Cloé had been living as if confined in the palace for nearly ten days. In four days, the divorce trial between Calice and Cloé was scheduled to take place.

For the documents to be prepared during the trial, Cloé’s seal was needed.

However, her seal was left in the private vault of the Duke.

Since the seal was an important item needed every time a document was prepared, Cloé decided to visit the Duke. It was also an opportunity to bring other important belongings.

There was no reason to stay long in the unattached mansion, so she quickly set off alone.

“…Is it right for me to go alone without taking anyone?”

Looking at the prepared carriage, Cloé murmured.

“I would like to go with you, but I simply couldn’t find the time.”

Kun, understanding it in a different sense, showed a hint of apology.

“No, rather than that, it’s because the carriage seems too big.”

The prepared carriage was the same one they used during the imperial journey with Lelienne and Yurian.

It was a carriage so spacious that there was still room even when everyone was seated, as if bringing a whole room.

The horse pulling the carriage had four legs. Considering the coachman, a total of eight people would accompany Cloé’s carriage, which seemed like quite an extravagance.

A hand rose over Cloé’s hesitant shoulder. The large hand wrapped around one side of her shoulder, leaving extra space.

“Especially at times like this, you should make it visible.”
A sturdy voice, resonating in both ears, fixed her head as if serving as a support.

“That you didn’t collapse.”

The splendid carriage was immensely luxurious. The royal crest engraved in the middle disguised the luxury as a fundamental part of it.

It was perfect for aristocrats who divided their ranks based on wealth or honor as a show.

“If that’s the consideration, I would gladly accept it.”

There was no need to refuse care that protected her from disgrace.

Cloé, who boarded the carriage, unconsciously stared out the window. There, Kun was still sitting, not having left yet.

“Come back safely.”

A man who kept to the end the time to see her off, claiming to be too busy for meals and filtering them out.

“Yes. I’ll be back soon. Sorry for the trouble.”

“Leave most things there. Anything touched by Argent, throw away.”

“Everything?”

“Yeah. Everything. I don’t want anything ominous in your room.”

At his more resolute words than ever, Cloé let out a small laugh.

Cloé didn’t announce her visit to the mansion.

When she appeared at the Duke’s mansion, all the servants were visibly surprised.

“I’ll only bring some essentials, so don’t worry.”

Cloé hesitated but eventually dismissed all the attendants clinging to her.
Come to think of it, the number of Duke’s household staff had noticeably decreased. Not only the maids and servants but also the gardeners had diminished, making the vast garden emptier than usual.

With the royal support cut off, expenses needed to be reduced. It was a starting point for saving from the basics.

It was a much better choice than wasting without considering my circumstances. For a man who had been blinded by illusions, it was a wise decision.

Cloé, returning to her room, opened the safe.

Fortunately, everything was neatly in place. From there, she took the stamp and other important items.

‘This is…’

A small box caught Cloé’s attention. Memories of the past flashed by with the brief encounter.

As the reminiscence ended, she instinctively looked at her own fingers.

The only mark that wasn’t burned, the faint trace of fine, sun-protected skin had now faded.

Cloé, with a serene smile, opened the box.

A splendid diamond showcased in the center. Her name intricately engraved in the ring with dense diamonds.

It was Cloé’s wedding ring.

‘That symbol is so irritating. Why are you still wearing that ring as if our marriage is something to be proud of? Take it off right now. Either get rid of it in front of me or throw it out the window!’ Kalice’s harsh voice echoed vividly in her ears. In her memory, he was determined to throw Cloé’s ring out the window.
There, Cloé apologized profusely for a long time. She pleaded for forgiveness, vowing never to wear it again, acknowledging her own mistake.

“Why bother keeping a ring you won’t wear.”

A sigh-like laugh burst out. The breath that followed was tender.

Cloé, who had been staring at the ring fixedly, turned around. She opened the window and unhesitatingly threw the ring.

The sound of the ring falling was barely audible. The object, rolling in an arc, finally concealed its trace.

It might have disappeared, buried in the ground without anyone noticing, or perhaps someone would discover and sell it.

The fate of the insignificant ring was no longer a concern or curiosity.

Cloé left, taking only the stamp, letters exchanged with Kuhn, her graduation ring from the academy, and the small gifts from friends.

Even though there was no event, there was no one passing through the corridor.