If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 88

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

As Agatha boarded the carriage, Ethan instructed the knights with a stern reminder. Even in his absence as the deputy, they must maintain discipline and serve their commander, Cain, with all their might. It was something that every knight already knew well.

Thus, Marchioness Vernat concluded her brief month-long journey and departed from Arta. As Duchess Kristin, she had successfully completed her first duties and built a good rapport with the initially distant members of the Vernat knights.

It was a mission that left behind positive results.

However, throughout her journey back to the capital, Agatha could not help but be haunted by the memory of Cain’s darkened expression.

Whatever troubles he was facing, she hoped he would not dwell on them for long.

With these thoughts, Agatha Vernat returned to the capital.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Back at the mansion, Agatha fell asleep for a while, holding onto her memories from Arta. She no longer had the nightmares she used to. When she closed her eyes to sleep, the happy times she had spent with Cain appeared in her dreams.

She prayed every night for Cain to return to the capital soon.

However, as time passed—another two years—her happy memories began to fade and her life seemed to fall back into a pit of despair.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

It had been exactly two years since Agatha left Cain in Arta.

The letters that used to arrive every month gradually became less frequent—every two months, then every three months, until they came only once every half year. After spending her fourth wedding anniversary alone, she no longer received any letters at all.

There were rumors of battle, it seemed that Cain was struggling in the war. The battles were reportedly more fierce than anticipated.

Thinking that it was causing Cain much suffering, which made Agatha feel guilty.

According to rumors in Leden, the forces that had initially dominated were now significantly weakened over the years, purportedly due to Emperor Vlahova’s strategic restraint against Marquis Vernat.

For a knight with such a great cause, letters would be too personal. Agatha did not dare to think of sending a letter.

Amidst the solitude and slight resentment that built up within her, Agatha did her best to ignore them. Time marched on, cold and busy.

She understood. How could she complain about feeling lonely and scared to her husband, who was busy defending the empire? Moreover, theirs was a marriage of convenience, not one where she could demand emotional support for such personal feelings.

Acting butler Patricio, stepped in for the head butler Havel who had followed Cain. Teschen was sharing a secret conversation with him that Agatha happened to overhear. If not for this, she might have continued to trust Cain completely and waited quietly.

“Is it true that the Lord has found a woman?”

“What are you talking about?”

“There’s widespread talk among the knights that the Marquis has fallen for a woman on the frontier.”

“Good heavens, a woman from the frontier?”

“Why is the news about it so delayed? Haven’t you heard that His Lordship built a new mansion in Arta?”

“A mansion? When would he have the time amidst the war…”

“Anyway, you know about the post-war restoration projects he started without the Emperor’s knowledge, right? I thought the mansion was part of that at first. But after the mansion was built, it turns out a completely unexpected person has moved in.”

“Unexpected person?”

“A woman! And not just any woman, but a gypsy woman, a wandering gypsy.”

“You mean to say His Lordship built a mansion for a gypsy woman, while leaving his wife alone in the capital?”

“What good is the wife in the capital? It’s well-known in Leden that theirs is a marriage in name only.”

“Well, that’s true but still…”

After overhearing just that much, Agatha left without hesitation. She did not wish to listen to such scandalous rumors, especially ones involving her husband, even if their marriage was only in name.

Additionally, there was a possibility that Teschen had intentionally let those words slip for her to hear. That was a petty tactic she did not want to fall for.

Yet, despite her efforts to remain unaffected and maintain her composure, Agatha found herself unable to do anything for a long time.

Cain has another woman.

The thought was among the worst she had considered while waiting for his return. No, the absolute worst would be if he had died in the war, so perhaps this was only the second worst.

Agatha sneered at herself.

She hoped it wasn’t true. She didn’t know whether she was allowed to have that hope, but she genuinely felt that way. After all, given his notoriety for being the subject of rumors, it could very well be that the story had been blown out of proportion without any basis.

Yet, as ten months passed without any letters from him, the rumors started to feel more like reality.

And even if it were true that he had found another woman, what right did she have to feel betrayed? They were not a couple bound by love, after all.