I eventually revealed my confusion and could only chuckle awkwardly.

“But, it’s more comfortable for me now. Unlike here, the Dark Mansion servants follow me quite a bit.”

Cedric, raising an eyebrow with a puzzled expression, waited for me to continue.

“If it’s because of the servants, you don’t have to worry. If they make you uncomfortable, I won’t let it slide.”

“Because of you, my half-blood demon servants?”

If they were half-blood demons, he was the one who cherished them like family.
Would Cedric, who once hated all vampires, endure the suffering of half-blood demons for the sake of the former spouse? I stared at Cedric with a bewildered expression, then shook my head.

“No, they would end up hating me even more. I can’t allow that.”

There was no desire to incur more resentment from the half-blood demons.

Cedric, with an awkward expression, raised an eyebrow.

“What about Bianca?”

“Why Bianca?”

“That child is eagerly awaiting your return to the Light Mansion, you know.”

When the topic of Bianca came up, I fell silent. Of course, I wanted to fulfill Bianca’s wish. However, the adorable child was the main reason I didn’t want to return to the Light Mansion. The contract period was almost over, and once it ended, I would have to leave this castle. I couldn’t deceive young Bianca and make her suffer.

“…Even if I return to the Light Mansion for Bianca, it’s only for a few more months. If I accumulate affection here and then leave, Bianca will be even more distressed.”

Thinking about Bianca made my heart feel heavy. I sighed, my brows furrowed.

‘Cedric, why are you suddenly doing this?’

I couldn’t comprehend why Cedric’s feelings had changed so abruptly. Initially, it was Cedric who proposed a separation before announcing the divorce. Although we maintained a friendly relationship afterward…

Still, it didn’t mean he had a reason to suggest living together again.

‘Even if Cedric insists on my refusal, it’s not worth being so insistent.’

At this point, Cedric’s intentions became suspicious.

He was shaking my emotions, creating a turmoil without a clear purpose.

“Why are you doing this suddenly?”

I asked, half inquisitively.

My eyes must have been mixed with doubt and caution.

Cedric stared at me wordlessly for a while.

After some time, he let out a slightly rueful laugh with a slightly darkened expression.

“Now… our positions have truly reversed.”

In Cedric’s voice that seemed to be whispering, bitterness lingered.

Looking at him with a puzzled expression, he took a long breath and spoke.

“Now I’m clinging to you, and you’re doubting my intentions. That’s the situation we’re in now.”

“…”

“Throughout our marriage, it was always the opposite, right?”

For a brief moment, Cedric’s usually relaxed azure eyes became somber.

“I wonder what your feelings were back then.”

“Now, I think I might understand a bit.”

Surprisingly, his expression was bitter.

I tried to conceal my confusion and think of comforting words for Cedric.

“Cedric, there’s really no need to think like that now.”

“…”

“We’re already divorced. In a few months, we won’t have any reason to see each other again.”

“…”
“So, letting go of the past and completely forgetting about it…”

Just as he was about to continue his words,

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can do that now,”

Cedric’s tone was gentle yet firm.

“I don’t want to clean you out of my mind completely, not even think about doing that. Moreover, thinking about you leaving my castle in a few months…”

He paused for a moment, then confessed as if baring his soul.

“Sometimes, it becomes unbearable.”

Cedric slowly lifted his head to look at me again.

“I regret the moment we decided to divorce. And until your feelings leave me… I even regret my ignorance.”

At that moment, I couldn’t believe my ears.

‘Regret’?

Was that a word that suited Cedric?

I blinked with an expression of disbelief.

Seeing me like that, Cedric spoke with a wry smile and self-pity.

“I’ve only realized it now, and I can’t let you go like this. So, please give me one last chance.”

Gradually, sincere determination permeated his azure eyes.

“Rebecca, I want to regain your heart.”

Cedric’s lips continued to utter surprising words.

How much time had passed as I stared blankly at the unrealistic situation?

My heartbeats started to increase ever so slightly, and soon, my whole body began to tremble.

From that moment on, I couldn’t calm down.

I tried to avoid the intense gaze that was fixed on me and made an effort to settle my mind.

‘That statement, Cedric is…’

In a brief moment, I felt a faint joy.

And surprisingly, the next passing emotion was ‘fear.’

Since arriving in this world, I had focused on my current daily life to avoid endangering my life.

No, I tried to.

However, occasionally, in small and ordinary situations, such as before falling asleep or looking out the window, pain unexpectedly found me.

Moments when we whispered love to each other, supported each other’s dreams, and the days when I could rest my fragile body and mind, relying on him.

And cruel truths that were naturally hidden in that peaceful daily life.

In the superficial relationship where we sang light love songs like parrots, concealing secrets from each other, now even a sense of disillusionment crept in.

‘If it’s that kind of relationship, I don’t even want to start. I don’t want to be hurt anymore now.’

Countless thoughts passed by like a revolving lantern.

The excitement that arose from Cedric’s confession gradually subsided.

I took a sip of tea and, placing the teacup down slowly, spoke.

“Marquis Bold suddenly said something strange.”

“…”

“The day he suddenly came to visit.”

Looking at Cedric, who was silently waiting for my continuation, I spoke, removing my lips again.

“Lillian’s heart, what on earth is that?”
Upon my question, a momentary expression of confusion passed over Cedric’s face.

Of course, it was as expected.

However, in that moment, perhaps deep down, I might have been earnestly hoping.

“Can you also… tell me?”