“I’ve made my intentions clear. I want no conditions for the divorce. I just want matters to be concluded quietly.”

Chloe once again conveyed her intentions precisely.

When nobles divorced, it was customary for the man to pay an appropriate amount of alimony. Usually, it corresponded to the bride’s dowry, but for higher nobility, the amount was proportionally larger. None of them wanted gossip about low alimony added to the divorce label.

But Chloe had no desire to claim that money.

From the start, she hadn’t been able to bring much of a dowry, and because of her father’s actions, there were many days she couldn’t hold her head high. This should have been enough to convey her meaning. Though she couldn’t know how well he would accept her intentions.

Chloe had also imagined several times.

For instance, what it would be like if she met Andert again. There was an emptiness in one side of her heart, but it was bearable. Why had the time she spent living by his side felt lonelier than this moment when they’re discussing their end?

It was clear that people would say the first button had been wrongly fastened in this relationship. For Andert’s lofty pride, being pushed into marriage from the start couldn’t have been satisfactory.

‘But what if that beginning had been different? What if we had met by chance somewhere else, not by the palace’s will? Would things have been even slightly different?’

At this sudden question, Chloe gazed at the man in his neat suit. Even so, she couldn’t imagine him treating her any differently.

There was nothing more to say. Even if there was, it would all be pointless now. Chloe conveyed her intention to leave.

“Shall we get up if you’re done? I need to get back to the office.”

“……”

Meanwhile, Andert was at a loss for words. The person before him was clearly his wife, Chloe. Yet she felt so unfamiliar.

Until now, he had always been the one to unilaterally end conversations first. This fact, which he hadn’t even been conscious of before, came back like a sharp arrow as soon as he saw Chloe rise from her chair.

Andert realized for the first time that his time was limited. He opened his mouth after tightly closing and opening his eyes.

“Sit down, Chloe. I’m not finished speaking.”

But his manner of speech, accustomed to instructions and commands, couldn’t properly convey his feelings. He failed to realize that his words were commands disguised in polite words. And that Chloe was no longer someone who would follow her husband’s words.

That’s why. He blankly watched as Chloe turned and left in an instant. By the time he realized what had happened, the neat dress hem had already left the coffee shop after paying.

“Chloe!”

Andert caught up to her in just a few steps, though she was quite ahead. It was clearly unlike him. He had almost run the last three steps.

Stay calm and composed in any situation, at any time.

This was the first principle Andert learned from his father when he was just turning seven. Moreover, this was a public street. Chloe’s urging added to his confusion.

“Yes. If you have something left to say, please say it. But keep it brief. I really need to go up now.”

The face looking up at him showed no hesitation. So everything she had said until now was undeniable fact.

Chloe really wanted a divorce and desired nothing else.

But he couldn’t accept that fact. His mood began to twist as nothing went as he wished. Finally, distorted words forced their way through his teeth.

“Chloe, you must know. Without my consent, this marriage can never end.”

“……”

“Do you really want to have this predetermined argument with me?”

Andert didn’t want to resort to such justifications.

Throughout his train ride to Bergen, there were many things he had wanted to say. Among them, there were things he particularly wanted to ask. He wanted to know why Chloe wanted a divorce without any lingering attachment. Their marriage had been without other options anyway.

Moreover, it had been a clearly beneficial marriage for House Hardin.

So what if they separated like this? If Viscount Hardin caused problems again, would there be nothing to be done? That was a choice impossible to comprehend by Andert’s calculations.

And the necklace in Chloe’s bedroom drawer. The one containing a neatly preserved photo of him from his teens. He wanted to ask about that necklace.

Nevertheless, what came out was a stiff and overbearing voice. Chloe, who had been silent for a moment, slightly shook her head.

It was a very subtle movement. Just enough for someone right in front of her to notice. But to Andert, it felt as dramatic as if she were shaking her head with both hands raised.

Chloe asked, as though she had expected him to act this way,

“Then what do you plan to do?”

“Chloe.”

“As I said before, I won’t return to the capital. Do you really plan to continue like this? Is that what you want?”

“What exactly are you doing here? If you want to learn something more, do that. I won’t stop you in whatever direction.”

Andert’s words were sincere. If Chloe, who hadn’t completed her studies, wanted to study more, he intended to let her do as she wished. That wasn’t really an issue.

But he wanted all that to happen in the capital. Not here in Bergen. He didn’t like this place itself. And more importantly, why was Chloe living this kind of life here?

Above all, he disliked the unfamiliar environment surrounding her now. Even more so the dress she wore, which he had never seen before. The dress, clearly made of inferior fabric, looked rough even to the eye.

Chloe caught that look in an instant. It was natural. Throughout their marriage, Chloe had tried to understand every look and expression of his.

Having read his thoughts at once, Chloe bit her lip hard.

“That’s right. This isn’t a place for you, so go back. I was never someone who suited you from the start.”

“What are you saying…”

“So next time, please meet someone who matches you.”

Cutting off his words, Chloe turned around as if there was no need to hear any other response. Perhaps due to her heightened emotions, her heart was pounding wildly.

She had wanted to stay as calm as possible, but even that wasn’t easy. Chloe reached the association with quick steps. Daniel, who had been waiting in front of the building, bowed his head again.

The lawyer, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time, looked tired enough to have dark circles under his eyes. Chloe could somewhat imagine the situation during this time. If anything, Daniel was probably the person most on edge around Andert.

“It’s been a long time.”

The man, who seemed to be checking for Andert’s whereabouts over her shoulder, was courteous. But Chloe had no reason to receive such treatment from him anymore.

“As you know, Mr. Lawyer, I’ve expressed my wish for divorce. You must have had many things to worry about, and I feel apologetic to you in many ways.”

“Ah, no. How could you say such things? That’s not right at all.”

“…Take care on your way back. Goodbye.”

Chloe finished her final greeting to Daniel, who was waving his hands frantically. After all, the one he had to serve was Dietrich. After a brief bow, her footsteps entered the building through the door.

She couldn’t know whether Andert followed or was still standing in the same place. She walked straight ahead without looking back after finishing her last words.

“Hello? I’m leaving work first.”

Chloe tried to compose herself as she greeted an employee she met in the hallway.

She took a deep breath and paused briefly at the threshold. She couldn’t tell if her colleagues had returned during that time, but she wanted to be alone right now. Fortunately, her wish wasn’t in vain as the office was empty.

Only after slumping down at her desk did she release the breath she’d been holding. Even if she maintained outward composure, she couldn’t suppress the tension rising to her throat.

Andert, whom she met after two months, seemed somehow different. Though that sense of unfamiliarity felt strange, she quickly erased the thought. No matter what, he was still Andert.

Chloe realized it immediately after meeting his eyes during their final conversation. What lurked in his gaze as it swept over the coarse fabric of her dress sleeve was undisguised contempt.

Whether that cold look was directed at the rough fabric or not, what she felt was humiliation. Raw emotion welled up in her chest again. But Chloe comforted herself as she always did.

It’s okay. I’m doing well.

Everything might seem trivial to him, but life in Bergen was truly fine. If she wanted to continue life in the capital, she wouldn’t have left on her own.

As Chloe was trying to calm her mind somewhat, Kate, who had been out on field work, entered the office.

“Gemma just left to go home. Let’s head out too. I’m so hungry I need to eat something.”

Kate, who dropped her bag with a thud, was no different than usual.

Fortunately, it seemed she hadn’t run into Andert. Well, given his personality, he was probably already rushing to Bergen Station. He wasn’t one to dwell on things that weren’t efficient.