Karia spoke so lightly that one might doubt she even said something as grave as “I could’ve died.” Without pretending to even glance at the Grand Duke’s expression, she continued her long story.
“But when I woke up, I was lying alone in the room. If I hadn’t opened my eyes at that moment and stopped breathing, I would’ve died in such a lonely, desolate way.”
“……”
“That made me start to wonder. Why do I have to stay here…? If I’m destined to be alone no matter where I am, shouldn’t I at least be somewhere I feel comfortable?”
—“You’re saying you’re destined to be alone.”
“So, I’m going to divorce Duke Pandeon.”
Karia spoke with as little emotion as possible to convey her intentions. She didn’t want to plead to a man she was seeing for the first time in years, but high-ranking nobles needed imperial permission to divorce. She had no other choice.
The emperor disliked Karia, considering her a stain on his beloved younger brother’s honor. Without the Grand Duke’s involvement, the emperor wouldn’t even read her petition.
“You return after six years just to ask for a divorce?”
“Rather than asking…”
Seeing the Grand Duke’s otherwise expressionless face twist into a grimace, Karia tapped the sofa’s armrest with her fingers—tap, tap.
How could she explain this? Karia leaned back into the sofa, her expression complicated. She hadn’t planned to bother him for long.
“I’ll handle everything myself. Your Highness only needs to sign the divorce agreement.”
“What?”
“Let’s be honest—nothing I ever asked of you has worked out, has it?”
When she first arrived in the capital, leaving the mountain village where she was raised by her mother, Karia was dumped into the Grand Duke’s estate without explanation.
Her mother, leaving Karia in a room larger than their entire home, simply told her to wait quietly—and never returned.
After that, Karia lived with a father who hadn’t even known of her existence—and his family.
“Father, the maids are bullying me! They bring cold water for my bath and give me leftovers! I’m struggling!”
Though the estate was full of people, most disliked her. The servants, proud of serving royalty, resented having to tend to her.
And what could a young girl do against adults who shunned her together? Naturally, she turned to the only person who might accept her—her “father.”
“Steward. Take care of it.”
But the Grand Duke never personally got involved. Whenever Karia complained, he would simply tell the steward—right in front of her—to handle it. The steward would step in, and the problem would seem resolved… for a while.
But he, too, hated the illegitimate stain on the family, and over time, the bullying would return—more subtle, more petty, and more calculated than before.
“Father, the knight captain’s son called me a lowborn and pulled my hair! I was so scared—please help me!”
“Steward.”
“Father, my tutor keeps finding faults and punishing me! Help me!”
“Steward.”
No matter how many times she sought his help, nothing changed. In that house, where no one took her side, Karia grew quiet, distant. She gave up on her studies and spent most of her time holed up in her room, doing nothing.
From the father she once relied on, she learned only resignation and how to give up.
“You—what did you say?”
“I haven’t finished talking to Duke Pandeon yet, but I thought Your Highness should know. Don’t worry. I won’t bother you. Just please don’t get in my way.”
This wasn’t sarcasm—it was sincerity. After all, the Grand Duke had lost in this marriage, too.
He had paid a massive dowry of two million gold, sent resources every winter, and even lent the prestige of his name to Duke Pandeon.
And all he got in return was getting rid of Karia like a burden.
“Oh, and don’t worry. I won’t come back here after the divorce. I’ll find a quiet house and live on my own.”
So she thought this was a perfectly reasonable offer for the Grand Duke as well. But he flared up the moment she finished.
“You want a divorce over something so trivial? I cannot allow it! I’ve already tainted the royal family’s honor by accepting you once! I won’t do it again!”
“Honor? That’s your reason for saying no?”
“How will you live alone? With what strength?!”
The Grand Duke yelled, then paused, realizing he had lost control. He was shocked by his own reaction, but Karia showed no sign of fear or surprise.
Her expression remained calm, like a still lake. Yet in her eyes, a fire burned that was equal to—if not greater than—his.
“You’re afraid I’ll come begging for help again. Like I did the day I first came to this castle.”
“You, what are you—”
“I won’t ask for anything. I swear. And dishonor… well, endure it for once. After all, none of this was my fault to begin with.”
With a voice like ice, Karia finished speaking and stood up. Her footsteps were angry, but the way she opened and closed the door was calm as ever. She didn’t bow. And the Grand Duke didn’t call her back.
‘—Your Highness.’
Yes, that’s why she always felt so distant. Karia no longer called him “father.”
He covered his tired face with a bony, dry hand. The Grand Duke knew now—there wasn’t a shred of trust in his daughter’s eyes.
‘That can’t be everything she’s been through.’
He had assumed she was doing fine. She never liked going out, and Duke Pandeon never complained. He had sent her off with a huge sum of money—surely she wasn’t suffering.
In truth, part of him had felt at ease. Karia always caused problems in the household, and when she looked dejected, it made him feel guilty. So when she stopped being visible, life became simpler.
“Damn it.”
What happened to her while he lived so comfortably?
He stood and picked up a letterhead. He had avoided corresponding with Duke Pandeon to avoid seeming meddlesome. But if that once-gentle girl had changed this much, something serious must’ve happened.
“…I didn’t even ask if she’s well.”
He remembered how thin she had looked and held his forehead. But the daughter he wanted to ask was already gone.
—
* * *
“Leaving already?”
Frustrated by the Grand Duke’s uncooperative attitude, Karia ran into Alcard in the hallway, dressed in just a shirt and pants.
Despite years of sword training, he wasn’t tired of it. A worn steel sword was in his hand, and sweat dampened his clothes. Karia turned her head sharply. She had nothing to say to him.
“It’s late. Why not stay the night?”
“No thanks. Not like anyone would be glad to have me.”
“Don’t say that.”
But even as she walked off mid-conversation, Alcard easily caught up with her and blocked her path with his large frame.
“This is your home. Even if you’re married, that hasn’t changed.”
Had she heard it earlier, it might’ve been touching. But at this moment, it only irritated her more.
Did this man really not know that even before her marriage, this castle was a prison, not a home?
“If you must go, at least let me—”
“Karia?”
Alcard’s offer to escort her was interrupted by a new voice. They both turned to see a middle-aged noblewoman, looking frail.
“Have you been well, Your Grace?”
“Yes, it’s been a while. When did you arrive? If only you’d sent word, we could have prepared…”
“I only stopped by briefly. I’ll be leaving soon.”
“At this hour?”
The relationship between the Grand Duchess and Karia was hard to define. When Karia first arrived, the Grand Duchess was furious, often fighting with the Grand Duke and even collapsing a few times.
- But she never lashed out directly at Karia, nor did she order anyone to mistreat her. Still, she never cared for her either. It seemed she was simply uncomfortable around Karia.
Karia felt the same. They kept their distance, exchanged greetings if they crossed paths—and that was it.
“It’s late. You should stay the night.”
“No, thank you. I have something important tomorrow. I must go.”
“…Is it because of me?”
At her
question, Karia slowly lifted her head. She couldn’t understand what answer the Grand Duchess was hoping for.
