Chapter 9
Divorce Is Final
The vagrants began scrambling away in panic. Even those lingering farther down the alley followed suit.
The narrow lane quickly emptied.
From somewhere distant, a frantic voice shouted:
“Run—!”
“Ughhh!”
Wooden bottles clattered noisily as they tumbled across the alley.
“……”
In an instant, the area was safe.
It was reassuring to see security restored, yet there was a strange discomfort in witnessing people flee as if they had encountered a demon.
“Are they running from me?” I asked, suspecting it might be my imagination.
Lord Mild’s answer, however, was something else entirely.
“They should be prostrate on the ground, yet they bolt. Insolent. Shall I capture these filthy creatures and teach them a lesson?”
He spoke as though it were the most natural thing in the world, leaving me momentarily stunned.
“No, I mean—do they even recognize me?”
“Of course. They are your estate’s subjects.”
“Everyone knows my face?”
“You are the lady of the Morris estate, so most do.”
At a five-way intersection, Lord Mild paused, consulting his map before pointing in another direction.
“This way.”
We changed course and walked for another five minutes or so.
“I’m hungry, Mama,” a small voice whined.
A girl of perhaps seven leaned listlessly against her mother, her tone tinged with desperation.
“Look, Mama! The princess in the red dress is passing by!”
The child pointed at me.
“Princess! I’m hungry! Please, even a piece of leftover bread!”
The girl began pleading. Slowly, her mother lifted her head.
“Princess? …Gah!”
Startled, she hastily swallowed her shock and clamped a hand over the child’s mouth.
“Shh! Shh! That is the Countess of Morris!”
Her voice, cracked from weariness, carried the weight of a hard life.
“Huh? I’m hungry… oh?”
The girl’s innocent protest trailed off as realization dawned. Her wide eyes glistened with unshed tears. She had recognized me.
Pale and trembling, the mother prostrated herself immediately.
“My lady, forgive us. Since yesterday, we’ve had nothing to eat, and my child did not recognize a person of your station. I beg your pardon.”
Her voice and body shook uncontrollably.
The child followed suit, bowing in apology.
“My lady, we were wrong. Please forgive us.”
Even a glance told me all I needed to know: almost everyone in this estate knew my face. The child had made a mistake, and both mother and daughter surely felt as if they had stepped on a mine.
‘How cruelly I must have behaved…’
I sighed inwardly. Simply walking past them in silence would already be a mercy.
Yet, the sight of their frail wrists halted me.
“……”
‘The estate’s circumstances are harsh,’ I thought. I could not ignore such thin, vulnerable arms.
I drew a silver coin from my pouch and pressed it into their hands.
“Hurry and eat this before anyone sees.”
The woman’s mouth dropped open at the sight of the coin.
“Pardon?”
“Go and get something to eat.”
“My goodness, thank you! Thank you so much!”
Still trembling, she bowed repeatedly, invoking blessings as they scurried toward the main street.
Once I confirmed they were safely out of the alley, I turned to see a flustered Lord Mild.
“What’s the matter?” I asked.
“……I’ve never seen you give to the poor before,” he admitted.
As if the wicked lady could suddenly become virtuous—it was baffling him.
‘Oh dear.’
Returning to my original character would take time, but this was perhaps too drastic a deviation. Even Lord Mild, a mere extra, appeared disoriented.
Suppressing a smirk, I linked my arms and resumed my “villainess” persona.
“They were blocking my way. I removed them as quickly as possible because I couldn’t stand the sight of them.”
Lord Mild’s eyes widened.
“And you handed them silver coins?”
“It was all I had. What was I supposed to do?”
I rolled my eyes deliberately.
“Hmph. Maybe I should have told you to give that mother and child a proper beating?”
Startled, he immediately bowed.
“No, my lady.”
As with tea-time earlier, he was no villain. He merely obeyed my instructions.
I straightened my posture, bracing my neck.
“Just show me the way.”
“Yes, my lady.”
.
.
.
The house had a green roof, pale mint walls, and doors and windows of oak. Though modest, its freshly painted exterior looked decent, and the interior was clean.
Compared to the Count’s mansion, it was tiny, poorly maintained, and carried the scent of age.
There was little space to store my dresses.
‘They probably had to sell some just to survive.’
Lord Mild looked around, his face betraying his distaste.
“Is this truly one of the residences prepared for you?”
“Apparently so.”
“I cannot believe it. You were always granted unlimited funds by the Count.”
“I don’t plan to stay here, so it doesn’t matter. Worst case…”
A dry laugh escaped me.
“Lord Mild can take the first floor, I’ll take the second. One maid?”
“That’s impossible.”
“Impossible? Why? If Philip insists I live here, then I’ll live here.”
A frown crossed his brow, his voice tinged with displeasure.
“No matter what, you are the daughter of a proud ducal family. It’s unimaginable for such a house to be on the list. Surely the Count would have prepared a different residence for you.”
Reality rarely honors wishes, even in fiction.
“Perhaps they included it for worst-case scenarios…”
“Even in the worst case, you cannot live here.”
Lord Mild’s voice lowered with weight.
“You do not truly intend to divorce the Count, do you?”
“Judging by the papers, apparently I do. Why, do you object?”
Unable to meet my eyes, he flushed slightly.
“My homeland would disapprove of a divorce.”
“And you?”
“It does not concern me. I merely fulfill my duty.”
His loyalty made me smile, reassured.
“Then why the grimace?”
“I do not wish for you to reside in this house.”
“Why not?”
“That is…”
He faltered, clearly troubled.
I pieced it together.
“Oh, after the divorce, will your salary be reduced?”
Then another question arose.
“Wait—whose budget currently pays you?”
“My allowance comes from the Count’s budget allocated to you.”
“So if the budget is cut, what happens to you?”
“Do not concern yourself with that.”
“Excuse me? How can I not care?”
He swallowed hard.
“My salary is unimportant. I am on your side regardless. What concerns me is the quality of life you will have in this house.”
“Why? Afraid I’ll throw tantrums?”
He let out a small sigh.
“I do not wish for you to be unhappy.”
“Did I seem happy in the mansion?”
“……Not exactly.”
“See? That’s why we should focus on living well from now on.”
“Excuse me? Leaving the mansion?”
Lord Mild looked utterly perplexed.
“I’m viewing houses because I intend to move.”
“Really?”
“Otherwise, why would I be here?”
His expression froze.
“You look surprised?”
“Even so… you loved the Count, didn’t you? So I thought you might not really divorce him…”
I shook my hands deliberately, flaunting my resolve.
“Nonsense. The papers are filed. No regrets.”
“……Really?”
His pupils flickered nervously.
“You sent the papers with the cancellation option unchecked?”
“What do you mean? Why would I cancel? The divorce is final. …Let’s go.”
We left the two-story house and returned to the carriage.
Lord Mild didn’t immediately take the driver’s seat. He stood dazed, as if he had seen a ghost.
I suppose the finality of my divorce had shocked him—his position might soon be at risk.
“Do not worry, Lord Mild,” I said, smiling at the bright sky above.
“Even if I sell all my dresses, your salary will not be cut. And you will never have to live in such a house.”
Yet his expression remained unchanged, his hand brushing his chest repeatedly.
“What is it?”
“Nothing… it’s just…”
He swallowed dryly.
“Today, my heart feels… strange.”
“What?”
The knight, who would follow my every command, claimed his heart felt odd on the day of my divorce? Was that why he obeyed without hesitation, knowing his life was at stake?
“If there’s a problem with your heart, you should see a doctor immediately!”
I urged him.
“Lord Mild! Do not hide it! Seek treatment immediately!”
He tried to suppress a smile.
“Why are you smiling?”
A faint blush appeared on his face.
“Your concern honors me. I am well.”
“But you said your heart feels strange. You’re not unwell?”
“……No, I am not ill.”
I was left speechless.
“Then… that’s a relief.”
I pointed toward the city.
“I’d like our future home to be closer to the city center.”
“Our… home?”
“You said you’re not considering retirement or changing jobs, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“Then we live together. It’s our home.”
He finally climbed into the driver’s seat, shoulders relaxed and voice tinged with happiness.
I couldn’t help but smile. Even as a fictional character, his loyalty was remarkable.
‘One faithful knight—he mustn’t be sent to die by evil orders.’
“Then take us to the busiest part of town.”
The carriage moved toward the lively streets. The breeze was refreshing as it swept past.
Shielding myself from the strengthening sunlight with a parasol, I enjoyed the view.
I glimpsed men wearing blue scarves, recalling what I had told the butler Domingo about future events.
‘Today I’ll encounter the robber with the blue mask. Either send a messenger for camellia oil or bring a bodyguard.’
Checking the calendar, today was precisely the day for collecting the reserved camellia oil.
“Lord Mild, do you know where Madame Hades’ boutique is?”
“It’s a little outside the city center.”
“Domingo said we’ll go there today, right?”
“The reservation is around four in the afternoon.”
“You knew that?”
“The maids asked Domingo to pick up a few items from Madame Hades’ boutique.”
“Will a bodyguard come too?”
“I’m not sure about that.”
Better to check in person, gauge the items people like, and ensure precautions.
“Then, after lunch in the city, we can view houses, and around four, visit the boutique.”
“Understood. What would you like for lunch?”
“Find a place with good fish dishes and recommend it.”
At the fork in the road, Lord Mild turned the carriage left.
“Yes, my lady.”
The grilled stonefish course at the restaurant was impressive. Eating it quietly, I felt a surge of gratitude.
Normally, I wouldn’t afford a whole stonefish grilled like this.
“It’s delicious.”
Despite trying to remain quiet, I couldn’t help the exclamation.
“I’m glad you enjoy it,” Lord Mild said, unusually responsive, with a softness like whipped cream.
“Lord Mild, something good happen today?”
“Pardon?”
“You seemed to be smiling quietly earlier… and you’ve seemed unusually cheerful all day.”
His cheeks flushed slightly.
“Ah… what is it? Speak honestly.”
He hesitated, then smiled faintly.
“When you are happy, I am happy as well.”
