“It’s not that. What I’m saying is, I will look like I was desperate for money that I even cut off my hair to sell it! Are you okay with that?”

“Oh, that was the issue.”

*Sigh.* I finally felt like we were on the same page, so I let out a sigh. After a moment of contemplation, Ian spoke.

“Is it because of the rumors that Liv doesn’t have red lips? I thought it would be better to admit it sooner rather than later.”

I was surprised at how accurately Ian understood my intentions. If he could get it this quickly, then what was all that nonsense from earlier about? He was still as confusing as ever.

“If that’s the case, do as you like. I don’t mind.”

I was left in a daze by his overly cool response, but then suddenly, Phillip jumped to his feet.

“Oh, I can’t believe this. Duchess, His Grace is telling you that he’ll support whatever decision you make, so don’t worry and do as you wish!”

Hmm… now that he put it that way, it sounded a bit different.

“Yes, that’s exactly what I meant.”

“…Really?”

“Liv, I think the way I’ve been speaking has been a bit problematic, so I’m trying to fix it. So…”

“…I understand.”

This was Phillip’s fault. Ian only became so efficient in his speech because Phillip had always understood him perfectly, even when he spoke carelessly. So all the trouble Phillip was going through now was self-inflicted. In a sharp tone, Phillip said,

“Frankly, if His Grace cared about the family, he would have had children by now. He’s determined to end the bloodline with himself, so why worry? Duchess, do whatever you want. Even if you completely ruin things, it won’t matter. Hahaha!”

Phillip, get a grip… He was on the verge of losing it. I looked at Ian, hoping he’d calm him down, but Ian just lowered his head with a hardened expression. As the atmosphere grew solemn, Phillip began gathering his papers and said,

“…I’ll just excuse myself.”

After causing such a scene, he left… Leaving just the two of us in the room. After a long silence, Ian quietly spoke.

“Phillip is right.”

“…”

“As I’ve said before, I never intended to have children. Not with you, not with anyone…”

I, honestly, couldn’t believe what he was saying. Ian was the only heir of the Keppel family. His only remaining relative was his mother. There were distant cousins, but they had all died in the war, leaving only one surviving cousin who was too disabled to participate in society.

“So what were you planning to do with the Keppel family?”

“I’ll return the title to the royal family.”

“…Oh my god.”

I held my head in disbelief.

“Then why did you even marry me…”

“…I’m sorry.”

Ian didn’t offer any excuses. I tried to recall what he had said back then, in shock.

“I didn’t want to have children and didn’t think I could make you happy, so I thought divorce was the best way to protect you.”

I had thought it was nonsense. But he had meant it.

“Does your mother know? About how you feel?”

“She didn’t know before. I never intended to tell her.”

So she knows now? I stared at him, pressing for answers, and Ian gave me a bitter smile.

“When you said you couldn’t have children, I told her then. I explained that even if we didn’t have a child, I wouldn’t divorce you because I never planned to have one in the first place.”

“…”

“My mother surprisingly agreed. She said that what she wanted was our happiness, not grandchildren. So…”

…Wow, Mother. That’s an unimaginable boldness for me. Now I see where Ian got it from—he must take after her. Such a lack of attachment… If it were any other noble family, they would have clung to their wealth and power for generations, yet they’re willing to return it all to the royal family.

“It seems unbelievable, doesn’t it? But to me, this family is something I was forced to take on. I can’t abandon it because it’s the entirety of my identity, but I can’t hold onto it either. My father passed the title to me the moment I became an adult. I suppose he felt the same way.”

“Ian…”

He stared off into the distance as he continued.

“It’s the perfect timing. The concept of nobility is disappearing, and all that will remain are wealthy landowners. We won’t have to continue this shameful history of clinging to titles.”

I had always thought Ian hated his father and mother. But he didn’t resent either the father who created this tragedy or the mother who neglected him. If it had been me, I would have blamed them. But he hadn’t even done that, instead bottling up his anger with nowhere to release it.

“In any case, once we’re divorced, you and I will be strangers. What happens to this family won’t matter to you. I plan to live as the Duke of Keppel until my mother and Liv are gone, and then I’ll let Cade take over.”

Ha… Haha. I let out a dry laugh. It was absurd, yet at the same time, I understood. I had often felt overwhelmed and wanted to escape as well. Has Ian lived like this the whole time? But I had found moments of fulfillment in the burdens of being a duchess. Ian must have had something similar. What I couldn’t understand was…

“So you don’t need to worry about the Keppel family’s reputation or honor. After the divorce, your name will be erased from the family records and forgotten by history. Even if it’s not, nothing will be as shocking as me returning the title, so nothing you do will matter in the end.”

I was strangely comforted by these words.

“Ian… You’re really living recklessly.”

At my remark, Ian suddenly burst into laughter. I realized it was probably the first time I had ever seen him laugh out loud.

“…Is that funny? No, don’t laugh. I’m being serious here. I always thought of you as someone responsible. But now… Are you really planning to abandon the estate?”

“Hmm, don’t you think it’s unreasonable, Liv?”

“What?”

“When a lord dies, the estate is thrown into chaos, and when the emperor dies, the empire is at risk. People are destined to die someday.”

“…Oh.”

I suddenly gasped, surprised by a thought. Ian’s words were a line from the original novel, spoken in a scene where Cade and Ian agreed on their shared vision. In the empire’s history, numerous civil wars had occurred, especially during the succession of new emperors. Every time a new emperor took the throne, a massive civil war ensued, and smaller territorial disputes were a constant occurrence.

To prevent these territorial wars, the previous emperor abolished feudalism, stripping lords of their conscription and taxation rights. The Keppel family led the opposition to this reform, and the former emperor, despite his weak position, entrusted Cade to the Keppel family, believing they would best uphold his vision.

The male protagonist, Cade, dreamed of strengthening imperial authority and creating a centralized government to stabilize the people’s livelihoods. I had thought it was a fantasy, a grand ambition only a novel’s hero could have. I never imagined that Ian, Cade’s loyal friend, had the same purpose, not just because he was a devoted ally.

“…So that’s your sense of responsibility. Building a system where people can continue living even after you’re gone.”

“Exactly. That’s why, despite everyone’s objections, I’ve continued my role as prime minister. No one understood, not even Phillip. How did you figure it out so quickly, Liv?”

Ian looked genuinely pleased that I had understood his intentions. But I stared at him, overwhelmed. I had assumed the author made him a prime minister to make him more competitive with the emperor. But now I realized that wasn’t the case. As the head of a powerful noble family like Keppel, he should have been ruling over his estate like a king, but instead, he stayed in the capital, devoting himself to his work. I truly didn’t know Ian. He was a stranger to me. Smiling in disbelief, I said,

“What do I know? I don’t know anything.”

“Liv?”

“Anyway, you’re saying I can live recklessly too. No wonder you had no interest in the estate. I’m honestly shocked…”

“Ah, that’s because I knew you were taking care of everything so well…”

“Enough. This is a fake marriage. If I’d known from the start, I would’ve lived carefree without all the inner turmoil. What was the point of all my struggles?”

Ian’s face paled as he grabbed my hand.

“That’s not it at all. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything. Even I couldn’t neglect the estate completely while focusing only on national affairs. It was only possible because of you, because I knew you were managing things better than I ever could.”

I shouldn’t be this easily swayed by such words. I roughly shook off Ian’s hand, trying to hide my feelings.

“Then what about quitting as prime minister? Your goals aren’t even fully realized. What about what you said before? That night we drank in your study… if I’d agreed then… does that mean you were thinking about having an heir at that time?”

Seeing Ian’s hardened expression, I regretted bringing it up. How had we ended up here? I wanted to hit myself for saying too much. Trying not to show my regret, I added irritably,

“You keep changing your mind, Ian. That’s why I can’t trust you.”

Ian’s face remained calm.

“…Because I’ve found something more important.”

Instead of continuing, he glanced at his wristwatch and spoke in an even tone.

“Let’s go. We have a divorce consultation after lunch, remember? We’re going to be late.”

I silently stood up from my seat.

TL NOTE: Visit and bookmark the story at dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and updates of its latest release.