Chapter 2 – My Husband Found Someone He Loved

A little over a year of marriage. It would be a lie to say she never hoped for love from her husband.

‘I expected this day would come someday….’

Epona sat weakly by the window. Looking out at the wide garden, she remembered Karos and the flower shop lady talking happily together last time.

‘I didn’t expect it to come so quickly.’

How indifferent the Goddess was.

She didn’t even give Epona time to be completely happy for their first wedding anniversary. As if she didn’t deserve it.

‘Well, that’s just greed too.’

Epona leaned her head against the window and lowered her eyes. Selfishly, her desire only grew, never shrinking.

So she fell into self-loathing several times a day.

‘What should I do with that gift….’

She couldn’t give it to someone else or throw it away, so the gift kept bothering her.

Eventually, Epona got up and took the hidden gift. Only a day had passed, but she gently brushed off the dust and placed it on the table. Just then, a maid approached.

“That’s a gift I haven’t seen before.”

“Oh, this?”

To satisfy the maid’s curiosity, Epona opened the gift box. When the maid saw the emerald brooch inside, she exclaimed.

“I’ve never seen such a beautiful brooch!”

“Really?”

“Yes! The recipient will be so lucky.”

“Do you really think so?”

“Of course! Did you prepare this for the Young Master?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

She had. But now she couldn’t give it.

Swallowing those words, Epona smiled bitterly. But the maid, not noticing, just fussed over how beautiful it was.

“By the way, what dress will you wear to the party tomorrow?”

“Well….”

Epona trailed off and sat in her chair. Come to think of it, the party was tomorrow, just three days before their wedding anniversary. Time had passed so quickly. Lost in thought, she forgot about the upcoming party.

Since Epona didn’t answer right away, the maid suggested,

“With your bright, glamorous blonde hair, anything would suit you, but how about a blue dress to match your blue eyes?”

“Yes, please do that.”

She nodded lightly, but the maid kept staring at the gift box with the emerald brooch. Wondering why, Epona was about to ask when the maid smiled brightly and said,

“I’m sure the Young Master will love it.”

“I hope so.”

Epona smiled bitterly at the maid’s words and shoved the gift box deep in the drawer.

She wouldn’t be able to give it anyway, so what was the point?

* * *

On the day of Earl Stein’s party. Epona carefully descended the stairs and stopped at the door. Karos was already waiting in front.

He looked especially neat and well-dressed today, which surprised her for a moment. For some reason, his chest looked empty.

‘It would have looked perfect with a brooch right there.’

Preferably, the emerald brooch she had prepared.

But knowing that would never happen, she felt bitter.

Epona tried to act as if nothing was wrong, took Karos’s hand, and got into the carriage. But something felt off.

‘What is it?’

She pretended not to notice and looked out the window, but she could feel Karos’s gaze from across the carriage. His usually indifferent eyes now seemed to be waiting for something.

No, was he expecting something?

‘What in the world?’

She couldn’t figure it out, so she was about to ask, but the carriage stopped, and they arrived at Earl Stein’s mansion. Karos smiled broadly and offered his hand to Epona. Even as she took his hand and stepped out of the carriage, he smiled kindly.

‘Ah…. Maybe it’s because there are people around?’

People thought they were a happy couple, so maybe that was why. But even so, he hadn’t stopped smiling since they left the carriage.

Epona looked down at their joined hands, then looked up at Karos. The moment their eyes met, Karos smoothly lifted the corners of his lips and smiled.

‘If he keeps smiling like this.’

She didn’t want to get divorced.

Her husband, who knew nothing of her feelings, continued to smile gently and led her by the hand into the mansion. The high ceiling was adorned with chandeliers set with precious jewels, and the marble floor shimmered. Carefully prepared dishes were lined up in succession.

“Young Master Ordo, please come in. We’ve been waiting for you.”

“Thank you for inviting us, Earl Stein.”

Earl Stein, who spotted Karos first, approached with a bright smile. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, he glanced at Epona and spoke to Karos.

“May I have a word with you…?”

Wanting to speak alone, Epona took a step back.

“Then I’ll go greet the others.”

“But…”

“It’s fine. Go ahead.”

Only after she repeatedly assured him did Karos sigh lightly and follow Earl Stein.

Left alone, Epona watched their backs for a moment before entering the banquet hall. She greeted those who approached out of courtesy, but quickly found herself with nothing to do.

‘Is it something important?’

Thinking about how Earl Stein had checked her reaction, Epona figured it was something she shouldn’t hear.

After chatting with noble ladies for a while, Epona quietly slipped away to the terrace. The cool breeze helped lift her spirits a little.

‘When should I talk to him?’

Perhaps it was a hasty judgment, but Karos seemed to be thinking about marrying the Flower Shop Lady. After all, she had been holding the same bouquet as the one he had given Epona on their wedding day.

‘Should I be the first to say I’ll leave?’

Would he be happy then?

…She didn’t want to see him happy about that.

She had promised to let him go if he found someone he loved, but her resolve was already crumbling. Epona couldn’t help but laugh at herself for being so selfish and fickle. After a weak smile, she left the terrace and headed back toward the banquet hall.

“Ah, I’m sorry. It’s so dark, I couldn’t see ahead.”

“No, I’m the one who should apologize.”

Just as she was about to open the door, she bumped into a man entering the terrace. Flustered, Epona apologized repeatedly. At that moment, something fell from the man’s chest.

“You dropped this.”

When she picked it up, she saw it was an emerald brooch. As she returned it, the man sighed in relief and thanked her.

“Thank you. This is a very precious item to me.”

“I see.”

He brushed off the dust from the brooch and pinned it back on. Watching him, Epona thought of the brooch she had hidden deep in her drawer.

‘In the end, I couldn’t even give him the brooch…’

Suppressing her bitter feelings, Epona spoke.

“It suits you very well.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

As they smiled at each other—

“There you are.”

A familiar voice made Epona turn around to see Karos standing there.

Maybe it was the night, but Karos’s face looked unusually dark.

“Were you looking for me?”

“Yes. I was worried. Let’s go back now.”

As he spoke, his grip on her wrist felt strangely unfamiliar. He seemed almost angry, and Epona was puzzled.

“Viscount Romain.”

“Yes?”

Suddenly, Karos called out to the man, Viscount Romain, who looked at Karos in surprise. The moment their eyes met, Karos smoothly lifted the corners of his lips.

“That brooch.”

His low gaze shifted from the brooch to Viscount Romain.

“It suits you well.”

At that moment, both Epona and Viscount Romain’s faces stiffened.

It sounded oddly meaningful.