LSWF 2

Chapter: 2

After hearing the word divorce, there was no way Ale’s mind could remain intact. Even if she had lived while resenting her cold-hearted husband, it was still difficult to imagine parting from him.

If only they had never been bound together in the first place…
She had thought that much, at least.

Serena clenched her tiny fist and spoke eagerly.

“Let’s go! I’m all ready. Hehe, the plan is perfect. We’ll make Dad cry his eyes out and regret everything!”

“W–Wait…!”

“Stepmother, when you’re going to do something, you have to go all the way. If you just stay quietly by his side, he’ll never appreciate you, you know?”

Watching Serena fidget impatiently left Ale in turmoil.

If I leave without even saying goodbye, that’ll be the end, won’t it?
He won’t come looking for me.

She couldn’t be certain this was the right thing to do at all. Serena spoke as if the Grand Duke would regret it—but realistically, there was no chance he would. Ale wrapped her arms around herself as a chill crept up her elbows.

“Madam! You’re here?! Please come to the dining room at once. The master has already arrived and is waiting.”

“Ah!”

Perfect timing. She had run straight into Gerd, who had been looking for her.

Ale, who had narrowly escaped being thrown out overnight, felt a wave of relief. Serena, whose plan had been foiled, was thoroughly displeased. The little Grand Duchess kicked at the grass with her enamel shoes and muttered.

“Tch, I forgot it was lunchtime. No wonder I was hungry.”

“I’ll go on my own—please look after the young lady.”

Ale’s voice suddenly cleared. Just moments ago she had been cursing her heartless husband, yet now she felt relieved simply at the thought of seeing him again.

“Escort her at once!”

“Hey, you promised! I’m being very clear, okay? We’re meeting here again next time—right in front of this shrub!”

Even as the maids led her away, Serena tried to extract a promise from Ale.

But Ale couldn’t answer.

Living outside this place. Divorce from him.
How could she possibly accept something so terrifying?

I can’t do it. I’m sorry. I’m too afraid. How could I ever test him like that?

Replying only in her heart, Ale entered the dining room and instinctively drew in a short breath.

He was there.

Jet-black hair. Cold, unfathomably deep, beautiful eyes. A fleeting thought crossed her mind—was that dark, pale-black shade truly real?—but Ale merely trembled like a rabbit before a wolf.

Am I all right? I was dragged along by Serena… did grass cling to the soles of my shoes? He wouldn’t like it if I dirtied the floor.

She lowered her gaze, then snapped back to attention at Gerd’s gesture.

“Please take your seat, Madam.”

“…All right.”

The meal began.

Not even the faint clink of a fork against a plate could be heard. The Grand Duke had never scolded her for making noise, yet she felt inexplicably self-conscious.

He’s always perfect. I’m the one who has to adjust.
Even so, I could never be praised as a flawless wife who leaves not a speck upon his perfection…

Luphelion was meticulous in his noble bearing, just as he was in appearance. No matter how hard Ale tried, she often felt an aching sense of inferiority, as though she could never reach even the tips of his toes.

She was, in her own right, a count’s daughter—but the gap in their birth and status could not be denied.

…My stomach feels unsettled.

Once again, she had no appetite today.

Just as she quietly set her fork down after barely eating, the Grand Duke spoke.

“When will the salmon arrive this year?”

The butler replied promptly.

“It will be brought on the next ship, Your Grace.”

“As soon as it arrives, see that it’s served at the table without stint.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Ah—salmon.

Only then did Ale recall what Serena had said earlier.

Divorce the Grand Duke and go live together in Salmon Province, where there was plenty of salmon…

It was absurd, yet strangely realistic. Divorce her first, then abandon her there—that must be the plan. When on earth had Serena come up with such an idea?

Unable even to clutch her pounding chest, Ale replayed her husband’s voice in her mind. Even a brief exchange like that was rare between them. She was desperately starved for any sense of connection with him.

She did like salmon. Before entering the Grand Duke’s estate, she hadn’t even known such a fish existed—and she had been even more shocked to learn it could be eaten raw. After tasting it once, she had been so amazed that she never left a single bite behind.

It had been hard to come by for months; perhaps the season was approaching again. Ale had never complained about its absence, so she had simply accepted it.

“Madam, shall we serve ice cream?”

“…No.”

She shook her head, declining dessert, and cautiously lifted her eyes.

Her husband had finished eating. He rarely touched sweets, so dessert was almost always skipped.

Once he leaves this silent table… I’ll spend another dull day, turning in circles like a wheel, without him.

All while enduring the sharp glares of the young lady who wants to drive me out of this estate.

Will everything end like this? When?

If she continued drifting along, the day might come when she left without even saying goodbye to him.

Sensing danger, she opened her lips and called out to him.

“Your Grace!”

“…What is it.”

At the instant he was addressed as Your Grace, Luphelion’s brows knit sharply, as if in displeasure.

It was a minute change in expression, yet Ale noticed it all too well. Still, she couldn’t take it back now.

Of all times—to call out when he’s in a bad mood.

Since she had caused this worst-case scenario, she had to see it through. Flustered, she offered a greeting.

“Have you… been well lately…?”

“Of course.”

She had mustered her courage to speak, only to receive those two words in return.

Why she had fallen in love with such a curt man was something she could no longer understand, no matter how she reflected on it.

If she told anyone that just looking at his indifferent gaze or the dark sheen of his hair made her heart feel like it would burst—would anyone believe her? First love was a vicious illness, difficult to escape.

Perhaps the female servants of the Grand Duke’s estate would understand her wavering heart.

Every woman who entered this place felt her heart flutter endlessly upon seeing the Grand Duke for the first time. Even knowing he had been married twice and had a child, they inevitably fell in love.

Search the entire island—no, the whole continent—and there was no man like him. He was magnificent; how could one help being drawn to him?

And then, after several months, they realized just how indifferent he truly was—and nearly all of them gave up.

If only I could become like them. How much easier it would be.

Today, your daughter urged me to divorce you. If Gerd hadn’t come, I would’ve been forced into that carriage and boarded a ship bound for Salmon Province. Even then… you wouldn’t have come looking for me, would you?

If she told him she had nearly been cast out under the warm sunlight, what expression would he make?

A man she couldn’t even see unless they happened to dine together.
Are you… really my husband?

Ale smiled sadly, unable even to speak his name.

“That’s… good to hear.”

“Get some rest.”

With those cold words, the man rose from his seat. On the place where he had sat remained only empty plates and cutlery, which Ale stared at blankly.

Five words. That was all she had gained after struggling to speak to him.

What… am I, then? Those women, at least, touched him for a moment…

Unable to wait any longer, Gerd urged her.

“Madam, shall we return?”

“…Yes.”

Only then did she rise, walking back as slowly as a prisoner shackled at the ankles.

A thought suddenly crossed her mind.

Wouldn’t it truly be better to go through with the divorce?

She was well aware of her parents’ and younger brother’s circumstances, but she could endure no more. If she continued living like this, her heart felt as though it might stop altogether.

If Serena was willing to take her as far as Salmon Province, perhaps she could settle there?

The thought grew surprisingly serious.

I wonder if there’s anything I could do there.

Since becoming Grand Duchess, she hadn’t once ventured out onto the continent.

The Grand Duke traveled to Salmon Province once a year with Serena—but she did not. While father and daughter enjoyed their outings, she remained alone at the estate.

Strangely enough, whenever the Grand Duke was away, he strictly forbade her from going out. Visiting her parents was permitted only during ordinary times—and even then, only with attendants in tow.

Salmon Province…

It bothered her that it was his territory, but with no money of her own, she had no better option.

Traveling far required funds—how else could she manage it?

A regular ship would take her as far as the capital, but that was even more troublesome than Salmon Province. Too many acquaintances lived there. Since Ale wished to live quietly after separating from him, that was out of the question.

She could order as many new dresses, shoes, and accessories as she liked through her maid—but she had never been given money directly. Until now, there had been no need. There was nothing to spend it on within the estate.

All right. Somehow, I’ll go to Salmon Province. I’ll keep my head down there—and if trouble seems likely, I’ll leave then.

The decision was made in an instant.

The moment she gently folded away her conviction that she could never part from him, a faint sense of satisfaction settled in her eyes.

If she could live while forgetting this agonizing love, that would be better. Perhaps even for him… if not divorce, then living separately might be preferable.

That was what she thought.

Several days passed.

Ale was struggling through the Imperial Code that Serena had left behind.

She made sure to keep it hidden, as it absolutely couldn’t be seen by her attendant maids, and read it only when alone.

Her neatly groomed fingernail paused over a certain passage.

“…Assets received as a condition of marriage may be reclaimed upon the dissolution of that marriage.”

No matter where she looked, the clauses were overwhelmingly unfavorable to her. Division of property? She hadn’t even considered it. She was in a position where she had to worry about all the benefits bestowed upon her natal family being taken back at once.

Yet instead of despairing, this strengthened her resolve.

Let’s put an end to this meaningless marriage.
If separation is possible, that would be better. Even if he gets angry and confiscates my parents’ house, it’ll be sad—but what can I do? I’ll survive somehow.

Christian still has one year left until graduation…