Chapter 57

57

'This is going to be a hassle.'

I felt somewhat annoyed because I would have to explain the divorce papers when Theodor asked about them. ...But, well... A few words should be enough. After all, it's a divorce he wants too.

I slowly approached him. Theodor, who had been staring intently at the white paper, lifted his gaze. His blue eyes were quite fierce and cold.

"...What is this?"

He flipped the paper over to show me the side with writing and asked. I blinked slowly and replied matter-of-factly.

"It's the divorce papers. As you can see."

"...Divorce papers, you say."

"Yes, I prepared them in advance so you wouldn't be bothered. I've already signed, so now it's just your turn."

"...Ha..."

Theodor rolled his eyes and laughed lowly, a reaction of disbelief.

I frowned, unable to understand him. Wasn't he the one who wanted the divorce more than anyone? Why did he look so dissatisfied...

"Is this your way of being considerate? Preparing the divorce papers in advance?"

"In a way, yes."

"Considerate? You must really want to divorce me. To prepare such papers without even discussing it."

"You were the one who wanted the divorce, right? I don't understand why you're angry."

"You say I'm angry? I'm just flabbergasted. This is something you did on your own, isn't it?"

"You've done things on your own too, so why can't I? Besides, we were going to divorce anyway. It would be easier and simpler for you to just sign the papers. Why are you flabbergasted?"

Theodor sneered loudly, looking as if he could burn me with his gaze. It felt like a gaze that could scorch. But I didn't back down and said,

"Actually, this is perfect."

"...Perfect?"

"Yes, sign the papers. I'll give you the other two pages, and sign those too."

"..."

He clenched the paper tightly. It seemed like it might crumple or tear. He glared at me, speaking each word as if chewing on them.

"You..."

"..."

"Didn't you have feelings for me?"

"..."

...I was momentarily stunned, unable to think of anything.

What's the point of asking such a question? If you had feelings for me, why are you trying to divorce me?

"..."

This time, I laughed, finding it absurd. So, you want me to beg you not to divorce me?

What do you think I am? Do you think I should continue to yearn for you even after you've hurt me so much? Like a loyal dog that remains faithful even when abandoned by its owner?

It's the worst.

I never imagined I would feel so dirty. How can you even mention my feelings? Do you really not care at all about my feelings? Not even a speck... Are you not at all sorry to me?

I am not a wooden doll that won't bleed even if you stab it. I am a human being.

Can you really not even consider that I might be hurt by your words, your gaze, your actions?

"...I told you, Theodor."

"..."

He flinched when I called him by his name and stared at me with a dazed look. Calling him by his name was not a sign of familiarity. It was a protest, a statement that we are equal individuals.

"I resent you."

"..."

"I am... not someone you can hurt and treat however you want."

I snatched the divorce papers from him as he stood there in a daze. Then, turning my back, I said,

"I'll bring the divorce papers later. Please leave now."

I walked to the desk and placed the papers down, standing still. I didn't even turn back, not even by mistake.

After a while, the sound of soft footsteps was followed by the door closing. Only then did I let out a sigh I had been holding and turned to look at the door.

There was no trace of Theodor left in that spot.

* * *

"Divorce papers, you say?"

"...Yeah."

When Theodor came with a complicated expression and told him the story, Calvin put the candy he was about to eat back in the wrapper.

He couldn't make the sound of rolling the candy in his mouth because Theodor's mood was far from light. Calvin clicked his tongue and thought,

'Tsk, I knew they would fight.'

He could roughly guess what kind of argument had taken place. Theodor, with his temper, wouldn't have backed down easily... But he looked strangely dejected. What could he have heard?

Calvin thought for a moment and then probed,

"You... did you get angry at her first? Did you ask her why she prepared the divorce papers?"

"..."

Seeing him nod silently, Calvin shook his head.

Theodor Valentine may seem perfect on the surface, but he actually works hard and is quite awkward in human relationships.

Especially with people who have a significant impact on him.

'When he lost his memory, he... just pushed through.'

When Theodor lost his memory, he seemed unable to control his emotions. But now... something must have gone wrong, leading to misunderstandings or a complicated relationship.

'If only it were that simple. Why does he have to think so much?'

But Calvin had known Theodor's personality for a long time. Being sensitive and sharp means being cautious, but it also means tiring others and himself.

Calvin took a new candy from the glass jar and threw it to Theodor. Theodor, who had been dazed, caught it and blinked at the candy in his palm. Calvin put his own candy in his mouth and said,

"Have some candy."

"..."

"You need to recharge when you're down."

"...Do I look that down?"

"Yeah, really down."

"..."

Tsk, Calvin clicked his tongue again. Theodor just stared at the candy without putting it in his mouth. Calvin hesitated, about to ask him to give it back if he wasn't going to eat it. ...Then he noticed the candy was the same light green as the lady's eyes.

'Ha...'

Calvin grabbed the back of his neck, feeling exasperated. He chewed the candy in his mouth and rolled his eyes.

Really, I want to stay out of this couple's private life.

But as a childhood friend, he couldn't ignore it. The kid had nowhere else to turn and always came to him...

"..."

'...Still, divorce papers...'

Calvin, who had been melting the broken candy, frowned. The lady he remembered seemed rather powerless. She might not have the energy to prepare divorce papers...

'She's not the type to just sit around.'

The fact that she argued with Theodor suggests she's not as passive as she seems. Plus, there's that maid, Charlotte. Despite her young age, she's sharp and good at dealing with people, a useful helper to the lady.

Thinking about this, a hypothesis popped into Calvin's mind.

...Could she be planning to run away?

"..."

No, that's unlikely...

'A weak person...'

...But it's not impossible. Preparing the divorce papers in advance to speed up the process is a typical pattern for a lady planning to run away.

If a lady runs away, the fiefdom will be in an uproar, and the news will spread throughout the kingdom, especially for a family like the Valentines.

So the spouse would want to quickly go through the divorce process and draw a line, saying, "This person no longer belongs to our family."

Regardless of the reason for running away, the family would shift all the blame to the lady to protect their status.

After that, they would usually make a show of searching for the runaway lady, claiming they would hold her accountable for the damage to the family.

But they rarely actually catch her. A trial could ensue, involving the lady's family, and it would get complicated. No one wants to suffer losses. The lady's family could sue, claiming the fault lies with the husband.

'Especially the Everett family...'

Therefore, preparing the signed divorce papers in advance could be a wise choice for the lady.

...Whether she really plans to run away or not.

'...Come to think of it, she has been going out more frequently recently.'

That was strange. A weak person going out so often?

'Hmm...'

Calvin, chin in hand, fell into thought. The candy in his mouth had already melted away.

'Should I warn Theodor...?'