"...Huh?"
Mina's eyes widened as she looked over my shoulder without thinking.
When I turned my head to follow her gaze, my eyes immediately met the blue gaze watching me.
"...Cedric?"
At his sudden appearance, Mina hurriedly lowered her head and retreated to a respectful distance. Even though she was looking at Cedric with awe in her eyes, she didn't dare speak to him directly.
Of course, it might be because he's the head of the mixed-blood demons...
Cedric's presence was overwhelming.
I nodded slowly and looked up at Cedric again. He was wearing a wine-colored velvet coat and holding a document envelope in one hand. Behind him, a carriage slowly passed by.
It looks like he's on his way back.
But why did he bother to stop?
"Why did you pass by without saying hello?"
Cedric still didn't greet me—he just quietly looked down at me. With the languid afternoon sunlight behind him, I looked up at him and suddenly thought:
Now that I think about it, is this the first time I've met Cedric in the middle of the day?
Elegant light and shadow played across his sharp eyes and high nose bridge. Because of that, Cedric's unique languid yet intense aura became even more attractive.
We just looked at each other for a while. Feeling awkward due to the excessively long silence, I was the first to speak.
"It looks like you had plans this morning."
Cedric's eyebrows—still fixed on me—arched high. He looked as if he'd been swept away by a wave of thoughts and had only just returned to reality.
"There was a meeting at the imperial palace."
"I see."
"...I thought you would have researched my schedule in advance. Didn't you?"
His words reminded me of the task list that appeared on my nightstand every morning.
I was wondering why there were so many documents when the Grand Duchess had no actual duties.
It seemed everything except the first page had been a list of Cedric's work. That was impressive, Rebecca.
Surprised once again by her obsession, I let out a deep sigh.
"I'll tell the person in charge not to do that anymore. I haven't looked at the schedule list lately, so I forgot to give instructions."
"You don't look at the schedule list?"
Though I'd said it as an excuse, Cedric asked back with an expression of disbelief. Oh, no matter what, I'm still the Grand Duchess, right?
I quickly waved my hand.
"It's not that I don't look at it—I just skim it. Honestly, just between us... I don't really have a schedule."
"......"
"And if I'm not even checking my own schedule, there's no reason to keep track of yours anymore either."
Cedric slowly nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"...Probably not. Since you no longer have any affection left."
I couldn't believe my ears, but I quickly convinced myself I must have misheard. He must have said "no reason to track my schedule." Not only was it because Cedric spoke softly, as if reciting to himself—there was no way Cedric, who always maintained a businesslike and cool demeanor toward me, would say something like that.
"That's right. There's none left at all."
At my words, Cedric's blue gaze fell on my face again. He lingered for a moment, then took a long breath and looked over my shoulder, as if trying to clear his mind.
"Were you coming from the Mansion of Darkness?"
"Yes. I'll be staying there for the next six months, so I thought I should look around in advance."
Of course, Mina was already standing at a distance so as not to disturb the conversation between the Grand Duke and his wife. Still, I avoided mentioning the word "divorce" just in case.
Even so, there was no way he didn't understand what I meant—but for some reason, Cedric looked a little confused.
Did he really not understand?
I stepped a little closer to Cedric, covered my mouth with my hand, and whispered softly.
"We'll sign the divorce papers tomorrow."
However, Cedric just quietly looked down at my lips as they formed the word divorce.
"...It looks like you've really made up your mind."
"Of course. I told you not to worry. I'll leave for the Mansion of Darkness immediately so you'll never have to see my face again."
"......"
"It will be completely settled tomorrow. Just as you've always wanted."
And just as I wanted.
Since one death flag would be cleared tomorrow, I raised the corners of my mouth in a relieved smile.
Cedric, watching me like that, blinked with a subtle expression. Then he looked down at the document envelope in his hand and muttered lowly.
"Just as I wanted..."
I was sure he was still doubting my sincerity. I opened my mouth again to convince him.
"As promised, let's meet at the glass garden tomorrow at 3 p.m. Don't forget to bring the divorce papers, just in case."
At my calm words, a small ripple appeared in Cedric's blue eyes.
The next day.
For some reason, the maids dressing me were busier than usual. It was like watching beauty salon employees carefully decorating a customer who'd been invited to her ex-boyfriend's wedding. I was secretly worried that someone might have found out I was divorcing Cedric.
But Cedric is so thorough.
There was absolutely no way he'd let the divorce fail because of a breach in secrecy. I thought about telling the maids to tone it down, but I quickly stopped myself. What day was today?
It was a festive day for me—not only was a death flag disappearing, but I'd also been promised a huge amount of alimony.
Well then. On a day like this, I should enjoy being dressed extravagantly.
I was thinking about having a champagne toast when I got back when the long period of preparation finally came to an end. I now wore pink diamond earrings that matched my red hair perfectly. As I admired my beautiful appearance in front of the mirror, Mina came into the dressing room.
"Your Highness, the reception room is perfectly prepared."
As usual, Mina's face was very flushed, as if she'd worked particularly hard today.
"Thank you. You worked hard."
The eyes of the maids around me widened at my casual words. It was as if they couldn't believe that the mad dog Rebecca would say such a thing to a mere maid.
Mina smiled shyly.
"See? Didn't I tell you?"
She looked at the maids with a triumphant expression. I smiled at Mina, then walked up to her and whispered softly.
"I think I'll go for a walk for a while."
"Now...? You'd like to take a walk?"
Mina tilted her head with an uncertain expression. Then, meeting my direct gaze, she continued.
"Then I'll prepare for you to leave right away."
"No, I'm going alone today."
I was planning to head to the glass garden, pretending to go for a walk. The divorce had to be kept completely secret for the time being, so no matter how much I trusted Mina, I couldn't bring her along.
When I checked the grandfather clock in the corner of the dressing room, it was already thirty minutes before the appointed time.
It's better to arrive a little early anyway!
As I left the dressing room and reached the central staircase, Mina followed behind me with a worried expression.
"Your Highness, really... you'll be back soon, right?"
Mina's overly anxious reaction was a little strange, but I just brushed it off.
"Don't worry. I'll finish perfectly and come back soon."
I patted Mina's shoulder and walked down the stairs with a brisk stride.
The glass garden—our meeting place—was behind the twin mansions. Due to the cold northern climate, plants and flowers sensitive to the chill were tended in glass conservatories.
I walked along the brick road between the Mansion of Light and the Mansion of Darkness for some time. The brick path soon gave way to a forested trail, and I arrived at the garden at the very back of the castle. A large statue in the center of the forest garden came into view.
It's the famous twin statue.
The twin brothers were the progenitors of not only the Twins family but also all mixed-blood demons. This statue had been erected to commemorate them. The twins in the statue each stretched their fingers in the direction of the Mansion of Light and the Mansion of Darkness. Seeing a statue I'd only read about in the novel in real life—
The moment I stopped in amazement and looked up at the bronze statue—
"Are you going to curse it again?"
A charming bass voice came from behind me. When I turned my head, I immediately made eye contact with Cedric, who was watching me.
I couldn't even hear his footsteps... When did he appear?
As I was thinking that, Cedric's steps slowly brought him to my side.
"Why would I curse a statue?"
I scolded him with a slight glare, and one corner of Cedric's mouth curved upward.
"But you didn't just curse it. You also poured alcohol on it."
"Alcohol?"
"The night you came into my bedroom drunk about three years ago. The day you got angry and ran away when I refused you."
"......"
"You're acting like someone who can't remember again. Or did you think I wouldn't know if you did it secretly at night?"
I bit my lip and slowly closed my eyes.
Rebecca, you did something like that...
Even as a mixed-blood demon, I really think he would have wanted to kill you...
Pouring alcohol—along with curses—on the statue of a family's ancestor. A nation's ancestor.
Even though I hadn't done it, my face felt hot.
"For a while, I had a hard time pretending not to notice the vassals going on a rampage, demanding we find the culprit."
I felt my head pounding and let out a long sigh.
"That will never happen again. Especially the part about showing up in your bedroom drunk."
As I spoke through gritted teeth, I heard a low laugh.
"That would be wise. After the divorce, there's no reason for me to cover up your faults anymore..."
"Shh! We agreed to keep it a secret!"
I hastily covered Cedric's mouth with my palm. I gave him a warning look for only a moment before I realized the distance between us was far too close. And that the soft, gentle sensation brushing against my palm was Cedric's lips.
"Ah..."
The wind blew through the dense trees, carrying the clear sound of birdsong. The fresh scent of the forest surrounded us. Standing on a quiet path leading into the vast woods, we looked closely into each other's eyes. Our eye contact continued for a long time, and neither of us looked away.
Eventually, I could feel Cedric's breath—and its warmth—between my fingers once more.
Ah... Cedric must be displeased, but I was too absorbed in the moment.
Normally, Cedric would have already roughly pulled my hand away and scolded me coldly. But why...?
It was in that moment—as faint curiosity began to bloom—
"Rebecca."
His lips moved softly, brushing my palm. His indifferent yet captivating gaze was still fixed on me. And then a very polite yet soft question—uncharacteristic of Cedric—followed.
"Are you going to let me go now?"