“I can assure you that the others probably thought you simply disliked parties and refrained from mentioning anything out of consideration for you.”

I could guess the unspoken part of Ian’s statement. It was likely because of Mother-in-law. The past of the Keppel family still had a deep influence.

This thought struck me anew. To understand a person, one must also understand their background. Yet, it dawned on me that no one in this world could fully understand me. No one knows my past life. The memories from that time still dominate my way of thinking, yet no one is aware of my long history.

“I should have realized.”

Ian blamed himself. I bit my lip.

“I should have asked at least once why you didn’t engage in social activities.”

He was regretting it, but to me, it sounded like a question of why he hadn’t said anything until now. I had refrained from discussing it, fearing it would only tire Ian out. I didn’t want to become a burdensome and annoying woman.

“Ian, isolating someone in the social scene is an old game. Right now, I’m the target, but it will be someone else next. Frankly, I think it’s impossible to eradicate this kind of behavior. Perhaps it’s part of human nature. I was just unlucky.”

“The fact that you became the target is my fault. I should have taken better care of you…”

I laughed because I once thought that way too.

“It’s not your fault, Ian. The people who torment are the ones at fault.”

“How can you think that?”

Ian looked at me in awe. How could I think that? I had just realized that I had been blaming the person who seemed the most vulnerable. I had been expecting and resenting, and that was practically a form of violence.

“Anyway, don’t say you’re sorry to me. To be fair, I have many things to apologize to you for.”

Ian didn’t ask what I was apologizing for. In fact, if he had, I would have been embarrassed. The thing I regretted most was not being able to accept Ian’s feelings. Instead, Ian stared at my face for a long time before quietly asking.

“What would you like me to do?”

I was taken aback, unsure what he meant, and stared at him. Ian was looking directly into my eyes as he asked. It was the same question he had asked before. I felt a bit perplexed. Why was he asking again?

“But you said you wouldn’t do anything?”

“…”

“Don’t do anything. Since the two of you know and everyone is aware, the next target will probably be you. There’s no need to seek revenge.”

I said this while glaring straight at Ian’s unresponsive brow.

“By the way… was what you said earlier about His Majesty being angry a lie?”

Ian still didn’t respond. Surely he wasn’t planning to set things in motion from behind the scenes after laying the groundwork that Cade couldn’t be stopped, was he? I spread my fingers as if scolding a child and said,

“Ian.”

“It’s not a lie.”

“Really?”

“First, I decided to hold off on any decisions until you wakes up. I was going to ask and decide. And if I do nothing, Cade will do something. There’s a pretty good chance of that.”

Seeing him make such a long excuse made me realize he really intended to do something without my knowledge. I became very curious.

“Ian, what would you do if I asked you to take revenge?”

Ian seemed a bit startled that I would ask so specifically.

“I’m just curious. Please be honest.”

“…I would probably issue a challenge to a duel. After all, they insulted my wife.”

To kill them? I tried to hide my surprise. I thought that if I showed any shock, Ian might not continue talking. I swallowed calmly and asked,

“And then?”

“Then, depending on the situation, I’d bring their family down.”

To kill husbands or maim them, then lower their family status? It sounded like a thoroughly cruel revenge, yet Ian spoke in a calm voice.

“Because that makes things easier afterward.”

What does “afterward” mean? No, don’t tell me. I hurriedly replied.

“Really, it’s best not to do anything.”

***

I sent a petition to Cade, saying that I would forgive them and asking him to please show mercy. It wasn’t out of pity for them, but because I feared Cade might use my excuse to eliminate the lords. I could see clearly that Cade was just looking for opportunities to eliminate noblemen who didn’t listen to him, and I didn’t want to be used as a justification for that. He could handle that on his own.

“My lady, you could swing a mace just once. Once you divorce, it’ll be hard to do that.”

“Because I’m getting a divorce, I should create even more enemies. I like stability.”

“That’s a fair point.”

It was the first time I had received letters from so many men in my life. Unfortunately, they were not love letters but rather letters of contrition. The contents were apologies from the husbands and sons of those women. Seeing men, who were usually quick to dismiss the affairs in the social scene as merely women’s business, now apologizing like dogs with their tails on fire was probably a sign that they feared Ian would issue a challenge.

“By the way, have you heard anything from Molly lately?”

“Nothing addressed to my lady, all of it has come in the name of Lady Molly.”

Joyce, sitting in the armchair and knitting a winter hat for a baby, spoke calmly.

“He says he misses me. He must be finally going mad.”

‘He used to say it was disgusting; now he truly seemed insane.’ Joyce looked at me and asked,

“Are you really okay with just letting this go? I may just be stuck in the mansion, but I’ve heard it’s become quite a big deal.”

“It’s become a big deal, so we have to let it go. If I hadn’t collapsed that day, I might have dreamed of some petty revenge…”

“Well, Lily and Sophia say that if you want it, His Majesty seems ready to punish them right away.”

I had actually stopped him from doing something even worse. Although this felt childish, I couldn’t help but feel a bit proud. Was this how it felt to be loved? While humming a tune and sorting through the letters, Joyce quietly asked,

“The kids are worried about you and want to come visit. Is that okay?”

“Really? Of course, tell them to come anytime.”

“I haven’t said anything about you or me yet. They just think I collapsed during a walk and am recovering at Keppel Manor.”

“It sounds like there’s a lot to catch up on.”

Joyce said this in a heavily downcast voice.

“…I’m sorry too, Liv.”

I looked up, puzzled.

“I’m sure Lily and Sophia couldn’t have been comfortable around you because I made you uncomfortable.”

I wanted to tell her that it was fine. However, my voice didn’t come out as easily as I thought. Perhaps it hurt more to be shunned by friends than by strangers who didn’t know me well.

“It’s all my fault. So you can blame me.”

It was cowardly to tell someone to blame me when they were in the most difficult position. I glared at Joyce and said,

“Enough. If I were you, I would have felt uncomfortable in that situation too.”

Joyce, her voice trembling, replied,

“Should I just get a divorce and live with you?”

“Would you?”

When I answered immediately, she gave a faint smile with uncertain eyes.

“No. What if the baby resents me later?”

“Maybe the mother would blame herself for enduring just for the child.”

At my words, she hesitated and gently rubbed her belly.

“I’m not enduring because of this child.”

Then she quietly vowed,

“Not granting him a divorce is a greater revenge, so I’m enduring.”

It seemed Joyce had finally decided to use her position as leverage. People without much thought easily fall into misunderstandings, but in the Cadia succession law, only the firstborn son of the wife is recognized as the heir.

No matter how many illegitimate children a man may have, if his wife cannot bear a child, he has no heir. Of course, there are examples of adopting a collateral relative as a son, but that also requires the wife’s consent.

Thus, a woman who has an heir is respected for that reason. While unmarried women are strictly held to chastity, no one cares about the chastity of a wife who has given birth to an heir.

So, if Joyce grants a divorce, Louis can bring in a new wife and produce an heir. However, if Joyce does not grant a divorce, the only option left is to produce heirs through her. Especially since Joyce has proven she can conceive, it has become impossible to demand a divorce under the pretense of lacking heirs.

“Joyce, you’ve grown up.”

“Is this really maturity?”

“What’s so special about growing up? Knowing how to distinguish right from wrong is a sign of maturity.”

This time, Joyce pouted.

“I know I’ve been short-sighted all this time. But I’ll be different now.”

Maybe it was because she was becoming a mother; Joyce suddenly felt more mature.

“Speaking of which, I want to meet my in-laws.”

“Why?”

I was taken aback.

“If I’m not going to get a divorce, I should talk things over again…”

A mix of anxiety and worry surged within me. I took a deep breath, suppressing those feelings, and tried to counsel her.

“Joyce, you know your future depends on what you do right now, right? If you keep acting submissively, they will think of you as easy prey.”

“I know. That’s why I want to meet my in-laws, not Louis. I think it would be better to meet both of them at the same time. Although my mother can be a bit emotional, she tends to hold back when my father is around. And while my father is cold, he does listen to my mother a bit. I think I need to see how they will react. If it doesn’t go well, I’ll get a divorce.”

I thought it might be better for Molly’s people to be kept on their toes, but Joyce’s feelings took precedence, so I held back. If I invited both of them, I would need to prepare a dinner.

In fact, it seemed better for Joyce to negotiate before rumors about my divorce spread. That way, she could borrow the aura of the Keppel family. Moreover, a few days ago, I had flaunted my connections with the imperial family at the New Year’s ball, so in a way, this was the best time for my status.

“It might be a bit sudden, but how about this Friday?”

In aristocratic etiquette, invitations should be sent at least two weeks in advance for dinners or anything else, but I was planning to meet with the bishop this weekend.

This was because I needed to get his signature on the divorce consent form, the same person who officiated our wedding. After that, I just needed to finalize the divorce agreement with Ian and submit it to the court. Of course, that wasn’t the end; I had to go through a contemplation period, so I needed to hurry if I wanted to finish the divorce before the social season ended. Joyce looked hesitant as she said,

“Is it really that sudden?”

“If I submit the divorce papers to the court next week, rumors about my divorce will spread like wildfire. So let’s reach a conclusion before then.”

“…”

“First, tell me what you want to say when you meet them.”

I practiced with Joyce for our rehearsal for Friday whenever I could. Finally, Friday arrived.