Since meeting Cecilia Marves in front of Master Cesare’s office, Ains Graham had been deep in thought all day. Jacob and Jackson, who assisted him with his work, exchanged glances, trying to gauge his mood. It was clear that Ains’ current state was due to Cecilia.

‘How long will it last this time?’ Jacob silently asked Jackson. Jackson, interpreting the question from Jacob’s lip movements, shrugged.

‘How would I know? Looks like we’ll be working late again for a while,’ Jackson sighed wearily. They knew from past experience that this situation would likely follow the same pattern as before.

‘Why don’t you try saying something?’ Jackson urged Jacob. Jacob looked at Jackson in disbelief, but Jackson nodded.

‘You’re better at it than I am. You’re more perceptive than me.’

‘Well… that’s true,’ Jacob admitted, unable to refute the point. However, he was burdened by the fact that he was always the one to speak candidly to Ains.

“What are you two whispering about?” Ains suddenly interjected into their conversation. Jacob and Jackson turned to Ains, startled as if they were caught doing something wrong. Ains glared at his two aides with an annoyed look.

Jackson quickly nudged Jacob with his elbow, prompting Jacob to stand up.

“We were discussing how we might assist you since you seem to have a lot on your mind, Your Grace.”

“So, do you know what’s on my mind?”

“Isn’t it because of Viscountess Marves…?”

Jacob hit the mark precisely. Ains didn’t argue but furrowed his brow instead.

“So, what solutions have you thought of?”

“What solutions could we possibly have? It’s just…”

Jacob trailed off, and Ains remained silent, waiting for him to continue. Jacob took a deep breath before speaking again.

“How about going back to the beginning?”

“The beginning?” Ains asked, not quite grasping the idea. Jacob nodded and elaborated.

“Yes. Haven’t Your Grace’s actions towards Viscountess Marves been too overwhelming so far? That’s why she hasn’t accepted your apology.”

Ains recalled kneeling to apologize a year ago. Even though he thought it was his final attempt, Cecilia remained unmoved. He had been at a loss for how to express the frustration and despair he felt and had been unable to do anything for a while.

Back then, it was thanks to Jacob and Jackson’s persistent efforts that he managed to return to his usual routine. And recently, when he saw Cecilia again, those feelings resurfaced, but he chose not to express them. He knew that the emotions she had felt throughout their marriage were likely much greater than his own.

When he thought of Cecilia, his feelings seemed insignificant. He didn’t want to burden her with his grievances.

So he pretended to be unaffected, but in reality, he couldn’t get her out of his mind.

“Start from the beginning and convey your feelings to her.”

“How?”

“Come to think of it, His Majesty’s birthday is approaching. There will be a ball. Viscountess Marves will likely attend, won’t she?”

Ains listened intently to Jacob’s suggestion.

“Return to the beginning and show Viscountess Marves your best self—the way you were when she first fell in love with you.”

* * *

Baroness Xavier’s craftsmanship was impeccable. I examined my reflection in the mirror, wearing the newly ordered dress. I looked quite decent.

I smiled faintly, then paused, surprised at myself. Just a year ago, attending a ball had felt daunting and exhausting. But now, things are a bit different.

I still didn’t want to mingle with people, and it was still burdensome, but unlike before, the mere fact of attending didn’t feel overwhelming.

What has changed since then?

I was puzzled by the thought, but it wasn’t an unwelcome change.

Knock, knock.

While I was lost in thought, staring at the mirror, a knock came at the door. I turned to face the door as a familiar voice called from outside.

“Viscountess, it’s time to depart.”

It was Sir Taylor, the newly hired knight. Although Ains had offered to continue sending knights from the Graham household to the Marves estate, I declined his kindness once I was able to earn money by crafting mana stones. I couldn’t rely on Ains forever.

Above all, I needed to leave his side so he could start a new life. He couldn’t keep looking after his former wife indefinitely. I also needed to learn how to live independently.

Even though I was only producing and supplying low-grade mana stones, it was enough to cover the maintenance costs of the modest Marves estate and the wages of the employees.

“Let’s go, Rivet.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Rivet followed me cheerfully. The door opened, and Sir Taylor greeted me. He bowed politely and extended his hand to me. I placed my hand on his, and he escorted me to the waiting carriage. After I climbed in, Rivet followed.

“Please depart.”

“Yes.”

Once Rivet spoke to the coachman, the carriage began to move slowly. I quietly observed the capital’s scenery through the window. Even though I saw it daily, it somehow felt new to me.

“Madam.”

Suddenly, Rivet called me. I turned my head to see her looking at me with concern.

“What’s wrong?”

“Are you okay? The Duke of Graham is attending today, isn’t he?”

Rivet asked in a gentle voice, trying not to upset me. I knew what she was worried about. Rivet was the first maid I hired after my divorce, so she had witnessed everything I went through at both the Marves and Graham estates. I understood her concern.

I smiled at Rivet to reassure her.

“I’ll be fine.”

Yes, I would be fine. I whispered this to myself as I answered Rivet. Nearly a year had passed. During that time, I had avoided situations where I might encounter Ains and had managed to sort out my feelings.

Yet, I wasn’t entirely sure. It was because of the recent encounter with Ains at the Magic Tower. Just a brief meeting in front of Master Cesare’s office had left me thinking about Ains all day. In some ways, it proved that I hadn’t moved on from him.

Still, I couldn’t keep avoiding Ains forever. If an unavoidable event like today’s banquet occurred, I would inevitably have to face him. It was time to get used to it.

Carriages were lined up in front of the ballroom. The carriage I was in waited its turn to enter slowly. Finally, it stopped in front of the ballroom’s main entrance.

As the carriage door opened and I was about to step out, a hand suddenly extended toward me. I looked up to see who it was.

“…”

An unexpected figure came into view, and I momentarily held my breath. The person who offered me his hand was Ains.

When I hesitated inside the carriage, Ains took my hand himself.

“Are you going to stay there? People are waiting behind us.”

“No, I’ll get out.”

I stepped out of the carriage, aware of the people waiting behind. Rivet followed and adjusted my dress. Meanwhile, I let go of Ains’ hand and tried to figure out what was happening.

“How did you… Why are you here, Your Grace?”

“Could I miss the Emperor’s birthday celebration?”

“No, that’s not what I meant.”

It was expected that Ains would attend this ball. But that wasn’t what I was asking. I wondered why Ains had come to meet me at the entrance. Had he been waiting for me here?

Many questions swirled inside me.

As if sensing my confusion, he spoke as if offering an excuse.

“I came out because it was stuffy inside, and I happened to see your carriage. I just wanted to help.”

“By chance?”

“Yes, by chance.”

The timing seemed too perfect to be coincidental. While it could indeed have been a chance encounter, I wasn’t naive enough to believe it easily. However, I wasn’t the type to probe into the truth behind his fabricated excuse.

“It’s already chilly. Shall we go inside?”

Ains extended his hand to me again, as if offering to escort me.

I was curious about his sudden approach. We had lived like strangers since I left the Graham estate. I couldn’t understand why he was being so friendly now.

“I’ll go in alone. You said you came out for some air, so enjoy it a bit longer.”

I declined his escort.

I had thought I would handle seeing Ains at the ball with composure, but I hadn’t expected to encounter him right at the entrance.

Why was Ains suddenly acting this way?

His behavior, as if we had never divorced, only left me feeling bewildered.