Chapter 2

I have limited funds.

In that situation, the decision I made was to set out for the neighboring country.

Originally, the territory of the Sinfogia Duke Family, my birthplace, was located along the border with the neighboring country. This was also to serve as a deterrent to the neighboring country.

Now, the relationship with the neighboring country is good, but it was different in the past.

The Sinfogia Duke Family is a lineage of magicians. They have a lot of magical power and many are excellent as magicians.

The current Sinfogia family is no exception.

...Except for me.

I have magical power, but I cannot use magic.

That was me.

There are not a few people like me in the world. So, it should not be a reason to be shunned. But... it was different in the Sinfogia Duke Family.

Father, Mother, my older sister, younger brother, and younger sister—

Everyone was a magician. A family that could handle magic as a matter of course. And me, who couldn't use it.

To them, I was a failure, a blemish they couldn't bear to see.

My bloodline is good.

I have always been told that.

My marriage to my husband was also expected to produce a child with the excellent bloodline of the Wessendera Duke Family and the Sinfogia Duke Family, as I do have magical power.

Fortunately... my daughter was a genius who could use magic at the age of four. I sometimes think that if Laureta couldn't use magic, we might have been able to stay together, but it was good for Laureta that she could use magic. Because if she couldn't, she might have been treated the same way as me.

...It's sad that I can't be with my daughter, but unlike me, Laureta will be cherished in that house.

I'm sure... they will eventually forget about me.

Thinking about this makes me sad... and I feel like crying a little.

"Miss, what's wrong?"

I was on a stagecoach, and an elderly couple sitting in front of me spoke to me. They must have realized I was about to cry.

"I just remembered something sad..."

When I said this, the elderly couple looked at me with pity. They must have understood that I didn't want to talk about it, so they changed the subject.

"By the way, have you heard? It seems the Duke of Wessendera has finally separated from that wicked wife."

...But it was about me.

The rumors about me are all bad.

My husband was a hero to this country. Before our marriage, he achieved a great feat. It was the slaying of a powerful monster. If he hadn't accomplished it, the country would have been in danger.

...When a woman with a bad reputation like me married such a hero, it caused a lot of trouble.

The hero, who was also a feared person, had a sister who was afraid of him, and I married him.

I was called a wicked wife who didn't match such a hero. Even before the marriage, various circumstances had already spread my bad reputation.

"...Yes, I know."

"Indeed, it was just a matter of time before her true nature was revealed. To be divorced for infidelity... "

"The Duke must have suffered a lot to have such a woman as his wife for six years. I hope he finds happiness now."

...The words of the elderly couple left me speechless.

Yes, I am said to have been divorced for infidelity, but I have no idea who it could be.

The followers of my husband, who were around him, must have disliked me. They were determined to get me divorced, judging me and saying whatever they wanted. They saw only the "me" of the rumors, not me myself.

...And so, I was accused of infidelity.

From their perspective, I was just being quiet, and they believed it was only a matter of time before I did something like that, so it was fine to fabricate it. I actually overheard them having such a conversation.

...And to my husband, the words of his subordinates were more believable than mine.

Even though we were married, I didn't have deep conversations with my husband.

To begin with, he had no intention of being involved with me, who had a bad reputation. So, we only had minimal contact.

In that house, only my daughter was dear to me.

The only one who was on my side in my new home.

My beloved daughter who looked up to me.

I am leaving the country for my own future. The rumors about me have spread even to the common people, making it difficult to live in this country. Besides... I have always had a goal.

Because of this situation, I am going to the neighboring country to achieve it.

I might never see my daughter again. That is the only thing that is truly sad. Please, stay healthy and grow up well—.

I made this wish as I set out for the neighboring country.