Chapter 60

60

Now, he thought it might all have been his misunderstanding. So, he wanted to find out the truth. Just then, Carmen came and confessed, "Actually, I've been continuing the investigation entrusted by my lord and have found some leads."

There was no need to confess, as he already knew. It was written in the diary he had written when he had lost his memory. ...And to some extent, he agreed with himself from when he had lost his memory.

About the suspicion that his aunt, Mrs. Seymour, might have sown discord between him and Lily.

"I think we'll have the results within a week. I've found a clue."

So, he decided to wait. When Carmen's investigation results came out... it would finally be clear that he had misunderstood Lily.

"...No."

Theodor clutched the coin given to him by his brother.

No, perhaps he already knew in his heart.

That Lily was innocent.

There was no need to toss the coin as a habit to test fate. He could no longer deny that her hatred for Everett was genuine. Lily was not on the side of those devils. On the contrary, she had always...

tried to be on his side.

"...But, I."

He had ignored all her sincerity and trampled on her heart.

By a foolish misunderstanding.

"..."

Theodor, with his lips tightly pressed, lowered his head. ...Now he had to find her after reading that letter. But... what if he found her? Could he be forgiven by her?

"...I told you, Theodor. I blame you."

If it had already become irreparable.

Then... what could he do to atone?

"Theo, listen carefully. You mustn't hurt someone's heart. ...Well, sometimes you can't help but hurt someone. Between people... many things don't go as planned. But..."

His brother, who had given him the coin, had a rather serious expression. It was a day when Camille was 20 and he was 19.

"...If you hurt someone, you'll end up hurting just as much later. And someday you might regret it. I'm suddenly saying this because... sigh."

That day, his brother seemed particularly confused. At the time, he found his brother a bit annoying, not knowing what would happen a few days later.

"So, what I'm saying is... um... I don't know! Just keep this coin well! If you ever regret something, look at this coin and remember what I said! Got it?"

He already knew what kind of object the coin was, as his brother had taught him several times.

The result of tossing the coin is determined by fate, and that fate is the will of the gods.

He thought it was all nonsense.

But after his brother passed away, he often consulted the coin out of habit. Somehow, it had become a habit.

Perhaps, he had been soothing his longing for his brother by tossing this coin.

And... only after such a regrettable thing happened.

He remembered what his brother had said when he gave him the coin. It was really too late.

* * *

He threw the divorce papers into the fireplace and burned them with the firewood. Now his resolve was firm.

"I don't want such an ending. Even if you blame me."

His feelings for her, having been denied for so long, were now difficult to clearly define. But it was clear that he couldn't let her go.

If he found her, saw her face, and heard her voice, then he would know for sure. He would know the shape of the emotions he had suppressed for so long, what he truly wanted...

"Let's go."

"Yes!"

Theodor, leading the way, mounted his horse, and the knights followed. It was still early morning, so the trail would still be fresh, making the pursuit not difficult.

But if she had the help of a veteran... it would be a bit more troublesome. Most of the traces would have been erased.

"I have to hurry."

He prepared another investigation team to find out where Lily had been in the meantime, in case he lost the trail.

But that investigation would take at least four days. ...During that time, Lily would have fled far away.

"...No. I can't let it be like this."

He couldn't let her go. Absolutely not.

"Let's go!"

Theodor increased the speed of his horse. The horse he was riding galloped down the road much faster than before. Even amidst this, his monstrous dynamic vision did not miss any of the traces on the road.

...A carriage had left faint traces heading southeast from Veronis. It seemed they had tried to erase the traces by hanging a bag of dirt at the end of the carriage, but they didn't completely succeed.

"If it's southeast... are they planning to take a ship through the Hermann Galaxy to Dornac?"

It seemed likely for several reasons.

Dornac, the territory of the Delacroix family, is located at the southernmost tip of the continent and is a key point for trade.

If she wanted to escape for sure, the best option would be to take a ship from Dornac's port city to the eastern continent. The sea route to the eastern continent can only be used through Dornac's trade city.

"...Really, she must be planning to leave completely."

Thinking this, his blood boiled. He felt heat rising to the top of his head.

If he assumed that he might lose her forever, he couldn't bear it.

...If, even if I go and beg for forgiveness, try to persuade her...

"If it doesn't work..."

"..."

The hand holding the reins tightened involuntarily. Then, could he let her go?

"No."

...Now he understands. Finally, after it has come to this. He had never, not even once, truly wanted to divorce her.

"...I can't let her go. Absolutely, I can't let her go."

I can't accept her leaving my side, even if it's what she truly wants.

* * *

It was very rare for a letter to be delivered early in the morning. Moreover, the recipient was none other than the Lady Albinis, so the young servant tilted his head in curiosity.

"Sender, A. S... Who is this?"

The young servant was curious. He knew that such curiosity could be dangerous, but he couldn't help it.

As he walked, he pondered who A. S. could be. By the time he reached the lady's room, he had given up guessing. He had no idea who it was. Feeling a bit frustrated, the servant took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

Knock knock—

A response came from inside immediately.

"What is it?"

The servant bowed reflexively and replied.

"A letter has just arrived, my lady."

"Is that so? Bring it in."

"Yes."

The servant carefully opened the door and entered. The lady was immediately in his line of sight. She was sitting at a table with the terrace door wide open, enjoying her morning tea.

As the young servant approached with quick steps, she turned and smiled gently. ...Though she looked sweet on the surface, the servant knew from others that he mustn't let his guard down.

Lady Albinis is not what she seems.

Don't be fooled by her sweet facade. If you get cocky because she treats you well, you'll end up with nothing. You must never forget your manners for even a moment.

The young servant kept these points in mind and respectfully greeted the lady.

The lady laughed softly and extended her hand, asking for the letter. The servant quickly handed over the letter he had brought on a silver tray. The lady elegantly reached out and took the letter. Each of her movements was theatrical, yet smooth and natural, without any awkwardness.

The lady smiled more deeply as she confirmed the recipient. The young servant, watching her, felt his curiosity rise again.

Who is A. S., who sent this letter?

"What are you doing? Go on, leave."

"!"

The servant, suddenly coming to his senses, hurriedly bowed. The lady's eyes seemed cold, which was not a misperception. The servant quickly backed away, his heart pounding loudly.

Click—

After the servant left, Adeline Albinis, alone in the room, slowly tore open the envelope.

Given the urgency of the delivery, something must have happened at the Valentina Castle.

She hoped it was news in her favor as she unfolded the letter.

A smile gradually formed on her lips as she read it slowly. After finishing the letter, Adeline couldn't help but laugh out loud.

It seems the world is on my side.

Yes, it should be. It's only fair.

'I've liked Theo for so long...'

Then, one day, Lily Everett suddenly came and tore apart her relationship with Theo.

How dare she, a lowly illegitimate child of the Everett family.

"That position should have been mine."

If it weren't for Lily Everett, she would have married Theo. Even if he didn't have feelings for her, it didn't matter. What mattered was that the position by his side was hers.

But it was absurdly taken by Lily, and she was determined to take it back, by any means necessary.

Adeline stood up and approached the fireplace. She threw the letter into the burning flames and watched it. The letters "A. S." were consumed by the red flames and gradually disappeared.

A. S. was Annabella Seymour.