Chapter 56 – Part 2

‘Yes… It’s dangerous because His Grace’s personality could get split into two…’

‘……?’

It was only after hearing a bit more explanation from Jane that I fully understood what the situation was.

‘Remembering you, Madam… His Grace’s doctor said there is a risk of a split personality: the original Duke, who never forgot the past, and the Duke, who couldn’t remember Madam and got to know you anew.’

…It was strange. Was partial amnesia originally a disease that brought about a dual personality?

…I’ve had several speculations about Theodore’s amnesia. It could be Owen and his sorcerers, or truly a simple head injury.

I also heard that the balance between magic and spiritual power was greatly disturbed near the rift, so that could be another factor.

None of which I could be sure of. Not yet.

In any case, since I’m leaving here soon, I didn’t want to get too involved in this matter anymore. But I was going to write a letter about all my speculations and investigations about Owen and the sorcerer… to help Theodore eventually.

What unfolded in front of me now was the remainder of my life. I wanted to live peacefully in a place where Everett and Valentino were not present, even if only for a short time.

If I was asked if it’s because I didn’t get revenge on Owen, Hessen, and the entire House Everett… Of course I want to. But if I rushed to get revenge… I would be no match for those demons anyway, and I’d even put Charlotte in danger.

Charlotte was someone who deserved to be happy. As long as I’m alive, she’ll keep trying to be by my side, but after I’ve died, she’ll find a new life.

That’s what I’m hoping for, too.

I want Charlotte to leave this place with me, stay with me for a while, but then go find a new life.

Then… as long as Charlotte can be happy, I will be fine not having to take revenge on Everett’s demons.

That was how I felt.

“…….”

I slipped out of Theodore’s arms. He let me go without any reaction, and he stared blankly at me. It was as if he was trying to figure out what kind of person I was. I walked over to Charlotte, avoiding his gaze. Charlotte had just picked up the keys, which Missus Seymour had dropped on the floor.

Charlotte spoke to Jenna, who was standing on the other side of the room rather wobbly.

“Handmaid Jenna, how could you lose the keys? The Madam wasn’t in the room when Missus Seymour came in. You should be ashamed—this could have been a greater problem. Besides that, the Madam’s health is failing…”

Jenna, who knew she would be scolded, hesitated unexpectedly, then lowered her head and murmured softly.

“Forgive me… I’ll be sure to be careful next time.”

“Mmh… All right, let’s go clean the room.”

“Yes…”

Jenna and Charlotte started cleaning the messy room. I looked around the room to see if anything was missing or if anything important was broken.

‘I kept everything important in the safe anyway…’

For example, the funds needed to escape, a map with the escape route, and a document with a detailed escape plan… I kept all those things in a safe, and I always had the key with me.

But the things I didn’t think were important were just kept in a drawer or on the desk… one of them…

‘The divorce papers…’

I looked around for the divorce papers I had just signed last night. It was to be left with a letter to Theodore before fleeing.

After I had signed the papers, I could have sent one to the Everetts, another to the King, and the last to the Archbishop, so the procedure wouldn’t be complicated.

Then Theodore and I would be divorced cleanly. No one will ever object to a divorce anyway.

Even if Missus Seymour looked at the divorce papers, it didn’t matter much. Rather, since it was Missus Seymour, she would be quite delighted. I don’t know if she’s really crazy or if she’s just trying to fool everyone.

‘Where is it? Did it fall on the floor?’

Looking down on the floor, I turned toward the door and found Theodore still in my room.

He bent down and picked up a piece of white paper. My seal on it shone with a silver glint. Next to it was my handwritten signature.

…So, the document that Theodore picked up was, of course, the divorce papers.

——