The next morning. Yezar did not blame me. On the contrary, he was restless with worry over my physical condition.

“Madam, did I treat you harshly? I am sorry. I showed you such an unseemly sight.”

Foolish man. The magic was cast because of me.

“No, it was because of me that this happened. I am the one who should apologize.”

For some reason, Yezar’s eyes drooped at my apology. His expression involuntarily drew my concern. I nearly reached out to stroke his head, then stopped myself.

I must not touch his body again. After all, I had already decided to end things with him.

“Yes. Don’t be greedy. I’ll keep every moment we’ve shared as a beautiful memory.”

My desires, already crossing the line, had devoured everything about him. Yezar’s face—whispering my name and murmuring love—chaotically clouded my mind.

I should return to the Duke’s residence as soon as possible. If my resolve weakened, I might end up confessing my love to him.

***

The moment I arrived at the Duke’s residence, I retrieved the hidden divorce contract I’d concealed from the servants’ eyes. When I first drafted this contract, I never imagined my heart would come to this.

“I suppose I should bear the responsibility for the divorce. If Yezar demands penalty fees for contract termination, I’ll pay them in full. I want to end this cleanly, without leaving any debt.”

I needed to end things with Yezar as quickly as possible. Only while my rational mind remained intact could I do so.

And after divorcing Yezar… what should I do? I had no desire to return to the Orbetian household.

Naturally, the face of my nanny at the Orbetian estate came to mind. Before marrying Yezar, I had planned to travel.

Should I take the nanny and travel together? Wandering from place to place might fill this hollow ache in my heart.

The thought that I would no longer have conversations like this with Yezar, nor ever face him again, sent a sharp pain through my chest.

“It hurts… Why does love hurt so much?”

Was this the same pain Yezar felt when he looked at Bertisha?

I recalled the image of Yezar coming to me for the first time, waving the contract. I shouldn’t have agreed so easily to a contract marriage. If I hadn’t, my heart wouldn’t be aching like this.

As I sadly scanned the contract, the study door opened. It was Yezar. I quickly hid the contract behind my back and smiled calmly.

“Yezar, what is it?”

“Oh. That is…”

Hesitating, Yezar handed me a bottle of medicine.

“Medicine?”

“I heard women suffer greatly after their first time, so I’m belatedly bringing you this. I was too flustered earlier, so I’m late.”

The painful night I’d tried so hard not to recall resurfaced. Though it hurt, I was happy. The fact that I had been close to him erased the pain and made me smile.

And yet, acknowledging that truth within me felt shameful.

“I’m sorry, Yezar. I didn’t explain the magic in detail.”

Seeing Yezar still caring for me, unaware that I was lying, only strengthened my conviction.

Now, I was nothing more than an unnecessary obstacle in his path.

“Thank you. Yezar is always so kind.”

Even as I smiled, I wanted to cry. I wanted to stay by his side as his wife just a little longer.

***

Everything was ready. I rehearsed my words several times before standing up. Then I visited Yezar’s office, where he was working, and asked him on our final date.

“Yezar, I’ve made a restaurant reservation. Could you spare some time tomorrow evening?”

I wasn’t anxious about him refusing. Yezar was always busy, but he always made an effort to accommodate my requests.

Yes. He would agree.

Even as I thought so, my heart secretly wished otherwise. I almost hoped he would refuse. Then I could use that excuse to spend more time with him. But as expected, he brightened and replied with a smile.

“Yes, Madam. How could I possibly refuse?”

The flush on his cheeks lingered vividly in my eyes today.

“Thank you. There’s something important I must say.”

“Something important…? Anything you wish, Madam.”

He probably couldn’t even imagine what I intended to say tomorrow evening. Suppressing the urge to kiss his smiling cheek, I smiled back gently.

“Yes, Yezar.”

***

The moment I wished would never come arrived so swiftly. Holding Yezar’s hand, I entered a famous restaurant in the capital.

An employee guided us to a secluded booth. I had deliberately not chosen a private room. I reserved a seat where our situation would be visible enough. Though few nobles dined here, that was sufficient.

Enough witnesses to spread rumors about our situation—ensuring I couldn’t take back my words today.

Quietly waiting for our meal, I exchanged small talk with him. The conversation, like everyday routines, felt warm and familiar.

Since the night we spent together, Yezar had treated my body as if it were fragile glass, ready to shatter at any moment. And he smiled at me more often now. When I asked why he stared, he said it was because I was adorable, and his affectionate gestures had increased.

“Why do you keep shaking someone who’s trying to end things…? Then I start having illusions.”

Yezar didn’t love me. I had seen his profound love up close. How could I arrogantly delude myself into thinking he loved me?

I didn’t want to hold Yezar back with my own selfish misunderstanding.

“Oh. The wind is blowing.”

The breeze coming through the window carried a stronger scent of spring than before. I smiled, feeling the soft, gentle spring wind on my skin.

“Yezar.”

When I called him, he answered dreamily.

“Yes, Madam.”

And then I announced the end between us.

“Shall we stop this?”

Our locked gaze trembled. Yezar called my name as if he’d misheard. His deep blue eyes, as beautiful as always, were too lovely—so much so that it was painful.

“Madam…?”

Suppressing my breaking heart, I spoke the words I had rehearsed countless times.

“I’m asking for a divorce.”

Though our hushed conversation might not reach the ears of others dining, our appearance would certainly be seen.

“I want a divorce, though the timing may seem early, Duke Ferhaem.”

I used his formal title now, no longer the familiar “Yezar.” The warmth between us rapidly turned cold.

Yezar, bewildered and flustered in this uncharacteristically icy atmosphere, and I, with cold, lifeless eyes—others would surely guess the end of our relationship.

It was over. Truly, now, there was no way to pick up the pieces. Though I couldn’t show it in front of Yezar, tears nearly burst forth.

“Get a grip, Julietta. Do you want to confess your love? This is where it ends—so at least you can leave with beautiful memories.”

As I tried to soothe my bitter heart and waited for his response, Yezar said something that made my tears well up instantly.

“Madam… do you desire only my body?”

Wh—what did Yezar just say?

“Was spending the night with me your only goal? Is that why you’re asking for a divorce now?”

Yezar’s eyes reddened as if he were about to cry. His gaze resembled that of someone looking at a scoundrel who devoured innocence and fled without responsibility.

Yes. That was how Yezar was looking at me now.

“What is this!”

Flustered, I opened my mouth.

“It was a contract marriage from the beginning. What are you saying now…?”

My calm initial tone vanished, and my words tumbled out incoherently. But Yezar’s next words left me dazed.

“Then why did you desire my innocence…?”

Tears had already gathered sorrowfully in his eyes. Of course, the magic was indeed triggered because of me. And if I were honest, I couldn’t claim I had no ulterior motives toward him.

That was precisely why I decided on divorce! But for him to cry like a man whose innocence was forcibly stolen by a villain…!

Well, almost true, but we both consented!

“Inno, innocence? But Yezar also said it was okay…”

Had I left him be, he would clearly have been gasping in torment, consumed by burning agony. So I… I had also rushed to him to save him.

I understood that his failure to blame me was due to unavoidable circumstances, a foolish man that he was.

Unprepared for Yezar’s reaction, I felt my mind turn into a blank, white sheet in real time. But when I regained my senses, several buttons on his neatly fastened shirt were undone.

My raised voice had drawn the attention of others who had been quietly dining, and they were now glancing our way.

At that moment, flustered by his reddened eyes and the gathering stares, he clung to me.

“Did you dislike spending the night with me, Julietta? I’ll try harder—please don’t abandon me.”

The tears that had gathered now streamed down his cheeks.

“This is insane. What on earth is happening?”

Right now, I was about to end things with him, having suppressed my feelings—only to find myself on the verge of becoming the most despicable woman in the world.