As if not even allowing me a midsummer night’s dream, I collapsed again.

“I’m sorry.”

Ian apologized in a low voice. His voice trembled slightly, and at the same time, my heart seemed to sink.

“I won’t ask for something like that again.”

With difficulty, I turned to look at him. His lonely figure was moving away from me. Was he crying? I couldn’t bring myself to stop him and bit my lip. Ian closed the door behind him as he left. Lying in bed, I thought to myself. It was a short fainting spell, but it was probably long enough to become a part of his endless nightmare.

“Jane, could you open the window?”

Jane looked exhausted, perhaps from staying up all night. Outside the open window, dawn was breaking.

“What happened with the party?”

Did I ruin it?

“The dowager took care of it beautifully. She kept it a secret that you collapsed and just said you weren’t feeling well and went to rest early. The guests enjoyed the party thoroughly and left, so please don’t worry.”

I breathed a sigh of relief at her words. Jane, who had opened the window and come back to my side, finally let out the frustration she had been holding in.

“Please, you don’t have to worry about things like that anymore. Why does it even matter at a time like this?”

“I just wanted it to end well.”

Hearing my response, Jane quietly turned away and wiped her tears. I was relieved that I didn’t have to make any further excuses.

In the dim dawn light, I lay in bed watching as the day broke. I was thankful to see today’s sunrise, thankful that last night’s kiss wasn’t my final one. I didn’t want to become a haunting memory for Ian. I watched the world outside in silence until morning came fully, then took the medicine Jane offered and slept briefly.

When I woke up, it was early afternoon. I sat up in bed, had a light breakfast-lunch, and dressed simply. Jane sighed as she spoke.

“If it were up to me, I’d have you rest in bed all day, but it’s an important day, so I can’t.”

“After today, I’ll be able to rest as much as I want.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

Jane forced a smile.

Today was the day the court would finalize our divorce. Inside the carriage on the way to the courthouse, Ian and I exchanged no words. When our eyes met, we merely smiled at each other, and the atmosphere was calm. I didn’t know his true feelings, but he seemed to want me to feel at ease, so I pretended to be.

But when we arrived at the courthouse, I sensed that something was amiss.

“Um, I’m afraid there’s been a delay.”

“Is there a problem?”

“I don’t know the details. We’ve been instructed to ask you to wait for a moment. Would that be alright?”

The “moment” they asked us to wait stretched on, with no one showing up. Finally, Ian, who had been sitting with me in the VIP room, got up.

“I’ll go check.”

I didn’t stop him. But before he could leave, someone knocked on the door. When Ian opened it and saw who it was, his face immediately grew tense. It was the emperor’s chamberlain.

“By order of His Majesty, the documents for both of you have been rejected.”

I felt a painful tightening in my chest and forced myself to swallow the bitter taste of the medicine.

“What is the meaning of this?”

“Please, Your Grace, calm down.”

“What does this mean?”

“His Majesty has—please, let go of me.”

Ian grabbed the chamberlain by the collar, and nearby imperial guards moved to intervene. When I noticed that the head of the royal guard himself was present, I understood that Cade had sent him deliberately. I quickly stepped in before Ian lost his temper.

“Ian, stop.”

Ian, who looked ready to strike the chamberlain at any moment, released his grip at my word. Though gritting his teeth and radiating fury, he didn’t reach out again. I took a deep breath, my shoulders trembling.

“Let’s resolve this through discussion. I’ll request an audience with His Majesty… while I go to see Her Majesty the Empress.”

If Ian resorted to violence here, Cade would use it as an excuse to refuse him. Ian seemed to understand my meaning and jerked his head toward the chamberlain.

“Lead the way.”

The royal guards surrounded Ian as he left the courthouse. Watching them head toward the palace, I climbed into the carriage bound for the Empress’s palace, trying hard to hide my growing anxiety, and spoke to Phillip.

“Shouldn’t you go with Ian?”

“Since you asked him to resolve it through dialogue, he will likely keep his word. My duty is to protect you, My Lady.”

I hoped Ian could settle it, but how could anyone persuade a determined Cade? He was the Emperor. No one could sway him. If there was anyone who could, it might be Celia. Celia seemed to have expected my visit.

“Welcome, Duchess.”

Although she greeted me in her usual way, it sounded different to me. By now, I should no longer have been the Duchess.

“How is your health?”

“I’m fine, Your Majesty. More importantly, it seems as if you knew I would come.”

Celia’s face briefly held a troubled look, but she soon composed herself with a practiced smile.

“I know why you’re here. But I share His Majesty’s view.”

“The same view?”

“Not just me. Many people don’t want you to get a divorce.”

I caught my breath. But even exhaling was difficult. Why on earth?

“You seem to be struggling. Could someone help her?”

With the maids’ help, I sat down on the sofa. All the Empress’s maids were young ladies of noble lineage. These daughters of prestigious families gathered around me in perfect coordination; one began fanning me while another massaged my hands. And when I saw the maids bringing in censers to burn Roscari leaves, I realized even the Empress had made up her mind.

“Bring that as well.”

One of the maids brought the Empress’s letter box. I glanced at the pile of letters inside.

“These are petitions asking me to prevent your divorce.”

“I don’t understand. Do they truly have so little to do that they meddle in others’ affairs?”

“Don’t be upset. They’re doing it for your sake.”

For my sake, they say. I couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief. They’d brought these letters here to make me read them, no doubt? I pulled one out and began reading. It was from a noblewoman, someone I had never even spoken to. She expressed her pity for me, regretted not engaging with me in the past, and begged the Empress to stop my divorce.

Did they feel some guilt for shunning me, and now they wanted to “help” by blocking my divorce? I was speechless. Every person who wrote a letter seemed to believe I’d be miserable if I divorced. Just as I once believed myself. I wondered if Celia felt the same.

“Your Majesty, surely you know… Ian isn’t someone who would abandon me just because we’re divorced. This divorce was something I wanted.”

“Everyone, please leave us.”

In an instant, everyone left, and only Celia and I remained in the Empress’s private chamber. Celia handed me a newspaper.

“I’m sorry. But there are various reasons people are against the Keppel family’s divorce.”

Today’s newspaper had an editorial titled, “Why Must Women Always Be Sacrificed in Matters of Succession?” I let out a faint laugh.

“So, has anyone staged a protest to change the inheritance laws? Even if there’s such a debate, it will quickly fade away after my divorce.”

Inheritance laws are, by nature, the most conservative of all. I recalled how, in my previous life, the Salic law began to be repealed only after World War II, when most male heirs were gone. There was no reason to expect Cadia’s inheritance law to change anytime soon.

In terms of history, the very fact that such discussions were happening was encouraging, but to me, trapped by them, it was infuriating. Celia spoke quietly.

“But it can’t be ignored. Such unrest could stir the public mood. And the fact that this article came out on the very day of your divorce… it could be intentional.”

I threw the newspaper down and gave a cold smile.

“Are you afraid? That if public sentiment turns away, it might provide a pretext for rebellion despite endless purges?”

Celia paused momentarily, then nodded with a blank expression.

“Yes.”

To admit it so easily? I sighed.

“Your Majesty, what wrong have I done?”

It felt pointless to speak, but Celia closed her eyes as if struck by guilt.

“What wrong have I done? Or what grudge do you hold against Ian to go this far?”

“Olivia, it’s not that. We’re truly doing this for both of you…”

“I don’t want to die in front of him.”

Celia abruptly closed her mouth.

“Your Majesty, since you’ve once had to flee, you must understand. When the Plethon family attempted to harm you, with what heart did you run away?”

Celia had thought as she ran. She hoped Cade would not feel guilt over her death. When she learned the Plethon family sought to remove her to claim the Empress’s seat, she resolved, at the very least, not to die in front of Cade. Only after fleeing did she discover she was with child, and that child had kept her alive.

Disliking the sight of Celia in tears, I defied decorum and stood up to leave.