ITMLBDSML 66

 Chapter 66

What even is love?

What is it about something so trivial—

That it can turn a person into such a fool?

During the past winter, Kesare had put in great effort to win Sophia’s heart back.

He said he couldn’t easily believe that Maybel was his daughter—

But he promised he would try to accept it, little by little.

When he said those words, Kesare had been as gentle as he used to be.

Warm, tender—

So much so that the sharp hatred Sophia had aimed at him melted away.

She even forgot that the hatred itself had been forged from the daggers embedded deep in her chest.

She shouldn’t have done that.

She shouldn’t have abandoned that desperate resolve—

The resolve never to love him again.

Recalling everything that had happened that winter, Sophia buried her face in her hands for a long time before finally speaking.

“…Let’s get a divorce.”

“…What?”

Kesare, who had been ignoring her sobbing, turned to glare at her.

When Sophia lifted her head, her tear-streaked eyes were already dry.

Clenching the inside of her damp gloves, she repeated firmly,

“Didn’t you hear me? Let’s get a divorce.”

She should have done this from the beginning.

Instead of simply running away—

She should have cut ties completely.

She should have realized sooner that hoping for his regret was foolish.

For all this time, Sophia had wandered alone in a barren wasteland, unaware of something so obvious.

Clinging to both love and hatred, suffering endlessly.

But now—

She didn’t want to live like that anymore.

Kesare no longer loved her.

She had just confirmed that not even a trace of affection remained.

‘If I keep holding onto this love, I’m the only one who will get hurt.’

In the past, Sophia had never believed the saying that first love never comes true.

But now, with time—

She herself had become living proof of that very cliché she once mocked.

What a lonely ending.

For that man, she had branded her friend with a slave mark—

Even committed murder.

‘If there is a god, they shouldn’t leave me like this…’

Swallowing down the rising self-pity and tears, Sophia forced her voice to remain steady.

“From now on… let’s become strangers.”

At her firm declaration, cracks appeared across Kesare’s previously frozen expression.

What kind of expression was that?

In the past, she could read his thoughts just by looking into his eyes—

But now, she couldn’t.

The man before her felt like a complete stranger.

Not wanting to look at him any longer, Sophia turned her head away.

“There’s no need to go all the way to the ducal estate. Let me off here.”

She didn’t want to spend even another moment with him.

She hadn’t decided where she would go—

But wherever it was, it would surely be less miserable than this.

Just as Sophia prepared to step out of the carriage—

“Divorce? Ha!”

A cold, mocking voice cut through the air.

A chilling aura, thick with killing intent, filled the carriage in an instant.

It came from Kesare.

“Seems like you still don’t understand your situation, Sophia.”

Thud.

Kesare placed his foot on the sofa he had kicked earlier.

Startled, Sophia shrank back slightly.

He let out a low chuckle.

“I’m the head of the family. And you—my wife—are nothing more than my possession.”

“W-what did you say…?”

“The moment you put me in this position, you lost any right to choose.”

“What do you—!”

Sophia tried to shout, but Kesare was faster.

Lowering the carriage window, he gave an order to the coachman driving toward the townhouse.

“Change course. We’re heading to the ducal territory.”

“Y-yes? To the main estate…?”

As the startled coachman asked again, Kesare glanced at Sophia.

Her face had gone completely pale, as if she couldn’t comprehend what she had just heard.

When had it started?

That he felt satisfaction at seeing Sophia afraid?

Was it when he realized the one she truly loved wasn’t him—but Zigmunt?

Or when she had carried Zigmunt’s child and tried to pass it off as his?

No—

This sticky, festering emotion had begun even earlier.

Much earlier…

Back when Sophia had been sold off by her brothers.

Back when her bright, cheerful face—so clearly raised with love despite being a bastard child—had shattered completely.

Back when she, who had once pitied him, clung to him desperately, begging for help.

That base desire to conquer her—

It must have started then.

Kesare slowly looked Sophia over.

Once, she had been his goddess.

Once, she had stood above him, looking down on everything.

But now—

She was nothing more than a pathetic woman, starving for even the smallest scraps of affection he pretended to give—

Laughing one moment, crying the next.

A woman who had deceived and betrayed him long before his desire to conquer her had even ignited.

Having reached his conclusion, Kesare answered calmly.

“No. To the underground prison.”

For a wife who dared to abandon her husband and run to another man—

That was the only place she belonged.

* * *

The day after returning from the Crown Prince’s banquet—

“Then~ I’ll head out first!”

Maybel said brightly, wearing her beloved bunny doll bag over her shoulder.

She looked adorable in a sky-blue short dress with round short sleeves, paired with white pumpkin pants.

She also wore a white apron so she could change easily if she got anything dirty.

Her hair was tied up neatly in a high ponytail, adorned with a sky-blue ribbon headband.

According to Ella, today’s concept was “Maybel the Curious Explorer of the Capital.”

Zigmunt, who had been leaning casually by the doorway, approached her.

“Alright, go ahead and enjoy yourself first. I’ll finish this and join you on time.”

As he crouched in front of her to retie her ribbon, there was a faint hint of regret in his voice.

It made sense—

Today, Zigmunt and Maybel had planned to tour the capital together.

But due to urgent matters, he would only be able to join her in the afternoon.

Maybel shook her head as if it didn’t bother her at all.

“It’s okay! I’ll take my time and have fun. So don’t rush—make sure you handle everything properly. It’s about the poachers, right?”

As she said, the urgent matter Zigmunt had to deal with was none other than the subjugation of beastfolk poachers—

The same ones mentioned during the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet.

“I know. It concerns Aselt and Kellic’s safety, so I have no intention of handling it carelessly.”

If it were anything else, he might have postponed it—

But anything related to beastfolk poaching required thorough attention.

“I heard it’s going to be hot today. Don’t eat too many cold things just because it’s warm—you’ll upset your stomach.”

“Okay~!”

“Ella will be with you, so I’m sure she’ll manage things well. But if it gets too hot and you can’t handle it, it’s fine to have something cold. I’ll allow it.”

Zigmunt glanced at Ella.

While a child’s health and discipline were important, he also wanted Maybel to enjoy herself in the capital.

Of course, Ella pretended not to hear that part.

“I’ve prepared cool iced water and healthy fruit-and-vegetable juice, so there’s nothing to worry about~”

Truthfully, Ella also wanted to buy Maybel everything she desired—

Since it was her first time in the capital.

But Maybel wasn’t like other children.

They didn’t fully know what foods she needed to avoid, what allergies she might have, or when her health might suddenly worsen.

Jacques had tested various foods, and she didn’t seem to have major allergies—

But this was the capital.

Hotter than the Grand Ducal estate, and filled with unfamiliar ingredients and spices.

They had to be careful.

Understanding this, Maybel responded maturely without complaint.

“I brought my parasol and fan too!”

What a thoughtful child.

Zigmunt pulled her into a warm hug, noticing the excitement coloring her cheeks.

“Then have fun. I’ll see you later.”

“Okay~!”

Maybel cheerfully grabbed Ella’s hand.

The small carriage they boarded rattled as it departed from the townhouse.

The summer sky was a brilliant blue, dotted with fluffy white clouds.

I just hope nothing but good things happen to her until I arrive.

With that silent wish, Zigmunt turned around.

“Let’s begin the meeting right away.”

He wanted to ensure the children at the Grand Ducal estate were safe as soon as possible—

And then join Maybel.

“Yes, it seems most of the retainers have already arrived.”

Dain followed behind him as he spoke.

“And the method proposed by Count Gritche is this—though it does carry the risk of weakening our defenses…”

Zigmunt took the document from him and strode forward.

It was a bright, beautiful summer day.