“Is it… over now?”

With Viscount Chester, Viscount Shelton, and Baron Lombardi all captured, it seemed the incident was resolved unless something unexpected happened.

“Probably,” Ains replied briefly. I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye. He was intently watching as the scene was being cleared. Then, as if sensing my gaze, he turned and looked down at me.

As soon as our eyes met, I quickly averted my gaze, pretending to look straight ahead as if I hadn’t been watching him.

Ains’s gaze lingered on me insistently. The side of my face he was looking at felt hot. Eventually, I hesitantly shifted my gaze to meet his expression.

“Wouldn’t it be better to get treated first?”

“I can take my time once we return.”

“But you collapsed yesterday, and today you were caught in that explosion. Wouldn’t it be best to get examined and treated right away?”

“Thanks for your concern, but I know my body best.”

I frowned at his stubborn response. Ains shrugged and continued speaking.

“And I’ll head there as soon as things are settled here. You should get checked out too.”

“Why should I? I’m perfectly fine.”

“Just as you’re worried about me, I’m worried about you. There’s no harm in it, so just do it.”

“…Alright. But you must also get examined, Duke.”

Ains didn’t respond. He just kept looking at me with the same unchanging eyes. Not understanding the meaning behind his gaze, I stayed silent until he spoke again.

“You’ve returned again.”

“Pardon?”

Ains said something cryptic. My eyes widened in confusion, and he let out a small sigh.

“It’s nothing.”

I was curious about his behavior, but I decided not to ask.

As our short conversation ended, silence returned. Neither Ains nor I spoke. It felt like we should remain quiet for some reason.

It wasn’t long before a knight approached Ains. The knight greeted us and began slowly reporting the situation to him.

I stepped back to give them space for the report. Meanwhile, I thought about what I needed to do.

If everything regarding Cadia’s group was resolved, there was only one thing left for me to do: leave the Graham estate where I was currently staying.

I was truly grateful for the help Ains had given me. However, I couldn’t continue imposing on him by staying at his estate indefinitely.

I had already looked into hotels to stay at after leaving the Graham estate. It was time to go.

Just as the report seemed to end, Ains turned to look at me.

“Shall we head back?”

“Alright.”

Since we had walked to this place, we had to walk back to the infirmary. Although it was quite a distance, the time seemed to pass quickly as my mind was filled with complex thoughts.

“…Lia. Cecilia?”

“Yes?”

While contemplating what to do next, I heard Ains calling my name. Startled, I looked up to find him gazing at me with concern.

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

“It’s nothing, really.”

“Is something worrying you?”

His unexpected question left me silent for a moment, feeling a tightness in my chest.

“Do you remember what I mentioned before?”

“If you’re talking about…”

Ains tilted his head in confusion but soon seemed to remember, his expression hardening.

“I told you I’d leave once everything was settled. Now that Viscount Chester and Viscount Shelton have been arrested, I’ll leave the Graham estate. Thank you so much for all your help.”

I bowed my head as I spoke. However, there was no response from Ains. Since it wasn’t something that required his reply, I didn’t press him for one.

“I’ll prepare to leave as soon as we get back. There’s no point in dragging it out.”

“Have you decided where to go?”

“Yes, the Liet Hotel in town. It’s secure, and more importantly, it’s close to Dr. Watt’s clinic, so it seems like the best option.”

“I see.”

Contrary to my expectations, he accepted it quickly. Given his previous behavior towards me, I thought he might try to dissuade me, so his reaction was a bit surprising. However, I soon dismissed that thought. It was actually a relief that he didn’t try to hold me back. There was no need to feel disappointed just because he didn’t stop me.

Finally, we arrived at the infirmary and got examined. I was simply exhausted, and Ains had only minor scrapes. Still, Dr. Watt advised that it would be best for both of us to rest. The infirmary was chaotic, treating soldiers injured in the recent incident. Unfortunately, the only place where I could rest was the Graham estate.

“You should go and rest first,” Ains suggested.

“Aren’t you going back, Duke?” I asked, puzzled. Ains needed rest as much as I did after the aftermath of the storm, yet he seemed intent on staying.

“I’ll stay here.”

“But Dr. Watt said you need rest too.”

“I know. I’ll rest when I can, so don’t worry and go rest.”

I thought about insisting again, but I gave up and turned away, leaving the infirmary. Outside, a carriage was waiting for me.

Once I climbed into the carriage, Rivet followed, and it started moving. The swaying of the carriage made me feel nauseous, and I closed my eyes tightly, trying to calm my stomach.

After a while, the carriage began to slow down. I opened my eyes to see where we were and saw the Graham estate outside the window. I wouldn’t be seeing this view for much longer.

Even after the carriage stopped, I sat there for a moment, looking at the estate through the window. I felt strangely cold inside, similar to when I had decided to divorce Ains and kept repeating the word ‘divorce’ to myself.

“Madam?” Rivet called hesitantly when I just sat there. I finally looked up and smiled at her.

“Let’s get out.”

“Yes.”

As I stepped down from the carriage, Rachel hurried over to me.

“Viscountess, you’re back?”

“Yes. By the way, Rachel, are you feeling better?”

“Yes, thanks to your concern, I’m perfectly fine now.”

“That’s a relief.”

Seeing Rachel smile brightly made me feel at ease. If Rachel had still been struggling with the incident, I wouldn’t have been able to leave the estate so easily.

“I’ll prepare a warm bath for you, so please wait a moment.”

“Thank you.”

Rachel nodded in response and left. I headed to my bedroom. It was as tidy as usual. I stood at the door for a while, looking around the room.

I had somehow returned to this bedroom, but it was time to leave. Ever since I decided to divorce Ains, this room was no longer my sanctuary. Finishing that thought brought me a sense of relief.

Just then, I heard a knock behind me.

“Viscountess, the bath is ready,” Rachel’s voice came from beyond the door.

Instead of giving permission, I turned the doorknob myself and opened the door. Rachel, surprised to see me come out, widened her eyes.

“Did I startle you?”

“A little,” she replied, relaxing her expression.

I smiled at her reassuringly.

“Let’s go. I want to bathe.”

“Yes, I’ll show you the way.”

Entering the bathroom, the warm steam enveloped me. As I carefully stepped into the tub, the warm water seemed to ease the fatigue in my feet. Soon, I immersed myself in the tub, and the maids attended to me, washing away the dust from my body.

After bathing and changing clothes, I returned to my bedroom. Although it was still early, I wanted to rest after all that had happened.

As I slowly closed my eyes, darkness enveloped me, and I quietly drifted into sleep.

* * *

Ains returned to the estate late at night. After checking the Graham estate shrouded in darkness, he strode inside. He washed and changed clothes, but instead of going to his own bedroom, he headed to the room where Cecilia was staying. He stopped in front of her door.

He had reached her room with a determined stride, as if he had a purpose, but he couldn’t bring himself to knock or open the door. Instead, he turned and sat down with his back against the door.

Many thoughts were racing through his mind, most of them about Cecilia. Ultimately, until the moment she left, he couldn’t stop her. It wasn’t anyone else’s fault but his own. He had been the one who hated, resented, and neglected her all this time.

She must have agonized over the decision to divorce him. Yet, wrapped in stubbornness and self-pity, he had likely missed countless opportunities that had been presented to him.

‘Do I even have the right to hold onto her now?’

Ains pondered that question for a long time, remaining in that spot.