That’s impossible. Father is too busy. He wouldn’t come here just for my sake….

Father had always been someone who, even at the moment I was ill, would only check on my condition briefly before disappearing again. He was a man who poured all his time into work—work he clung to in order to forget my late mother.

Father rarely stayed long at the Orbetian estate to begin with. My answer came from my eldest brother.

“Father had just returned after finishing an inspection of his domain. He said he’d be handling affairs from the manor for the time being. That’s when that document arrived.”

Right when my father happened to have free time—precisely at that moment—they sent that document?

A wave of nausea rose from the seething malice. I wanted to draw my sword and point it at whoever was behind all this. But I had only suspicion—no proof.

“So Father is coming here. Convenient timing, isn’t it? To take me away… without even asking for my opinion, claiming it’s for my own good.”

It wasn’t expensive gifts I had ever wanted. Yet all I ever found in that perpetually empty space was another gift left behind. What I truly longed for were simple things—a kind word, time to talk face to face, shared meals together.

Bitterness welled up inside me. My eldest brother, who had earlier tried to drag me away without even listening to my words, fell silent. Now, perhaps seeing my expression for the first time, his eyes trembled restlessly.

“Julietta… I’m sorry.”

“What are you sorry for now, eldest brother? Father is coming, isn’t he? I’ll go myself and speak with him. I don’t want to burden the Ferhaem Dukedom.”

Once Father arrived, there would be loud arguments. My father, after all, was someone who outwardly appeared to love his daughter more than anyone. He wouldn’t even try to hide the contents—he’d confront them openly, belittling this place with scornful words.

I hated it. I couldn’t bear seeing this place I cherished being insulted.

“Wait, Julietta!”

“I’m in a hurry. Don’t stop me.”

I had nothing more to say to my eldest brother. I now had something far more precious.

***

Perhaps because my conversation with my eldest brother had taken longer than expected. Father had already arrived at the Ferhaem Dukedom.

It had been a long time since I’d seen that face. Faintly, I recalled how he had shed tears of joy on my wedding day. But now, his expression was utterly cold. And standing before him was Yezar.

The atmosphere around them was chaotic. The hushed voices of servants mingled in the air.

“What did you just say? That the Duke pressured the Lady…?”

“And what’s this about a contract marriage? After everything the Lady has done for us.”

“But didn’t the Lady’s family, who suddenly showed up, mention a contract? Didn’t they say something like that?”

Ah. Ah. It was too late. Far too late. Everyone already knew. Even if we tried to silence them, rumors would spread like wings. I bit my lip hard—blood began to trickle.

“I’m taking my daughter back. Where is she now?”

“I’m sorry. That is impossible.”

Yezar’s firm reply reached my ears. The closer I got, the clearer their conversation became.

“How much do you intend to humiliate my daughter and our family! Duke Ferhaem, you—!”

Father struck the floor sharply with his cane. The echoing sound, along with his piercing voice, revealed the depth of his fury. Calmly, Yezar responded to my father.

“It’s a misunderstanding… I have never, not even once, held Julietta or the Orbetian family in anything less than the highest regard.”

“How shameless. Did you think my daughter was a joke, to present her with such a contract! There were many suitors for my daughter besides you, Duke Ferhaem. Many who would have cherished her. Why must she endure this losing marriage, only to wear the label of divorce…!”

“Stop it, Father!”

My shout turned their gazes toward me. Seeing me, Father’s face softened. Seeming genuinely glad to see me after so long, his words were warm.

“My daughter, it’s been too long. Your old father will quickly scold this wretched man and take you home. Just wait a moment.”

“I told you to stop.”

I stepped in front of Father. I had to explain everything myself—it was clear he wouldn’t even pretend to listen to Yezar.

“ I’m not going back to the Orbetian estate.”

“Julietta! What are you saying?”

“And Yezar has never looked down on me or the Orbetian family. The contract Father saw doesn’t reflect the truth. It’s a misunderstanding.”

“A misunderstanding…? Did you say a misunderstanding? How thoroughly must that man have manipulated you for you to take his side!”

I saw Father’s sharp gaze turn toward Yezar.

“I saw it clearly. That seal was genuine—the official mark of the Ferhaem Dukedom. Are you telling me it’s my misunderstanding that you entered this marriage with divorce in mind?”

“I… I can explain everything. I can explain it. So please, just stop…!”

I looked up, meeting Father’s icy stare. For a moment, I was speechless.

“There’s no need to hear more. Julietta. I must take you away before this place ruins you further.”

Father had already made his decision. No matter what I said, he intended to take me back to the Orbetian estate.

‘Did I really expect otherwise? Did I foolishly believe he’d listen to me? That he’d stop because of my words…?’

I must have grown accustomed to life here. Otherwise, how could I have forgotten such a simple fact—that my opinion had never mattered at all.

Then, Yezar stepped to my side. He knelt before my father.

“I’m sorry, Father.”

“Hah. What are you doing now, Duke Ferhaem? Don’t call me Father.”

Why was Yezar doing this? I tried to pull him up at once.

“Get up, Yezar. You’ve done nothing wrong!”

But he firmly refused.

“No, my Lady. I was wrong. As Father says, I proposed a contract marriage, setting a two-year term due to my own uncertainty. I deceived you, pretending we were long-time lovers. I deeply regret it.”

“I don’t wish to see the Duke’s face any longer. Do you think kneeling will make me let everything go? Everyone speaks of the Duke’s loyalty, but to me, this act is nothing but repulsive.”

“I’m sorry. I understand your anger. I will bow my head in apology.”

I didn’t come here to see him like this. I didn’t want to stand by helplessly while he was humiliated by my father.

“You said an apology wouldn’t solve everything…!”

“If I said I’d return to the Orbetian estate, would you stop now, Father?”

The outburst aimed at Yezar ceased. Yezar, still with head bowed, called my name.

“Julietta…!”

I looked at Yezar and smiled bitterly.

“We started off wrong from the very first button. That’s why we drifted apart, and today, ruined the atmosphere like this. I’m sorry, Yezar.”

“My Lady, you don’t need to apologize…”

“No. If Yezar bears fault, then so do I. Even if it was a contract, marriage isn’t something one does alone.”

I looked at Father and spoke firmly.

“Go home, Father. You never liked me being here, did you?”

“That may be true… but I still have words for Duke Ferhaem, Julietta.”

“If it’s one-sided venting, please stop now. Can’t you see the servants watching?”

Father coughed awkwardly, his anger momentarily checked by reason.

“Very well. Let’s go. I’ll handle all the aftermath so you’ll never have to set foot here again.”

I shook my head at his words. Surely, Father didn’t understand why I had just said I would return to the Orbetian estate.

“It’s unnecessary. I only said I’d return to properly explain my misunderstanding to you and ask for your permission to continue my married life with him.”

“Julietta, my daughter… how can you say such a thing! Don’t you see my heart breaking! Why can’t you understand—how could you favor this place that’s only used you…!”

At his anguished cry, I smiled bitterly and replied.

“At the very least, I prefer it over the Orbetian estate.”

“What did you just say?”

“It’s more comfortable and pleasant here than it ever was at the Orbetian estate. So please, if you truly care for me as your daughter, don’t even consider filing a lawsuit.”

Father’s expression twisted, as if he couldn’t comprehend my words. It didn’t matter. I never expected to be understood by him anyway.

“I’ll say it once more. If you don’t stop here, Father, I will sever my ties with you.”

Father’s hand trembled, as if struck by thunder.

“Tell me, then—what is the reason for this? Why are you acting this way? You seem so different to me, Julietta.”

“I already told you, Father. This place is precious to me. More than the Orbetian estate.”

That was why I didn’t want to hear any more words degrading this place—or my husband.