My Former Lover Didn't Die And Came Back - Chapter 44

Her destination was South Newston, a neutral country. The one who had helped her get there was her ex-husband, Adrian, fulfilling her request.

「Adrian.」

「…….」

「If you’re sorry for me, help me.」

After returning the ring and receiving alimony, she asked him one last time to find a place where a woman could immigrate and live alone.

「……A neutral country is less threatened by war.」

「Promise me. From the moment I arrive in the neutral country, you’ll remove any surveillance you’ve placed on me.」

「……It’s for your safety. To ensure you would feel no discomfort.」

「……Adrian.」

As Blair called his name firmly, Adrian’s fingertips trembled.

「……I’ll do as you say.」

Eventually, he relented.

「……May I ask why you’re going?」

「Just because.」

「What?」

Adrian’s eyes widened.

「Just because. I wanted to leave. The capital felt suffocating.」

Creak.

“We’ve arrived.”

Blair got off the carriage with the coachman’s help. Upon arriving at a port adjacent to the sea, she sensed the unique salty scent. A large ship heading to the neutral country was docked right in front of her.

Step.

Blair walked towards the ship, carrying a large trunk. Her walk was as elegant as ever, but she was careful not to let the stiff trunk touch her lower abdomen.

Step step.

……She didn’t trust Adrian’s words about not attaching a surveillance officer. Blair planned to head to Little Port, a small town at the edge of the Eleanor Empire, instead of South Newston, which was what Adrian and she agreed upon.

It was difficult for her to trust Adrian completely. More precisely, she couldn’t trust both men involved in the capital.

Avoiding Adrian’s surveillance officers and disembarking at a stopover port to make her way to Little Port was something Cedric’s elder sister, Evelyn, had agreed to help with. Of course, this was a secret from both men.

Blair suddenly remembered a few days ago when Evelyn had come to see her without any attendants. That seemingly kind noblewoman had said.

「Miss Blair, I have no ill feelings towards you.」

「……」

「But you have been the subject of various controversies. I am someone who values my family’s honor.」

Blair’s hand tightened on her dress.

「……If your name hadn’t been all over the newspapers, maybe I would have wanted to accept you into the family.」

Standing on the witness stand was entirely of her own will. The thrill she felt as she raised her hand to swear and spoke the truth about the allegations was heightened knowing Cedric was standing in the back of the courtroom. Therefore, she does not regret that decision.

「I’m not too keen on my brother marrying you.」

It was I who rejected Cedric. I don’t want that kind of man in my life.

「I’m not thrilled about a divorcee entering our family.」

But it was impossible not to feel humiliated by his family.

「……Our family values lineage. I heard you didn’t have children with your ex-husband for three years.」

「…….!」

Blair momentarily stopped at those words.

Ah. So this is the reason.

「You being from a humble family is also a point of concern. I want a woman from a family that can help Cedric’s career. You must understand, having a family of your own.」

She couldn’t not understand. It was the sentiment her parents held for her. They were materialistic but at the same time, they loved her and wished for her to live without hardship.

「I think I understand that sentiment.」

Blair softly agreed.

How come the events from three years ago seemed to come back full circle without missing anything?

「…….Right. You understand, don’t you? I’m glad to speak with someone reasonable.」

Evelyn showed both embarrassment and joy.

Cedric’s older sister was a sincere person. She wore her heart on her sleeve, and throughout our conversation, it was clear she cared deeply for Cedric.

「He may not be my blood brother, but I care for him.」

「…….」

「I have a lot of respect for him as a citizen of the empire. And he saved my father’s life on the battlefield, so I hope I can repay him a little bit by making this family connection.」

「……」

「He is someone who needs to rise higher, don’t you think?」

Somehow, it made me angry. Now, I have no family, nothing. And yet, Cedric has everything. A loving family, a high position, recognition in society, a family no one can look down on.

I brought the teacup to my lips. It was clear it was made from good leaves. It was not bitter but had a savory taste. But I couldn’t bear the nausea.

“……That happened.”

I took a deep breath after reminiscing. Then, without hesitation, I picked up a large trunk and stepped into the gaping mouth of the ship.

* * *

Paaang-

The ship left the harbor with a loud noise. Blair, having arranged her luggage in the cabin, went out on deck to look at the blue sea.

People living in Eleanor see the sea every day. But somehow, the sea Blair faced today felt different.

When I settle in Little Port, let’s seriously try a hand at my own thing this time.

Cavendish Merchants was, after all, something she inherited from her husband. The main products of the trading company were already set, making it difficult for her to make any significant changes. Besides, she couldn’t concentrate on her work in the first year of marriage because she was chasing after traces of Cedric. But she felt regret in the following years as well. Neither her husband nor his family expected her to succeed as a merchant.

She wasn’t aiming for great success. She would be satisfied with just a small shop. Just enough not to starve. Just something that would do.

She tightened her grip on the railing.

“…….”

Blair turned her head to look at the fading sight of the Eleanor Empire. The continent had shrunk to a size that she could cover with her palm due to the distance they had traveled quickly.

“…….”

It was never a big country to begin with. I was born and raised there. There, I met two men. But both were unreliable.

My parents were imperfect people. But they were not bad parents. It wasn’t that I didn’t resent my parents. Perhaps my memories of them are glorified.

Even though they were manipulated by Adrian, my parents committed unforgivable acts against Cedric. Cedric says it doesn’t matter now, but will it really not matter as time passes?

The feelings he has for me… are probably a mix of possessiveness over an ex-girlfriend who became another man’s wife while he was on the battlefield and a youthful lust.

I can’t risk my life on the words of a man who might change at any moment. Especially because I have nothing.

“……It was worth trying at least once.”

The sea breeze was strong. The wind blew this way and that. Her blue eyes gazed towards the endless horizon.

Half scared, half excited.

* * *

The large ship stopped at New Port, a layover before its final destination in South Newston.

“Passengers heading to New Port, please disembark now!”

The booming voice of the ship’s crew echoed through the sky.

Dragging a trunk as big as herself, Blair disembarked from the ship and looked around. The gaze she had felt since boarding the ship was gone. It must have been the surveillance from her ex-husband, Adrian.

It seems Evelyn’s words about dealing with her surveillance in New Port were true.

Blair sighed in relief, thankful for Evelyn’s competence. They wouldn’t have killed the surveillance; it’s likely that they drugged them heavily with sleeping pills or locked them somewhere on the ship where they couldn’t come out for two or three days.

Step, step.

But it left a bitter taste in her mouth. The fact that Evelyn had handled things so perfectly meant she really didn’t want Blair in her family.

……Let’s not think about it.

Blair set down her trunk on the dirt ground and looked around. New Port was a small harbor. She then shifted her gaze towards the end of the foggy road. The road was quiet, so it seemed unlikely that she would see any carriages soon.

They told her to wait here for a carriage.

It was Evelyn’s task to get Blair from New Port to Little Port.

Shortly after, a carriage that appeared stopped in front of Blair, and she slightly bowed her head to greet the coachman who returned the greeting before speaking.

“……You’re heading to Little Port, right?”

Blair nodded. It seemed it was indeed the carriage Evelyn had arranged.

Clunk.

With the coachman’s help, Blair opened the carriage door and entered with a small groan.

“……Ah.”

Inside the carriage, there was a young lady in formal attire sitting down.

What? Some company?

She was a beauty with brown hair. Despite her modest attire, it was clear her outfit was luxurious. When Blair hesitated and then sat down on the seat opposite her, the woman spoke.

“……Miss Blair?”

Her voice was cheerful. Blair’s eyes momentarily widened in surprise and asked back.

“……Do you know me?”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Elena.”

Blair’s hand, which had been reaching out for a handshake, stopped midway. She had heard that name before.

「The commander went on a date with Lady Elena today?」

Through Cedric’s subordinates. If my hunch is correct, this lady must be the one Cedric had dated.

Seeing Blair’s hand tremble, Elena spoke up.

“……You seem to know me.”

“……What business does a ducal lady from the capital have in this rural village?”

Blair asked, her voice with full caution.

“……There’s no need to be on guard. I didn’t come here to harm you, Miss Blair.”

Elena spoke in a soothing tone, trying to alleviate Blair’s concerns.

“As you see, I’ve left the capital. Since I’m over Cedric, there’s no reason for me to be a bother to you, Miss Elena.”

Blair quickly blurted out, keeping her gaze on the carriage floor,

“I’m no longer interested in General Cedric Fitzgerald.”

Blair lifted her head at Elena’s words.

“Well, it’s true I was a bit interested at first. His appearance is splendid, isn’t it?”

Elena said with a mix of amusement and mockery.

“Then why are you here……”

“Evelyn asked for my help. She said if she arranged the carriage herself, Cedric might follow you.”

“……”

Ah, so that’s why……

Only then did the anxiety leave Blair’s face.