Chapter 04

She didn’t read newspapers. Even when someone brought one to her, she deliberately declined.

But somehow, no matter what was being said, a newspaper was always placed on the table.

And so Elsie could never completely avoid the news the newspapers carried.

…In the past, Elsie Lesles had received invitations from famous artists and attracted attention as a promising newcomer who was expected to bring a fresh wave of change to the art world…

…Taking advantage of her father’s authority as a count, she held solo exhibitions more easily than anyone else…

…Her artistic abilities had a tendency to be excessively exaggerated…

…Elsie Lesles, who attended the opening ceremony of the National Museum, became nauseated while looking at a painting depicting a historical moment and vomited…

…The painting she had evaluated just before becoming sick depicted a poorly dressed laborer entering an aristocrat’s mansion, staring at its extravagant interior in despair and surprise…

Strangely enough, she no longer felt offended.

She simply thought, So that’s how it is.

Come to think of it, the artists who had shown interest in her hadn’t actually liked Elsie Lesles’s paintings. What mattered to them was her father’s status.

She had freely purchased and used paint tubes that other people couldn’t even obtain immediately. Whenever she heard that an apprentice at some studio had developed beautiful, high-quality paints, she would track them down and spend a fortune to acquire them.

She had even hired expensive private tutors to teach her art, something quite uncommon for a woman.

Hadn’t she enjoyed all those privileges simply because she was the daughter of Count Lesles?

Thinking about it that way, she eventually reached the conclusion that everything the newspapers were saying was true.

And so, she no longer felt hurt or angry.

She was simply dazed.

I’m sleepy…

Then, as though her energy had suddenly been cut off, an overwhelming wave of drowsiness washed over her.

When Elsie collapsed onto the newspaper, the pages rustled and crumpled mercilessly beneath her.

With her face buried against the table, she fell into a deep, undignified sleep.

Kaiden glanced at the newspaper prominently placed on his desk.

How many pages had they devoted to mocking Elsie? Everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time, chattering away about all sorts of things.

“Master, forgive me for speaking out of turn, but I don’t think this is right. I am concerned, and I cannot help but say something.”

Jasper Robert spoke as he handed Kaiden various reports.

“I cannot help but consider the reputation of the family.”

Seeing that Kaiden remained silent, Jasper continued, seemingly unable to contain himself any longer.

“…The reputation of the family, you say.”

Kaiden’s brows drew together.

The reputation of the family? In this day and age, that was an utterly ridiculous expression.

“I-I apologize. I spoke carelessly.”

As the atmosphere turned cold, Jasper quickly apologized.

“If you understand, that’s enough. Be more careful from now on.”

“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”

Kaiden sighed and placed his pen into its holder.

It wasn’t just Jasper. Everyone around him had been voicing their complaints about Elsie.

Since Kaiden had taken no action, there were even people who went so far as to pound their chests in frustration while confronting him about it.

“I’m sorry, but I’ll leave the cleanup to you.”

“Not at all. Also, the asset investigation concerning the Lesles estate, which you mentioned previously, has been completed. Would you like to review it?”

“Sell everything. And donate the proceeds.”

“Understood. Ah, and regarding this section…”

Jasper pointed to a separate inventory listing Elsie’s personal belongings.

“Have Elsie confirm it before you handle anything, even if it’s just a formality.”

“Understood. And by handling it, would you permit me, if I may be so bold, to take care of the matter appropriately at my own discretion?”

“Yes.”

Kaiden frowned.

He didn’t have the time to concern himself with every single item of Elsie’s belongings remaining in the Lesles estate.

At his decisive answer, Jasper nodded.

Come to think of it, Elsie…

“Since she’s on my mind, I might as well go see her. I’ll deal with the rest when I return.”

“Ah, yes. Understood.”

Jasper lowered his head with a slightly uneasy expression.

Leaving Jasper behind, Kaiden walked out of the room.

Kaiden strode forward without hesitation until he came to a sudden stop in front of Elsie’s bedroom.

How long had it been since he had visited her before sunset?

Knock, knock.

He knocked neatly on the door.

But there was no response.

He knocked once again. Yet this time, too, not a sound came from inside.

Did she go out again for some pointless reason?

His brows furrowed.

Elsie clearly hadn’t been able to forget the days of the monarchy.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t go on unnecessary strolls, dragging servants around behind her just to indulge in an extravagant hobby like painting.

The world was moving at a frantic pace to correct the misguided practices of the old era.

There were hundreds of issues being discussed at the Strategic Bureau and the strategic planning meetings established to shape the republic’s future. No, there were thousands.

While some people were struggling with the overwhelming workload pouring in day after day, the daughter of Count Lesles, a symbol of the fallen monarchy, was leisurely wandering around and enjoying the sunshine.

The thought made his insides twist.

Kaiden stopped knocking. Instead, he roughly turned the doorknob and pushed the door open.

There was no sign of anyone in the sitting room just beyond the entrance.

Where was Elsie?

The bedroom? Or the small study attached to it?

“Elsie Gray.”

The answer was the study.

More specifically, the table in the middle of the study.

“Ha…”

An incredulous sigh escaped him involuntarily.

Looking down at Elsie, who was sleeping with her face buried on the table, Kaiden pressed a hand to his forehead.

He had heard enough complaints from the servants to make his ears bleed about how terribly she behaved. But he hadn’t expected her to actually be like this.

She was sprawled out as though she had not a care in the world.

What am I supposed to do with you?

Should he wake her up or not?

Kaiden approached Elsie. His hand moved toward her flushed cheek, stopping just in front of her nose before retreating.

He wondered what he should say if he woke her.

The only words that would come out of his mouth right now were sarcastic remarks.

It seemed that the characteristic laziness of aristocrats had become deeply ingrained in her.

He was almost ashamed that he had once harbored feelings for her, even if only for a brief moment.

“Damn it.”

Kaiden let out another deep sigh.

In a way, perhaps Elsie hadn’t changed at all.

And that unchanging nature was precisely what made things so troublesome.

Was she eleven at the time, or twelve?

Around that age, the little young lady of House Lesles whom he had met had been like sunshine.

A pure, clear child who seemed perfectly suited to the blue sky.

Elsie’s green eyes, which held the freshness of lush greenery, were like precious jewels. The girl who carried nature in her eyes loved nature with all her heart.

And the shabby little boy had looked at that girl…

He had no idea why that particular moment had come back to him.

Just as he had in those childhood days, Kaiden reached out once again and rested the back of his hand against Elsie’s cheek.

Her cheek twitched.

At the slight movement, which made it seem as though she might open her eyes at any moment, he hesitated and took half a step backward.

Soon, Elsie’s eyes, which had lost their light as though she were about to lose consciousness, slowly opened.

A dark-haired man was reflected in her green eyes.

The corners of her lips curled upward.

A hint of laughter appeared on her slightly parted lips.

But then, like a candle suddenly extinguished by someone blowing on it, every trace of expression vanished from Elsie’s face in an instant.

“…Eden.”

Having returned to reality, she blinked several times.

Eden.

It was the affectionate nickname Elsie had given him.

In this entire world, she was the only person who called Kaiden that.

“I was tired… so I ended up falling asleep.”

She straightened her disheveled back and began stammering out excuses.

“You’re still the same.”

Kaiden sneered at her.

“Lately, I’ve suddenly been getting so sleepy. That’s why.”

“You must have been resting comfortably without knowing anything about what’s going on.”

While everyone else was struggling desperately to build a better country…

Elsie’s green eyes trembled slightly. Her reddish hair seemed to tremble along with them.

Her astonishingly carefree attitude irritated him, making Kaiden’s tone even sharper.

“It’s not like that. I haven’t been feeling well lately. I’ve been sleeping much more than usual.”

Whenever she felt like going out, she could simply gather people and take a stroll.

She spent her days leisurely enjoying herself inside her room, doing nothing.

And now she was claiming she wasn’t feeling well? And what was that about sleeping more?

As an expression of utter disbelief appeared in Kaiden’s eyes, Elsie’s cheeks began to tremble.

“You come up with excuses that aren’t even worth listening to. It’s so ridiculous that I almost feel like laughing.”

“I just…”

She drew in a breath.

Strangely, once the air entered her lungs, she couldn’t seem to let it out again.

Barely suppressing the nauseating emotions rising inside her, she stared silently at Kaiden.

When she had asked him for a divorce last time, he had refused.

So why was he treating her so cruelly?

Kaiden hadn’t been like this when they were children. No, he hadn’t been like this before or after their marriage, either.

“Are you going to marry Professor Eleanor Underwood?”

Elsie glared at him and asked sharply.

“…What?”

“The newspapers said so. And I also saw you taking a walk in the garden together.”

“Ha. So now you’re going around digging into my private affairs? Just like that damned Count Lesles used to do?”

She had no idea why her father’s name had suddenly come up.

Taken aback by his reaction, Elsie bit down firmly on her lower lip.

“That’s not what happened. Someone left a newspaper on the table, so I read it. And I saw you taking a walk while I was painting.”

“Typical of a count’s daughter with nothing better to do.”

His response was condescending, as though he were mocking her.

She no longer had any desire to continue the conversation.

Elsie glared at Kaiden, while he returned her gaze with an irritated expression.

“…Please divorce me.”

After an uncomfortable silence, a conclusion that seemed completely disconnected from the flow of their conversation slipped out.