The tragedy that had unfolded at their first wedding had been reported in the papers, becoming a topic of conversation throughout society.

Naturally, public criticism against Vivian grew fierce. As the incident continued to be talked about, the previously waning controversies surrounding the House of Lois once again came under scrutiny.

Meanwhile, Leobint gradually recovered.

‘It was fortunate, really, that Vivian Lois’s marksmanship hadn’t been particularly skilled.’

The carriage, racing quickly down a road lined with bare trees, finally stopped in front of the large hospital run by the royal family.

At the time of the incident, Leobint had been taken to a small hospital near the chapel in the Hethrian estate’s rear garden, but after regaining consciousness, he had been transferred to the largest hospital in the capital.

Wearing a deep blue-brimmed hat, Saronne stepped out of the Hethrian family carriage, immediately drawing glances from those nearby.

It was indisputable—Saronne was now one of the most well-known figures in the kingdom. She could hear the whispers all around her.

“Oh my, it’s Lady Dale. Is she here to visit the young Lord Hethrian again today?”

“It seems like she’s not staying at the hospital as long as she used to.”

“I heard they’ll be holding the wedding again soon. She must be busy in all sorts of ways.”

Just as they said, the two of them began preparing for their wedding again as Leobint’s discharge date approached

Saronne, undeterred by the stares, made her way to Leobint’s hospital room with practiced ease. She was just about to open the door when it swung open from the inside.

“Oh, Saronne. I was going to step outside and wait, but you came early.”

“Leobint? You’re already ready?”

Saronne’s green eyes widened under the brim of her hat. Leobint was standing right there, no longer in a hospital gown but dressed in his regular clothes.

For some reason, seeing him dressed so casually after so long made the sight feel strangely unfamiliar to her.

“How stifling do you think that hospital room is? I just wanted to hurry home with you.”

Leobint skillfully slipped his arm around Saronne’s waist, drawing her close to his side. With smooth, practiced ease, he led her out of the hospital.

The way he hurried her along—like a large, eager dog unable to wait a moment longer to get outside—made it impossible for her not to smile at the thought.

“When we get home, the first thing I want to do is take a walk with you in the garden behind the estate.”

“All right, let’s do that.”

“After that, we’ll have lunch together, drink tea, head to the library, and then get ready for bed—together.”

It was the same daily routine they’d shared before Leobint was hospitalized. As he listed it off, one thing after another, Saronne found herself smiling late, amused. For all his size, there were times when he truly seemed adorable.

On their way out of the hospital, she looked up at him—and as if he’d been waiting for that very moment, Leobint pressed a quick kiss to her lips.

A few surprised gasps rose from the people nearby. Saronne, startled, looked around in a panic, but Leobint only grinned from ear to ear.

“Today, I’m not holding back with my kisses.”

“You really…”

Without hesitation, Leobint whisked her into the carriage. Even if his wounds had mostly healed, he was still clearly recovering—yet anyone watching would be hard-pressed to see him as a patient.

The carriage carrying them both soon set off. Maybe he truly had found it stifling in the hospital, because Leobint watched the scenery rolling by the window with contentment before asking,

“When should we visit our wedding venue?”

“I think we can go as early as tomorrow.”

Their wedding had become the talk of the town, and nearly every day brought messages from people sincerely hoping to be invited, wishing nothing more than to celebrate with them.

This time, the royal family had offered even more support to match the scale of the event. Their wedding was set to be grander than ever before.

“I can’t wait.”

This time, she felt certain—everything would end happily, without a single misstep.

“So am I.”

Smiling at each other, the two finally stepped out of the carriage and returned home together.

💜💫🌸━━❖━━🌸💫💜

The day she went to look over the chapel where their new wedding would be held, Saronne set off alone—to the underground prison beneath the royal palace.

Her refined heels echoed in the corridor as she followed the guard leading the way.

Saronne’s eyes flicked to the pistol at the guard’s waist, making sure of its presence. At least with that, they’d have some measure of protection if things went wrong.

The dim light from the wall-mounted lamps illuminated the shadowed corridor. At last, the guard leading the way stopped in front of a darkened cell.

Through the tiny window in the heavy iron door, Saronne could just make out a woman slumped against the wall. Though clearly awake, the prisoner stared listlessly at the stained stone floor, never once lifting her head.

‘This underground prison always did have a terrible reputation. No windows. No light. No one to talk to. The kind of place that would drive anyone mad.’

‘It’s been over two weeks since she was locked up here.’

Saronne was here today for a reason—Vivian Lois’s execution was scheduled for tomorrow.

She peered through the tiny window, taking in the pitiful sight of Vivian, smaller than ever, her pride stripped away. Of all the versions of Vivian Saronne had ever seen, this was the most wretched. The woman was curled in on herself, barely more than a shadow.

‘She doesn’t even react to the light from the lantern… Has she already lost her mind, as they say happens here?’

Saronne nodded to the guard, who silently retreated down the hall. Left alone, she knocked gently on the cell door.

“Lady Lois.”

At the sound of her voice, Vivian’s head snapped up, her eyes wide with disbelief.

“Saronne Dale…!”

The sound of her voice was dry and brittle, like dead leaves scraped across stone.

Vivian stumbled to her feet and lurched toward the door, clutching at the bars of the small window. Saronne calmly stepped back, looking her over with steady eyes.

Vivian looked skeletal, her eyes darting desperately. For a long moment, she seemed unable to speak, her tongue working silently before she finally managed a few ragged words.

“S-Saronne… J—ei, my Jeihan…?”

The name of the child made Saronne’s gaze harden. Vivian, who had never shown fear before, seemed to crumble the moment she uttered her son’s name—as if, only now, she finally realized there was no turning back. Driven mad with vengeance, she’d lost herself even as she watched Jeihan leave. Now, trapped in solitary confinement, perhaps she’d finally been forced to reflect.

‘Has she learned, in this darkness, what remorse really feels like?’

Vivian’s next words were choked with desperation, the bravado gone from her voice.

“Is Jeihan doing well? Please… I just need to know… Tell me, please…”

To see a woman who had once been bent on her destruction now trembling and pleading—there had to have been a change in her heart.

“You’re worried about Jeihan?”

“Yes, please… I beg you…”

“Jeihan is doing well.”

“Oh…”

“Just as if he’d forgotten his mother, he’s doing perfectly fine without you.”

“…….”

Vivian, who had just seemed relieved, suddenly went stiff, as if the smallest push might shatter her. Saronne, unmoved by her fragile state, spoke coldly.

“You were so consumed with vengeance, even on the day Jeihan was in danger. Because of that, he lost faith in you.”

“That can’t be… Jeihan would never… He only has me. He’s a child who can’t live without me!”

“If you knew that, why did you act the way you did? You’ve disappointed him over and over again. You never once listened to him, always dismissed his feelings, and didn’t hesitate to show him sides of yourself that no child should ever have to see.”

“No…”

“Do you really know so little about your own child? Jeihan may be a slow learner, but he’s not a fool. In fact, he’s sensitive—always watching, always trying to please others, as if he’s spent his whole life walking on eggshells.”

Vivian bit her trembling lips hard.

“You lost everything because you couldn’t treasure what you had—you always reached for something higher, something more, until even Jeihan started to feel uncomfortable around you.”

“A-ah…”

Her head dropped, unable to bear any more.

“Do you truly feel no remorse for what you’ve done? Even knowing you’ll never see Jeihan again because of your choices?”

Vivian did not answer.

Watching her for a moment longer, Saronne finally turned away. Before leaving, she paused to speak a few last words.

“Sometimes, Jeihan does miss you. But it’s not you as you are now. It’s the mother you once were, long ago.”

With that, Saronne left the underground prison without looking back.

Vivian was left alone in the dark cell, watching Saronne’s silhouette recede until it disappeared completely.

For the first time, she found herself dwelling on the words of the woman she’d hated so fiercely. And as she thought of Jeihan—the only person who had ever been on her side in this world—she swallowed back tears.

💜💫🌸━━❖━━🌸💫💜

A few days later, Saronne received news of Vivian’s execution. She had met her end without resistance.

As for Diego, the price of his wife’s crimes was severe: most of the ducal estate was confiscated by the crown, and, as someone who’d been complicit in her schemes, he was stripped of his title and banished from the capital by royal decree. Diego Lois would never set foot in the city again.

One month after that news reached him, a grand wedding was held at the royal chapel.

Saronne Dale and Leobint Hethrian’s second wedding was the talk of the town.

“Doesn’t it feel like there are even more people at their wedding this time?”

“Of course! After everything that happened, their touching love story is being celebrated all over again. Didn’t the young lord of Hethrian love Lady Dale for years?”

“Exactly! Even amidst all the misdeeds of the former Duchess Lois and her husband, everyone says the young lord was always on Lady Dale’s side. How could anyone hear a story that romantic and not want to be here?”

Guests in the chapel whispered to one another, the entire venue abuzz with excitement. That was why so many had gathered—far more than before.

Soon, the officiant cleared his throat, quieting the crowd.

“Under the blessing of the divine, the bride and groom will now make their entrance together.”

With those words, the doors opened. Arm in arm, the couple walked down the aisle, hands clasped tightly. At the altar, they turned to face each other, affection blooming in the glimmer of green and blue eyes as they smiled softly.

“With the sharing of this vow and the kiss, I declare your marriage complete.”

Leobint gently cupped Saronne’s cheek. As she closed her eyes, his warmth settled softly on her lips. After a delicate kiss, he pulled back just enough to whisper:

“Saronne, I love you.”

She smiled, eyes shining.

“I love you too, Leobint.”

With only each other in their world, and a future full of happiness before them, they laughed—brighter and more joyful than ever.

🌸━━❖━━THE END━━❖━━🌸