It had been five days since Edwin first heard about the transfer of responsibilities from the butler.

That day, the butler had entered the Count’s office carrying a thick stack of documents.

“What are those papers?”

Edwin showed interest in the documents.

To the butler, that reaction was surprisingly welcome.

Recently, he had been working alongside Richel to prepare the transfer records.

The documents he carried now were part of that process.

“Madam has changed quite a number of things while managing the territory, so we are organizing everything this time.”

The butler carefully watched Edwin’s expression.

Edwin had always placed estate management low on his list of priorities.

To him, the territory had always been something to look into only after he finished everything he needed to do and everything he personally wanted to do—if he even had time left afterward.

“It sounds like Richel devoted quite a lot of attention to the estate. What exactly did she do over the past three years?”

Even now, nothing had really changed.

The reason he showed interest in the territory was simply because he wanted to know more about Richel’s past.

The butler did not feel disappointed by that.

Whatever the reason, the fact that Edwin was showing interest in the estate at all was encouraging enough.

“Madam managed the territory based on the methods of House Rainer, her family home, as well as the teachings of the late Count.”

“My father? He’s been dead for quite a long time…”

“It seems he spoke to her about many things while he was alive. Madam remembered quite a great deal.”

For a moment, emotions surged sharply inside Edwin.

The professional bond between the late Count and Richel had always stirred feelings of inferiority within him.

That bitterness had lingered with him for a very long time.

Slowly, Edwin exhaled.

“So Richel handled things thoroughly enough to document every change? That must’ve taken quite a lot of time.”

“Ah, this case is somewhat special. Madam specifically instructed us to prepare transfer documents.”

“Transfer?”

“Now that you have returned, Count, we are organizing everything so you may refer to it when managing the territory.”

“Is that really necessary? Wouldn’t it be faster to just ask Richel whenever something comes up?”

“…Well, documents are simply more convenient. Instead of searching for someone every time something comes up, you can just look through them yourself. They’re also useful for studying the work.”

Only after hearing those words did Edwin finally understand the true purpose of the documents.

They were meant to replace Richel.

They were creating records that could take her place, so the estate would continue operating smoothly even after she left.

‘She’s preparing to leave my side the moment I recover.’

The thought struck him with sudden terror.

From that day onward, his appetite disappeared completely.

Even when he was hungry, he no longer wanted to eat.

After barely eating for nearly three days, his strength hit rock bottom.

The dizziness returned as well.

Eventually, the only food he could manage was thin rice porridge.

And even that was only because he forced himself to swallow it.

‘If I keep being sick… maybe Richel will change her mind.’

The irrational thoughts refused to stop.

Some days, those thoughts felt like his one and only hope.

Other days, they felt pathetic and miserable.

But his appetite never returned.

He did not want to eat anything.

His face grew hollow again, and dark shadows deepened beneath his eyes.

The reflection in the mirror, which had slowly begun improving, became a mess once more.

***

When Edwin returned after changing his clothes, the meal resumed.

Richel kept her attention fixed on the food, barely sparing him a glance.

The atmosphere had turned heavy and uncomfortable.

“Roast duck.”

A servant entered carrying a large platter.

Beside the whole roasted duck sat mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables.

The servants used carving tongs to separate the duck’s legs and br*ast.

As the crisp, roasted skin tore apart, hot steam rose into the air.

Tender meat was revealed beneath.

The servants carefully deboned the meat onto the plates.

The rich, savory scent immediately stimulated the appetite.

“Edwin.”

At Richel’s voice, Edwin turned toward her.

His face was visibly tense.

That timid, cautious attitude irritated her.

It was also the result of resentment that had built up and condensed over years.

She decided to ask directly.

“Where were you during the three years you were missing?”

Edwin could not find an answer.

Because even he himself did not know how he had returned here.

One moment, he had awakened wandering the roads in the middle of summer—and the next, he found himself standing in the garden of the estate in the dead of winter.

He did not know whether this place was another world, some twisted version of the past, or simply a very long dream.

The only thing he knew for certain was that Richel was alive here.

After hesitating, Edwin slowly spoke.

“That’s… I’m sorry. I truly don’t know either…”

“What do you mean you don’t know? Are you saying you can’t remember?”

“I suppose you could put it that way… but I genuinely don’t know how I ended up returning.”

He tried his best to answer honestly, but to anyone listening, his words sounded like nothing more than evasion.

Richel abruptly set down her utensils with a sharp clatter.

“You told the butler you were in Haverln. So why are you suddenly saying you can’t remember now?”

The atmosphere around the table froze.

Watching the two carefully, the servants quietly placed the carved meat onto their plates.

Edwin pressed down on the meat with his fork.

No matter how much he thought about it, he still could not figure out what answer he should give.

In the end, he chose to vaguely blur the truth.

“It’s not that I have no memories at all. It’s just… those memories don’t really match reality. So I said I couldn’t remember.”

“Your memories don’t match reality? Don’t tell me… you’ve developed delusions or something?”

“Hm? No, it’s not like that.”

Edwin hurriedly shook his head.

If she started thinking he was delusional on top of already finding his appearance pitiful, he felt there would truly be no coming back from it.

“I’m aware that my memories are strange. I’m not confused anymore, either. So it’s not to the point of delusion.”

But Richel’s expression still did not soften.

The very fact that he possessed memories different from reality was bizarre enough on its own.

She asked,

“What kind of memories are they?”

“…What?”

“You said you still have strange memories. Aren’t they related to why you disappeared?”

Edwin hesitated, unable to answer.

Because those “strange memories” were, to him, things he had truly experienced.

He had driven Richel to her death.

She had died from illness, but Edwin himself had been part of the reason she ended up that way.

It had gone far beyond jealousy, obsession, or conflict.

He had committed unforgivable wrongs against her.

‘I can never tell her.’

Edwin bit down hard on his lip.

Carefully, he watched Richel’s expression.

“…They’re just strange memories. The kind that’s embarrassing to even talk about.”

“I’ll listen anyway.”

“It’s really nothing important. It’s not something you need to concern yourself with. Rather than this, something else—”

Suddenly, Richel slammed her fist down onto the dining table.

Startled, Edwin immediately fell silent.

“What do you mean it’s nothing?! You’ve been acting strangely toward me because of those memories, haven’t you? Otherwise, why would you keep clinging to me like this?!”

Shock flashed across Edwin’s face.

“No. It’s just… I did so many terrible things to you. I hurt you a lot. That’s why. I wanted to apologize and beg for forgiveness…”

The same answer again and again.

Richel dismissed all the servants.

Once only the two of them remained in the dining room, she spoke.

“Do you know what I want right now?”

“……”

“I want us to divorce peacefully. But the way you’ve been acting like you’ve lost your mind has already half ruined that.”

Once again, tears gathered in Edwin’s eyes.

Richel truly hated the sight of it.

“Why do you keep crying? Are you crying because you feel wronged and resentful? Or do you want rumors spread across the Empire that you’ve gone insane?”

“N-no. It’s not like that…”

“Then what?! Are you trying to turn me into the woman who abandoned her mad husband? Is that why you’re doing this?”

“No. I’m really not insane. I just wanted to get along with you—”

“Then stop this and act like you used to! Please!”

In the end, Richel shouted.

Their conversation had already become a disaster.

Richel rose from her seat.

She was sick to death of this—of fighting and hurting each other like this over and over again.

“If you don’t want a divorce, then let’s separate instead. I’ll pack my things and leave immediately, so you can live however you want. Alright?”

Edwin hurriedly grabbed her.

Richel instantly shook off his hand.

“Don’t touch me!”

Edwin’s hand trembled helplessly in the empty air.

His face was soaked with tears.

“I’ll spend my whole life begging for forgiveness. I’ll live apologizing every single day. So please… ngh… just once. Please give me one chance. Just once.”

“One chance? Ha… Edwin. You already had countless chances. They’ve simply all passed by now.”

And with that, she left the dining room.

Just as Edwin had once left her behind.

The sound of his sobbing echoed loudly through the empty room.