IGBD 82

chapter 82

A Strange Rumor! A certain gentleman who hasn’t been married long was reportedly seen kissing his first love at a tavern. Apparently, even after marriage, he cannot forget his first love.

An Even Stranger Rumor! The same newly married gentleman is said to be staying at a hotel. And the first love he kissed apparently comes and goes in his hotel room as if it were her own home.

Your Grace, oh my, what a mistake! Whether he is a duke or a baron, one cannot help but feel sorry for the gentleman’s wife.

Serrett’s face drained of color as she read the gossip article in the magazine. Though no names were explicitly mentioned, anyone could tell that this was about Yuen and Lydia.

“Unbelievable.”

Irritably, Serrett set the magazine down and fought back tears.

Yuen hadn’t returned home for ten days. His aide, Derek, said it was due to work, but after reading this magazine, it seemed he hadn’t returned because of Lydia, not work.

Unable to control the surge of emotions, Serrett abruptly rose from the sofa and paced restlessly around the room.

“So he realized his feelings for Lydia and wants a divorce. No wonder it seemed strange that he suddenly brought up divorce.”

Muttering to herself, her face gradually reddened. Her blue eyes filled with tears, and soon they began to fall.

She had known something like this might happen eventually, but she hadn’t expected her emotions to be wrecked again. She never thought that after what she had gone through in her past life, she would end up feeling this hurt and miserable once more.

“You jerk. If you wanted a divorce, at least bring the papers. Don’t hide like this.”

Serrett wiped her tears with the back of her hand.

But no matter how much she wiped, tears continued to wet her cheeks. Eventually, she buried her face in the bed and began to sob.

Why did it feel so sorrowful? It wasn’t the first time she had experienced this, yet why did it hurt so much? She had finally gotten the divorce she had so longed for, yet why did she feel this way…?

After crying for a long while, Serrett reluctantly admitted her shocking and absurd feelings.

She loved Yuen Prektuester. That man, who had torn her heart to pieces and trampled on it, she foolishly loved him again.

Unlike in her past life, she had been swayed by the kind and considerate Yuen in this life. She had hoped, perhaps, that he might love her this time. She had given her heart completely after their kiss in the rain.

And now, like a fool, she was hurt and in pain again.

“I need to see Yuen.”

Acknowledging her feelings, Serrett rose from the bed.

Yuen was certainly different from how he had been in her past life. He was kind, considerate, and attentive.

Perhaps things would be different in this life. She had to talk to Yuen properly.

Changing into her outing clothes, Serrett left the mansion and headed straight for Yuen’s office.

Inside the swaying carriage, Serrett gripped her skirts tightly. She wanted to hear from Yuen himself, not rely on the reckless gossip in magazines.

Maybe she had misunderstood things. The sudden divorce talk might not even have been because of Lydia.

Tension spread across Serrett’s face as the carriage approached Yuen’s office.

Soon, the carriage stopped near the office. Serrett stepped down and began walking toward it.

It would be nice to talk over lunch, she thought. But her steps faltered and then froze.

She had seen Yuen and Lydia leaving the office together.

Frozen in place, Serrett blankly watched them disappear. Lydia, smiling, looked up at Yuen, chatting animatedly, while Yuen nodded attentively.

“Fools…”

As Yuen and Lydia turned the corner and vanished, Serrett muttered blankly.

What did I expect by coming all this way? Just to see something like that? Why am I acting like such a fool again?

Tears filled her eyes once more. Serrett was angry—not at them, but at herself.

Even after all that happened in her past life, she still hadn’t recovered. She had watched two people die for love, yet she had come running here, still holding on to foolish feelings.

Serrett turned away with a hardened face.

Being a fool has its limits. This is why it happened. Pathetic. Truly pathetic. She chastised herself as she returned to the carriage.

She had vowed never to be deceived again, never to love again, but she had given her heart once more.

“Shall I take you back to the mansion?”

The coachman asked, noticing her return.

Serrett shook her head.

“No. Let’s go to Pingnet.”

She had to meet with Attorney Delaving. No more foolish, pathetic behavior—she needed to prepare for the divorce with Yuen, as originally planned.

At Attorney Delaving’s house, Serrett received a consultation.

Delaving explained that since the marriage had lasted less than a year, claiming property division would be difficult. However, since Yuen had brought up the divorce first, she could negotiate for generous alimony.

Serrett said she hoped to receive around 170,000 Lufing, and Delaving reassured her that this should be feasible.

After the consultation, Serrett stepped outside and looked up at the sky. The weather was clear, just like the day she visited Nunuki’s pharmacy.

A bittersweet smile crossed her face as she recalled her situation with Yuen. The events of that day felt like a faint, distant dream.

Serrett boarded the carriage, her expression sad.

Back at the mansion, Serrett laid out jewelry and ornaments on the sofa table. Among them were a pearl necklace Yuen had gifted her and gold buttons he had given as a prize.

She reached for the gold buttons, fidgeting with them, when Hanna entered the room.

“Ma’am, why have you taken all these out?” Hanna asked, puzzled.

Serrett looked at her calmly.

“I’m going to sell them.”

As originally planned, she intended to take everything she could, even if only to cover the cost of her past life’s life-debt. These extravagant jewels were unnecessary in Morshali anyway, so it was better to dispose of them.

“All of them? Just like that?”

“Hanna, I think we can return to Morshali around autumn.”

Serrett tried to sound cheerful, but Hanna could see the sadness behind her smile. She knelt before Serrett and held her hand.

“Ma’am, let’s go back to Morshali. The capital is too chaotic. There’s no place like home.”

“Yes, Hanna.”

Serrett nodded with a small smile.

“Ma’am, are you going to take that painting too? If you do, the Viscount will be furious…”

“That painting…”

Serrett followed Hanna’s gaze to a self-portrait. That too needed to be disposed of before leaving Morshali. Selling it felt a little sad. Perhaps she should ask the Grand Duke to buy it.

“Will you sell it?”

“I must. My father would faint if he saw it.”

Serrett chuckled softly as she began organizing the jewelry and ornaments. Hanna, helping her, suddenly remembered something.

“Ma’am, please come down and eat. Mrs. Lindsay has prepared a lot of food. I thought there was a banquet.”

“Mrs. Lindsay?” Serrett asked, surprised.

Hanna nodded and smiled knowingly. Serrett followed her and smiled as well.

Entering the dining room, Serrett realized Hanna hadn’t exaggerated—the table was beautifully decorated, and Serrett’s favorite foods kept coming.

Moreover, Mrs. Lindsay herself served the food. Watching her pour wine, Serrett asked:

“What’s the occasion?”

“I noticed you haven’t been eating well lately, so I prepared this for you,” Mrs. Lindsay said, her expression serious but her thoughtfulness clear.

Unlike in her past life, Lindsay in this life recognized Serrett as the lady of the Prektuester household. Still not warm, but respectful enough.

“Thank you, Mrs. Lindsay.”

Even that alone was enough. The thought of leaving the household staff behind after divorcing Yuen made Serrett feel a pang of sadness.

She ate as much as she could, enjoying a full meal for the first time in a while.

After finishing, she met Yuen’s aide Derek in the lobby. He carried a suit case, likely coming for Yuen’s clothes.

“Your Grace,” Derek greeted politely.

Serrett glanced at the suit case and then back at Derek.

“His Grace won’t be coming home today either, I suppose.”

“He’s busy with work,” Derek said defensively.

Serrett smiled faintly.

“Thank you for your efforts.”

She passed Derek and headed up the stairs, her steps growing heavier with each one.

After initiating the divorce, why hadn’t Yuen said anything? Out of guilt toward me? Serrett chuckled. Compared to her past life, he was nothing but a fool.

She stopped mid-stair and looked back. Derek was still in the lobby.

“Aide Derek.”

“Yes, Your Grace?”

Serrett descended and approached him.

“I want to see His Grace. Let’s go together.”