The Full Story of an Incomplete Divorce - Chapter 23

As the carriage departed, Lucius took out a letter he had been hiding out of Charlotte’s sight. He had received it from the butler while passing through the entrance lobby earlier. The names written as the senders were Kassel Valentin and Diana Valentin—the previous Duke and Duchess of Valentin.

The butler standing nearby cautiously spoke up.
“Master, their visit to the estate is scheduled for the day after tomorrow. Is it truly alright not to inform the Lady?”
The butler flinched and hastily bowed his head under Lucius’s gaze, which had instantly turned cold and still.
“My apologies. I have overstepped.”
“…….”
Before he knew it, the carriage carrying Charlotte had passed through the estate’s main gate. Only after confirming the carriage had completely disappeared from view did Lucius finally turn and walk away at a leisurely pace.

***

Charlotte, who had stepped out onto the porch early in the morning, stretched and took a deep breath. The fresh scent of dew-laden grass wafted faintly past the tip of her nose.

The southern villa, a five- or six-hour carriage ride from the main estate, was located deep in the mountains, thick with greenery. Surrounded by dense forests on all sides and secluded from any crowds, the only sounds to be heard were the chirping of birds and the flow of water from the valley.

It felt more like a fortress than a villa. The fact that he had established a retreat in such a remote space, completely cut off from the outside world, was very typical of Lucius.

Perhaps because she had nothing particular to do, time passed especially slowly in Bateville. When day broke, she would take walks around the area, sit idly on the porch reading a book until sunset, and then go to bed when night fell. If she had been her old self, she would have complained of boredom, but now she found this tranquil routine quite to her liking.

The decision to live apart from Lucius had ultimately been a good one. The physical distance had naturally helped to calm her heightened emotions. Moreover, since there was no need to maintain the unnecessary dignity of a noble lady here, her mind felt much more at peace.

‘I wonder what Lucius is doing right now.’

She worried whether he had gotten some sleep the previous night, and if he was eating his meals properly instead of skipping them.

Tap. Charlotte closed the book she was reading and let out a hollow laugh. Even in their moments apart, her thoughts were entirely consumed by Lucius. It was amusing, and a little ridiculous, that no matter how hard she tried to clear her mind and let go of her thoughts, the destination was always, inevitably, by his side.

Perhaps it was only natural. Even amidst the excruciating loneliness, she could never bring herself to let him go. Even after she had barely managed to decide on a divorce, she had never fully resolved her feelings for Lucius. Far from resolving them, hadn’t she used the program as an excuse to mix with him countless times?

Of the one-month divorce contemplation period, only a little over two weeks remained.

Soon, she would have to choose. Whether to put an end to this married life as she had initially vowed, or to stay with him as she was, as the wife of Lucius Valentin. She was afraid that if they called off the divorce, they would just return to the way things were before. Truly, she didn’t have the confidence to endure that loneliness again.

‘Let’s go back and talk.’

If they didn’t, nothing would ever be resolved.

If it were Lucius, it was obvious he would most likely just remain silent. But Charlotte, for her part, had no intention of backing down this time. She was determined to get some words out of him, even if she had to grab him by the collar.

***

Charlotte returned to the main estate around the time the red sunset was settling on the roof.

“Is my husband still working?”
“The Master is currently in the dining room. However… Madam.”