TWDHK~03

Chapter 03 

“Masha, go change my clothes. Bring something neat and proper.”

“Yes……”

Masha, who had failed to properly carry out Nina’s orders for three days straight, left with a dejected expression.

It was both pitiful and oddly cute, seeing her shoulders slump like that when it wasn’t even her fault.

Honestly… the more I think about it, the more pathetic it all feels.

Where is my husband?

Who did he go to meet?

Bring my husband back right now.

After endlessly pestering the servants like that, and as her husband’s absences continued, she had gone around every hotel in the Bavarian duchy like a madwoman searching for him.

“Madam, I’m sorry……”

“What are you apologizing for?”

“I keep getting sleepy……”

“…It’s alright. You’ve worked hard all this time. You can rest now.”

“J-just… just a little nap……”

“…Alright. Sleep well. Let’s meet again… for sure.”

Even wrapped in discarded blankets piled like a mound, clinging to each other’s warmth, they hadn’t been able to endure the bitter winter that swept through.

The unwavering loyalty of Masha, who had followed her through two years of wandering the streets after the Taylor Ducal House collapsed, ended only in death.

And not long after, she herself followed.

Though by then, reincarnation had taken her far away, and they could no longer meet in heaven.

“Ugh……”

Just recalling the past made her chest tighten and her nose sting.

At that moment, Masha returned—and startled upon seeing her expression.

“M-Madam! Are you unwell? Should I call the physician?”

“…No, it’s fine.”

Nina shook her head.

Her body still ached from bruises that hadn’t fully faded, but that wasn’t why she felt like this.

It was the memory of Masha’s foolish devotion—how she had endured everything, never abandoning her useless mistress even when she might have wanted to run away.

In a low, somber voice, Nina said,

“…Let’s change. Help me dress.”

“A-are you sure you’re alright?”

She nodded, but honestly, she wasn’t fine at all.

To sit face-to-face with someone who had witnessed her most embarrassing past?

She wanted to dissolve into dust and disappear.

She wished no one knew her, that no one remembered her—but she couldn’t run away forever just because she was ashamed.

To prevent the fall of the family and the miserable ending that awaited both her and Masha, she needed courage.

She had to change the future.

“Alright, I’ll prepare your makeup.”

“Mm.”

With Masha’s help, Nina changed into a thin silk dress accented with lace at the neckline and cuffs.

For something from her extravagant wardrobe, it was surprisingly simple and plain.

From the dressing table drawer, she took out a clean pearl hairpin.

“Use this to pin my hair today.”

“I-isn’t that a bit too modest for you, Madam?”

“No, it’s perfect. And keep the makeup light—just enough to even out my skin.”

Masha blinked in surprise.

It was unusual. The mistress who usually insisted on heavy makeup was now asking for something so minimal.

Nina gave a faint smile.

“…I’m going to divorce my husband.”

“…W-what?!”

“I’m getting a divorce.”

It was something she should have done long ago.

Their relationship had been twisted from the very beginning, like a button fastened in the wrong hole.

How could she love someone who deceived and threatened her?

Did he really think she would fall in love with him someday just because he had a handsome face and a prestigious family?

That she couldn’t back out once they were married?

Such self-centered foolishness.

…It’s late, but I’ll fix this now.

Masha trembled, as if something had gone terribly wrong.

“M-Madam… do you have dizziness, memory loss, or feel… different in any way?”

“I thought you’d be happy to hear that, but instead you’re treating me like I’m sick. That’s harsh, Masha.”

Hadn’t she been the one who wanted this miserable marriage to end more than anyone?

And yet, instead of rejoicing, she looked like she was facing a dying woman.

“Of course I’m happy you decided to divorce, Madam… but it’s just so sudden… I’m worried, and scared… and you are injured……”

Tears welled in Masha’s eyes.

A mere head injury, and yet she looked like she was watching a terminal patient.

What would anyone think if the infamous obsessive madwoman suddenly announced a divorce?

But don’t worry, Masha.

I’m not going to die.

In fact, I feel more clear-headed than ever.

“Masha, do you know why I fell down the stairs?”

“…Pardon? That was…”

“You know the rumors in this house.”

Masha’s pupils trembled violently.

Everyone in the manor knew about it—that the Madam had been thrown out of the Duke’s bedroom late at night.

The servants had whispered endlessly about it.

“I’ll tear the mouths off anyone who talks about it, Madam. I’ll tear them one by one until no one remembers anything……”

Masha clenched her fists, trembling with rage.

Nina let out a short laugh.

“How bold, for those tiny hands of yours. You’ll get yourself in trouble before you even manage it.”

“Then I’ll pull their hair out if I have to! I’d do anything for you, Madam.”

And she meant it.

She had remained loyal even after the fall of the family—so loyal she would have followed her mistress to death.

“Well, there were those rumors… and honestly, I’m tired of living like this. So I’m divorcing him.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

“…Then I’ll do my best to help you get ready.”

At Masha’s sudden determination, Nina smirked.

“Weren’t you already doing your best?”

“H-hey! That’s not what I meant! I’ll go all out, just you wait!”

“W-wait, that’s not necessary…”

She was only going out briefly—no need for anything extravagant.

But Masha was already fired up.

Moments later—

“How is it? Do you like it?”

“It’s… amazing.”

Pale, translucent skin. Slightly reddened eyes like she had been crying. Soft pink lips without a single flaw.

The exhausted, sickly face from before had transformed into a fragile, ethereal beauty.

Nina stared at her reflection, almost entranced.

With such a delicate appearance, even her husband might believe she was no longer the obsessive madwoman she used to be.

She took a deep breath, steadied herself, and stepped out.

You can do this. It’s nothing.

She would quickly divorce him, change her name, and start over.

Then all this miserable past would become nothing more than a memory.

With trembling eyelids, she lifted her gaze and walked forward.

In the Nesman Empire, people loved tea so much they held eight tea times a day.

Ash was no different.

He was having a light lunch tea in his office while reading a letter from his nephew.

Ian, now ten years old, was staying at the academy dormitory and had written that he had done well on his midterms and grown taller.

…I wonder how much he’s grown.

It had been two years since he last saw his nephew.

After winning the third trial, he had immediately enrolled Ian in the boarding academy.

A woman who had tried to manipulate the court to marry him likely wouldn’t leave the child alone.

More than that, he felt unworthy of even seeing the boy’s face.

His eyes darkened briefly.

“…Step aside. I need to see my husband.”

“His Grace has ordered that no one is to be admitted.”

“Just five minutes. Tell him I have something important to say—or I’ll wait here until he comes out.”

Ash pressed a hand to his forehead.

A dull ache spread.

From outside the door, his wife’s voice echoed faintly, drilling into his headache.

She had finally come herself after days of being ignored.

If she was here, it would be faster to deal with it personally.

That damned wife had a habit of harassing servants until she got her way.

But that was exactly what servants were paid for, wasn’t it?

Ash continued his work as if he had no intention of being disturbed, ignoring whatever chaos was unfolding outside.