Her work on the May publication had already reached its final stages.

Chloe made a final check of the work diligently printed by the printing house machines. The workshop was filled with machines that constantly spewed out dust.

“I’ve finished all the checks, Director.”

“Yes! Shall we go out now?”

As Chloe raised her voice over the constant machine noise, the man pointed towards the exit. As soon as they stepped outside, her muffled ears immediately quieted down.

“I’ll contact you as soon as the work is finished. Take care.”

Even after the surroundings had quieted down, the director’s voice was excessively loud as he said goodbye. It seemed to be a habit ingrained from being in the noisy factory.

Chloe turned around after leaving a request to take good care. Her throat felt scratchy, probably from inhaling dust for over two hours.

As she let out a small cough, Chloe remembered that tomorrow was the date Andert had mentioned. He was originally not one to make many promises, but once he decided to do something, he never went back on his word.

So unless something special happened, he would arrive in Bergen tomorrow. Then, he must have left the capital by now.

Even if he boarded the train this morning, he wouldn’t arrive at Bergen station until after noon tomorrow. She couldn’t understand why he would come all this way again.

For Andert, it would have been a much more rational choice to send someone else. In fact, there was no need to send anyone separately. After all, she had already signed all the divorce papers before leaving the capital.

Even as she returned to the office and wrapped up her work, the thoughts swirling in her head wouldn’t disappear. Of course, the outcome was as good as decided. Yet that fact was separate from her ability to treat Andert with indifference..

It was just as Chloe was trying to focus on work again, deliberately emptying her mind that Gemma approached her desk and held out something.

“I’d like you to finish the typing work by next week, Miss Chloe.”

“Yes. I’ll pass it on to you when the work is done.”

Chloe calmly accepted her colleague’s now-familiar territorial behavior. Gemma often delivered manuscripts only when the deadline was imminent, just like now.

But Chloe didn’t want to argue about that fact. As she silently checked the manuscript, Gemma asked an uncharacteristic question.

“What have you decided on for next month’s feature article topic?”

“Pardon?”

“The theme for the June publication that you’ll be writing, Miss Chloe.”

Gemma looked quite curious. Chloe, who had only jotted down a few topics so far, answered calmly.

“I haven’t decided exactly yet.”

“Is that so? You have a lot of secrets, Miss Chloe.”

The tone of her question was skewed. When their gazes met, Chloe inwardly swallowed a small sigh. She couldn’t even guess what was bothering her this time.

“Let me be honest. Really…”

It was just as Gemma was about to speak, looking as if she had more to say, that ootsteps approached from the corridor, and the door swung open.

The person who entered the office was Quincy, who had been out on field work.

“I’m back. Oh? Miss Gemma, you returned early today.”

Quincy, who had put down his bag busily, greeted them familiarly. Meanwhile, Gemma, who had been standing close to Chloe’s desk, naturally stepped back.

“Yes. My afternoon schedule ended early.”

“Ah, it’s getting hotter day by day. I should try to avoid midday appointments from now on.”

“Well, summer starts early in Bergen.”

Gemma, who answered nonchalantly, glanced at Chloe’s profile before returning to her seat.

She had also checked the manuscript written by the new colleague. The article that passed the internal evaluation unanimously was of excellent quality. But something felt suspicious. The broad perspective and knowledge permeating the article weren’t something that could be accumulated in a short period.

Surely Kate, who was close to her, must have completely revised the messy first draft. After all, Kate was a talent who graduated from the Royal University.

Gemma’s suspicion was now growing into certainty.

She asked about Chloe’s topic for the next month to gauge her reaction. The other party had answered without even blinking. Her composure could certainly fool all the other people in the association.

How shameless to gain people’s recognition by borrowing her friend’s help.

A sullen gaze glared at the back of her neatly tied hair. She felt like she needed to say something to get it off her chest, but with others watching, now wasn’t the time.

Gemma began organizing documents with just enough force not to draw attention from others.

***

In the train running at a constant speed, Daniel rolled his body to the side.

The first-class compartment, perfectly equipped with cozy bedding, was much more comfortable and pleasant than other seats. As it was past midnight, the view outside the window was passing through endless darkness.

Daniel furrowed his brow, trying to guess his master’s intentions from beyond the wall. He had rejoiced after confirming the content that the old Duke had recently handed over.

Finally, the day has come. The day when the master I serve ascends to the position of Duke Dietrich.

The times he had followed Andert, staying up nights through rain or snow, flashed by like a kaleidoscope. Moreover, the old Duke’s signature was already on the documents.

But why?

That’s where the question began. Despite having a significant opportunity rolling right up to him, Andert didn’t finish signing. Of course, the old Duke’s proposal had put his divorce from Lady Dietrich as a precondition.

Then, is it because of Lady Dietrich?

No matter how much he thought about it, there seemed to be only one reason why he didn’t readily accept that proposal. But Daniel, who had observed Andert most closely, closed his eyes as if it made no sense.

“He must have some other thoughts.”

The body that had murmured with a sigh rolled over to the other side once more.

Regardless of the reason, it made more sense than Lady Dietrich being in that compartment. Anderett missing such a crucial opportunity because of his wife? Besides, hadn’t Lady Dietrich already expressed her intention to divorce?

There were plenty of things he wanted to ask, but Daniel only groaned inwardly.

He, who had been frantically handling work for several days, kept watching Andert’s mood. But in front of the man who showed no sign, his thoughts only became more complicated.

I should just sleep.

Daniel, who decided to stop his fruitless worrying, curled up his body. Soon, the sound of steady breathing began to fill the sleeping compartment.

***

The next afternoon, Chloe faced Andert in a sparsely populated park.

The small park, built along a stream, was filled with the scent of summer that had arrived in full force. The lush weeds and wildflowers repeatedly fell and rose like waves in the blowing wind.

“It’s been exactly two weeks.”

Andert, who greeted first, was dressed in a black suit that didn’t match the weather.

“Yes.”

Chloe answered briefly, staring at the man’s jawline that had become even sharper.

He was usually expressionless, making it impossible to discern his emotions. It was the same now. In the past, she used to be tense and watchful in front of such an unreadable husband every time.

But not now. If there was one thing that had changed most significantly since leaving the capital, it was this fact. Even now, she couldn’t guess what was going on inside him, but Chloe no longer tried to look into it.

Andert silently observed the silence of his wife, who used to always speak first. Chloe, whom he was seeing after two weeks, was both familiar and unfamiliar.

“It seems Lady Dietrich is living a smooth life in Bergen. Her interactions are mostly limited to the association staff and artists settled in that city.”

According to Daniel, Chloe was steadily learning her work.

She was a woman who was surprisingly diligent. Probably, if she set her mind to it, she could live sufficiently anywhere, not just in Bergen.

He realized that such boldness also suited her very well. Although he couldn’t completely shake off the lingering sense of defeat.

Regardless of his feelings, his head had already finished all calculations. What he would gain from one choice was clear.

Gain Dietrich. Lose Chloe.

It was clear-cut. If it were the opposite case, the choice would be even more certain.

Gain Chloe. Lose Dietrich. Needless to say, it was an answer that contained enormous losses.

Besides, wasn’t I the one who never looked into Chloe’s inner thoughts when she was by my side? It was ridiculous that a person like that would delay this decision because of someone.

Unlike this rationality, Andert’s mood was truly foul. But Chloe, who was sitting across from him, was calm.

“Andert, my decision hasn’t changed.”

It was another notification of farewell, though something he expected. Andert looked at her without saying a word.

Chloe was dressed in clothes suitable for the weather where sweat beads would form on the forehead in the midday. He even noticed the plain hat placed on one side of the bench.

It was an awkward appearance for him, but Chloe was clearly adapting terrifyingly well. Suddenly, the thin neckline revealed above the dress buttons caught his eye.

Andert’s gaze slowly circled around that area.