The two of them walked side by side through the exhibition hall.

There were many wondrous things inside the exhibition space.

It displayed artworks from foreign countries that could only be seen by traveling far by ship, such as woven fabrics with patterns never seen here before, unfamiliar musical instruments, and vessels.

Edward glanced at his wife whenever something caught his eye.

He intended to buy her anything she showed interest in. Not only that, he was even willing to send her on a trip to the country of origin if she so desired.

Since her reaction wasn’t very good when she traveled alone last time, he thought about suggesting she go with Mrs. Bryce, who seemed quite close to her, this time.

However, his wife continued walking without saying a word. Unable to bear the silence, Edward spoke first.

“They say it’s a world’s fair, and it seems many places have truly participated.”

“Indeed.”

“There are so many fascinating things. Don’t you think?”

“Yes. I only realized today how vast the world truly is.”

As if the initial awkwardness had been a lie, conversation with Louisa flowed easily. Somewhat encouraged by this fact, Edward attempted a light joke.

“It’s the same for me. There are so many things I’ve never seen or heard of before. I think I understand now why nobles are always bragging about some unknown object they brought from the East.”

He said this hoping to see even a reluctant smile like usual.

But after her earlier comment, Louisa fell silent. Silence fell between them again.

As Edward was pondering what else to say, Louisa spoke.

“I heard on the way here. Everyone was full of praise for your engine.”

Edward’s face lit up a little at his wife’s compliment. He said in a somewhat excited voice:

“Of course. It’s something I made, after all. The reviews can only be good.”

“Everyone seemed surprised by the fact that it’s a train without a chimney. Including myself, of course.”

“That’s the biggest differentiating factor. For other parts, existing ones can be used, but I had to make a new power car to showcase that point. It took some effort, but it was worth it.”

“I believed you would do well. The project is quite successful.”

His wife positively evaluated the results of his efforts. Edward’s mood quickly improved at this fact.

He recalled the resolutions he made to himself on nights spent alone.

Now his status would rise even higher than before, perhaps to the point where even the royal family would have to be mindful of him. And his wife had praised his efforts as remarkable.

Perhaps this was the moment he had been striving for all this time.

His wife had recognized his efforts for them even when they were in that small research lab, and she had rejoiced in his success then as if it were her own, cheering him on and crying and laughing together with him.

So this time too, if she knew how hard he had been working for her like this, if she saw the results, she would surely reconsider.

Filled with such expectations, Edward said:

“Of course. You saw it too, didn’t you? We’re climbing to higher places now. We can have more things, do whatever we want.”

“Whatever we want…”

Louisa echoed his words.

“Yes, whatever we want. You can also find your happiness… by my side.”

Edward said with a desperate heart.

So please, just think about it one more time.

But the answer that came back shattered his expectations.

“Ed. Can I really do anything?”

It was a strange question. Edward replied, unable to grasp the intent of the question.

“What are you saying? Of course. Just say the word. We can go see whatever you want to see, buy and have whatever you want to have.”

However, instead of answering, his wife just stared at him blankly.

Edward, growing more anxious, looked in the direction Louisa was standing and said:

“Are you curious about that vase over there? They say it’s porcelain made by firing clay. If you want it, we can buy it and take it home. It might look good as a decoration in the reception room.”

“…”

“Not that? Then are you interested in that instrument? Since it’s on display at the fair, there must be a performer who can play it. Let’s invite them to our home and hold a concert. And we’ll invite your friend Mrs. Bryce too. How about that?”

Edward was desperate. But Louisa didn’t seem to be.

She spoke in a voice devoid of any strength:

“Thank you for offering, at least. But it’s alright.”

It’s alright.

It was the phrase his wife had been constantly saying to him for some time now. A phrase of rejection, saying she had no expectations whatsoever, and therefore needed nothing.

“More importantly, Ed.”

Louisa looked up at the businessman who was more thirsty for success than anyone and said:

“Make sure to keep attending royal parties and maintain your relationship with Prince Anthony from now on. We still don’t know whether there will be royal sanctions on the engine you unveiled this time.”

“I told you… I’ll take care of such things.”

At this expected answer, Louisa looked at him with sad eyes. Without further comment on his words, Louisa continued what she had to say.

“Mr. Curtis has been looking after you so well, pretending not to, since long ago. Make sure to listen carefully to what he says too.”

“That’s not necessary either. You can teach me by my side, can’t you? I told you. I asked you to teach me.”

Please, Louisa.

Edward now felt like his throat was really choking up. He seemed to know what his wife wanted to say, what her resolution was.

“What could I… possibly teach you?”

“Whatever you need.”

He looked at his wife with eyes that nakedly revealed his desperation.

“I’m not particularly quick at learning. I’ve been that way since college. So it took a lot of time to get the results I wanted, and knowing that, I lived harder than anyone else.”

For you, without distinguishing between day and night, giving everything I had.

“But because of that, I can promise you. Even if I face setbacks many times, I won’t give up until I find the answer.”

Edward looked at his wife with eyes that seemed about to burst into flames.

So you too, please wait for me by my side.

However, his wish did not come true.

Louisa shook her head.

“Where is there someone as brilliant as you? If there’s something you haven’t been able to accomplish until now, it must be something God hasn’t allowed humans to do.”

With those words, she let out a small sigh as if catching her breath. She seemed to want to end the conversation.

Don’t do this. I want to see you welcoming me with a smile instead of an empty reception room…

Edward desperately wished.

For his wife to remain by his side.

But Louisa said:

“You’re busy, aren’t you? I won’t take up any more of your time, so I’ll go now. I’ll be going too.”

The smile he had been longing for, shown only at the moment of farewell.

Heat welled up in Edward’s eyes.

Louisa approached him a couple of steps closer, stood on her tiptoes, and left a brief kiss on his cheek.

Louisa whispered softly:

“Don’t worry. Others won’t have noticed our divorce yet.”

Edward touched his cheek where the warmth had touched and then left.

The image of his wife’s retreating back remained like an afterimage in his blurred vision.

As the fair began in earnest, the newspaper company in Lindblum poured out articles day after day about how remarkable Edward Allen’s engine was.

They devoted an entire page to raving about the future possibilities of magistone, and reported on the winner of the competition, comparing Westwood Company to the setting sun and declaring Allen the victor.

In such an overheated atmosphere, what truly lit the fuse of explosion was an article put out by the Winston side.

They suddenly conducted an interview with a major newspaper company, calling it “an engine that will give wings to our research for the enhancement of national power.”

It seemed they intended to preemptively eliminate other competitors rather than wait for Allen Company to act ambiguously. Given their mention of national power, there also seemed to be an intention to force a contract even by mobilizing public opinion.

However, regardless of their true intentions, Allen Company had already solidified its image as the leader in magistone engines, thanks to that interview. Allen Company’s engines and the cars equipped with them began selling like hotcakes.

Louisa felt her heart growing lighter every time she came across such news.

“Madam! I’ve placed all of today’s mail on the table!”

Rachel, always full of energy, shouted as she passed by.

On the table were three newspapers from different companies, a letter, and what appeared to be a telegram.

Louisa picked up the newspaper first, as it was her biggest interest these days.

Fortunately, there was nothing particularly problematic among the articles.

Every newspaper only contained stories about which country’s prince had come to see what, or which country’s exhibit had become a hot topic.

Louisa put away the newspapers and picked up the letter that had been placed underneath.

A letter sealed with pearl-ground wax on thick, high-quality paper that looked plain at first glance with no pattern.

She checked the sender written at the bottom of the envelope.

It was the communication she had been waiting for from her elder brother.

She opened the letter with a paper knife.

It was a very long letter, written with great care.

As she read through her brother’s letter, her eyes welled up with tears.

‘…I’ll help you as much as I can, so do as you wish.’

Her elder brother, Daniel Averitt, seemed to have decided to simply support her silently.