Ding!
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Barely pulling himself together after leaving the greenhouse, the system window rang once again, but Alec could only let out a hollow laugh.
Intermediate husband?
They’re calling him an intermediate husband?
‘I’m about to get divorced, and they’re calling me an intermediate husband…’
Letting out another deep sigh, Alec ran his hand over his face.
Louise had left the greenhouse quite a while ago.
When he told her that he would rather become the real ‘Alec’, she only responded with a cold smile.
“You could never be him. My husband isn’t someone who deceives others like you.”
“…”
It seemed hopeless for him.
Was there really nothing he could do except wait for her to give him another chance?
He couldn’t think of anything beyond living for Louise.
As he walked back into the castle, everything felt different than it had when he left.
The massive castle now felt empty, hollow, and desolate.
It seemed like he no longer had the strength to do anything.
Just as he was heading toward the drawing room, Alec suddenly stopped in his tracks.
At the same moment, Eloise, who had spotted him, opened her eyes wide in surprise.
But then she quickly shot him a harsh, contemptuous glare.
Alec looked at her briefly, but as he took a step forward—
“Get lost.”
“…”
Eloise spat out those words, laced with more intense anger than ever before.
Just then, the heavy doors to the drawing room opened, and laughter poured out from inside.
In an instant, the expansive, high-ceilinged first-floor lobby of the castle felt completely packed.
Eloise stomped past him, furious, as if anyone could see how angry she was.
Although she had thrown fits before, it was the first time she looked genuinely enraged.
Did she know that things between him and Louise had fallen apart?
The people who had casually stepped into the lobby while laughing noticed Alec and Eloise and began approaching.
Brooks and ValiVali smiled warmly when they saw him.
Just as they were about to stop in their tracks like falling dominoes, Eloise abruptly turned back toward him.
“Why did you tell my sister to get a divorce?”
“…”
His eyes wavered slightly.
At that moment, a puzzled expression spread across the faces of the onlookers.
What did she just say? What did Eloise just say?
The disbelief in their minds was written all over their faces.
To Alec, that brief moment felt like several hours passing by.
Could it be that Louise had told Eloise that he was the one who first brought up the divorce?
It wasn’t wrong.
‘Alec’ had once notified her of his intention to divorce before his death.
Eloise, her voice trembling with tears, screamed again.
“Where will you ever find another woman as incredible as my sister? If she really divorces you and leaves, I will never forgive you for the rest of my life!”
Hic!
With tears streaming down her face, Eloise turned and dashed outside.
As the sound of her footsteps echoed, it seemed as if everything around them had been swallowed by silence.
He held his breath, and so did everyone else, unable to utter a word.
He never imagined Louise would have already mentioned the divorce to Eloise.
It only made him realize once again how resolute she was about leaving the castle.
As Alec slightly lowered his head and rubbed his forehead, the murmurs of confused nobles erupted around him.
“What is going on…?”
“What did Lady Eloise just say?”
“Louise and ‘Alec’ are getting a divorce?”
“That can’t be…”
In the midst of the growing commotion, Brooks approached Alec in shock.
“’Alec’! What’s going on? Divorce?!”
“…”
“How could you say something like that?”
Alec let out another deep sigh and buried his face in his hands.
He had no idea how to respond.
And from a distance, Harriet was silently watching the scene.
* * *
Darkness was beginning to fall again in the North.
I sat on the windowsill, watching the clouds obscure the moon, then descended to the floor.
By now, the people inside the castle would be deep in slumber, unaware of anything.
Especially today, since the journey to Mount Kalanysh had exhausted them far more than yesterday.
Those who had seen polar bears through telescopes for the first time were in awe.
Even without me, they would continue to have many amazing experiences, and the North’s development would progress smoothly.
Everything had already been prepared perfectly, and future plans were proceeding steadily.
I was dressed in a leather gown and threw a fur cloak over it.
There wasn’t much else I needed to pack.
I read the note I had written to Marianne once more.
Marianne. I can’t explain everything, but I’m sorry I won’t be able to join you for the rest of the schedule. I truly hope you enjoy and have a wonderful time in the North.
With love, Louise.
As I folded the note again, the thought of Ridit, the prince in the underground, suddenly crossed my mind.
I had no idea where Eloise had been all day, as he didn’t come along for the tour.
But I shook my head as if to clear my mind of thoughts about them.
I didn’t want to stay here for even one more moment.
This place was filled with my illusions, misunderstandings, mistakes, and false happiness.
I could hardly breathe, and clenching my teeth, I stepped out of the room.
I went up to the third floor, slipped the note under Marianne’s door, and then headed to another building in the castle.
That was where Harriet and the Blue Blood Knights were staying.
After passing through the dark, long corridor, I finally saw several doors, but there were no knights around.
Had they always slept without posting a guard?
I hesitated for a moment, not knowing which room Harriet was in, then decided to open one at random.
I paused momentarily at the sight of the room in front of me.
No one was inside. Shaking off my confusion, I opened another door.
But all of the more than five rooms were empty.
‘Where have all the knights gone…?’
There hadn’t been any mention of them leaving for the capital today.
Just as I was wondering, a chill suddenly ran down my spine.
It wasn’t the cold air of the north; it was a different kind of shiver that wrapped around my body.
When I turned slightly, what I saw was a blonde knight standing in the darkness.
“My lady?”
“…Harriet.”
“…”
“Where are all your knights?”
“Why are you here?” Harriet gazed at me emotionlessly, with a slight hint of curiosity.
I met his eyes for a moment, took a breath, and spoke, sounding resigned.
“Were you following me by any chance?”
“…”
“Well, does it even matter now? When are you going back to the capital?”
Harriet’s eyes flickered slightly at my question, but he quickly answered calmly.
“I’m not sure yet.”
“Then you can leave with me tonight.”
“…What?”
At Harriet’s reaction, I let out a slightly bitter, mocking laugh.
“After all, wasn’t the reason you came to the north to kidnap me and take me to the palace?”
“…”
“We’re not fools.”
“…”
My gaze grew sharper, and the silence between us stretched.
I stepped closer to Harriet, looking up at him with a slightly threatening glare.
“I don’t know where your knights are right now, but forget about harming anyone else besides me.”
“…”
“I’ll come along quietly.”
I finished my sentence with a slight bite in my tone.
I suddenly recalled how Eloise had said this morning that Harriet’s sword could speak.
I’d never heard such a thing before, but apparently, Harriet had grown stronger without me realizing it.
Could it be that the legendary holy sword had awakened?
Either way, that might be enough to stop Alec.
Harriet didn’t deny anything I said, and I stepped back, speaking firmly again.
“You probably already know this, but Alec and I are really going to divorce. The problem is, I don’t think Alec will let me go easily.”
“…”
“No matter what happens, I will leave my husband. I never want to see Alec again, and I’m sick of the north. Do you understand?”
“…”
There’s no way he wouldn’t.
Right now, the only person who could secretly take me from the north to the capital was Harriet.
Harriet thought for a moment with a blank expression and then spoke.
“If you leave here, you must go to the palace.”
“Fine. I’ll do that. But there’s a condition.”
“…?”
“There’s a place I need to stop by before going to the palace. It won’t take long. Just don’t get in my way. Once I get to the palace, I’ll practically be living as a prisoner, so you can at least grant me that much, right?”
My eyes glinted coldly as I looked at Harriet.
Even though I was leaving the north, I had no real intention of going to the palace. For now, though, I needed to use Harriet.
TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up to the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories