In a situation where criticism toward the woman at the center of the rumors was growing, those rumors came to an end overnight.

It was revealed to be false when it became clear that no one had directly witnessed an affair, and the evidence was unclear.

With pressure from the two powerful families added, the rumors surrounding Roina and Michael came to a close.

Perhaps it was natural that Roina hadn’t been able to read a single article related to that incident despite looking through back issues of newsletters.

‘The reason I didn’t send you letters…… was because of that.’

Only now could she understand her choice—why she had no choice but to cruelly cut off her only friend.

It wasn’t enough that she had become the subject of ridiculous rumors; she must have felt terribly sorry for Michael, who had even received disciplinary action.

But there seemed to be another reason why she hadn’t sent him letters even after the rumors were completely suppressed.

“You should be ashamed. If it were me, I’d find it hard to even show my face.”

“Could it be…… that you started the rumors?”

“Well, if you had just behaved properly normally, rumors wouldn’t have started.”

Daphne’s clear voice ringing in her ears was enough to establish the hypothesis that those rumors might also be related to her.

※※※

After finishing her schedule at the imperial palace and returning to the mansion, Roina took off her hat and hung it on the wooden coat rack.

Then she sat in the study desk chair and tightly grasped her slightly trembling hands.

“She must really hate me.”

Normally she wouldn’t have responded particularly, but……

If someone who hated her was also harming those around her, that was a different story.

Whatever her past self had been like, now was the time to take appropriate action instead of just enduring it.

Coincidentally, a letter from Daphne wanting to visit the mansion had also arrived.

“I’ll have to face this eventually anyway.”

To organize her troubled mind, Roina closed her eyes tightly.

Then she tapped the chair’s armrest with her fingers, lost in thought.

‘I should also look into what Father has done.’

What he had planned using the prophecy book as leverage—Marquis Würetti wouldn’t tell her.

So she planned to visit her brother in the near future.

At least Bleon Würetti would know something about what their father had done.

※※※

A few days after Roina sent her reply, Daphne visited the Asheter ducal residence.

She had come to the mansion saying she wanted to convey her apologies.

Only bleak air flowed in the reception room, and no one broke the silence first.

Roina was well aware of whom Daphne’s gaze was following.

‘Of course she’s looking for Conrad.’

With a mocking smile, she lifted her teacup, lightly moistened her throat, and spoke.

“Lady, you said you had something to say when you visited.”

Recalling her conversation with the empress, Roina had a vague idea.

Surely Daphne had reluctantly come here following orders from her sister Catherine.

Roina knew well enough that she wasn’t the type to come apologize of her own accord.

Daphne, who had been moving her lips without easily speaking, finally conveyed her apology after some time had passed.

“I’m sorry, Duchess. I think I was rash about what happened that day.”

At the apology that lacked any sincerity, a slight crack appeared in Roina’s brow.

But she soon naturally concealed her expression, pretending nothing was wrong.

She was considering her husband’s position as the Duchess of Asheter.

‘Conrad wouldn’t want conservative families to have conflicts with each other.’

Moreover, if she didn’t accept Daphne’s apology, only Roina’s position would become more difficult.

Conrad might side with the lady and blame his unforgiving wife.

Roina didn’t want to see him protecting another woman, especially Daphne.

Making nail marks on her palm under the table, she slightly curved her lips and said.

“I’ll accept that apology, Lady.”

Perhaps her pride was hurt, as a red tinge of hostility seemed to appear in Daphne’s eyes.

The woman seemed to bite her lips hard, then spoke in a somewhat sarcastic voice.

“I didn’t know you had connections with Her Majesty the Empress.”

Roina nodded slightly. Though strictly speaking, she didn’t have much of a relationship with Catherine.

Then, caressing her teacup, she continued her answer in an even more peaceful voice.

“She’s someone with so much to learn from.”

She truly thought the empress, who had the wisdom to discern matters without prejudice, was remarkable.

At those words, Daphne showed a sneer and looked at her with sharp eyes.

“Even so, Her Majesty the Empress will never side with you.”

It was a warning that while the empress might have had no choice but to take her side this time, there wouldn’t be a next time.

Before Roina could give any answer, the woman’s mocking question was added.

“You know that the late duke’s memorial day is coming soon, right? Since you’ve never attended, you might not know.”

A thin sneer flowed from Daphne’s lips. As if to make her realize this was the difference between you and me.

Roina couldn’t deny those words. It was an unchanging fact that she hadn’t gained Conrad’s trust.

Moreover, her expression unconsciously hardened at the mention of the late duke, his father.

It seemed that while she, with Würetti blood, couldn’t go to that place, Daphne, an outsider, naturally set foot there.

‘That’s…… not something I can do anything about.’

Recalling her situation where she couldn’t connect with Conrad, a bitter taste lingered in her mouth.

She had certainly tried to respond with dignity, but somehow today wasn’t easy.

The person most aware of her position was Roina herself.

‘If only I had my memories……’

Wouldn’t she have avoided feeling so newly miserable?

The situation of still not finding her memories just felt frustratingly empty.

Roina looked at the woman sitting in front of her with vacant eyes.

To Daphne and Conrad, her existence would be nothing but an obstacle.

Watching the other’s reaction, Daphne finally let out a shallow sigh seeing her unable to say anything.

“I’ll be going now. Let me say again, I hope you’ll make a wise judgment, Duchess.”

Daphne finished what she had to say and leisurely left the reception room.

Watching the woman’s retreating figure blankly, Roina repeated her last words.

‘She hopes for a wise judgment……’

Surely what Daphne wanted was a divorce between her and Conrad.

Perhaps from the moment he brought out the divorce papers, he too might have the same feelings as Daphne.

Perhaps because it was a series of confusing situations, Roina massaged her throbbing head.

Meanwhile, a maid who had been waiting outside entered the reception room to attend to her.

The maid soon discovered that Roina’s complexion had turned pale and asked in surprise.

“Oh my, look at that cold sweat. Shall I call the physician?”

Roina, who was about to refuse, nodded at a thought that suddenly occurred to her.

“……Yes, please.”

She happened to have something to ask the physician.

※※※

“I called you because I have something I want to discuss.”

“Please speak freely about anything.”

Like listening to a patient’s words, the physician picked up his diagnosis sheet and fountain pen.

At this, Roina, clasping her hands tightly, finally opened her mouth after hesitating.

“To recover my memories, what should I do?”

“You want to…… recover your memories?”

The physician lifted his monocle and asked back in a calm voice.

Roina nodded slightly and answered with an even more serious look.

“I can’t continue living in this state forever.”

According to what she had learned about her condition, some of the lost memories were said to be memories she herself wanted to forget.

‘They might be painful memories.’

But to find out what had happened to her, she had to approach the truth even more.

“Since you wish it, madam, it’s only natural that I help.”

“……”

“However, the process of recovering memories won’t be very easy.”