Marianne’s shabby dress had even brought shame upon Christoph who was with her. By tomorrow, the rumors about Mrs. Schneider’s ragged dress might spread all over Blauburg.

She should have had at least one dress befitting the name of Mrs. Schneider. No, she shouldn’t have gone out with Christoph in the first place. Then today’s incident wouldn’t have happened.

Marianne couldn’t even lift her head. Though she had a hundred mouths, she had nothing to say. It was only natural for him to be angry at her.

Then, Christoph’s voice penetrated her ears.

“Do you think I’m okay? The one who is not okay is you. Have you forgotten? The person who should be angry is not me, Marianne, but you.”

When it came down to it, he was right. But Marianne wasn’t angry. Her life was too tough for her to get angry at this level.

“I’m used to it.”

“……”

Christoph suddenly closed his mouth. Wearing a blank expression as if he’d been struck, he soon furrowed his brow. A suspicious voice flowed from his mouth.

“Used to it?”

“Do you think I’ve been Mrs. Schneider from the beginning? I was Marianne Cloje, the daughter of a lowranking city official. An ignoramus who knows nothing of noble etiquette, an empty shell called Mrs. Schneider.”

“!”

The meaning of those words was clear. Christoph’s eyes took on a bewildered look as he guessed what she had not said.

Though he seldom showed emotion, he clearly revealed his disturbance now. His dark eyes shook roughly.

“But why…….”

“You didn’t even have time to care about me.”

It wasn’t resentment. She knew better than anyone that Christoph was busy.

Nevertheless, sometimes she felt neglected. She never wished for him to help her. Just a little empathy for her struggles would have saved her from such a lonely fight. She could have endured much more strongly, much longer.

“How dare anyone……”

Christoph began to speak but closed his mouth. Who had insulted her was not important. What mattered was that he had not known she was being scorned.

He recalled Marianne asking him several times to talk. He remembered his responses each time.

Damn it.

He slowly closed his eyes, wearing a utterly miserable expression.

His jaw tightened firmly. His clenched fist trembled. Perhaps he would not have felt this wretched even if he had been insulted.

Damn it, that blockhead Christoph.

Marianne’s leaving him divorce papers and walking away was a gentle act. Even if she had cursed or swung her fists at him, he had nothing to say.

Christoph was her husband, yet not her husband. Not knowing that his wife was being scorned, he was lost in his work. As if such fame was so important.

Damn it.

Christoph, gritting his teeth, quietly opened his eyes. As if confessing his sins, he whispered softly.

I will never leave her alone again. No one will be able to scorn her, he wanted to say.

“Marianne. I……”

She stared at Christoph with her pale blue eyes. Then she wore a bitter smile. He suddenly opened his eyes narrowly.

The one who took away her bright laugh, as dazzling as to erase the surrounding scenery, and made her wear a bitter smile was none other than Christoph.

He suddenly felt parched with anxiety. He had to say something. Something that would make her bitter smile disappear. Just as Christoph wet his lips.

“Ah!”

A strong gust of wind blew. The hat she was wearing was blown away by the wind. Marianne’s arms flailed in the air.

Christoph’s eyes followed the hat. The unfastened hat caught the wind, fluttering and flew far away.
He reached out in haste. The hat barely missed his hand and rolled on the floor. Christoph unconsciously followed the hat with his steps.

As he bent down to grasp the hat, the wind pushed it away once again. Christoph’s brows furrowed.

Tsk.

He reached out once again, his tongue clicking low. The hat barely dodged his hand, like a mischievous child.

“…….”

Again.

Once more.

He finally grasped the hat after three attempts. With a couple of pats, dusting off the hat, he walked toward her.

“Here.”

Marianne stared intently at the hat Christoph extended to her. The hat Christoph had picked up for her.

It was something unimaginable in the past. Being one to prioritize efficiency, he would have handed her money to buy a new hat instead of picking it up.

But now Christoph had comically bent down and chased after the hat for her. Marianne’s heart fluttered once again.

Her heart would often collapse at such trivial matters.

“……Tha, nk you.”

Marianne responded as if trying not to reveal her agitation. The slightly trembling final note probably reached her ears only.

Marianne grasped the hat. Suddenly, their fingers touched. Her index and Christoph’s thumb.

“…….”

“…….”

Neither opened their mouths, nor did anyone withdraw their hands. Christoph’s thumb gently brushed her finger, as if by accident.

“!”

A thrilling chill ran through her. The touch of skin met after a long time caused her hair to stand on end, and strength to enter her toes. Marianne strained her lips with effort.