At the same time, Andert who returned to the mansion headed straight to his study. As always, his faithful butler followed behind.

Andert had heard about Chloe’s outing from the servant who came in the morning. But he hadn’t given any response to Roman’s note asking for different instructions.

Did something happen again at the Hardin household?

Andert didn’t attach much significance to his wife’s trip to Hanover. Or it might simply be a visit to commemorate her mother’s death anniversary.

Moreover, Chloe, who had presented the divorce papers, hadn’t said anything special for several days afterward. So he hadn’t worried particularly and still didn’t. Rather, he only guessed that his wife who had suddenly mentioned divorce had headed to Hanover to calm her mind.

In the end, it was Roman who first brought up Chloe.

“Duchess Dietrich took the afternoon train. As reported, Bellisa accompanied her to Hanover station.”

Though the master hadn’t asked anything, it was a report that naturally had to be made as the butler overseeing all general matters of the mansion.

Silently checking the time, Andert pressed his eyelids firmly. Perhaps because he was buried in paperwork from meetings all day, he was particularly tired compared to usual. Then, suddenly remembering something, he opened his mouth.

“Roman, has anything happened at the Hardin household recently?”

The reason Andert thought of after receiving the divorce papers was one thing. It was Viscount Hardin, Chloe’s father, who often caused problems.

Though it seemed he had been quiet for several months. Even after his wife passed away, the Viscount had a record of causing various incidents big and small. But lately he seemed to be staying quiet.

The butler’s unhesitating response wasn’t different from expectations.

“As far as I know, there’s nothing special. Please let me know if there are any matters that need to be investigated further.”

Well. After contemplating briefly, Andert shook his head.

“No. Nothing particular.”

He briefly added before sinking deep into the sofa.

Chloe would be back within a week at most. Whatever trouble Viscount Hardin had caused, they would soon find out. For any problems the Hardin family faced, he was the only one they could rely on.

It would be about money again, no doubt. Andert concluded.

Viscount Hardin’s notorious investment skills were public knowledge. Hmm. That too was a talent of sorts. How could every single place he invested in end up failing?

“The Duchess is scheduled to visit the capital in two weeks. I heard it’s another visit to commemorate your birthday, my lord.”

Roman finished his final report while neatly arranging the scattered documents and pen.

Every year around this time, Andert’s mother Fabiana would visit the capital. She would stay for 3-4 days for her son’s birthday.

Birthday… Andert smirked. But if it was wrapped in the pretense of celebration, he had no reason to refuse.

Currently, Duke and Duchess Dietrich were staying in Lyon, where the ducal residence was located. It had been three years since the old duke, whose health had deteriorated making movement difficult, had appeared in the capital.

During that time, Andert had taken on all duties and responsibilities that Duke Dietrich should have performed publicly. People already considered him the de facto head of House Dietrich. And they showed him the appropriate respect.

“The Duke will soon pass on his title and all authority to his only son. From what I hear, the old duke can’t even get out of bed.”

Andert was well aware of what was commonly believed.

Well, it wasn’t wrong. If it were within normal and general circumstances, that is.

But not in his case. Not when the person most likely to grab his weak point first was guarding the ducal residence.

He swallowed his rising cynicism while staring out into the pitch-black window.

“Let’s end here for today.”

At his words meaning he wanted to rest, Roman left the study without making a sound.

Alone in the space, Andert quietly closed his eyes. He had been too busy during the day to notice, but something had been bothering him all along. Like a tiny speck of dust in his eye… A feeling that wasn’t painful but constantly nagging.

Though he retraced his memories in detail, there was no specific reason. Rather, today was the day when long-term bonds had brought enormous profits. There was nothing to find fault with work-wise.

Then there was only one reason. Chloe.

Her last face, quite different from usual, came to mind, but he soon rose from the sofa.

Was it emptiness from not seeing the person who always kept their place?

He brushed off the thought casually. His steps headed to the bedroom without hesitation, deciding not to dwell on it further.

***

Early the next morning, Chloe, who had gone to visit her mother, encountered Viscount Hardin.

“Where were you?”

“From mother’s.”

Her father still hadn’t fully sobered up. An awkward silence lingered at the table where the two met after a long time. Chloe had already sent Maya and the few servants into town.

“You want me to buy all of these at once?”

“They’re all necessary items. Let’s buy everything this time. For perishable foods, we can just pay in advance.”

The list Chloe handed over, knowing well what supplies needed to be stocked, was quite long. Despite clear permission, Maya showed hesitation. It seemed to be because of the larger than expected amount.

“But we don’t need such a large sum.”

“Use the rest for your and others’ wages, Maya. In case Father cannot provide money.”

Thus Maya was practically pushed out of the house along with the others.

What Chloe had placed in her hands amounted to half a year’s wages for those working at the viscount’s house. In reality, she had given up a considerable portion of the money she had.

But that money had been given by her mother before she passed away anyway. So it was right to use that money for this house. Especially for Maya, who had followed her mother when she married and spent her whole life here.

Maya would surely use it wisely.

Chloe put down her teacup, swallowing her bitterness.

There were two reasons she had come to Hanover in the first place. One was to pay respects to her mother. And the other was to make one final request to her father.

Having finished organizing her thoughts, Chloe brought up her business without hesitation.

“Father, I have something to tell you, for the first and last time.”

“……”

The viscount’s face showed surprise.

Understandably so, as Chloe had been a daughter who was intimidated by her father. He too had no memory of having long conversations between father and daughter. But on a day like today, there was only one thing a daughter would seriously want to say.

“Please cut down on drinking, Father, if only for your health.”

Viscount Hardin silently sipped his tea at the expected voice. Since Chloe had arrived last night while he was drunk. Well, there wasn’t particularly anything to refute.

He opened his mouth, thinking to roughly nod along. Without anticipating the response that would come.

“Go ahead.”

“…I’m getting divorced.”

At this bombshell declaration, Viscount Hardin couldn’t close his mouth. He seemed to have heard something, but its meaning was completely incomprehensible.

The viscount let out a hollow laugh while roughly rubbing his face with his palm.

He was someone who wouldn’t even pretend to listen to pleas to cut down on drinking. But to hear such nonsense…

It was at this moment, while he was making an unlikely resolution to try to refrain from heavy drinking, that Chloe’s clear voice was heard again.

“So you can no longer rely on House Dietrich, Father.”

“…What exactly are you saying?”

“I’m going to divorce my husband Andert. I’m telling you that from now on, you and House Dietrich are strangers.”

The words she had prepared countless times flowed smoothly without hesitation. For the first time, Chloe felt unburdened in front of her father, who had always been difficult to face.

She hadn’t raised her voice even once despite all the controversies the viscount had caused. The moment she decided to let everything go and make a fresh start, she was no longer afraid of her father.

“Getting divorced? Who? You? What are you saying on your mother’s death anniversary?”

Viscount Hardin raised his voice as if it made no sense. Chloe hadn’t sought permission anyway. She just had something she had to say.

“The divorce will proceed regardless of your wishes, father. Please just maintain your dignity in front of the Dietrichs. That’s my only request.”

“…M-maintain dignity? Is that something to say to your father?”

Viscount Hardin’s face flushed at the words he never expected to hear from his daughter. But Chloe continued more calmly than ever.

“Yes. Do you remember how much money you received from the ducal family in total, father? If you cared even a little about my position, no, my feelings, you couldn’t have done that.”

“In front of your father, you…”

“No. Because you’re my father, you shouldn’t have done that. Especially Mother. She worried about you until her dying day.”

Chloe cut off his loud voice and finished speaking. He seemed dumbfounded, facing his daughter like this for the first time in his life. The viscount repeatedly opened and closed his mouth, seemingly at a loss for words.

“This is my last request. Don’t try to stop me. And if you visit House Dietrich or relay anything about me after today… I will never visit this place again. This is my own pledge, sworn on mother’s name and mine.”

She had faced her father to say these words.

He was inherently easily swayed. And his heart was just as weak. Even Chloe couldn’t guarantee what choices her father would make going forward. But it would be difficult to completely ignore the threat of his only child and last remaining family member never visiting again.