No matter how Andert had claimed the title, the next in line of succession was clearly Patrick. When the young duke who had just stamped his divorce papers, and had no children yet, passed away, it would naturally be her nephew who would inherit that position.

The black eyes gradually regained their rationality as they contemplated another possibility. A heavy silence lingered in the bedroom filled with palpable tension.

Winston repeatedly took drags from his cigarette as if he had nothing more to say. In sync with his pace, dark ashes continuously fell into the ashtray.

Fabiana stepped back without saying a word. She had nothing more to discuss with her husband.

This is just a tug of war that won’t end until one of us dies first.

Fabiana took another step back as she unsheathed the blade she had buried in her heart. Though her path was set, she felt empty at the same time.

Born as royalty, she had never bowed her head to anyone. Yet behind that facade stood a woman who was utterly pathetic. To Fabiana, she looked no different from the messy pile of ashes in the ashtray. So she couldn’t end things this pathetically.

With her goal now clear, Fabiana turned around completely.

***

It was a sweltering summer. The office was filled with the sound of cicadas that had started crying since morning. The wind blowing through the wide-open windows carried the full heat of midday.

Chloe’s eyes, which had been quickly flipping through documents, suddenly turned toward her bag. Inside was mail delivered by an employee who had just visited.

The sender was lawyer Daniel. It contained notice that all divorce procedures between Andert and her were complete. It also informed her that her name had changed.

Chloe Hardin.

She quietly repeated in her mind the name she had reclaimed after years. It was also proof that things were completely over with Andert. Additionally, news of the divorce coupled with the succession of the Dietrich duchy drew even more public attention.

The newspaper distributed early this morning featured a huge photo of Andert.

「The New Master of Dietrich, Andert. Who Is He?」

The article chronicled one person’s life story, from his childhood through the private schools he attended to the military academy he finally graduated from. If there was one speck of dust in his spotless record, it was his divorce from Chloe.

But even that seemed to be emerging as a new charm.

“Duke Dietrich? Wow, he’s handsome. Isn’t this really unfair? Someone who already has everything lacking nothing is perfect even in the last detail.”

“Didn’t you know, Quincy? The world is just like that. More importantly, I wonder what it feels like? Living as a noble whose name everyone knows from birth.”

Andert was also the subject of gossip between Quincy and Gemma sitting side by side.

Well, what kind of family was Dietrich? It was a name that had built its foundation alongside Artion’s long history. People were enthusiastic about the young duke who had claimed that position.

Moreover, his distinct features stood out even in photos taken without any particular pose. Though divorced once, he was a stunningly handsome man. Add to that the dazzling title of Duke Dietrich.

It was enough for people to chatter about. At the same time, Chloe became the most pitiful divorcee in the world.

“But that woman who divorced Duke Dietrich… She missed the chance to become a Duchess if she had just stayed a little longer.”

“That’s true. The man in the photo will surely remarry spectacularly soon. Too bad for the woman.”

Chloe, who had unwittingly gained unwanted sympathy, swallowed a dry sigh. Though frustrated, there was nothing she could do. After all, in their eyes, the woman in the article had missed the opportunity of a lifetime.

Chloe gripped her pen again, trying to focus on the manuscript she was reviewing. Then Kate, who had been observing the situation, naturally stepped in.

“Quincy, could you come over here? Let’s do a final check on the list of paintings for the new exhibition.”

“Ah, yes yes.”

The ongoing conversation stopped when Quincy left her seat. Gemma, who had been reading more of the newspaper, soon stood up as well.

Chloe, sitting diagonally across, took a small breath. However, the situation that Kate had appropriately cut off for her friend didn’t last long. Someone entered with a knock.

“Hello?”

“Hello, Miss Harper.”

“Yes, yes. Good morning everyone. Ah, Chloe. This man, he’s the one who came to the residence that day, right?”

After briefly greeting other colleagues, Harper approached Chloe. Her face was flushed as she clutched the rolled newspaper. She seemed to have rushed over right after confirming the article.

“……Yes.”

Chloe calmly acknowledged. There was no point in pretending not to know now. This was a storm she had to weather at some point, so she just hoped this commotion wouldn’t last long.

But Harper, full of curiosity and questions, showed no sign of letting up.

“Oh my! Chloe, you were married? No, more than that, your husband was Duke Dietrich?”

“Not anymore. As the article stated, we’re divorced.”

The other party fired questions in rapid succession, seemingly unable to believe it. Though Chloe answered as calmly as possible, the unwanted attention didn’t easily subside.

Harper, who had been frowning deeply, nodded vigorously as if she had known it all along.

“I thought so. From his attire onwards, nothing was ordinary. From head to toe. The moment I saw him, I thought he wasn’t an ordinary man.”

“Miss Harper.”

Unlike the initial careful tone, Harper’s voice was getting louder. Chloe tried to stop her, but it was useless.

Then Gemma, who had been carefully observing her colleague who suddenly appeared, stretched her neck out.

“What do you mean by that?”

The newspaper Harper was holding was identical to what Gemma had just read.

But the man who took up the entire front page was Chloe’s husband?

So the unfamiliar woman who had crossed over to Bergen months ago was actually a member of a high noble family. Suddenly, the snippet about the former Lady of Dietrich in the corner of the newspaper came to mind.

Daughter of Viscount Hardin. She married Andert just a year after entering the Royal University’s Art History Department. Though she didn’t complete her graduation afterward.

‘The woman I thought was nothing special was actually of noble birth? That Chloe who wore dresses from the nearby general store like a uniform?’

Gemma’s confused eyes turned to Harper, urging an answer.

“Ah, well.”

Harper made eye gestures as if it would be awkward to say more in front of the person concerned. It was an uncharacteristic cautiousness for someone who had come directly to confirm the facts. Having confirmed what she was most curious about, Harper left the office after a brief greeting.

But the rumor spread throughout the association before noon had even passed.

“Please take care of it by next week.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll start with the draft first.”

“Yes. Please let me know if there are any special circumstances.”

When Chloe visited other departments for work, the back of her head felt hot from the constant glances. Though Bergen was close to the border, she hadn’t expected to be able to hide her status forever. But with Andert’s succession to the title, that time had been greatly accelerated.

Still, Chloe stood her ground firmly. This curiosity would eventually fade, so she just had to endure until then.

“Are you okay?”

As the day waned and others finished their work, Kate quietly asked.

No, actually she wasn’t okay. But it wasn’t unbearable. Chloe answered while retying her loosened hair.

“Since I expected this to some extent… Won’t people’s interest die down soon?”

Kate nodded comfortingly at the somewhat deflated voice.

“Of course. In a few days, another topic will quickly emerge. When I broke off my engagement, people gave me the same consolation dozens of times. It might be better to get it all over with at once like this.”

Kate patted Chloe’s shoulder, saying not to worry. Though she deliberately brought up her own story, she actually knew.

Her case was just an engagement, and though her partner was wealthy, he was ordinary. Meanwhile, Chloe’s ex-husband being Duke Dietrich would continue to be troublesome.

Even if things quieted down for a while, what if that ex-husband remarried? People would obviously gossip about Chloe again, calling her pitiful.

But Kate put aside her vague concerns and smiled brightly. There wasn’t enough time to just think good thoughts. There was no need to add unnecessary weight to her friend who was already feeling complicated enough.

“Let’s eat something first. Come on, get up. Chloe.”

Kate quickly pulled her up so she couldn’t refuse and opened the door in one breath.

***

“Your Grace, you must attend the gathering hosted by Count Declen this week.”

Andert nodded slightly at the butler’s reminder.

“I’ll take my leave now.”