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Prologue
The sound of shoes echoed through the wide hallway.
Ailen, the owner of those shoes, was holding a single sheet of paper in her hand and smiling brightly.
The servants passing by smiled warmly at the sight of their mistress looking so happy.
Not knowing what was written on that paper.
The clicking of her shoes soon stopped in front of a room.
It was her husband Richard’s office.
Ailen raised her hand and lightly knocked on the door. A moment later, a gentle voice came from inside.
“Come in.”
Without hesitation, Ailen opened the door.
Inside, she saw Richard smiling at her and his aide, who seemed to have been discussing work with him.
Ailen glanced at the aide before asking Richard.
“I have something to discuss with you. Would it be alright if I came in for a moment?”
“It’s fine. What brings you here, Ailen?”
Without saying anything, Ailen placed the paper she had brought onto his large desk.
As Richard picked it up with a puzzled expression, Ailen smiled and said,
“It’s the divorce papers.”
“……What?”
Not only Richard, but even the aide standing beside him wore a blank expression.
Meanwhile, Ailen repeated herself with a brighter smile than ever before.
“Let’s get divorced, Richard.”
Only then did Richard fully process her words, and his expression hardened.
“Divorce…… you mean?”
“Yes. The one-year period stated in our contract has already passed, and I’ve earned enough money too. So I’ll let you go cleanly. You wanted this as well, didn’t you?”
Richard silently gripped the divorce papers she had handed him.
Having spent enough time observing his superior to understand his feelings, the aide turned pale and shook his head at Ailen from beside him.
But Ailen failed to notice.
Pointing kindly at one side of the document, she explained,
“I prepared all the paperwork myself. I even signed it already. Now all Richard has to do is sign right here, and we’ll become complete strangers!”
“Strangers……”
“Yes! Strangers!”
Ailen nodded enthusiastically, her eyes shining.
Richard’s aide covered his face with both hands, repeatedly muttering, “Oh my god.”
But once again, Ailen didn’t notice.
Thinking she shouldn’t disturb Richard while he was making his decision, she quietly stepped back.
Even then, she didn’t forget to remind him.
“Then please sign it and let me know. I’ll be waiting.”
After saying that, Ailen closed the door and walked out while humming a tune.
Looking at the clear sky where sunlight poured down, she murmured,
“I can finally start over. Finally……”
Overcome with emotion, Ailen shivered slightly before setting off with light footsteps.
Without realizing that Richard was watching her through the window.
❧ ❧ ❧
“Um…… Your Grace, are you alright?”
At the aide’s worried question, Richard turned his head.
The moment the aide saw his eyes, he flinched.
Richard tried to maintain his composure and forced a smile.
“Ah, I’m fine. Of course I’m fine.”
“……You really don’t look fine at all.”
“No. I really am fine. Fortunately, the divorce papers are in my possession.”
Richard walked toward his desk and picked up the divorce papers Ailen had given him to sign.
Then, without hesitation, he set them on fire.
As he watched the divorce papers burn fiercely, the aide swallowed hard.
The flames reflected in Richard’s eyes seemed to burn just as intensely.
“You said you wanted a divorce, Ailen.”
A smile appeared on Richard’s lips.
But unlike his usual gentle smile, this one was filled with genuine irritation.
“I’m sorry, but I cannot grant you a divorce.”
The last remaining scraps of paper turned to ash at his fingertips and scattered away.
Richard stared at them indifferently before adding in a firm voice,
“Not now.”
“Not ever.”
Richard grinned coldly, and the aide standing beside him covered his face with one hand.
It seemed he would have to drink today.
(End of Prologue)
