Chapter 50
Mikhail, rubbing his face dry, murmured.
“I don’t love Marianne.”
“What…?”
Aaron’s face twisted in disbelief.
“After committing such shameless and terrible acts, now you’re saying this?”
“I have no excuses for you and Harriet…”
Aaron, laughing as if incredulous, shook his head.
“I guess I didn’t see it wrong.”
“What did you see?”
“The divorce papers.”
Aaron, responding with a heavy sigh, closed his eyes. When he had casually probed, thinking he might have been mistaken, Marianne’s trembling response had been genuine.
After a heavy silence, Aaron opened his eyes slowly and warned.
“Whatever the case, the divorce won’t happen. Just take my little sister back and live with her.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Father will never allow it.”
“This is between Marianne and me.”
“How long will you continue to be so shameless?”
His voice naturally rose. Mikhail calmly replied to Aaron’s face, flushed with anger.
“I can’t help it, even if it’s shameless.”
“For nobles to divorce, imperial law requires the consent of both families’ parents. Unless they’re deceased.”
“My parents have already agreed. Only the Earl needs to consent.”
“What?”
Aaron’s mouth fell open in disbelief.
“How do you plan to convince Father? Don’t tell me you’re under the delusion that he called Marianne back because his anger has subsided?”
“That’s not it. But he won’t have a choice but to agree to the divorce.”
The carriage, nearing its destination, gradually slowed down. As it glided along the paved road and arrived at the entrance hall of the Vanetti estate, the horses came to a stop.
“What happened? What happened three years ago?”
At the ominous words, Aaron grabbed Mikhail’s arm as he was about to alight.
“…Everyone will find out soon enough.”
Mikhail, pulling Aaron’s arm away, got off the carriage without hesitation. Aaron, watching him with questioning eyes, also got off the carriage.
* * *
Mikhail had returned. The next day, Harriet truly realized this when she received a message from her father to visit the family home during the day.
Was he planning to arrange a belated confrontation?
It was a reunion long overdue, but for some reason, she didn’t feel like refusing. It was something she would have to face at some point. If it was a task to be done, it was more comfortable to get it over with first.
Unlike the calm protagonist, Olivia was more agitated than she was.
“You can refuse! It’s okay to turn back now. Oh my, Father is too much. How can he call a man who did such a thing his son-in-law…”
“I’m fine, Olivia.”
Sitting in the drawing room, Harriet shook her head at Olivia.
“Strangely, I feel nothing. It’s amazing to me too.”
If she were to see Mikhail again, she thought she would either freeze with betrayal and anger or rush at him and scratch his face. She thought she might burst into tears from the humiliation and sadness she suffered three years ago.
But strangely, when the situation actually approached, her heart was as calm as a lake. There was no agitation at all.
“But what about Marianne? Hasn’t she arrived yet?”
“No. There was no reply.”
“Hmm…”
The strange unease she felt yesterday resurfaced.
“By the way, Olivia, isn’t it strange?”
“What is?”
“Usually, after doing something like that, wouldn’t the couple return together?”
“Together? Why?”
“No matter how shameless, considering the criticism and attention, it would be better for both husband and wife to return and face it together. Regardless of public opinion, if the couple shows a harmonious front, people will eventually accept it.”
No matter how much criticism was deflected, people were always lenient toward a well-matched young couple. Regardless of the backstory, Mikhail and Marianne were a couple that looked perfect together on the surface.
A bit of admiration and acknowledgment. In social circles, nothing was more important than that.
“That’s true… It’s strange that he let his wife return alone after three years.”
“Excuse me.”
Realizing the oddity late, Olivia murmured, and the butler interrupted with a knock.
“What is it?”
“The master requests you come to his study.”
“Understood.”
“Then I’ll…”
As Olivia stood to go with her, the butler politely added.
“The master asked for only Miss Harriet.”
* * *
The study was quiet. As soon as Harriet knocked and entered, Franz, who had been looking at a pile of documents, put down his quill.
“For some reason, you seem to already know why I called you.”
“Yes. Lennox told me yesterday.”
“News travels fast. I thought I brought him back secretly.”
“As the saying goes, ‘The walls have ears.'”
“Indeed…”
Franz replied with a sigh and sat on the couch in front of the fireplace. Summer had swiftly passed, and it was gradually getting chilly. Warmth seeped from the firewood burning in the hearth.
“Sit here.”
“Yes.”
Harriet sat where Franz indicated, across from him. Contrary to her expectation that Mikhail would be waiting, the study contained only Franz.
“Harriet.”
Franz, who had been watching her look around as if searching for someone, spoke softly.
“I met Mikhail yesterday.”
“…Already?”
“I intended to tell him to take Marianne back. As you might have guessed.”
Harriet nodded instead of answering.
“And?”
If it were her father’s usual nature, he would have handled it quietly. Yet calling her here was puzzling. After letting out a quiet sigh, Franz stood up abruptly, rummaged through the fireplace drawer, and found a cigar.
After lighting the end and exhaling a thick puff of smoke, he slowly opened his lips.
“He said he wants a divorce.”
“What?”
Harriet’s eyes widened, and she stiffened.
“What do you mean? Now? Why? Does Marianne know? Where is she?”
While visiting the family home was partly because of Mikhail, it was also to see Marianne. She wanted to confront her for recklessly revealing her secret to a reporter. She had even thought of slapping her, but the words that fell like a bolt from the blue left her mind blank.
Franz, sighing heavily, calmly answered Harriet’s flurry of questions.
“Marianne isn’t responding to any contact. But she’ll come tonight. And the reason for the divorce…”
Harriet swallowed and waited for the next words. After a brief pause, Franz finished his sentence softly.
“Mikhail said he would reveal the reason in front of the entire family tonight. I’d like you and Lennox to attend as well.”
“…Lennox might not be able to come.”
“I’ll understand if he can’t.”
Franz waved his hand, signaling her to leave. He looked as if he had aged overnight, as if something had happened.
“Father…”
Harriet, who had risen awkwardly, turned back as she was about to leave the study.
“You’re not going to allow their divorce, are you?”
Her voice trembled at the end. Although it seemed unlikely, she had a feeling it might happen. Franz, lowering his eyes instead of answering, waved his hand again.
“Go on.”
“…Yes.”
Clenching her teeth, Harriet left the study, thinking he would never tell her.
As soon as she returned to the drawing room, Olivia bombarded her with questions, eyes wide.
“What did Father say? Why did he come back?”
“Mikhail said he’d explain everything tonight. He wants the whole family to attend.”
“What?”
Olivia’s eyes widened at the unexpected words. Just then, the drawing room door opened, and someone entered.
“Sister.”
“Aaron.”
Aaron, who entered panting as if he had run, wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. Seeing his urgent demeanor, both Olivia and Harriet spoke almost simultaneously.
“What’s wrong?”
“What happened?”
Aaron, gasping for breath, finally calmed his heartbeat and answered.
“Marianne is missing. I went to find her, but she hasn’t been seen since dawn.”
“What?”
Startled, Harriet grabbed Aaron’s arm.
“What do you mean? I saw her yesterday afternoon.”
“After parting ways with Mother during a walk, her whereabouts became unknown.”
“Did you search the estate thoroughly?”
“Of course! The maids and servants there thought she was staying at the family home.”
“We must tell Father immediately…”
“Wait a moment.”
Lost in thought for a moment, Harriet stopped Olivia, who was about to leave the drawing room in a panic.
“Father is already under a lot of stress; we can’t burden him further. We need to find Marianne and bring her to the dinner.”
“How?”
“I have an idea.”
“Where… Big sister!”
Before Aaron could finish his sentence, Harriet shot out like a bullet and headed straight for the stables. Aaron hurried after her, barely managing to catch her arm.
“Where? Where is it? I’ll go with you.”
“No. You stay here. Reassure Olivia and Father.”
Harriet shook off Aaron’s hand, placed her foot in the stirrup, and mounted the saddle. With a flick of the reins, the horse neighed and set off, hooves pounding.
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Tillda
Sure. Sounds like a great idea to search (alone!) after scheming trash. And the Father is so great that he deserves all the worries about his health. Yet another brainless FL 😠 🥱