divorce chapter 26

“I am his partner.” Lennard knew Estelle had omitted the word “temporary” to gain the upper hand in the situation. Yet, it pleased him. A warmth bloomed in his chest, spreading slowly through his body. Lennard covered his face with his hand, waiting for the heat to subside. However, he kept his ears open, ready to intervene in their quarrel at any moment.

The argument between Estelle and the man escalated. Should he step in? Judging by her reaction in the carriage, she might resent him for interfering and creating a debt she felt obligated to repay.

“How dare a commoner be so insolent!”

At the man’s shout, Lennard’s head snapped up. The man raised his hand as if to strike Estelle, who closed her eyes, seemingly resigned to the blow.

His body moved faster than his mind. Lennard grabbed the man’s hand. It wasn’t just a threat. He could feel the full force behind it.

Lennard grimaced, glaring at the man. Estelle, who had been cowering beneath him, looked up with wide eyes.

“What exactly is going on here?” He’d meant to sound gentle, but his voice came out strangely cold.

“Oh, I just thought I’d grab a quick coffee,” Estelle stammered, startled, then quickly turned away and offered an excuse. She then lightly looped her arm through his.

The soft touch against his forearm made Lennard’s body stiffen. He tried to appear nonchalant as he gently placed his hand over hers. “You should have told me. This kind of place is dangerous for a delicate lady like yourself.” Lennard recalled Edwin’s behavior towards the Crown Princess. He brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear and offered a relaxed smile. “Please, go on ahead. I’ll deal with them.”

“B-but!”

He leaned down and lightly kissed her forehead. “Don’t worry. I’ll be back soon.”

Lennard beckoned to the maid who stood frozen behind them. “Escort the Lady back to her lodgings.”

“Y-yes!”

At his command, Mia finally snapped out of her daze and led Estelle outside.

As she disappeared, Lennard’s expression vanished. “Did the Church send you?”

“Pardon?”

“Or was it His Majesty?”

“N-no, I, that is, um…”

Lennard scanned their faces. The pale-faced man and the trembling women behind him. He beckoned to the man who had tried to harm Estelle.

“Let’s start with you. Follow me.”

The man’s lips moved, attempting to apologize, but Lennard ignored him. He couldn’t forgive anyone, especially not this man, for trying to lay a hand on Estelle.

***

Back at the lodgings, I waited for Lennard’s return. But he didn’t come, even as evening approached. ‘I suppose it was just something he said to diffuse the situation.’

Being on the battlefield had brought a realization: how much I had gained by not being summoned here. If I were called every year, or even more frequently, it would severely limit my other activities. Whether or not he intended to help me was irrelevant. The important thing was that I had benefited from him.

I should purify him at least once before I leave.

My lingering conscience insisted I help him. After some deliberation, I decided to seek him out.

“Mia, do you know where Duke Verhagen is staying?”

“No, but we could ask at headquarters, couldn’t we?”

“Then let’s go to headquarters.”

“Now?”

Darkness had already fallen. I’d overheard that the Awakened would be entering the gate tomorrow to close it. That meant tonight was my only chance to purify him.

With the late hour and the darkness outside, I decided to take a carriage to headquarters. “Call for a carriage.”

Mia hurried out to make arrangements. Fortunately, headquarters wasn’t far.

I went inside and asked for the Knight Commander.

“Ah, greetings, Lady Schneider.” His forced smile and twitching lips suggested my visit wasn’t welcome. That didn’t matter; I had other priorities.

“To what do we owe the pleasure…?”

“I’ve come to inquire about Duke Berhagen’s whereabouts.”

“The Duke?”

His bewildered reaction struck me as odd. It shouldn’t be strange for a partner to seek out an Awakened, especially in this situation.

“Could you please guide me to him?”

“Y-yes.”

His reluctant agreement and hesitant steps were truly peculiar. Was there something I didn’t know? He seemed uneasy throughout the journey to Lennard’s location.

And when we finally arrived, I understood why.