Chapter 6: Divorce and Death

Exhausted beyond measure, Bliss collapsed onto a chair in the garden. A long sigh escaped her lips as she sat down. Count Bonita’s visit hadn’t been for her sake at all. She had thought he’d rushed over because of her letter, but his true purpose was Caelan.

When confronted with the business documents he had prepared beforehand, Bliss had to bite her lip hard to keep her composure.

“I can’t get divorced.”

If she were to announce her intention to divorce now, Count Bonita would be the first to oppose it. Especially since he wouldn’t want to sever ties with Caelan—there was no telling how he might react.

Yet she couldn’t remain in this situation. She was nothing but an obstacle to the two main characters, and another crisis could strike at any moment. Having survived one brush with death didn’t mean she could let her guard down.

Divorce and death.

Those were her only two options, but death was the only clear path available. Her heart felt so empty that she couldn’t think of anything else. Bliss clutched her throbbing forehead and sighed again.

“So this is where you were.”

“…Viscount Jimilta.”

Bliss murmured his name as she recognized who had approached. A bright smile graced his friendly face beneath his luxuriant golden hair.

“May I sit?”

Bliss remained silent at Leonard’s question, unable to answer right away. She didn’t want to see anyone right now, Leonard included. The initial surprise of recognizing him had given way to disappointment.

Finding an excuse to refuse seemed more troublesome, so she stayed quiet. Taking her silence as permission, Leonard sat on the bench beside her.

Count Bonita had warned her against associating with Leonard. He’d mentioned their past and worried about unnecessary rumors, but at the moment, Bliss couldn’t bring herself to care. Part of her felt rebellious—Count Bonita’s warning only made her less inclined to distance herself from Leonard.

Unable to discern his intentions in speaking to her, Bliss turned her attention back to the garden. As she gazed at the meticulously maintained, elegant flower bed, Leonard cleared his throat softly.

“Viscount Jimilta is fine, but would you call me Leonard like you used to?”

Bliss turned to look at him. Earlier, he’d greeted her cheerfully by name—perhaps this was a continuation of that familiarity? As if reading her thoughts, Leonard continued.

“Of course, you’re not the same Bliss as before.”

Bliss flinched at the word ‘before.’ Had he realized she wasn’t truly Bliss?

“Now that you’re Marquis Adrian’s wife, I know we can’t be the kind of friends where I can pat your head or go on outings together anymore.”

Bliss nodded silently at his wistful words. Leonard was referring to how their relationship had transformed. Through his emotions, she could sense that he and the original Bliss had been quite close. Even in the memories that were gradually surfacing, she found no unpleasant encounters with Leonard.

Of course, being Bliss now, she didn’t feel that same closeness to him.

‘Come to think of it… he’s the only person who ever had genuine affection for Bliss.’

The original Bliss had been so selfish that no one had truly liked her. Even Countess Azel, whom she’d met at the ball, had only sought friendship for her own agenda rather than genuine fondness. And while Caelan treated her kindly now, his attitude could change at any moment.

“What I regret most is how rarely I see you now. Even if things can’t be as they were, I’d like to meet occasionally—what do you think?”

After speaking, Leonard quickly waved his hands and added:

“I don’t mean anything improper. I just don’t want to lose contact entirely.”

“I don’t misunderstand.”

Bliss shook her head dismissively. She truly hadn’t sensed any ulterior motives in his words.

“That’s a relief. Ah, please take this.”

Leonard extended a stiff paper envelope adorned with a ribbon. When she merely stared at it, he spoke as if he was pleased by even this small interaction.

“It’s an invitation.”

After studying Leonard’s face briefly, Bliss accepted the envelope. Breaking the wax seal, she found an introductory invitation inside. The paper detailed the date and time of the gathering, along with a simple message expressing hope for her attendance.

“I’m holding a small gathering. You needn’t stay long. I’d just like to see you there, even if only for a moment.”

***

Back in her room, Bliss tapped the invitation while resting her chin in her hand. She usually attended gatherings as Marquis Adrian’s wife, but Leonard had addressed this invitation to Bliss, not to the Marchioness Adrian.

“Marchioness Adrian, Bliss, Bliss.”

After repeating her name twice, she held the invitation at eye level. If she wasn’t destined to die as Marchioness Adrian, perhaps she should focus more on Bliss Bonita’s connections?

The novel had extensively discussed her death. Yet most reactions had been along the lines of “I knew it would happen,” with people more interested in who would fill the empty space beside Caelan.

Everything worked against Bliss. She had no allies. Most people had celebrated her death, and very few had suspected Caelan of killing her.

Bliss’s grip tightened on the invitation. Perhaps this could be her alternative path.

“Bliss.”

A sudden voice nearby startled Bliss, causing her to whirl around.

“You’ve been getting startled a lot lately?”

Caelan asked with casual concern.

‘Why does he keep appearing out of nowhere.’

Bliss looked up at him, pressing a hand to her thundering heart. As Caelan moved closer, his scent enveloped her—heavy and intense.

“An invitation?”

Bliss stood frozen as Caelan gestured to the paper in her hand.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Who gave it to you? Where is it being held?”

At his show of interest, Bliss bit her lip slightly and glanced down at the invitation. The invitation had been addressed to Bliss, not Marchioness Adrian. While his interest wasn’t welcome, she had no reason to keep it secret.

“It’s an invitation from Viscount Jimilta.”

“Jimilta?”

His usually warm and gentle voice vanished, replaced by a tone of clear displeasure. Surprised by his brusque response, Bliss found herself looking up at him.

“Do you know him well?”

“No.”

Bliss couldn’t mask her bewilderment. If he barely knew Jimilta, why did he sound so displeased? Finding her obvious confusion amusing, Caelan’s lips curved into a slight smile.

“Are you going?”

“If nothing comes up.”

She had just been considering it, leaning toward attending. Caelan paused for a moment before responding.

“I’ll try to adjust my schedule.”

Schedule?

Caught off guard, Bliss instinctively reached out and grabbed Caelan’s arm. As he turned his head as if to call someone, their eyes met.

“Wait… just a moment.”

Even Bliss was surprised by her own action of grabbing Caelan. She had moved purely on instinct at his suggestion of accompanying her. Though she awkwardly lowered her hand, Caelan remained where he stood.

“You’re coming too?”

“I was thinking about it.”

Her plans to attend alone were beginning to crumble. Caelan examined the invitation’s contents before shrugging.

“It shouldn’t be difficult to adjust for something like this.”

“You don’t need to do that. It’s not a big event, and more importantly, you’re busy.”

Bliss made excuses, hoping to dissuade him. His response, however, took an unexpected turn.

“I didn’t expect you to say that. I thought you’d want to go together.”

He had a point. When they attended events together, everyone was captivated by the Adrian family’s presence, which elevated Bliss’s status. But that wasn’t what she wanted now.

“Of course it would be nice to go together. But I don’t want to force you into it.”

Caelan’s gaze intensified at her rejection. She gripped the invitation tighter, fighting the urge to look away from his direct stare.

“Bliss.”

Her lips trembled at his low voice. Why did something as simple as him calling her name make her so tense?

“You’ve been strange since yesterday.”

“…How so?”

Bliss forced a smile while swallowing hard. She hadn’t meant to arouse suspicion, yet he’d noticed something was different.

“Why are you being…”

Caelan leaned forward, bringing his face close to hers. When he tilted his head, he was so near it seemed he might kiss her. Bliss held her breath, frozen in place.

“So lovable?”

His unexpected words nearly made her release her held breath.