MDCHC 91

chapter 91

“Is there something you can’t even tell me?”

Not knowing what to say, I stayed silent, and Sophia asked in a cautious voice.

“I don’t… really like him.”
“What? Then why did you marry him?”
“Because I thought I could like him?”
“Is that some kind of ridiculous hopeful excuse?”
“But… I guess I couldn’t.”
“Then you should have tried harder!”
“Some things just can’t be helped, even if you try.”
“No, still! But! Well, even so!”

Sophia seemed like she wanted to say something but didn’t know how. After repeating “No, no!” several times, she downed the drink in front of her in big gulps.

“That’s enough! Forget it! Just say you don’t need him! Just because he’s the Count of Winchester, does that mean everything? Marrying some precious girl from another family, and now he says he doesn’t like her—does that make it okay? Forget it! Hey! You’re way more valuable than that jerk!”

She was clearly upset about my reason for divorce, and Sophia even clenched her fists in solidarity with me.

“In what way?”
“Huh?”
“In what way am I more valuable? When I got married, you said Lord Winchester was the perfect groom.”
“Well, of course…!”
“……”
“Well! Uh! Um… The reason you’re more valuable is…”
“What is it?”
“Uhm… so, uhm…”
“Stop it. See? Some things just can’t be helped, even if you try.”

I stopped Sophia from struggling to find a reason why I was more valuable than Lord Winchester. Honestly, seeing her get so worked up like that hurt my pride a little.

“Oh! He had a kid before, didn’t he? Returning single! If you marry this time, you’re a free single, and if he divorces again, he’s a single with a kid again. Double trouble.”
“Daniel isn’t a stumbling block, he’s a merit. And even on paper, he’s clean—just a single. A single with merit. And also…”
“And also?”
“…Never mind. Forget it.”

He didn’t come back.

I swallowed the words I had wanted to say. I had spoken about Daniel as if he were some huge obstacle, but I didn’t want to talk about Lord Winchester’s past.

“What is it?”
“What’s the point of talking about it now? I just need to admit I was too hasty in my judgment.”

I turned my head away from Sophia’s gaze as I spoke.

Only I knew that Lord Winchester still called her name when he was disoriented. There was no need for everyone to know that he wasn’t just a returned single, but still lingered near his past.

“Yeah… it really doesn’t matter…”

Sophia murmured in agreement to match the mood. I appreciated that.

“I’ve never really thought about divorce, so I don’t know much, but judging from what I’ve heard here and there, it’s not going to be a simple matter.”
“What’s complicated about it? You just fill out the papers, right?”
“Basically, yes, but there’s property division, alimony issues…”
“How long have we been married for him to even request property division? And alimony isn’t necessary. It’s a divorce agreed upon amicably with Lord Winchester, with no fault assigned to anyone.”
“Still, you’re going to be an ex-wife now, so shouldn’t you secure something at least? Living alone as a woman isn’t easy, you know?”
“I’ll be fine. I’ll manage somehow.”

Sophia subtly pushed for practicality, but I shook my head. Lord Winchester had already been considerate enough when we married. I couldn’t expect such consideration even in divorce.

“If you’re going to think about the other person that much, why divorce? If you really wanted that, you could just live together considerately!”
“If you’re not going to help me, I’ll manage on my own.”

Not wanting to drag out a pointless lecture, I jumped up from my seat.

“Ah! That temper of yours! Yeah, that’s why you’re divorcing.”
“Hey!”
“Alright, alright! First, get the divorce papers. Filling them out will remind you of what you need. I’ll ask around and find out what needs to be done too.”

Sophia was right. Filling in the blanks would probably remind me of what to do.

“Okay.”

I nodded and got up.

“Where are you going?”

Sophia looked at me with wide eyes.

“To get the divorce papers.”

Dithering wasn’t in my nature.

“Even the name is tricky…”

With Sophia’s advice, I managed to get the divorce papers, but filling them out was harder than I expected. Even the applicant’s name was a challenge.

“But I have to write my current name, right? Naery de Winchester? But I want to be Naery de Pomotz, right? Once this paper is approved, I’ll be Naery de Pomotz, so do I have to write that for it to take effect?”

It was confusing…

“Isn’t this a disadvantage for the woman? Lord Winchester will just be Lord Winchester, after all.”

I grumbled as I started writing Lord Winchester’s name. I hesitated at his birthdate. I didn’t know his birthday.

And I didn’t know Naery’s exact birthdate either. I knew the age, so the birth year could be back-calculated, but the exact day was unknown.

Nobody in the Pomotz family had ever wished me a happy birthday, so I only knew that my birthday hadn’t arrived yet.

“What do I even know?”

There were too many blanks I couldn’t fill. I knew too little about Lord Winchester, and even about myself.

“Sigh… I’ll deal with this later. First, let’s pack my things.”

I got up and opened the large bag I had brought when I moved from the Pomotz residence to the Camellia mansion.

I thought I didn’t have much, but as I stuffed things in, the bag was already half full.

“This is…”

Among the items, I noticed a doll I had made with Daniel. It was a doll Lord Winchester had bought me at the puppet show.

“What was its name?”

Even though I had shouted at him before, I hadn’t remembered the name of the doll I had liked in the heat of the moment. All I could remember was Lord Winchester’s awkwardness as he handed it to me and his large hands.

“Should I bring it…?”

I could say it was mine, since Lord Winchester had given it to me.

It was cute, and a suitable keepsake to remember the time I had been the Countess of Winchester.

“But… why am I taking my ex-husband’s gift to my parents’ house?”

Its original purpose was as a puppet show souvenir, but looking at it now, it would inevitably become a “divorce keepsake.”

“What should I do with you?”

I asked the doll.

“I must be crazy.”

And I spoke to it as if waiting for an answer. Not that it could reply.

“Sigh…”

I just sighed. My heart felt heavy.

Unable to pack it or leave it behind, I fiddled with the doll while a commotion came from outside.

“Oh! What time is it?”

Looking up, the sun had already set. If Lord Winchester came home early, he would be back soon.

I must have wasted more time than I thought.

“What… should I do?”

I had originally planned to finish packing before he returned and then go to the Pomotz residence. I hadn’t told Daniel yet, but I planned to say I was going on a short trip or visiting my parents for a few days.

After all, saying we’re divorcing and still sharing a bedroom with Lord Winchester made no sense. Staying in this house too long felt strange, so today I planned to pack and go to the Pomotz residence.

But because I dawdled, time had slipped away.

“Ugh! I don’t care anymore!”

I closed the half-packed bag and, as I left the room, heard someone coming up the stairs from below.

It was obvious who it was. Only Daniel, Lord Winchester, and I used the second floor of this house.

I walked quietly but quickly, holding the bag. Just as I caught a glimpse of Lord Winchester’s black hair at the end of the hallway, I quickly opened a door and slipped inside.

“Huh?”

Round eyes looked at me.

“Hmmm…”

The room’s owner glared at me with a very sullen expression.

“Ah, hi, Daniel? Um… can I stay just one more night?”

I asked with a pitiful expression, begging the room’s owner.