He wasn’t entirely wrong. Without the Borde marquis family name, I was nothing. Even the barony granted only to top graduates of the Oscuro Imperial Academy was just an empty title. I could only gain recognition from other nobles by achieving notable accomplishments.

Perhaps I would regret today’s choice. However, if I had to choose between a decision I might regret and one I definitely would regret, I was certain the former would be more rational.

“It doesn’t matter.”

At least it would be better than withering away day by day, trapped in this house. 

With those words, I left his study. Before leaving the marquis residence, the last place I visited was the room where I had lived for three years. 

The marble floor with its navy blue rug spread over it. The white-toned bed and vanity. I had cried many tears on that bed over Karlien’s indifferent attitude.

I sat on the edge of the bed, ran my hand over the blanket, then stood up. The dresses filling the dressing room and the jewels that would be in the jewelry box caught my eye, but I felt no desire to take any of them. None of these things truly belonged to me. 

In the end, I left the room empty-handed.

“Nothing from inside the marquis residence…”

Julia had apparently expected me to take something, starting to speak with a triumphant expression. However, seeing me empty-handed, she couldn’t hide her confusion and could only stammer in the end.

“Julia Blando. You did well ignoring me, your mistress. It would be best for you if we never meet again. Until now, I was the ‘Marchioness Borde’ from the slums who had to be generous, but from now on, you’ll see me as ‘Baroness Risto’ who doesn’t need to be generous.”

I passed the frozen Julia and descended the stairs with lighter steps. At the bottom of the first-floor staircase, Karlien stood with an attendant. He seemed to have been waiting for me to come down. When I reached the first floor, Karlien gestured to his attendant.

The attendant, receiving Karlien’s signal, held out a money pouch to me. This was also a predictable situation. When I naturally accepted the money pouch, Karlien briefly frowned but soon spoke in an indifferent voice.

“Seven thousand gold. Stay quietly at a hotel for the time being. When news of the divorce becomes public, reporters might swarm you.”

The divorce of a young marquis couple. It was the kind of story that would interest reporters. 

The word “quietly” grated on me, but since it wasn’t wrong, I couldn’t argue. When I simply listened to his words, he gestured toward Jane, who was holding a travel bag.

“From now on, Jane will assist you. This is the last consideration I can offer you.”

At his words, Jane stepped closer to my side. Last consideration. I wondered what consideration meant when we were divorcing, but I swallowed the thought. Nothing would change even if I heard the answer.

“I’ll file the divorce papers with the court by tomorrow. You don’t need to worry about that.”

Karlien seemed to have made up his mind as well. He pulled out a pocket watch from his trouser pocket, quickly checked the time, then continued in a way that seemed to hurry me along.

“A carriage is waiting for you outside. We need to get you to the hotel and return to the marquis residence before it gets too late, so it would be best to hurry.”

With those words, I left the mansion like I was being driven out. In front of the door, just like Karlien had said, a carriage bearing the marquis family crest waited. 

The coachman who had been waiting for me on the carriage spotted me, climbed down, and opened the carriage door. After confirming that Jane and I had boarded, he pulled the horse’s reins.

After passing through unpaved roads for quite some time, the carriage finally entered a residential area and moved familiarly through the streets. Eventually arriving at a street lined with hotels, the carriage stopped.

“We’ve arrived.”

This meant I had to handle things from here. As soon as I gathered the money and luggage and got out, the carriage left the street. 

Now I was truly alone. 

Jane was beside me, but since she rarely left the marquis residence either, she wouldn’t be much help.

I quickly scanned the hotel buildings with my eyes, then headed toward the first hotel that caught my attention. If I added this money to the alimony I would receive after the divorce, I could quickly find a modest mansion. 

With such thoughts, I decided to spend the night here. It was a new beginning.

I prepared for bed with the decision to visit my friend, Young Marchioness Limpio, tomorrow. 

Young Marchioness Meriel Limpio. 

She was the only daughter of the Marquis and Marchioness Limpio, and had been my classmate at the academy. She received the young marchioness title immediately after graduating from the academy with excellent grades.

Perhaps that was why. Meriel was the only person Karlien had allowed me to exchange letters with. 

Though I couldn’t reveal internal affairs, perhaps sensing something, Meriel would send me news of high society, both big and small, through coded letters. 

I fell asleep imagining exchanging ordinary updates with Meriel, just like we had during our academy days.

* * *

As soon as I woke up in the morning and finished preparing to go out, I rented a carriage and quickly headed to my destination. The carriage passed through several alleys and stopped in front of a large mansion. 

A servant guarding the marquis residence entrance had blocked the carriage. When I opened the window, the mansion’s servant approached.

“What brings you here?”

“I’ve come to see Young Marchioness Limpio. Tell her it’s the Marchioness Borde and she’ll know.”

“Please wait a moment.”

I could see the servant enter through the main gate and ask a passing attendant to deliver the message. Soon I would be able to enter the mansion. My anticipation was considerable for seeing my friend in person after three years of only corresponding by letter.

Meriel and I had met when we shared the same room in the dormitory. Meriel treated me the same as other students without prejudice about my background, and that’s how we naturally became friends.

After waiting about thirty minutes, the mansion gates finally opened and I could enter. Just as I was about to get out of the carriage that had arrived in front of the main building, I heard a beloved voice.

“Veloena!”

It was Meriel. I spotted the girl with brown hair and azalea-colored eyes running from far away and shouted back.

“Meriel…!”

We embraced without hesitation. Whatever the surrounding gazes might be, at this moment, it had nothing to do with us. Meriel, who soon released me, spoke reproachfully.

“What’s going on? No contact at all. I was worried since there was no reply to the letter I sent the day before yesterday.”

Three days ago, I had received a letter from Meriel. But shocked by the news that Lady Litension had returned, I couldn’t even think of sending a reply and left the marquis residence.

“Sorry. There were circumstances. It’s a long story.”

“Let’s go inside first. Your body feels like ice.”

When I apologized to Meriel, she dismissed it like it wasn’t important and led me into the mansion. The place Meriel led me to was her own room. 

Meriel’s room, not a dormitory, felt familiar yet strange. I found myself straightening my back and looking around. The structure wasn’t much different from the Borde marquis residence. 

While I was exploring my surroundings, Meriel, who had taken the seat next to me, spoke to a middle-aged woman who appeared to be the head maid.

“Sophia. Could you bring some tea?”

“Yes, young mistress.”

After the maid left, Meriel carefully asked with a voice full of concern.

“Your letters rarely mentioned yourself. How have you been all this time? Does the Marquis Borde treat you well?”

“Well, you see…”

When I hesitated, being careful about what to say, Meriel, feeling frustrated, urged me on.

“What happened? What’s with this state you’re in?”

“I’m getting divorced.”

“…”

At my declaration, the surroundings seemed to freeze momentarily. Meriel was at a loss for words and kept running her hands through her hair. 

If I were Meriel, I would have been dumbfounded too. If my married friend, who never came outside, suddenly appeared and said she was getting divorced, I would be suspicious first. 

After a brief silence, just as the maid returned with a teapot and teacups, Meriel spoke.

“Why? Did the Marquis Borde have an affair? Does he have a hidden child somewhere?”

“It’s not that.”

“Did he hit you or…”

“Absolutely not.”

“Then why on earth…!”

Meriel shouted like she couldn’t understand at all. But she soon regained her composure and continued, searching her memory.

“Come to think of it, it was strange from the beginning. Marriage to the heir of the noble family that sponsored you.”

“This marriage was a wish I made to him.”

“You? Why on earth?”

“Because I loved him.”

Bitterness lingered around my lips. I had loved him. No, I still love him. I can’t forget those golden eyes that sparkled brightly like spring sunshine. 

I loved him, and that’s why I divorced him. 

Meriel, seemingly frustrated, pounded her chest with her fist and reluctantly asked.

“No, why are you getting divorced?”

“Because I loved him.”