It was a declaration that he wouldn’t be returning to the mansion, but the issue was not the content but rather the fact that his voice was icy to the point of being chilling.

Odette involuntarily narrowed her eyes at the quite familiar tone she had heard once before when Valter had grabbed Russell by the collar.

‘…That voice…’

It was undoubtedly the same tone she had heard when Valter had held Russell’s collar.

So, what does that mean?

‘…Is Valter angry?’

No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t find any fault on her part. That was Valter’s conclusion after careful consideration.

‘Cedric, if it weren’t for that damn guy, this wouldn’t have happened.’

How could he bring Odette to himself, and why on earth would he badmouth Odette to Cedric?

Of course, Valter was aware that he had too easily fallen for Cedric’s provocation. If someone else had said the same thing, Valter wouldn’t have gotten this angry.

No, it was more of a disturbance than anger.

Valter felt unease in Cedric’s words.

‘If it’s that damn Cedric, it could very well be true.’

It wasn’t because Cedric was a prince, but because he was Odette’s only family, someone she held dearly.

Arnold couldn’t divorce Odette, but with Cedric’s persuasion, it might be possible.

‘Initially, Odette didn’t particularly want this marriage…’

If my beloved uncle says a few words, she might easily agree to end the marriage.

In such a situation, Valter wavered.

And then Odette appeared in the scene, challenging Cedric, and even saying not to be rude to her uncle.

It felt uncomfortable.

No, strictly speaking, it wasn’t just discomfort; it was more like his judgment was clouded, and curses were building up.

‘Not to be rude to that guy?’

Even if Cedric does whatever, he will just turn a blind eye as long as he’s her uncle.

Odette’s attitude still seemed like a sign that, in her eyes, he could never compare to Cedric.

‘No, that’s obvious.’

He was nothing more than a chosen partner to avoid an unwanted marriage, while Odette had built a long-standing relationship with Cedric.
Above all, Valter was well aware that Odette found him somewhat challenging.

‘Perhaps she dislikes me.’

And he considered that fact fortunate. Since he was going to leave anyway, there was no need to get too close and make things difficult for Odette.

However…

‘…It seems her feelings have changed.’

After spending several days with Odette as if they were truly a newlywed couple, he inadvertently began to delude himself. Perhaps Odette also harbored some affection for him.

‘Utterly foolish.’

From the beginning, he set the condition for Odette to love him. Of course, it was a condition driven by the fear that Odette might fall in love with Louis and tread the path of destruction. However, he couldn’t deny that there was a personal desire.

Odette was faithfully fulfilling the terms of the contract. Yet, unable to be satisfied with that alone, she kept wanting more, and it seemed pathetic.

The lingering anxiety and the anger that continued to disturb his heart seemed to represent his foolishness, making him feel bitter.

‘At this rate, I might start thinking I want to live longer.’

Leaning back on the sofa, Valter closed his eyes. Faint circles appeared between his evenly spaced eyebrows.

The pain in his accustomed heart was deepening day by day.

‘Is this the meaning of acquiring unhappiness in return?’

As Odette’s name became familiar in social circles and her life stabilized, the ‘unhappiness’ that Valter embraced became more persistent.

Thanks to that, at some point, Valter vaguely felt that his end was approaching.

Perhaps just passing this year would be his limit.

So, before that, Valter needed to die with certainty.

Raising concerns about his wife’s lineage was more nourishing than baselessly envying her.

‘Anyway, Odette will be spending time with Cedric.’

During this time, it would be good to check and scrutinize things a bit.

As Valter was about to detach himself to reminisce, a familiar voice stopped him.

“Valter!”

It was Odette.