Kieron believed that there would always be a tomorrow for them. But Ariadne knew that she could no longer concern herself with something as distant as tomorrow — not with him.

Tomorrow?

She couldn’t even be certain of today.

There was no future left to imagine with him, let alone plan for.

She left the mansion immediately and headed straight for Jade.

If his father sponsored every art form imaginable, perhaps the law counted as one of them, and he would surely know a reliable lawyer.

It was a little late for a visit, and she hesitated at the thought, but she had no one else to turn to.

So she held on to the only lifeline she had.

“There is one. My father does sponsor a lawyer.”

“I knew it. Of course he would.”

Jade blinked uncertainly, unsure whether to laugh or not.

On any other day, she would have laughed first. But today, she didn’t have the strength to even force a smile.

Ariadne exhaled and asked him earnestly.

“Could you introduce me to that lawyer? I need one.”

“A lawyer?”

He blinked again, completely taken aback.

He’d heard that her marriage wasn’t going well. He’d even heard a ridiculous comment about it from Heidel, which he had dismissed at the time yet which had lingered in the back of his mind for much longer than it should have done.

Despite all the rumors and signs pointing towards divorce, Jade had never truly believed that she would take that step.

Ariadne was responsible — deeply so.

She wasn’t the type to abandon a decision she had made. So, when she stood before him and asked for a lawyer, he struggled to process what that meant.

Ariadne asking for legal counsel?

There was only one thing that could signify that, and his breath caught as he realized it.

“Rene… don’t tell me you’re—”

“Yes. To divorce.”

“What?”

As if to dispel any lingering confusion, Ariadne spoke more firmly than usual.

The moment Jade heard her answer, he questioned her again, unable to believe what he had just heard. He narrowed his eyes as though he could confirm the truth just by looking at her.

But she didn’t look away.

Her expression never faltered.

There wasn’t even a hint of hesitation in her gaze.

“I’m getting a divorce, Jade. I’ve done everything I could. There’s nothing more I can do.”

“Are… are you serious? Really?”

“Yes. I’m serious.”

He asked her repeatedly, searching her eyes for any indication that he had misunderstood. But Ariadne remained resolute and utterly sincere.

Jade fell silent, struggling to take it in.

Ariadne had made up her mind to divorce.

Whatever her reasons, once she had chosen a path, she did not waver.

She would divorce him.

Without question. Without fail.

Then she remembered that her older brother had recently asked him if he would like to take her sister in if she ever separated from her husband.

Had he foreseen all of this?

Jade hesitated before finally finding his voice.

“Are you heading back to the duchy tonight?”

“No. Jay already went to look for a place nearby. I have somewhere to be early in the morning, so I thought I’d stay here and leave from there.”

When she shook her head, Jade had to pause again.

Well… with things as they were, hesitation hardly mattered anymore.

He steadied his trembling thoughts and spoke carefully.

“Then stay at our estate for the night.”

“…What?”

“There are always plenty of rooms, Rene. And if you stay, Mother and Father would be happy to have you.”

‘You’re making a mistake, Jade.’

A voice echoed inside him.

He wasn’t sure whether it was his conscience or a sudden realization, but he heard it clearly and firmly.

‘You’re making a mistake.’

But Jade chose to ignore it.

He was bound to make mistakes. He was human. If this particular mistake could save someone he cherished, even in the smallest way, then surely it was a mistake worth making.

However, unaware of the turmoil inside him, Ariadne declined with an awkward smile.

“I appreciate it, Jade. Really. But I’m still married, and you’re unmarried. If I stay here, it’ll only cause trouble.”

The Countess is worried enough as it is.

Ariadne was being rational. Yes, she had come on impulse, but she knew she couldn’t stay long. Throughout their conversation, she kept glancing at the clock to remind herself not to linger.

So she firmly refused.

“You know how the social circles are. You never know what rumors will spread.”

“I understand, Rene. But the staff at our estate have been with us for years. No one would—”

“I don’t want to be talked about anymore, Jade.”

He understood.

If she refused now, she would keep refusing, no matter how many more opportunities arose. He knew her well, and she knew him too. He was sure she had sensed what lay behind his offer. However, she acted differently to how he’d hoped.

“I should get going. But let’s meet again tomorrow or the day after. We still have to go over the bridesmaid preparations.”

Rumors spread instantly.

If a married woman were to stay at the Derayan estate, where only an unmarried heir lived, the news would be all over the place before dawn.

Even if nobody in the household said anything.

“I came in such a rush that I took a carriage with the Ambrose crest on it. Even if no one in the estate says anything, someone outside will have seen it.”

She wanted to be careful. She didn’t want even a speck of trouble to fall on someone who had only ever been kind to her.

Ariadne saw Jade standing there in stunned silence and gave him a faint, bitter smile.

“I really appreciate it, Jade. I do. But right now, I’m too much of a risk, both to you and to your family’s reputation. I don’t want to cause you any trouble because of me.”

She spoke with genuine regret.

Marriage tied a person to far more than just a spouse; it also bound their behavior, opinions, demeanor, reputation and honor.

Trapped beneath all of that, she could not allow any harm to befall a friend who had always stood by her, not even by accident.

She had come for help, nothing more. She wouldn’t let another rumor grow from this. So Ariadne took a step back, leaving her crestfallen friend behind.

“Society can be ruthless. Let’s meet again once things settle a bit.”

“…If that’s what you want.”

Ultimately, Jade backed down.

He knew Ariadne well. Once she had made a decision, she rarely changed her mind, so trying to persuade  her would be counterproductive.

Being pushy would make him no better than her husband. So Jade said nothing more, rose to his feet and left.

“I can at least see you out, right?”

“That, I’ll accept gratefully.”

Even someone as resolute as she was couldn’t refuse him twice.

Ariadne left the Derayan estate with her quiet escort.

“Did you find a place to stay?”

“Yes, my lady. There’s a small inn nearby. A hotel would draw attention, just as you said.”

When she stepped into the carriage, Jay returned from her errand.

Ariadne listened to the report and nodded.

“Good work, Jay. But we should still be careful. Two women lodging alone might invite disrespect.”

“I arranged for us to enter through the back entrance. I said you were a noble lady whose travel had been unexpectedly delayed and needed an overnight place to rest.”

“There’ll be someone waiting at the back door?”

“Yes. I tipped one of the staff and asked for help.”

Although Ariadne had always known that Jay was competent, she still felt a sense of awe at how quickly and efficiently she dealt with things.

She praised her wholeheartedly.

“Well done, Jay. Really. Thanks to you, I’ll be able to rest a little easier tonight.”

“Oh, no, my lady. It’s only what I should be doing.”

Jay waved her hands frantically at the praise, then—after glancing at her expression—cautiously asked.

“Um… then, my lady… does this mean you won’t be returning to the mansion anymore?”

“…What?”

Not returning.

Ariadne paused; she hadn’t considered it from that perspective before.

She had never planned on leaving permanently.

There were matters she needed to settle with Kieron, and belongings she needed to retrieve from the Marquis’s estate.

She didn’t know the exact procedures, but she knew that divorce required documents, seals, and formal steps. So, of course, she would have to return at some point.

She shook her head.

“I’m not saying I’ll never go back. But it won’t be today.”

“Then… what about tomorrow, my lady?”

“Tomorrow, I’m going to the boutique first. After that, Jade said he’d introduce me to a lawyer.”

After that, she would begin to prepare properly for the divorce.

Ariadne spoke with firm, unshakable resolve.

Her maid watched her with deep concern, but she was too absorbed in her thoughts to notice.

She hoped that everything would go smoothly.

At that moment, she truly believed that she would be able to finalize the divorce without resistance, complications or interference.

Smoothly.

Cleanly.

Without a single obstacle.

She had no idea just how wrong she was.