Of all times, it had to be when all the customers were gone and it was quiet, leaving no way to avoid him.

Melly wanted to meet him briefly and send him away.

“One hour is too much. Customers might come…”

“Then let’s rent the place until customers arrive.”

“…”

It seemed like a mistake to use customers as an excuse. Somehow, she had an odd feeling.

As if, from now on, no one would come.

“Please sit.”

Melly said with a sigh of resignation. He then naturally sat in his usual seat.

Melly made tea and brought it. Lest he offer to brew her tea again, this time she made her own as well.

“Is business going well?”

“Thanks to you.”

Melly answered while watching for changes in his expression.

She had always wondered if the sudden stroke of luck was all his doing.

But as he sipped his tea, there was no hint that he was involved in this matter.

Melly stopped observing him further.

Besides, whether he hired someone or not, what difference did it make?

Now that relations with the villagers had improved, she didn’t want to fuss over every little thing out of pride.

She pretended not to notice and quietly sipped her tea before saying,

“If you have something to say, please do.”

Melly said. Somehow, she felt she knew why he had come here.

‘If you’re offering alimony, I’ll accept it.’

‘Alright.’

It was a bit sudden and somewhat unsettling, so at the time she said she’d think about it. Now, five days had passed, so he might have come to hear her answer, thinking she’d had enough time to consider.

Of course, she had made her decision now.

So she could answer immediately if he asked, “Have you decided? Shall we proceed with the divorce?”

But.

“I have nothing to say.”

Edric just said that. His gaze slowly lifted to look directly at her.

“When you asked me to have tea, was it always because you had something to say?”

“…”

At those words, Melly was unwittingly pulled into memories of the past.

‘Let’s have a cup of tea, dear.’

It wasn’t because she had anything particular to say. She just wanted to share a leisurely moment sipping warm tea with him.

She just wanted to be in the same space, simply looking at each other.

Like when they were young.

“Yes. There were such days.”

Melly said with a faint smile, nostalgic for old times.

“Days when it was good to just drink tea without saying anything.”

“…”

“For me, they were truly restful times.”

But soon her smile slowly faded, and a voice thick with resignation flowed out with a sigh.

“But what use is that now? It’s all in the past.”

“…”

“Don’t make meaningless efforts. It’s too late.”

“It’s not too late for me.”

Edric said to Melly, who was firmly ending things.

“For me, it’s only too late when you’re dead.”

His expression was more serious than ever.

“As long as you’re alive, nothing is too late.”

“…”

His voice, calm like the evening river, stirred Melly.

Edric Pelton.

He is, now as before, a very efficient man who knows how to sway others with just a few words and a look. But.

Clatter-

Melly steadied herself by setting down her teacup with a sound.

Before being shaken further, she wanted to clearly state her decision.

“I’ve finished thinking.”

“…”

“I, the alimony you’re offering…”

Ding-

But the sudden clear chime of a bell interrupted her words.

“Um, may we come in?”

Four or five customers peeking hesitantly through the door asked.

“Ah…”

Melly hesitated briefly between her unfinished words and the customers. But attending to the customers seemed to take priority for now.

“Of course. Please sit over here.”

Melly quickly stood up and guided them to seats.

As she handed them the menu from the counter, she inadvertently glanced at Edric. He was lifting his teacup to his lips.

Watching him savor the tea with closed eyes, Melly inwardly repeated her decision.

‘I’ll divorce you and gratefully accept the alimony you’re offering.’

She would say those words soon.

And she would cleanly cut ties with him. It might not be too late for him, but for her, it was.

“…please. And.”

“…!”

Melly realized she had missed the order while lost in thought.

“I’m sorry. Customer, could you please repeat that once more? I’m truly sorry.”

She apologized repeatedly while bowing her head, then leaned in to listen to the order again.

When she looked up after that, Edric was no longer there.

Around noon the next day, he came again.

As soon as Melly saw him, she said without preamble,

“I want to divorce you.”

Fearing another interruption, she blurted it out in one breath. But Edric replied leisurely, crossing his arms,

“Go ahead.”

He spoke peacefully, as if her decision didn’t affect his heart even a speck. However…

“Do as you please.”

Why did he keep coming closer…?

Approaching like a languid predator, he felt very threatening, and Melly took a big step back. Because of that, the wall shelf behind her shook, and the tea canister on the top shelf tipped forward.

Ugh-!

Melly squeezed her eyes shut.

But when time passed and she didn’t feel something heavy hit her head, she cautiously opened her eyes.

She saw Edric lightly catching the large ceramic canister with one hand and placing it back in its original spot.

“Shouldn’t you keep things like this lower down?”

“…There’s no space.”

Melly said, smoothing her chest.

Edric surveyed the wall with the shelves with narrowed eyes, as if trying to gauge the available space. His manner seemed so nonchalant, as if he hadn’t paid any attention to her words, that it irritated Melly.

Somehow feeling like it might just slip by like this, Melly decided to make things clear.

“Then let’s stamp the papers now. Us.”

“Alright. Let’s do that.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Why do we have to wait until tomorrow? I’m available today.”

“I have somewhere to go today.”

“…Where is that?”

“You’ll know if you come along.”

Once again, he just piqued her curiosity without giving a proper answer.

Melly sighed and said,

“I have to watch the shop.”

“It’s lunchtime.”

“These days I work during lunch too.”

That wasn’t an excuse, but the truth.

Since relations with the villagers turned friendly, every minute and second became precious. So she would eat a quick lunch of bread and work without rest.

Suddenly Edric made a clicking sound with his thumb and forefinger.

Then a familiar face entered the shop.

“You know how to make tea, right?”

Edric asked without even turning to look at Wilson.

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

“Then watch the shop for a bit.”

“Don’t worry, Your Excellency.”

Wilson obeyed cheerfully. Melly didn’t like this situation, but she had no choice.

If she stubbornly refused, he seemed like he wouldn’t bring the divorce papers.

“Then we have to be back within an hour. I can’t leave for longer than that.”

“An hour is enough.”

Melly took off her apron and followed him out.

A carriage was waiting in front of the shop. Melly looked up at Edric.

“It’s an open carriage?”

It was a carriage without a roof. Edric, who preferred modern conveniences, didn’t like carriages much to begin with, and especially disliked open carriages as undignified.

So Melly never dared tell him that she wanted to ride in an open carriage at least once.

“Didn’t you hate these?”

“I changed my mind.”

Edric nimbly climbed into the carriage and held out his hand. Melly stared at that hand as if something was placed on it, then resignedly grasped it. With just one leg on the step, her body was smoothly pulled up.

“We’ll depart, Your Excellency.”

The coachman cracked the reins.

It was a cool yet warm, pleasant autumn day. Melly could now fully appreciate the change of seasons she hadn’t noticed while focused on work.

The carriage sped merrily down the street.

As they turned a corner, the faces of the villagers came into view.

Oh no!

Melly realized a fact she had forgotten and turned deathly pale.

The villagers still didn’t know about her relationship with the owner of Café Lumière.

The grand opening and closing of the luxurious café that had stirred up the village for a while. If they knew about the complicated family history between Edric and herself entangled in that, they might once again look at her with unfavorable eyes.

Melly was afraid.

She covered her face, pretending to shield her eyes.

She could hear people recognizing Edric.

“Oh my, isn’t that him?”

“You’re right. Yes. It’s the handsome café owner.”

“But who’s that woman next to him?”

Melly lowered her head a bit more. But there was a limit due to the height of the carriage.

‘Oh no. I should have brought a hat.’

She regretted not remembering to grab a hat in her hurry to leave.

At that moment, there was a large hand suddenly wrapping around her shoulder and pulling her into an embrace.

“…!”

A strong heartbeat thundered in her ears. Melly realized she was in Edric’s arms.

She pushed him away.

“Why… why are you doing this?”

“If you don’t want to be discovered, it’s better to stay still.”

Edric’s voice transmitted through his chest.

‘What, you think I’ll stay still just because you say that?’

Melly applied force to her hand on his chest.

“Oh my! Oh my!”

Suddenly voices of scandalized people were heard.

“What are they doing in broad daylight?”

“I know. How shameful.”

“…But that woman, is she from this village? She looks kind of familiar.”

“No way. There’s no way someone in our village would openly display such embarrassing affection.”

Voices of criticism continued to be heard. Melly canceled her decision to raise her head.

She buried her face desperately in Edric’s embrace and urged,

“Please go quickly.”

But he was utterly unhurried.

“I’d like to, but the road is very congested.”