For My Husband's New Wife - Chapter 1

Today, I woke up unusually well.

I could feel the faint light leaking through the dark curtains very clearly.

Even though it was a midwinter morning, it was refreshing rather than cold.

My head was clear and my heart was calm.

It was a very strange feeling that is difficult to put into words.

‘Today is the day I leave this house.’

Still, how can I be so indifferent?

Maybe it’s because I’ve lived my life without forgetting my situation for even a single day.

Anita got up slowly, leaning her back on the bed, and stared at the seat next to her cold as usual.

Lancelot Edenbair.

This seat was obviously for her husband, Lancelot.

However, the two have never slept together in nearly a year of marriage.

That’s how it should be.

Because they were just a fake couple.

I swept the empty and cold seat next to me that was now familiar. There has never been a day when I felt fortunate that Lancelot was not next to me as much as today.

Facing his face may shake her heart. Anita didn’t want to be selfish. Not for anyone else, but for Lancelot.

knock knock

The wake-up time is always the same.

The maids who came in quietly pulled the dark curtains that covered the windows and started to light the fireplace.

“Madam, I brought a coffee today, not chamomile. I brought in some good coffee beans this morning. The scent is very fresh.”

Mrs. Michela, a middle-aged woman who prepared a light breakfast and coffee before her, was a longtime vassal of the Duke of Edenbair.

“It’s particularly cold today, so it’s not bad to let your hair down. Do you have any plans to go out, madam?”

“Yes. I’m thinking of going to town for a while.”

“Would you like me to dress you in a simple way, as always?”

“Yes, please.”

Today, unlike usual, Anita chose her own outdoor clothes.

Clothes that were hidden in the innermost part of the winter wardrobe. There was a bright pink one-piece dress for late fall.

It’s a little thin to wear in winter, but if you close your coat tightly, it will not be a problem, Anita thought.

Mrs. Michela asked with a puzzled face, “Have you ever had a dress like this?”

“I brought it the first day I came here.”

“The color is bright and soft. It seems like you enjoyed wearing clothes like this before marriage. I think it would look good on you.”

After that, Mrs. Michela, who locked all the buttons behind her back, clapped her hands with satisfied eyes.

“You look so good, ma’am! From now on, I hope you will wear a dress with such a refreshing atmosphere more often. These days, regardless of the season, everyone……”

Anita showed an awkward smile instead of a response.

It was always dark clothes in Anita’s wardrobe.

She brought in only clothes with inconspicuous colors and designs, so whatever the weather, the season for her clothes was always autumn or winter.

A dark burgundy hat.

A soft reed-colored coat.

A calm gray dress.

A neat white muffler.

Clothes of simple colors are chosen in order not to stand out anytime, anywhere.

But none of them are Anita’s.

From her head to toe, everything belonged to her husband, Lancelot. Accessories, bags, and a carousel music box that she looks into every night……

‘Thanks for Lancelot’s consideration.’

Her husband, Lancelot, treated Anita respectfully. Thanks to that, her married life for the past year has been prosperous.

Lancelot also contributed greatly to the fact that everyone in the mansion treated Anita as Duchess of Edenbair.

‘It was just a marriage out of necessity.’

Even though the divorce was scheduled, Lancelot treated her as a Duchess.

“Oh, Madam, His Highness the Duke has asked you to set aside time for dinner tonight.”

“……tonight?”

“Yes, I guess he has something to tell you.”

Mrs. Michela accepted Anita’s silence as positive, so she left the bedroom without saying a word.

‘I must have left this mansion already.’

Her husband has been very busy lately.

There weren’t many days when they were out, so the only time they saw each other was at light dinner right before bed.

Am I lucky? I don’t think I’ll be able to leave casually after seeing him face to face.

Anita took out the notebook hidden deep in the drawer. A letter written a few days ago was hidden between thin papers.

Last letter to Lancelot.

‘……don’t hesitate.’

For Lancelot, her existence is a burden.

He was the owner of the Edenbair duchy and one of the few heirs to the throne.

Their marriage caused a lot of rumors due to Anita’s status.

The existence of Anita left an indelible scar on Lancelot’s honor, and the label ‘a man with a shabby wife’ followed.

The overt bullying and disregard among some of the noble ladies were not the problem. The most difficult was all the ridicule and scandal Lancelot had to endure because of her.

So I’ll leave before it’s too late.

To help Lancelot.

So that he is not ashamed of her, and that he can have the woman he loves by his side.

I looked down at the notebook and quickly put it randomly between the bookshelves. After putting the letter on the table, she looked around for a while before leaving the bedroom.

I can leave this place only if I leave secretly. Because Lancelot was the one who somehow managed to catch Anita and persuade her to stay here.

Anita’s husband was such a man.

He looks cold but is warm.

He looks sensitive but is generous.

Caring person.

Kind person, nice person.

……the person I like.

Hearing the news of her going out, the old butler, who was standing in front of her bedroom, bowed slightly towards her.

“Madam, the carriage is waiting to take you downtown,” he said.

“It’s okay. The weather is nice, so I want to walk a little today.”

Anita calmly caught her breath.

Don’t be nervous. Act as usual.

“When are you coming back?”

“Around the daytime. Do not prepare lunch.”

“Yes, enjoy your time.”

She left the butler who politely bowed his back behind and left the mansion. Her steps are short so the dirt road in front of her felt endlessly long.

I have to go far from here.

To a place of no return.

Anita, who had been walking for a while, suddenly stopped and turned around.

Edenbair.

My happiest memory. This moment must be the last of those memories.

Recalling those memories, she had received a lot of favor from Lancelot.

So now it’s Anita’s turn.

For her husband’s new start.