Divorce Begins with Remarriage - ✿ dusk blossoms ✿

“Ivory color is also in fashion, right? Doesn’t it go well with lavender?”

Berenice traced the added ivory-colored lace with her finger.

“My goodness, that’s true!”

Lavender and ivory.

The eyes and minds of the noblewomen were busy. With the presence of someone from Valencia Merchantry here, they could catch on to trends before even the capital does. They considered themselves lucky to be able to come to the main family’s home. That was the prevailing atmosphere among the noblewomen.

“We’ll be counting on you in the future. Soon, Valencia Merchantry will establish a branch in the Cyrilov territory.”

“Oh my! Is that true?”

“My goodness. The Duke has taken such a good woman for a wife, bringing such honor to Cyrilov. Cyrilov will also develop commercially now. Isn’t it all thanks to you, Lady Berenice?”

The reputation of Valencia Merchantry was at this level. Berenice once again expressed gratitude towards her father.

As Roberto watched Berenice seamlessly blend in with the noblewomen, he thought to himself, ‘How fortunate.’

Berenice was handling the situation very wisely.

“Your Excellency, I have something important to discuss.”

Thanks to that, he could relax his mind even with such words and leave his seat. Roberto signaled to Berenice that he would step out for a moment and then left the party venue, leaving Berenice alone.

‘Is this where it begins?’

Certainly, there would be people who treated her differently when Roberto was present compared to when he wasn’t. Timing, jealousy, and suspicion. There would surely be someone caught up in those emotions.

Just as Berenice anticipated, a certain madam stepped forward.

“Hello, Lady Berenice. I’m Countess Ehier. I heard you are from the Dante family. You must be somewhat worried. After all, your background isn’t as strong, and there’s already a successor in place, right? Besides, your family is more involved in commerce than nobility… I wonder if you can properly manage the duchy.”

Berenice forced a smile.

Although Viscount Dante may be falling behind in titles, he held unimaginable wealth and connections that the Count of Ehier could never have. They may have inherited a high title from their ancestors, but in terms of the entire empire, the viscount could easily bring down a small count family in the outskirts if they set their mind to it.

Moreover, isn’t it a time when Valencia Merchantry itself is becoming influential?

In fact, what Countess Ehier said was outdated. The noblewomen, who had been enjoying conversations until now, discreetly stepped back. Nevertheless, it was a gesture indicating that they didn’t want to be completely at odds with the Count of Ehier, who had risen in the ranks among the vassal families.

Seeing Berenice remain silent, Countess Ehier continued in a self-assured manner.

“Not to mention, with only one duke present in the household, bloodline is important… And with only one son with an unclear lineage… Will he be enough to inherit this precious Cyrilov? Moreover, I heard that even during your three years of marriage, the Duchess couldn’t bear a child? What should we make of this?”

She made provocative remarks for both Terenzio and Berenice. Countess Ehier provoked Berenice’s fighting spirit.

You’ve touched a nerve.

Why is she forgetting that Berenice is also among the capital gossip that the local people talk about?

‘Wherever you go, the social circles are the same.’

Berenice subtly raised her lips. Unlike the chilly atmosphere that had cooled down due to Countess Ehier’s remarks, she appeared bright, an expression different from those around them.

In fact, Berenice had prior knowledge about Countess Ehier through preliminary research. Countess Ehier was a powerful household in the Cyrilov territory and was one of those who held sway in social circles.

She had a clear idea of how to deal with such women.

Berenice opened her lips.

***

Just when Berenice received a letter, Bilter also received a letter from Berenice.

Berenice meticulously filled two pages of the letter about the atmosphere of the Cyrilov Duchy and her feelings.

It ended with, ‘Don’t worry, Father. I think I’ll be fine.’

Despite knowing this brief conclusion, Bilter read countless identical letters to control his emotions.

Only after repeatedly convincing himself that Berenice was truly doing well did he finally set down the letter.

Bilter let out a long sigh.

His only consolation was that Selphine had gone with Berenice and that Berenice was a strong child. A child who never faltered and always rose determinedly in any situation.

The reason Berenice could be great was probably because she resembled her mother.

One thing troubled Bilter. Berenice still cared about Livio. The carefully attached sentence in the last paragraph choked Bilter’s throat.

「Please keep an eye on Livio. I’ll try to keep an eye on him, but since I’m far from the capital, I feel like I might miss something. There is no one else I can entrust this to but you. I’m sorry.」

Again, an apology.

“What have I done wrong?”

Bilter couldn’t understand why both Berenice and himself felt sorry for each other when Livio was living as he pleased. If he could turn back time and relive the past, he would have done everything in his power to separate Berenice and Livio. Perhaps he had been delaying this out of fear of becoming the villain to Berenice, due to his desire to always be a good father, despite suspecting that Livio was not a good person…

Bilter let out a long sigh, put the cigar on his lips, and opened the window.

The breeze flowed in through the wide-open window.

‘My dear. I apologize. I have no face to show in front of you. There was only one request I made when you left…’

To take good care of Berenice. Thinking of his wife and Berenice made his heartache.

If only he could kill Livio. No, if he could prevent Berenice from becoming the child of a criminal by doing so, he would have done it countless times. Once again, the thought of protecting Berenice was like shackles on Bilter’s legs.

‘An incompetent father who can’t do anything.’

Bitter feelings of defeat and frustration dragged Bilter down into despair.

That damn Livio Cornell.

Now he didn’t even want to turn his head to where Count Cornell was. Bilter’s gloomy eyes looked further at a distance.

“Berenice…”

Perhaps it would have been better.

Since Livio’s influence wouldn’t reach the Cyrilov territory.

Bilter earnestly prayed. He would give up anything if it meant making Berenice happy.

***

Roberto left in the middle of the party because news came that traces of Therion had been found. It was said that a large man with gray hair and blue eyes was at a quarry site in the eastern region where part of the quarry collapsed, rescuing people and then disappearing unexpectedly. While they couldn’t confirm for sure if it was Therion, his external features–with gray hair and green eyes– matched those of Therion.

‘Green and blue.’

It would be faster to confirm it directly rather than hanging on such speculations. Moreover, with Therion’s sense of justice, it was something he could do. But if it really was Therion, he couldn’t imagine why he was there doing such things.

“Could it really be Therion?”

“We can’t be sure.”

“It matches the characteristics of the beastmen. Strong and large, with gray hair.”

Alfonso spoke dully.

Berenice didn’t know, but Alfonso himself was also a beastman.

“Perhaps we should send more people to verify the truth. Have you considered what you would like to do when you meet him?”

Since it seemed that Therion’s whereabouts were being pinpointed, they revisited the same question again.

“What would you like to do when you meet him?”

Roberto’s anxiety subsided.

Hmm.

“Now, I need to think about it.”

Roberto let out a long sigh.

“For now, I will go back and see.”

“Yes, Your Excellency. Ah.”

“Hmm?”

“The Duchess seems to be a really nice person.”

Alfonso smiled.

“Just by looking at Terenzio and Your Excellency, it’s obvious. You both look really good. It’s all thanks to the Duchess for the change she brought about.”

“She’s a person I’m grateful for.”

“Yes. I hope you both stay happy for a long, long time. Like in a fairy tale.”

Roberto smiled faintly at Alfonso’s words.

Happy for a long, long time.

Does that suit a contractual relationship?

Roberto turned his head. In the brightly lit banquet hall, he could see Berenice in the distance. She was brightly smiling, leading conversations with others.

Her radiant platinum hair shone even under the lights.

Maybe that’s why.

No.

Now, Roberto felt like he could find Berenice wherever she was. Berenice’s image kept coming into view.

He couldn’t deny that fact.

Perhaps it was from the beginning.

From the day he saw her at the restaurant, he oddly became concerned about her.

He was bothered by the way she was forcing herself to smile with a pained expression. It was a face that seemed like she was about to cry, but was smiling. Berenice was exerting all her efforts to appear strong with that fragile-looking body.

It must have been because of that reason that she caught his eye.

And the next time they met was at the banquet hall.

She brightly smiled as if nothing had happened, thanking him. That day, he realized. Berenice wasn’t pretending to be strong; she truly was a strong person. She wasn’t crouching with trauma from trivial matters but was someone moving forward.

And then, at their next meeting…

He received a proposal.

As expected, Berenice wasn’t dwelling on her misfortunes but moving forward. He saw his past self in Berenice. How suffocating it had been to return to the duchy as a duke. He stood up clenching his fists, feeling as if he were banging his head against the ground.

The past Roberto and Berenice were similar to each other.

Perhaps that played a small part in accepting her proposal.

Following the gaze that had already started to attract him, his heart also began to move…

Roberto…

It had already begun.

He started to hold Berenice in his heart.