Listening silently, Chloe sighed. She then softly confessed a secret she had kept hidden in her heart.

“Back then, I was too young. I didn’t know how to rely on people… I was more concerned with immediate shame than the stability gained from mingling with you.”

“…I understand that. But it’s us, right? We’ve been together since childhood. We don’t see each other often, but we gather for special occasions…”

Chloe smiled slightly at the ongoing lament.

After seeking approval, she rang a bell. A maid who had been waiting outside entered.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Prepare the gifts. Don’t forget the letters I wrote for my friends.”

“Chloe! You know we’re not doing this for gifts!”

It was an unexpected situation.

Following her orders, the maid left the room, and Yuri showed signs of discomfort.

Servants came swiftly with a considerable amount of gifts.

Just by looking at what was brought in, it was an overwhelming amount. Even the wrapping suggested value.

“It’s shown, so it’s done. Leave these in the rooms assigned to the ladies.”

Only an envelope handed over by a maid remained in the room.

The crowd swiftly exited, leaving an eerie silence.

“Yuri, don’t misunderstand.”

Chloe finally spoke, accompanied by her uniquely generous smile.

“Misunderstand?”

“Gifts are given because I want to give them, but the main point is separate.”

Afterwards, the envelope was passed to the two friends. Yuri seemed suspicious, wondering if it contained a check.

“What’s this?”

“I’m considering divorcing the Duke.”

A shocking answer popped out in front of Raciel, who innocently asked about the object’s identity.

“What?”

Yuri, who had been about to open the envelope, was utterly shocked.

“I see no reason to continue married life while being treated like a parasite in the mansion.”

“Well, I agree, but… How? Did the royal family allow it?”

“The royal family and the temple both ignored my plight. But I somehow found a way, so it seems there won’t be a problem with the divorce.”

Concerned, Raciel probed further.

Chloe’s firm answers followed one after another, but both friends still seemed dissatisfied.
Living here in captivity was certainly pitiable for my friend, but considering the kingdom’s perception of divorce, it wasn’t exactly good news either.

“What do you plan to do after the divorce, if the royal family isn’t helping?”

“Well…”

“Considering you’ve even refused divorce, I doubt the royal family would take you back. Do you have other plans? Somewhere to stay?”

Yuri Hsien, who was following the unfolding situation, pinpointed a sensitive issue and questioned it.

Contrary to the pragmatic Yuri, Lerianne, who had always supported Chloe, sided with Yuri this time.

“I don’t know.”

“What?”

“But this is the best option. Better to be a wanderer with nothing than a living corpse.”

Neither of them added anything more. They recognized Chloe’s firm will.

There was no point in telling grim truths to a friend who had made a solitary decision without giving a chance for persuasion.

Rather than dampening the atmosphere by forcing reality, both expressed their concern for their friend.

“I wish we could help.”

“We shouted that we’d help, but… there’s nothing we can do about this part. I’m sorry.”

Lerianne sobbed with a teacup in her hands. Shortly after, Yuri also let out a small sigh.

They couldn’t help Chloe, who had been cast aside by the royal family, as they were still bound to their respective families. Assisting her recklessly could make their entire family fall out of favor with the royal family.

“It’s fine. Fortunately or unfortunately, it’s not like there’s no one I can rely on.”

Chloe shrugged her shoulders playfully at her friends who were already feeling guilty, even though she herself wasn’t disappointed.

“Lerianne, Yuri. Open that envelope.”