“What are you doing here?”
Contrary to my relief, a harsh tone escaped my lips. I didn’t even realize I was startled myself, but I found her annoying—so carefree, picking up seashells as if nothing had happened.
Etricia lifted a smooth, white seashell in her hand and smiled brightly.
“I thought Lilien would like it. I was collecting a few.”
Indeed, several seashells were already gathered in the bonnet she held in her other hand.
“Is that why you suddenly sat down?”
“Oh, were you watching me?”
Etricia’s eyes widened. He averted his gaze awkwardly and replied.
“…By chance.”
Fortunately, Etricia didn’t press further. She simply gave a faint smile. She was perceptive—whenever she noticed someone feeling uncomfortable, she never pried.
As she stood up, she transferred the seashells from her bonnet to her hands.
“You came to see Lilien, didn’t you? Just so you know, she went to the villa to change her shoes.”
Pointing in the direction Lilien had gone, her profile was bathed in the warm hues of the sunset as she smiled.
Edmund had rushed over, thinking she had collapsed. He almost admitted it but felt embarrassed and swallowed his words.
At that moment, Etricia started walking toward the sea.
Naturally following her, Edmund caught a glimpse of her face as she recalled something, her expression tinged with a bitter smile.
Facing the sea, where the crimson light shimmered, she spoke after a short pause.
“I read the letter my father left yesterday.”
I know. Your sister sent me because she was worried about you. Once again, Edmund furrowed his brows slightly but held his tongue.
“And it just so happens that my father wrote that note right here. Strangely, I started crying when I saw it.”
Etricia lifted the corners of her lips into a sorrowful smile.
Edmund hesitated, about to offer words of comfort, but then closed his mouth. He was cautious, afraid that careless words might hurt her.
“I see.”
After that brief response, silence settled between them.
Edmund quietly stole glances at her profile as she gazed at the horizon.
Then, as the waves crashed against the shore, Etricia suddenly spoke.
“Doesn’t it make you want to jump in when you look at it?”
Of course, I wouldn’t actually do it. Her last words were drowned by the sound of the waves.
“It’s just so beautiful, don’t you think?”
Etricia grinned as she looked up at Edmund, only to widen her eyes in surprise. The golden eyes that met hers trembled with shock.
It was the first time she had seen Edmund visibly shaken, and it caught her off guard as well.
“…I’m joking. I wouldn’t really jump in.”
Just… the moment you dive in, the salty seawater would take your breath away. But from afar, it looks so mesmerizing that it feels almost enchanting.
Staring at the sharp boundary between the blue sea and the horizon, all other sounds faded, and her vision narrowed. In those moments, even though she disliked seawater, she had an inexplicable urge to throw herself in.
Drifting or sinking into the depths—she knew what lay ahead, yet the sight of the bluish waters blending into the sunset, shimmering in shades of orange and pink, was simply breathtaking.
That’s all she meant.
As she tucked her wind-blown hair behind her ear, she let out an awkward laugh.
Just then, her grip on the bonnet loosened, and it fluttered away with the wind.
Ah. Etricia reached out in dismay, but Edmund casually caught it just as it brushed past his face.
Their hands ended up holding the bonnet at the same time, and their eyes met. The sudden closeness startled them both, their eyes widening in unison. Their irises, each a different shade, were tinged red by the setting sun.
With a voice slightly hushed, Edmund spoke.
“Don’t cry alone.”
The words came out impulsively.
For a moment, Etricia’s eyes were filled with confusion. But she blinked and soon regained her composure.
“So, you saw me yesterday.”
“By chance.”
“Then why… why would you say something like that?”
Don’t cry alone.
Even Edmund didn’t know the answer himself. When he was young, he once covered a stray kitten caught in the rain with a blanket. He hadn’t needed to define it—he knew it was compassion.
But this… he furrowed his brows and let out a bitter chuckle. This time, he wasn’t sure what he was feeling.
“Aren’t we in the same boat?”
So he grasped for the nearest justification.
It felt cowardly, like an excuse to avoid facing the truth, but at that moment, he had no other way to explain what he was feeling.
“…”
Etricia pursed her lips and looked up at him, as if trying to gauge his thoughts.
Just then, a strong gust of wind blew, scattering her once neatly arranged hair. Between the strands of her flowing red hair, the crisp orange light of the sunset shone brilliantly.
And at that moment, she burst into bright laughter.
“You’re right. Since we’re in the same boat, I’ll hold on to my little brother and cry from now on.”
She added a slightly playful remark, her smile revealing a sense of lighthearted relief.
Casually, Etricia took the bonnet from his hands, dusted it off, and placed it back on her head. Her eyes, now filled with life, gazed at the ocean, shimmering red under the sunset.
She turned to Edmund, smiling radiantly.
“The sea is truly beautiful, isn’t it?”
Once again, she looked as carefree as when she was collecting seashells.
“…Yes, it is.”
Unaware of how deeply his heart was stirred.
Finally! Divorce!
While I was away on vacation, I received word that the paperwork had been finalized.
The trial for Devon had taken place during my trip, waiving the usual waiting period.
Seeing the news of the trial, where Devon was dragged out in tatters like a rag, I was momentarily surprised… but oh well, prison life must be tough. Serves him right.
As I basked in the sheer relief of it all, a chuckle slipped out before I realized it.
“You seem to be in a good mood.”
I met the emperor’s gaze across from me and quickly lowered my eyes.
‘How could I let my guard down in front of the emperor?’
The emperor’s appearance wasn’t much different from any other middle-aged man at first glance, but the sharpness of his piercing gaze carried an undeniable weight.
Since I might need his help in the future, I should work on mending our strained relationship.
I politely lowered my head and smiled.
“It has been a long time. I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty’s generosity. Without your aid, things would have been difficult for me.”
The emperor let out a short chuckle and took a sip of his tea.
“You must already know that once the ruling is finalized, you will inherit the confiscated property and title.”
The emperor naturally brought up my inheritance…”
I was the only child of Count Buell, and thanks to the fierce revolutionary efforts of the women in my family’s history, the empire had established a system where women could inherit titles.
But that also meant I had to bear the weight of that privilege.
For example, paying the price for the emperor’s goodwill in choosing to support me.
Of course, the emperor’s eyes still held a kind, almost fatherly warmth when he looked at me.
But once a relationship cracks, it can never fully return to what it was.
I wrapped both hands around my teacup and opened my mouth.
“I apologize on behalf of Devon for his actions that betrayed the Imperial Family’s trust.
That is why, in this year’s Lebron contract, we intend to supply at a much lower price than last year.”
“Oh? That’s quite bold. Will you be all right with that?”
The emperor’s eyes held a brief flicker of playfulness as he asked.
It felt like he was teasing me on purpose, almost mischievously.
I smiled calmly and lowered my gaze.
“Of course. It’s only right.”
For the record, saying that meant I now had a mountain of work ahead.
I would have to go to the estate headquarters and argue endlessly with the higher-ups to convince them…
Ugh, just thinking about it made me feel suffocated.
Hmm. I closed my eyes and let out a deep sigh, only to open them and meet a sharp, piercing gaze.
At that moment, the emperor’s mouth curled into a crooked smile.
“A simple thank-you would’ve been enough, but I didn’t know you were worried. If you want, I’ll accept it as a proper apology for those four years, Etricia.”
The soft smile on my lips faded slightly.
Wait—did I just get played?
It was hard to keep my expression in check.
Was he teasing me because I cut off contact for four years?
As that question crossed my mind, the emperor let out a hearty laugh, his chest rising and falling.
“I heard you’ve changed. But aren’t you acting a bit too stiff?
Where’s that playful side of you I used to see in your letters?”
It was only natural for him to feel a gap between us.
After all, I had written those letters playing the role of “the young me” that the emperor would remember.
“You know things can’t be the same as before.
Still, I have no desire to play mind games with you.”
The emperor frowned and waved his hand as if the very thought annoyed him—deeply.
For a moment, my mind went blank.
That was when I realized that ever since my return, I had been unconsciously acting defensive and playing psychological games with everyone I met.
The emperor, a veteran of many battles, had noticed that side of me.
He clicked his tongue and shook his head.
“It’s so exhausting, isn’t it?
Always reading people’s intentions and trying to predict their next move.
It’s nice to have someone you don’t need to do that with.”
The emperor smiled bitterly, a wrinkle forming under his eye.
For a moment, I saw a glimpse of the younger emperor who had once indulged my childishness.
A gentle smile spread slowly across my lips as a soft breeze passed through my heart.
“I think so too…”
After a warm exchange of glances, the emperor lifted his eyebrows and spoke again.
“Since things are like this, don’t you think you should visit the temple, too?
It’s been four years since your last visit.
The upcoming memorial service for the fallen warriors at the Holy Temple would be a good chance.”
The smile on my face nearly cracked.
Due to various personal reasons, I had always avoided visiting the temple unless it was for major imperial celebrations or events.
And the emperor knew that very well…
It seemed he really was holding a grudge from the past four years and was messing with me on purpose.
The emperor slowly rubbed his chin.
His eyes seemed to say, Well, what will you do?
I could feel that if I refused, he might just issue a royal decree to force me.
With no choice, I forced my trembling lips into a smile.
“Of course, I should visit.”
Trying to act calm while hiding my boiling frustration must have been amusing, because the emperor burst into laughter.
Just like that, his teasing continued for quite a while—almost as if he was getting revenge for the four years of silence.
Thanks to that, my nerves finally relaxed, and I was able to chat with him more casually, even if my eyes held a hint of annoyance.
Then, about an hour later, just as I was bowing and about to leave—
