If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 251

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

After arriving in the capital, the Marquis and his wife returned straight to their residence. The fact that the new Duke Kristin had once served divorce papers to her husband was carefully kept secret by the head butler, Havel.

The people the Grand Duchess had sent as ‘gifts’ were still locked away in the dungeon managed by the Vernat knights. The Marquis had yet to decide what to do with them.

Noticing the tense atmosphere at the Marquis’ house, the surrounding nobles gradually lost interest in both the Marquis Vernat and Duke Kristin as almost a year went by.

“Welcome home, Your Grace. It’s been a while since we’ve seen you.”

Havel greeted Agatha and Cain with his usual formality.

Upon returning to the capital, Agatha chose to stay at Cain’s mansion instead of the Ducal residence. Her feelings hadn’t changed much since she’d left the capital—she hadn’t forgiven Cain, nor had she decided to resume their life together.

Still, she picked the Marquisate over the Ducal home for the sake of her child. The Kristin knights who had once been stationed in Arta were destroyed by the Grand Duke. During the three months they spent there, Cain had tried to track down the missing Kristin knights on Agatha’s behalf, but with little success.

Meanwhile, Agatha had to focus all her energy on caring for the baby and her own recovery. With her health still fragile, Cain didn’t want her worrying about anything else.

After everything they’d been through, Agatha didn’t even have the energy to dwell on forgiveness or what the word meant. But she did acknowledge that, for now, she still needed Cain Vernat’s name.

“It’s been a while.”

Much had changed since the day she’d left to find Charlotte. Noticing a subtle difference in Agatha’s demeanor, Havel bowed deeply to welcome her.

A month ago, Havel had received a letter from Arta: the master would be returning soon and preparations should be made. Through the knight who brought the letter, he also learned that the Duke had had a child.

So, the master who had run off in search of his missing wife returned—wife and child in tow. Havel was a bit bewildered, but, as always, kept his composure and busied himself with his duties.

Since he’d continued to keep the house spotless every day after Cain left, there wasn’t much to prepare.

The only new task was to set up a nursery for the young lord in the wing Agatha had used.

Following Havel’s lead, Agatha went straight to her room, with Liana and Charlotte carrying the baby right behind her.

The arrival of the precious new baby caused a brief stir among the Marquisate’s staff, but they quickly regained their composure and bowed respectfully to the Duke.

Since these were all new servants who had joined after the previous staff were sent to prison, it was their first time seeing Agatha in person.

So these are the famous Duke Kristin and Marquis Vernat. The servants couldn’t hide their excitement at finally meeting the very couple who had caused such a sensation in the capital just over a year ago.

“We greet the Marquis.”

As Cain entered the house, a faint smile spread on Havel’s lips. Cain gave a brief nod in return and hurried to Agatha’s side as she climbed the stairs, offering his support.

“There’s no need to help—I can walk on my own.”

“You shouldn’t push yourself. You’re still recovering.”

Cain fussed over her like a patient, which Agatha found more irritating. She shot him a sidelong glance and sighed, but Cain’s face lit up with relief that she wasn’t pushing him away completely.

Havel, observing them, was taken aback by the sight. The Marquis, who used to avoid even looking at his wife, was now following her nervously, as if afraid to upset her.

Before leaving the estate, the Marquis had barely even looked at his wife, Duke Kristin. After she disappeared, he’d seemed agitated, as if he were being chased by something.

That agitation had always seemed to be anger at things happening beyond his control.

But now, things felt… different.

“Careful, watch your step—the threshold is high.”

“Yes, I can see it for myself. I gave birth, not turned into a frail old woman.”

“I just can’t help worrying… Would you let me carry you to your room instead?”

He didn’t know what had happened, but it didn’t seem bad. Havel, unable to bear watching Cain fluster and fumble over every word and step from Agatha, cleared his throat loudly—partly to remind himself, and the servants who might be watching, to keep a respectful distance from the couple.

Even so, the two continued quietly talking to each other as they made their way upstairs. It was only after the Marquis and his wife had completely disappeared up the staircase that Havel finally gave orders to prepare a hot bath and a warm meal to help them recover from their journey.

For the first time in a long while, the estate was filled with a sense of lively energy.