his head when he heard Berenice’s words.
“You really lost a lot of weight. Right, Terenzio?”
“Yes! Miss Berenice looks thinner than my sword.”
“See? You need to eat more, Berenice.”
Was that really something to talk about so seriously?
Berenice chuckled at Roberto’s odd reaction.
“Madam, would you turn around once?”
“Yes. Roberto, check if the back looks okay too. It seemed fine in the mirror but…”
Roberto seriously nodded again. Berenice took Selphine’s hand and slowly turned around. The sound of the dress rustling was surreal.
Roberto stared at Berenice with his mouth slightly open.
“Why, does it look strange?”
“…It’s perfect. To think I have such good taste. I might have to raise my aide’s salary.”
Roberto’s serious remark made others laugh. He was serious, though. Berenice tried on several dresses after that, but in the end, she decided on the first dress she wore.
Still, seeming unsatisfied, Terenzio wandered around the dressing room and picked out a yellow dress.
“Try this one too. Miss Berenice, can you try this on too? Please? Just one more…”
Terenzio, dragging out his words and twining his legs together, was the epitome of cuteness.