A hush fell over the dining room.

In the silence where not even breathing could be heard, only gazes crossed.

As the heavy air continued, the emotional outburst became embarrassing.

‘How foolish, why to someone who knows nothing…’

At the same time, I was flustered. Why did I, with my defensive emotional expression and speech, pour out my feelings to an unrelated man as if venting?

‘It’s not his fault for my trauma.’

Unable to bear Edmond’s piercing direct gaze, I averted my eyes first.

“I’ll get up first.”

As I was about to stand up, pressing the table with my napkin-holding hand, suddenly a low voice intruded.

“I apologize.”

As I turned my gaze, Edmond stood up and slowly bowed his head.

“If my careless remarks have caused you pain, I apologize.”

Though his voice was monotone, it was sincere and innocent.

An apology for rudeness was natural. But when you don’t receive such an obvious apology for a long time, it rather feels unfamiliar.

Moreover, since everyone around me while living as Etricia was rude, a sincere apology from someone I thought disliked me was enough to make me flustered.

“You… you don’t need to apologize that much. You didn’t know my circumstances, Sir Count, and were just suggesting an efficient solution.”

“No, I was rude.”

The stubbornness of this man bowing his head again was now enough to make me feel guilty.

“Really, the apology is fine-”

“Apology?”

Lilien, who opened the dining room door and came in, abruptly joined the conversation.

Lilien came in rubbing her eyes with a sleepy face. When her eyes met mine, she immediately stared at Edmond standing expressionless. Her eyes rolled down to the apple pie on the table.

“A-anyway, the apples from Doetwain region are delicious…?”

That wasn’t the apology we were talking about.

Hoo, letting out a light laugh, I approached Lilien with her blank face and tidied her hair. It was evident she had hurriedly gotten up so as not to miss breakfast with me.

Lilien glanced at Edmond and whispered to me with her head lowered.

“Did I interrupt an important conversation?”

“No, we were just talking about what time Lady Lilien would wake up.”

“Oh my, were you waiting for me? I’m so happy, Lady Etricia.”

Lilien cupped her flushed cheeks and smiled brightly.

Ah, I just realized, I really liked her gentle and warm atmosphere.

So much so that even her timid, naive, and hesitant flaws seemed lovable.

Edmond must like this unspoiled honesty of his sister too. That’s why he’s so soft on his sister. Well, I guess I’m the same.

For a moment, the unpleasant emotions that had built up thinking about my in-laws melted away. Along with the lingering of his calm but sincere apology.

“Lady Lilien, shall we eat apple pie together?”

“I’d love to, Lady Etricia! How about you, Edmond?”

Edmond nodded impassively.

Eventually, we sat side by side enjoying the meal, and at noon, at Lilien’s urging, we took a stroll in the backyard garden.

Even though it was just a passing connection, it felt ticklish as if I had someone on my side for a moment. Thanks to that, I too could enjoy the day without minding Edmond, who was somehow quieter than usual.

It was a brief moment of peace amidst the tumult.

Late in the afternoon, the sound of an argument between Rail and an uninvited guest was heard.

Who could it be? There shouldn’t be anyone bold enough to cause such a commotion in the Mifidian mansion, which enjoyed the Emperor’s favor.

As I passed through the first floor hall, the back of my neck tingled, feeling strangely ominous.

Hurriedly stepping out into the garden, I discovered someone and my expression froze coldly.

“Can’t you hear me telling you to move? My wife is here…!”

A man with chestnut hair and caramel eyes, who was roughly pushing Rail’s shoulder, spotted me and waved his hand.

“Wife!”

Ha, I wondered who it could be.

Gritting my teeth, I glared at him.

“Devon…”

My husband had returned.

I sat facing Devon in the mansion’s reception room, which now held no good memories for me.

Absently watching the sunlight sparkle on the tea, I sipped it, unable to bear the boredom.

How much time had passed?

Devon opened his mouth with a particularly pitiful look.

“Wife, what is this irresponsible behavior? I hear the mansion burned down, and you ran away. Do you know how shocked I was?”

“……”

“Moreover, to cause articles about domestic discord to be published, you were reckless as the lady of the house.”

“……”

“I don’t know who you heard what from, but the infidelity is a misunderstanding. The only person I love is you, so let’s end this and return together, okay?”

Ha, my lips curved into a slash.

At first glance, it seemed like he was coaxing and persuading, but it was a reprimand not to act rashly.

Moreover, Devon’s explanation that the infidelity was a misunderstanding had no basis.

Thanks to Etricia always trusting whatever he said, he had lost even the sincerity to try.

“Wife, are you listening to me? I’m saying not to worry me any-”

Clank-! Nervously setting down the teacup on its saucer, I smiled gently at Devon, who had frozen like a statue in surprise.

“Could you be quiet, Devon?”

“…What did you just-”

“I said to shut your mouth if you’re going to make pathetic excuses.”

Devon opened and closed his mouth like a goldfish, looking stupid. He seemed to be doubting his ears.

It’s understandable. Etricia had never cut off Devon’s words before, let alone struggled to express her opinions.

She had always been desperate not to be hated by Devon.

I deliberately blinked innocently.

“Oh my, be quiet. So you’re someone who can accept my words? Then you shouldn’t have cheated in the first place.”

At the mention of infidelity, Devon frowned with a face that suddenly became alert.

“Mother was right when she said you had changed strangely. Why are you doing things you never did before? Haven’t I told you many times that the infidelity is a misunderstanding?”

“A misunderstanding. Then is your affair with my sworn sister Berita also a misunderstanding?”

Huk, Devon swallowed roughly, retreating his body slightly before plastering a nonchalant smile on his face.

“An affair? Now I see, you’re jealous. I was just being friendly because she’s your sworn sister.”

“Ah. Is that so?”

I blinked my cloudy eyes.

How is it that the excuses of cheaters are always the same?

I listlessly pulled out the prepared picture from my bosom.

It was evidence of Devon’s infidelity sent by Rain Burton.

I tapped on the picture showing Devon embracing a woman’s waist and engaging in a deep kiss.

“It seems my husband conducts friendly interactions with saliva?”

“This is…”

Devon’s eyes shook violently at the clear evidence. I smiled coldly and thrust the divorce agreement papers prepared by Rain Burton from my bosom.

“You just need to sign. I know you won’t sign easily. But there are countless ways to make you sign, so let’s part ways peacefully before I harbor ill intentions.”

I calmly pushed back my chair and stood up. The lingering unpleasantness made me nauseous, and I no longer wanted to breathe in the same space.

“Then, since I’m indebted to someone, I’d appreciate if you didn’t come looking for me like this.”

Because if Lilien were to run into him, she would be put in an awkward position.

Just as I finished saying what I needed to say and was about to pass by Devon.

Bang-!

Devon threateningly slammed the desk as he stood up and grabbed my wrist. The crushing grip felt like it would shatter my wrist bones.

“Ugh, let go.”

“I told you, it’s a misunderstanding. I’ve coaxed and pampered you this much, what more do you want!”

Devon glared with bloodshot eyes, unable to hide his excitement as he breathed heavily.

‘Now his true nature comes out.’

He had always had a quick temper. While he never raised a hand against the obedient Etricia, he was often violent towards his subordinates.

Look at him now. Unable to maintain control, he’s trying to intimidate and subdue the physically weaker party by creating fear.

‘How pathetic.’

When I didn’t cower and glared back with cold eyes, perhaps unexpectedly, beads of cold sweat trickled down Devon’s temples.

“Ah, damn it!”

Devon released my wrist as if throwing it away and roughly ruffled his hair.

I stepped back from Devon, cradling my reddened wrist.

“Ah, fine! I mixed bodies with other women a few times. But that’s all! That’s all it was! How can you not understand just sleeping with someone a few times!”

What? Despite my bewildered reaction, Devon continued to rant shamelessly, breathing heavily.

“I’ve been this lenient, you should be fawning over me, not acting all high and mighty as if you’re something special!”

“……”

“If you’re kicked out of the mansion, you’re the one with nowhere to go. I kept you out of pity, you should know your place!”

Ha, haha! I burst into laughter, looking around the empty space.

The image of Devon smiling brightly, telling me I was the most beautiful in the world as I wore my veil, overlapped with his current face and then seemed to shatter with a crash.

Looking back on our married life, it was a rough estimate, but I had doubts about my father’s will.

But out of fear, wanting to believe there was someone who would love her wholly in this world where she was left alone, Etricia covered her eyes, blocked her ears, and hid in the mansion. Not knowing that her love was killing her. Anxious and nervous throughout her married life, not knowing when her husband would abandon her.

Indignation welled up at the past, and my eyes stung.

My lower jaw trembled, and I clenched my teeth and fists.

“You parasite.”