Chapter 22

 

Divorce.

In a sense, it was only natural, but Anita did not find it very pleasant.

Rather, it seemed like Lancelot was using her as a justification for his desire.

Ultimately, this marriage was a marriage of necessity. He had no intention of being tied by her, nor did he want to increase his affection for her.

This made Anita very angry. However…

‘At least he didn’t give me the job out of pity.’

When she recalled Lancelot’s demeanor, she naturally assumed this was not the case. She noticed a difference when she examined it in person.

His suggestion did not include sympathy.

‘He needs me.’

They might be each other’s strength.

Also beyond anything else.

‘I might find my father.’

Anita, who had been left alone following the loss of her family and home, seemed to have gained a fresh meaning from the things that previously happened.

“It seems that the possibilities from which I might pick have already been determined.”

Following a deep breath,

Anita murmured while firmly clasping her hands,

“Alright… Let’s do that, let’s get married.”

At the same time she felt the most regret in her life, she answered with such pride.

Before he could reply to her embarrassingly loud voice, she followed suit,

“But what if the Duke disapproves? Is this marriage even possible just because we both want it?”

Lancelot regarded her in such a manner. Then he passed Anita the enormous bag that was on the seat.

“These are your clothes. It might be too large due to the haste with which it was procured, so please change before continuing the trip.”

Clothes?

Anita thought that it was so out of the blue so she looked to see what’s inside.

‘This are clothes for mourning.’

After examining the black clothes, she was compelled to inquire seriously.

“What is happening?”

“Happening? Yes, something did.”

He added nonchalantly.

“Yesterday at midday, the Duke of Edenbahir died.”

“What?”

Anita questioned if her ears were broken.

However, the adversary was Lancelot. He was not the kind of guy who would bother her with his trivialities.

‘The Duke is—’

The Duke died.

Disappearance and death were two distinct concepts. Anita was permitted to wish for her father’s life or death, but Lancelot was not permitted to hope for anything.

Looking at Anita’s face while tilting his head obliquely, he inquired with a confused expression.

“You look the same once again?”

“Lancelot.”

“My father is deceased, not yours.”

“I know… but… I don’t know what to say.”

Lancelot then remained still and waited for Anita to begin, as if he had something to say.

She knew that he did not need comfort. Despite this, Anita wanted to soothe Lancelot.

“The Duke… He must have been very pleased to have a son like you.”

“It is a cliché.”

It was a straightforward impression, yet there was no ridicule.

“I do not mind my father’s passing. However, his attempts… I will have no thrill for the remainder of my life.”

Lancelot’s brow twitched slightly. If not an error, he seemed to regret the words he had just said.

Regret. The term was improper for Lancelot, but remorse was acceptable.

“Still, you seem to be a little different.”

‘Different? Me?’

Anita’s heart began to beat slightly. Even though she knew it was an appetizing sound, her heart responded first.

‘Why can’t I open my mouth?’

Yes, she was aware of his gratitude for this. Anita, though, was not foolish.

She had both eyes and ears. Therefore, she must know it for an extended period of time.

In reality, she was no different than anybody else to Lancelot.

—

Lancelot was convinced by Anita Before arriving at Chavalon Station, that she wished to exit the train first.

If the death of Duke Edenbahir was true, it was obvious that the station would be filled with reporters awaiting Lancelot’s return by this time.

There was no need to rally behind an issue and make a statement.

Obviously, Lancelot seemed to take advantage of such massive outside attention.

“Our wedding ceremony should be as loud as possible. As public interest grows, not even Grandmother will be able to lightly discard you. Even the aristocrats affiliated with the Callasgo will feel some relief.”

She felt it was a decent strategy, but it wasn’t what Anita needed at the moment.

“Well. I believe I need some time to clear my head.”

“Why do you need that?”

“It’s not the same for me.”

Their marriage would be only a means for Lancelot, but not for Anita.

It was a marriage based on the assumption of a separation. She cannot be more greedy if she did not comprehend the subject.

It was essential that she clarified her thoughts towards Lancelot.

“Excellent. How many days do you need—”

“A day, no… Maybe half a day.”

“Is that enough?”

“Yes, that’s sufficient.”

Anita then boarded a carriage that would take her to the center of Chavalon’s downtown district, accompanied by three servants.

He attempted to station a guard for safety concerns, but he was rejected. It will make her even more exhausted if she is caught by a sharp-witted reporter.

The Job Recruit Agency, not Duchy Edenbahir, was the first location she visited.

However, there was one issue. ‘How did this occur?’

The agency, which had been running smoothly until yesterday, was empty in one day.

Anita questioned the elderly proprietor of a tiny floral shop adjacent to the rickshaw.

“Hello, can I ask a question? Has the business here moved away?”

The elderly guy shook his head as he released a long trail of cigarette smoke. “Move? It seemed to be damaged to me.”

“Damaged?”

“Yes, the Inspector came alone and took him in last night. From fraud to trafficking people… It appears like they’ve done a pretty nice job.”

If mitigation was present, the offense was a felony.

Anita believed he was trustworthy since Mr. Vlad introduced him.

She was introduced to someone like that… Anita felt bad.

“The rumor was negative. They claim that they sold innocent ladies without paying out a substantial amount of debt… He was punished because he lived like a dog.”

“So that’s what happened… thanks for telling me.”

Anita, who left a message of appreciation, purchased two bouquets of white lilies and paid for them.

“Yes? Do you believe the calculation is incorrect?”

“Take it. It was something I was required to repay to the chief anyways.”

The inspector apprehended him, and he will not be freed until he has a compelling story.

Anita exited the floral shop with a bouquet of lilies. She was disappointed when she realized that the flower was to be dedicated only to the Duke of Edenbahir.

“It has been quite a while, Anita Volloni.”

“Huh?”

A new-style, old-fashioned wagon was halted in front of the building. Anita was interrupted by the piercing voice of an elderly lady within.

“You continue to circulate like an illiterate person.”

An expression of sheer wrath. Anita immediately knew the voice’s owner.

“Grandmother.”

“Get up. I have a vital message for you.”

It approximated what the intent was.

‘It concerns the marriage.’

What open humiliation and contempt would they attempt to inflict onto her? Anita was intrigued, but she had no reason to remain silent.

“I have something to say as well. I believe that riding in different cars would be preferable, therefore I’ll meet you at the duke’s residence. I need to visit Lancelot.”

“You are attempting to ask an adult without respect.”

Anita was reprimanded by a voice as icy as snowfall.

“I knew you did not get a decent home education, and I’m certain it will be the same when you’re an adult. Do you not realize that I am unaware that the automobile belongs to my family?”

“As anticipated, Grandmother knew everything about Edenbahir. She can recall everything that Edenbahir owns. I shall learn from Grandmother’s meticulousness.” 

Before she could continue speaking, Anita swiftly entered the vehicle.

This is the first time she has disregarded the lady in this manner.

Is this real? Anita’s left chest pounded continuously from strain.

Edenbahir had speed. Each time the wagon rounded a bend, she saw that the grandmother’s wagon seemed to be following her.

Anita, who was observing, approached the Duke of Edenbahir and questioned the driver.

“I shall depart on foot.”

“At the front entrance? There are several news reporters. It will make you feel uneasy.”

As he said, the front of the duke’s home was filled with individuals who learned of Duke Edenbahir’s death and those who followed Lancelot.

‘I wanted to avoid these individuals till I reached Chavalon.’

She had a sudden notion.

“It’s just what I had hoped for.”

If she was to become Duchess Edenbahir, she could not eternally evade Grandmother.

“Anita Volloni?”

She was surrounded by reporters who recognized her like a pack of hounds. Without a servant to safeguard Anita, she would have shown a level of insanity that would not have been surprising.

“Miss Anita Volloni. Does this black cloak pay homage to the previous Duke of Edenbahir?”

“Yes. This is really awful news. The Duke was my father’s closest friend. He was like an unclee to me.”

“Is Lord Vincent Volloni not present? Is it not odd that both founders of the Callasgo Trust died simultaneously? Is everything done in silence?”

“My father is still alive. Please use caution with your words.”

Close by, the sound of horseshoes could be heard.

I knew whose carriage it was without turning around. Anita raised her voice so that the carriage would not find it odd to hear her.

“You really know nothing regarding Sir Vincent Boloni’s disappearance—”

“I have no knowledge. My father’s whereabouts continue to be the subject of rumors. When a series of unfortunate events occur, it hurts my heart.”

A four-wheeled vehicle from the past that halted in front of a throng.

Anita regarded the carriage and spoke slowly yet clearly.

“I genuinely apologize. I wanted both of you to attend my wedding to the future Duke of Edenbahir.”