Chapter 7 – Shaken Trust (Part 1)

After Duke Loden left, Sophia lay on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

“A divorce…”

It was something she had definitely wanted before. But at some point, she had forgotten about it.

When did that change?

She couldn’t pinpoint whether it was when she shared a bed with him or from their first date. However, just thinking about divorcing Killian now made her feel drained.

“Do I really have to get a divorce?”

She couldn’t say she was happier than before the marriage, but her current life wasn’t bad either. It was a state where she didn’t necessarily need to rush into a divorce.

What would happen if I didn’t get divorced?

It seemed odd that everyone suddenly brought up the topic of divorce as soon as Killian disappeared. So, Sophia needed to objectively assess her situation.

The only people who didn’t want a divorce right now were her and Killian. No, according to the people she met today, he also wanted a divorce, so in the end, Sophia was the only one who didn’t want it.

“Does he really want a divorce too?”

The thought that Killian might want a divorce left her feeling desolate.

Why now, of all times…

She sighed deeply as she looked at the incomplete contract Duke Loden had left behind.

“Should I show this or not?”

If she showed it, her father would likely accept Duke Loden’s proposal. But if she hid it, Duke Loden might do something else. Either way, it was a disadvantageous situation for Sophia.

What should I do?

She wanted to discuss it with Emily, but telling her would only burden her, so she couldn’t bring it up.

If only Liam were here, she could have consulted him, but he had left with Killian, and Sophia had no one to confide in comfortably.

Please come back soon, Killian!

Sophia decided to set aside her chaotic thoughts for a moment. As long as she hid the contract, she didn’t have to rush into a divorce.

So, Sophia chose to put her complicated thoughts aside and take more time to think.

The next morning, the Dveshi couple visited Sophia again.

“What brings you here so suddenly without notice?”

“I heard that Duke Loden visited yesterday. What did he say? Did he say anything strange?”

It seemed they heard about Duke Loden’s visit and came first thing in the morning out of concern.

She needed to mention that he had asked for a divorce, but for some reason, she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

“Did he ask for a divorce?”

As she hesitated to speak, Duke Dveshi noticed her expression and caught on first.

“No, he didn’t.”

At that moment, she thought of the contract she had left on the bedside table, but Sophia inadvertently lied.

“Really? Then why did he visit you when his son wasn’t even here?”

“He came after hearing that you and Mother visited in the morning.”

“Well, if he heard we came, it’s no wonder he visited. So, what did he say?”

“He just told me to watch and do well, and then he left.”

As the lies piled up, her heart pounded, but she had no choice. It seemed better to wait and talk again after Duke Dveshi’s agitation had calmed down.

“Is that really true?”

“…Yes.”

“If he visits you again, tell Duke Loden confidently that you’ll demand a divorce.”

“Do you really think I’ll be happy if I get divorced?”

“I do.”

Why is he so certain?

Sophia felt she could understand Duke Dveshi’s position, but at the same time, she felt resentful that her father didn’t trust her words.

Since he had barely spoken with Killian, to her father, Killian was just someone from the Loden family.

But Sophia’s situation was different. She had watched over Killian more closely than anyone else and knew a lot about him. So, she wanted to trust him.

I don’t want a divorce…

Sophia’s heart leaned toward not wanting a divorce. That’s why she didn’t present the contract Duke Loden had left to the Dveshi couple.

“Alright, I understand for now.”

Even if she asked them to trust her choice, they would surely treat her as a foolish daughter swayed by Killian’s charm, so Sophia didn’t reveal her true feelings.

For now, it seemed best to avoid hurting Duke Dveshi’s feelings for the sake of peace.

“Then we’ll take our leave.”

Having said all he wanted, Duke Dveshi stood up. After he left, the Duchess, who was about to follow him, suddenly stopped. She turned her head and quietly approached Sophia.

After confirming that the Duke had left, the Duchess whispered softly to her.

“Be honest with me. Do you not want a divorce?”

“Well…”

When Sophia couldn’t answer, the Duchess gave her a gentle smile.

“Don’t worry about what I think. I just want to know your honest feelings.”

“To be honest, I don’t want a divorce.”

“I thought so.”

“Are you disappointed in me?”

“Why would I be disappointed? Your happiness is my top priority. So, I’m willing to support whatever decision you make.”

“Mother…”

The person who first suggested the divorce was the Duchess, so it was naturally assumed she would insist on divorcing Killian. Therefore, Sophia couldn’t help but be surprised by her words.

“Don’t make such a sad face. I’ll try to persuade your father.”

Her words alone were reassuring, making Sophia feel immensely grateful to her mother.

“Thank you.”

Sophia held the hand of Duchess Dveshi and calmed her anxious heart.

After the Dveshi couple left, Sophia hurried into her room and picked up the contract on the table.

Fortunately, she managed to hide the contract from her parents today, but there was no guarantee she wouldn’t be caught next time. If they visited suddenly without notice, she might be discovered. Therefore, she needed to hide it somewhere out of sight.

Where would be a good place to hide it?

Looking around the room, Sophia stored the contract deep in a drawer. No one would likely search her room, so this should suffice.

Then Sophia went to the study and picked up a pen.

“This isn’t something I can decide on my own.”

She didn’t want to be swayed by the opinions of those around her in the absence of the person involved. Although she shouldn’t send a letter to Killian, who was busy in the frontier, it was necessary to inform him of her situation.

Sophia immediately unfolded the stationery to write to Killian, but as soon as she wrote his name, she crumpled the paper.

If she sent a letter to Killian, it felt like someone might intercept it. So, she decided to change the recipient to Liam Dveshi.

Among her family, Liam was the person Sophia trusted the most. So if she informed him of her current situation, he would convey it to Killian.

Since someone might intercept this letter as well, Sophia decided to use Annette’s name as the sender.

She could send the letter through Emily. So, she thought that just by looking at the name on the envelope, no one would realize it was actually a letter from her.

* * *

After sending the letter, Sophia’s life seemed to flow smoothly, except for receiving a reminder letter from Duke Loden urging her to respond quickly.

She busied herself with managing the household, finances, and employees to ensure everything ran smoothly even without Killian.

But this was only on the surface. In reality, Sophia spent her days feeling anxious.

Even though she knew it would take some time to receive a reply from Liam, waiting impatiently left her mentally drained.

To show that there was nothing wrong, she made sure to eat balanced meals despite losing her appetite, but strangely, instead of gaining weight, she lost even more.

“How about visiting the square after a long time? I heard there’s a festival going on.”

Perhaps feeling sorry for her increasingly withered appearance, Emily suggested going out.

“A festival? Didn’t we just have one not too long ago? Another one already?”

“That was the flower festival, and this one is a festival praying for the grains to ripen well. Well, the name is different, but what they sell is almost the same. This time, instead of fireworks, they’ll have bonfires and a dance party.”

“Really?”

Hearing that many things were similar to the previous festival, except for the fireworks, Sophia was intrigued.

Come to think of it, she hadn’t gone out once since Killian left. She had also refrained from meeting her close friends for a while.

Staying indoors only seemed to build more anxiety, so it might be better to get some fresh air.