“What was that just now? Didn’t you hear something?”

I glanced back slightly, having faintly heard the sound of thunder.

In the distance, I could just barely see a flash of lightning splitting the sky.

It was as far off as the distant heavens, as far as the Kalanysh Mountains at the northernmost end.

Harriet continued riding, replying nonchalantly, “It looks like lightning struck.”

“…”

Right. That must be it.

Too drained to respond, I muttered to myself and turned to face forward again.

We had already traveled a considerable distance away from Wiltsbrook Castle.

I wondered if he might come to stop me, but sure enough, he quickly figured out I was leaving the north and came after me.

I didn’t know how he found out, but I was relieved that he let me go without much fuss.

If he and Harriet had started a fight, it would’ve been exhausting.

I closed my eyes for a moment, lost in thought.

How nice would it be if I opened them and we were already in the capital?

Right now, I couldn’t think of anything except the desire to visit the last place Alec and I had been together.

I didn’t want to think about anything else.

After riding endlessly, I finally arrived in front of an inn.

It was a place I never thought I’d return to.

“D-Duchess Brent? How did you… no, what should I even call you now…?”

The innkeeper stammered in confusion upon seeing me.

It was the very inn where Alec had attempted to take his own life with poison.

‘I came here the first time with nothing to my name…’

I remembered how I felt like my family’s future was so bleak back then, how everything seemed hopeless.

Now, it all felt like it had happened so long ago.

I stepped closer to the innkeeper and asked, “What was your name again?”

“Huh? My name?”

The innkeeper asked, startled, and I nodded once.

She quickly responded, “I, uh, I’m Mary…”

“Right, Mary. I just stopped by while passing through. I’m still really grateful that you took my family in back then.”

I finished speaking with a faint smile.

The innkeeper’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“…What?”

Although she did let us stay, she had wanted to kick us out quickly. She even charged us for using the kitchen.

But I didn’t care about that. I stepped even closer to her and handed her a small bag I’d been carrying.

The innkeeper looked bewildered, as if asking what this was, and I smiled a little more.

“Thank you for taking in my family when we had nowhere else to go. This is my repayment; it’s enough to build a new inn.”

“W-What? What is this all of a sudden…?”

The innkeeper recoiled, seemingly unwilling to accept the bag, but I firmly grasped her arm.

The gold inside that bag was everything I had left.

Honestly, I wanted to give her even more.

“This much money is barely worth a few of my dresses, so don’t feel burdened. Just accept it, okay? I’ve always wanted to properly thank you.”

“Madam…”

“In exchange, could you lend me the room where my husband stayed, even if just for half a day?”

I pleaded more earnestly.

There was nowhere else for me to go but that room, where traces of my husband remained.

The innkeeper, looking a bit startled, sighed with sympathy and finally spoke.

“There’s a guest in that room at the moment—no, never mind. Please wait a moment, and I’ll have it cleaned and ready for you. You can stay as long as you like.”

She hurriedly took a deep breath and left to find her staff.

Only then did I relax, letting out a faint sigh as I replied, “…Thank you.”

The innkeeper disappeared somewhere in a rush, and my smile faded as quickly as it had appeared.

Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be able to stay here for long.

Harriet and a few knights stood a few steps away, watching me closely.

.

.

.

When I finally entered the room again, almost nothing had changed since that day.

The same air, tinged with the scent of old wooden furniture, the worn but clean and cozy interior.

The memory of that day came back to me so vividly that it almost took my breath away.

“Sigh…”

I took a deep breath and sat on the bed, running my hand over the sheets.

My husband had died here.

I didn’t come to this place to truly feel the weight of his death, yet somehow, the reality of it sank into my bones.

I knew it was a fact I had to accept, but I couldn’t believe it.

There was no way he would have left me behind.

“I-I’m sorry. Y-You should go back t-to your country.”

“I-In the next life, I-I will love you f-fully… m-more than I d-do now…”

“That’s ridiculous…”

His final words came back to me, and without realizing it, a bitter sound escaped my lips.

Did Alec really abandon me and leave on his own?

How could he?

I never imagined he would leave me behind in such a bleak situation.

He never seemed like the kind of man who would abandon his wife.

He was one of the purest and kindest people I had ever known.

I wasn’t sure whether I should feel disappointed or angry.

I collapsed onto the bed, my body so drained of energy that I couldn’t even move a finger.

My eyes slid shut.

He abandoned me and left alone, but… why do I feel such sorrow and guilt for him?

He left me.

He didn’t care what would happen to me, left alone.

If I could see him again, I would demand to know how he could be so irresponsible.

Yes.

Maybe that’s all there was between us—nothing more.

We weren’t the kind of couple who lived and died for love, so why am I feeling this sense of betrayal?

He simply didn’t feel the need to stay with me.

I probably wasn’t that special or precious to him.

As those thoughts crossed my mind, tears welled up, and my chest ached.

I had wanted to be his strength when he was struggling, but maybe he didn’t need me that much.

We were just a married couple in name, nothing more, nothing less.

I had no right to blame him, and he had no obligation to protect or stay with me.

Our hearts were so different.

This sudden realization left me feeling powerless, my body heavy with sadness, and my eyes filled with tears.

I couldn’t bear the thought that I’d never see him again.

His body remained, but that wasn’t really him anymore, was it?

Why did you do it?

I miss you so much…

I didn’t care about the house, the money, or the title—I just wanted you.

‘Ha…’

A hollow laugh escaped along with the tears.

Why do I miss him so much? Could it be that I’ve loved him all along?

No… maybe it’s just attachment.

He was my husband, after all…

My only family…

My consciousness began to fade without me even realizing it, as exhaustion from the long ride from the north overwhelmed me.

Lying on the bed where he had taken his last breaths felt strangely comforting, as though I were resting my head on his arm.

How wonderful would it be if I could remain buried in his traces forever, without a care?

“Alec.”

Suddenly, a memory of myself from a few years ago came to mind.

I was only a few years younger than I am now, but back then, I was so much more vibrant and full of life.

That day, Alec had practiced saying my name out loud, over and over.

“Lo… Loui…”

“Loui, Loui…”

“Haa…”

He had sighed deeply, rubbing his face in frustration.

He couldn’t say my name in one go, and it made him feel utterly pathetic.

How long did he plan to keep practicing my name like that?

After watching him in secret for months, I couldn’t take it any longer and finally approached him.

I couldn’t bear to see him struggling, drenched in cold sweat, practicing my name for so long.

I had thought he would eventually stop, but he never did.

So I walked up to him, putting on a bright smile as if I knew nothing.

“Alec, do you have a nickname you were called when you were younger?”

“W-what?”

“Well, since we’re married, I thought I should at least know that.’

I smiled at him sweetly.

He seemed a little nervous, swallowing hard as he looked at me, startled by the sudden question.

It took a bit of prodding, but eventually, he spoke, albeit with difficulty.

“I-I never had… a-a nickname…”

“…I see.”

I felt a little disappointed, but I forced myself to smile as if it didn’t matter.

Of course, I hadn’t asked because I truly wanted to know his childhood nickname.

My goal was to ease his suffering, even if it meant telling a little lie.

I perched on the edge of his desk and looked at him warmly.

“Actually, almost no one in my family or among my friends has ever called me Louise.”

“…What?”

“So, I’d like it if you called me by my nickname here, too.”

“W-what do you mean—”

“Lou. My nickname is “Lou.” From now on, I want you to call me that, okay?”

“…”TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up to the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories