Divorce Begins with Remarriage - Chapter 40

Roberto awkwardly smiled.

Since this was his first marriage, he didn’t realize that he should naturally pay attention to such details. It was Sebastian’s diligent gestures and movements behind Berenice that made him realize this was something to be expected.

‘The Madam is right!!’

Understanding the gesture, Roberto slightly lowered his eyes and apologized.

“I admit that I should have paid attention to that part in advance. I’m sorry, Berenice.”

Finally, Sebastian heaved a sigh of relief.

Berenice, with a bright smile, nodded in response to Roberto’s words.

“No need to apologize. I rushed down here and wasn’t in the right mindset to pay attention. But we still have 4 days, right? Help me out, Roberto.”

“Of course. Perhaps there is some information regarding that…”

“I have it. Since both of you seemed busy, I prepared it in advance.”

That’s why Alfonso was highly regarded as an excellent aide.

Roberto mentally commended himself for hiring Alfonso in the past. Just inwardly, of course. Alfonso placed the documents he had prepared in front of Berenice. Then he shot a meaningful look at Roberto.

‘I believe you’ll do something for me during this year’s salary negotiations.’

Roberto caught that look and nodded. Alfonso, Roberto, and Berenice all seemed satisfied with the conclusion.

Berenice admired the documents as she read through them slowly.

“Alfonso, you’ve organized this really well. By job category.”

“Thank you, Duchess.”

“I’m really grateful. It seems like it will be a great help to me.”

Berenice closed the documents.

She intended to carefully examine them in her office. But before that, there was one more thing she needed to check. While she was having breakfast with Terenzio, she wondered why Roberto had his meal separately.

She thought that perhaps he was avoiding it under the pretext of making her comfortable once again.

“Roberto.”

With Berenice’s serious tone, Roberto became quite tense.

“Where did you have breakfast this morning? I didn’t see you at breakfast.”

“I felt that the timing didn’t work out while I was working, so I ate alone.”

When Roberto tried to brush it off vaguely, the butler stepped in.

“His Excellency had a light meal in the office, Madam. Just a sandwich and a drink.”

Because of his inherent dissatisfaction with Roberto not properly having meals, he could swiftly act. Even though Roberto was pressuring the butler with his gaze, the experienced butler didn’t flinch.

Most straightforward men like him often couldn’t resist their loving wife’s words.

And so it happened.

Berenice’s voice raised a tone.

“To have such a meager breakfast! You’re neglecting your own body, Roberto.”

“…”

“Sigh. Take care of your breakfast properly. Terenzio seems to be looking for you throughout the meal.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. It’s good for family members to see each other during meals, isn’t it? Aren’t you sorry for Terenzio? Children need quality time with their parents.”

“I apologize.”

“There’s no need to apologize to me.”

Roberto’s head drooped slightly. He wasn’t used to receiving such reproach from Berenice.

‘Am I disappointing her?’

When Roberto looked at Berenice, she suggested a solution.

“In the future, unless it’s absolutely necessary, it would be better for us to have meals together. It would be good for our relationship…”

Berenice gestured towards Roberto.

‘He should understand this much, right? There are others watching as well…’

Thinking so, Berenice added,

“And it would be good for Terenzio’s emotions too. So please try to join us whenever possible.”

“…I will do so.”

Finally, Berenice smiled. Just as Roberto was about to lift his head slightly relieved, Berenice held the precious documents close and rose from her seat. Her work was done, and she didn’t want to disturb them any further.

“Roberto, I’ll head back now. See you at lunch.”

Roberto’s face stiffened slightly at Berenice’s words. Alfonso praised her and was disappointed in Roberto, as she left the office in this situation.

He wanted to hold onto Berenice, to make amends somehow… but he had no reason to.

Roberto helplessly reached out his hand and then withdrew it. With a crestfallen face.

As soon as Berenice left the office, Alfonso let out a deep sigh.

“You should have held onto her.”

“What for?”

“You could you explain the parts she doesn’t understand?”

“Ah!”

Alfonso nodded.

This is why Roberto couldn’t do without Alfonso. This naive person is so inept at relationships… If Alfonso hadn’t been there all this time, this marriage might not have happened at all.

Alfonso took out the documents he had previously placed on the desk and handed them to Roberto.

“I prepared these just in case.”

“What is this?”

“I already gave her the documents sorted by job category, but this is something different. It’s information about their families. It might be more helpful for the madam.”

“Alfonso, you…”

Roberto was deeply moved by Alfonso’s thoughtfulness.

With this in hand, if he goes to Berenice, he can make up for today’s disappointment. When Roberto tried to get up, Alfonso stopped him.

“Just a moment. Normally, these documents wouldn’t have been prepared so quickly. Go discuss it around 5 p.m.”

“Is that… alright?”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

Alfonso firmly pressed Roberto’s shoulder.

“And make sure to finish your meal properly. The madam might scold you again.”

Roberto nodded meekly.

‘Alright.’

He needed to drive the nail in once more at this opportunity.

“And can I expect a salary negotiation this year?”

“Of course. I’ve been increasingly aware of your competence, Alfonso.”

Alfonso’s lips curved up at Roberto’s praise.

‘Hahaha, well done, Alfonso!’

He didn’t forget to praise himself as well.

***

With the help of Roberto and Alfonso, Berenice was able to properly conclude the preliminary investigation on Cyrilov’s relatives.

Two days after arriving in Cyrilov, a letter from Dante arrived.

Berenice took a deep breath and unfolded the letter. She had been worried about not being able to hold a proper wedding and greet him properly.

Fortunately, it seemed like her father wasn’t too upset with her.

「I feel much better seeing you smile. 

Berenice, I hope you continue to live like that. I wish for your happiness more than what I could provide. 

Roberto, that friend seems like a good person. 

I could tell without exchanging many words. 

Berenice, if you’re okay with it, you should seriously consider the relationship between the two of you. If a father has the right to say such things.」

Berenice bit her lip. She hadn’t finished reading the letter, but she could tell it was filled with words of concern for her.

‘I hope I could talk to Father about it.’

Berenice wiped her tears and continued reading the letter.

「I support you wherever you are, Berenice. 

If you ever face difficult times, you must contact me anytime. I hope you promise me this much. Even if I can’t do everything, I will do my best. You have always been the best daughter to me.

Berenice, I will pray for you.

Remember, this mansion is always a place where you can return to.

Next time you come to the capital, it would be nice to have a meal with Roberto and Terenzio. I want to treat them to something delicious. It would also be nice to invite you all to the mansion.

Berenice, write me another letter.

My beloved daughter, I love you.」

The letter ended briefly, but her father’s feelings were deeply felt.

He must have tried to convey what he wanted to say to Berenice. She read the letter repeatedly with tears streaming down her face.

It was obvious that he was thinking about Berenice all day long.

‘My best daughter…’

Even though all she remembered was making him feel bad… 

Berenice wiped her tears and unfolded another piece of paper attached.

「ps. I am thinking of establishing a branch office in Cyrilov as well. If that happens, it will be more convenient for me to go back and forth… I think it would be good to entrust the establishment of the branch office to you, so I am attaching relevant documents.」

In the end, it was a message that he would come a long way to see Berenice.

The feeling of uncertainty that had lingered when she was thinking about meeting Roberto’s relatives was now that of reassurance. Berenice had forgotten that there was always someone who would stand by her.

Surely, if she mentioned meeting Cyrilov’s relatives, her father would say,

‘I’m here, Berenice. I will always watch over you.’

Wasn’t that what he would say?

Her father was always the best for Berenice.

Berenice brushed her fingertips over the documents.

Cyrilov Branch Office.

Even without saying it, this was something he did for Berenice. Valencia Merchantry was performing well, and they had no plans to establish a new branch within this year. But expanding in this way would likely be to establish a foundation for Berenice in the Cyrilov Duchy.

Her father’s love seemed to warmly embrace Berenice.

In Cyrilov, among unfamiliar faces, she felt a growing courage to live boldly.