Chapter 6
I’m Leaving This House
A soft, bashful smile curved my lips, and the words that any Korean would use when receiving a gift slipped out naturally.
“Where did you find such an elegant gown?”
Oh, perfect. That felt natural.
I felt a quiet satisfaction at my own reaction—it came across better than I had intended. Even in her usual aloof manner, Ellen’s signature haughtiness seemed softened. Compared to the times I’d been thrashing Philip and yelling myself hoarse, this was practically tame.
“……Excuse me?”
Lyla’s delicate eyes widened, her fingers nervously fidgeting. She looked uncertain. It seemed I needed to say one thing more to reassure her.
“Thank you. I’ll wear it with care.”
“……!”
A rosy flush spread across Lyla’s face. She instinctively covered her slightly parted mouth with her hands, and I noticed her eyes glisten with unshed tears.
“M-Madam…”
Her trembling lips curved into a soft, blooming smile, a single tear shimmering in the corner of her eye.
“I’m even happier because you’re pleased.”
She seemed genuinely touched. I took her hand gently in mine.
“You’ve worked hard all this time. From now on, think of it as, ‘I am the lady of this house,’ and make yourself comfortable.”
“Y-Yes, Madam…”
Lyla wiped her eyes with her free hand, pure joy and happiness radiating across her gentle features.
Through her shoulders, I caught sight of Marlboro’s pupils practically quaking. Philip, sitting across from him, and Domingo, standing nearby, mirrored the same reaction.
It made sense—they had never seen this side of Ellen before. I held Lyla’s hand a little tighter.
“If Marlboro acts without sense, don’t hesitate to speak up.”
Of course, it wasn’t often that the male lead acted thoughtlessly toward the heroine. But in the story, there were certainly moments where he was frustrating.
I smiled brightly at Lyla, planting my words like a stake.
“If he gives you trouble, I’ll—bam!”
Marlboro flinched reflexively. My tone wasn’t truly threatening, but the memory of young Marlboro witnessing Ellen’s verbal lashings left its mark.
Each time a whip of words split the air, the child had been terrified, and Ellen had taken great pleasure in it. The reality that she couldn’t really strike him, and only could when alone, left some longing.
If the boy ever bore an actual injury, Philip wouldn’t stand idly by. Naturally, any residual consequences of Ellen’s whims fell on the lowest-ranking maid or servant.
“……Ahem.”
I cleared my throat. Thanks to the past, my words no longer carried a hint of playfulness toward Marlboro.
“You know my temper, don’t you?”
Marlboro’s Adam’s apple bobbed. Lyla, glancing shyly at her stiff, doll-like husband, nodded with a timid smile.
A brief silence settled. Philip’s eyes darted toward Domingo, whose expression was blank, unable to voice how ridiculous my behavior seemed.
“Oh! My apologies, Mistress.”
Domingo snapped to attention and opened Philip’s gift box.
As expected, inside lay another gown identical to mine.
“Hmph!”
Philip coughed, squinted briefly, and hardened his expression.
“Thank you. But there’s something we should tell you.”
He paused, letting his gaze focus on me, then spoke in a calm, measured tone.
“We finalized the divorce papers a week ago.”
“Excuse me?”
Marlboro and Lyla both blinked in surprise. Relief flickered across their faces, too. Even amidst the joy of exchanging gifts, the children had endured Ellen’s torment for long enough. It was natural that surprise and relief would mix.
“Once the consideration period is over, Ellen will be leaving this mansion.”
Philip gave a faint, wry smile—not a smile born of regret, but a subtle bitterness.
“Of course, whether she actually leaves after the period… is uncertain.”
His subtle sadness hinted at a concern I would not remain after the divorce. It left me with nothing to say. He could foresee, with remarkable accuracy, what Ellen would do in the original story.
“So, you won’t be able to wear this gown. Instead, I’ll make sure it’s displayed carefully in the dressing room, as a reminder of your feelings.”
“Yes, Father.”
A faint shadow of disappointment passed over Lyla’s warm expression, but she understood Philip’s reasoning.
“Domingo, make sure all the gowns are displayed properly.”
“Yes, Mistress.”
The main gift—displayed in the dressing room, inaccessible to anyone. Clearly, the story was unfolding as intended.
“Wait, all of them? Even my gown will be displayed?”
Philip’s face conveyed certainty.
“Isn’t that better?”
I raised my voice indignantly, unwilling to lose the gown I had grown fond of.
“I bought this beautiful gown for us to wear, not just to put on display! And why do you get to decide how my belongings are treated?”
Philip’s brows furrowed slightly.
“So, you’d rather wear the matching gowns together?”
“Of course! I plan to wear it and impress Lyla, didn’t I?”
“I have no intention of wearing it myself.”
“It doesn’t matter if you do or not!”
“Regardless, our divorce won’t be reversed.”
“Ha! Who said anything about that? Stop imagining things!”
“Imagining things?”
Ah, in my haste to protect the gown, I’d accidentally used an illogical expression.
“Enough. No more talk. Forget it.”
I extended my hand to Philip.
“If you don’t want to wear it, fine. I’ll take it. I’ll make good use of it.”
“……What?”
“I like this gown very much. With two of them, I can alternate, which is even better.”
“……Weren’t you planning to wear it with me?”
I couldn’t help but scoff. Philip, handsome as he was, I was no longer the old Ellen.
“We’re divorcing. Why would I want that? Stop imagining things…”
I tapped my lips lightly, thinking of a better way to replace that idiom.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself; the gift isn’t yours yet.”
“That’s the idea. I won’t send the invitations before it’s time to ride the carriage.”
Philip looked slightly embarrassed, but he seemed to understand.
“Alright, if you understand, give me yours as well. I’ll take good care of it.”
Philip brushed his neck once, meeting my gaze with clear amethyst eyes that made me pause.
After a moment, he smiled faintly.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
“……”
“I’m very pleased with the children’s gifts as well. It’s just that since I can’t wear them with you, they’ll be displayed.”
I hadn’t expected him to phrase it so quickly. I was momentarily speechless, and he chuckled softly. The warmth of a million blooming roses seemed to fill the air, though I quickly reminded myself: it was probably a smirk.
“Enough staring at my face.”
At that moment, Marlboro spoke cautiously.
“Actually, the matching gowns came in two sets each.”
“Oh?”
He lifted the white wrapping, revealing a second gown beneath.
“Why didn’t you say so earlier?”
I feigned calm but felt my cheeks burn. Next time, I’d refrain from being greedy over others’ belongings. Overreacting to Lyla’s gift like this…
“Well then, Philip, I don’t need yours, do I?”
I gracefully lifted my teacup, as if nothing had happened. Having already welcomed Lyla and displayed uncharacteristic audacity, switching attitudes came easily.
“Just as Philip said, we signed the divorce papers, and in a hundred days, I’ll leave this house for good.”
The faint smile lingering on Philip’s lips vanished. Marlboro, Lyla, and Domingo froze, watching us cautiously.
“Madam, did you just say—?”
I shrugged elegantly.
“Once the consideration period ends, I can leave, can’t I?”
“Did I hear that wrong?”
“Why would you? It’s not unwelcome news for you either, is it?”
Philip’s brows furrowed in suspicion.
“We’re divorcing, so why prolong things here? Honestly, I could leave as soon as tomorrow if I wished.”
I sipped my tea with all the poise I could muster.
“Also, after the divorce, while I may no longer be a countess, please provide a proper house considering my rank as a former duchess’s daughter. Don’t just throw me into a cheap two-story in some alley with shoddy wallpaper.”
“I…”
Philip swallowed, steadied his breath, and asked,
“Have you ever spoken about alimony or the house you’ll receive?”
“No. But I figured you would. Buying a house isn’t a one- or two-day task, so you must have started reviewing options by now.”
“By now, yes… but…”
Philip fell silent, chewing his words.
Ah.
Since he didn’t deny it outright, my deduction seemed correct. He had likely already begun evaluating the house for me—or perhaps even purchased it.
“Maybe he’s reviewing several options or already bought one, waiting for me to choose at the end of the consideration period.”
Philip closed his mouth, and Marlboro forced a smile.
“There’s no way Father would do that, surely.”
“Having caused me so much trouble, wouldn’t he want to? Either way, I’m leaving eventually.”
Having stated what I already suspected, I pressed my request.
“Let me choose the house I’ll live in. And let me use it starting now, even if it’s the one you’ll eventually give me.”
Philip exhaled bitterly but nodded.
“I’ve prepared a few options. Choose whichever suits you best.”
“Thank you.”
Philip’s expression flickered strangely. He seemed to doubt his own eyes at my words. I muttered softly to reassure him:
“Ah, finally free. What a relief.”
I turned and smiled warmly at Marlboro.
“Now you can rest easy.”
“……Yes?”
“I just mean, you’ve worked hard all this time. I sincerely wish you happiness. Live well.”
“T-Thank you.”
Marlboro stammered, bewildered. After enduring endless curses from me growing up, this reversal of attitude was astonishing. Even to me, it was extreme.
But I can’t help it. He won’t harm me, even when he becomes king.
Clutching the gifted gown, I resolved to keep it safe.
“I’ll take my leave now. Spend some quiet time with the children, and you all rest comfortably.”
No sudden intrusion into the newlywed quarters tonight, I promised myself.
The garden today was a living painting.
With a white lace parasol, I strolled through its blooms, wishing I could capture the scene in a photograph titled “A Lady Wandering the Garden in Spring”.
I even imagined myself as that lady. Of course, Ellen was beautiful, but in this moment, it was me, and the thought made me giggle.
A low, soft laugh came from behind.
Turning, I saw Sir Mild’s face bloom with a small, happy smile.
“Sir Mild, is something amusing you?”
Our eyes met, and he quickly composed himself.
“My apologies, Madam.”
“You smiled—now I’m curious. What is it?”
He lowered his gaze and blushed faintly.
“It must be something good. You seem particularly cheerful today.”
I stared at him, wide-eyed. His face was bright red.
Ah, I see.
I bit my lip to suppress a giggle and turned away.
No wonder the shadow knight is so devoted. He celebrates my happiness without even realizing it…
Remembering this, I gripped my parasol firmly. I couldn’t let kind Sir Mild die because of poor choices.
Yes. I must change the future.
For that, Lyla’s tea party today was crucial. I needed to leave a good impression on her and her friends among the roses, raising their favorability toward me.
The party is in the garden… but where exactly?
I rose onto my toes, scanning the garden.
“……?”
Yet no sign of a tea party met my eyes.
“Madam, what are you looking for?”
“I heard Lyla is hosting a tea party today, but I don’t see them…”
“……Yes? Today, the young lady is hosting a tea party?”
“Somewhere in the garden. I thought it would be near the blooming roses, but apparently not.”
“Oh, the maids were quietly preparing for that event.”
His explanation seemed odd.
“Isn’t this a family event? Why doesn’t Sir Mild know?”
“U-Um… well, that is…”
When I asked casually, Sir Mild couldn’t continue, only slightly blushing. Clearly embarrassed.
“Why can’t you answer?”
