IMTVD| Chapter 21

Episode 21

“Leo left the village?”

“He said he had something to take care of and stepped out for a while. Why, you needed to see him?”

Feeling unsettled, Emilia had gone looking for Leo.

But no matter where she searched, she couldn’t find him, so she ended up asking the village chief.

The chief looked troubled. He was already dealing with the headache of the Casper duke’s knights snooping around

for Leo’s whereabouts.

If Emilia mentioned anything to them, it could cause trouble—but he quickly shook off that worry.

She was one of the villagers now; she’d care about protecting the people here. And besides, she wasn’t connected to

the Casper family.

“It’d be best to stay inside quietly for now. The village is in a bit of chaos.”

“Alright. Thank you.”

After talking to the chief, Emilia headed home. He was right—wandering around now would only bring trouble.

Especially since every Casper retainer in the village would recognize her instantly.

Even the villagers seemed to be lying low. Normally, she’d see a person or two on the streets, but today there was no

one.

If Leo were still here, I’d at least feel a little safer.

When she thought about it, it was strange that someone young and capable like Leo had stayed here this long. Even

so, she couldn’t help feeling a little let down that he’d left without a word.

But then again, they weren’t that close—maybe it wasn’t so strange that he disappeared without saying goodbye.

What am I going to do now?

She’d thought that leaving the divorce papers behind would end things, that he’d never come looking for her.

She had no idea why Edwin had shown up now—but she couldn’t shake the dark possibilities from her head.

Did he mean to drag her back to the capital, like even running away wasn’t allowed?

She wanted to deny that Edwin was that cruel, but… the fate of those he’d marked as enemies was clear enough.

Every single one of them had died horribly, in proportion to their crimes.

That was why she’d fled—why she’d chosen Cardinal Village, in the harsh Grand Forest.

It was her way of saying, I’ll live quietly; just don’t look for me.

“Emilia.”

She stopped at the sound of his voice behind her. But it seemed even that simple act was something Edwin couldn’t allow.

“I’m not Emilia.”

“Emilia Casper.”

She didn’t turn around. She just wanted to keep walking. But Edwin kept calling her name, as if refusing to let her go.

Hearing her name from him made her uncomfortable.

There was a time when she’d longed for him to say it like that.

But that Emilia—who had done anything and everything to win his approval—was gone.

“I thought I already gave you exactly what you wanted.”

“That’s not what I wanted.”

What he’d wanted wasn’t for her to leave. He’d planned to tell her, after it was all over, why he’d treated her coldly—

Because while a dangerous enemy still existed, he couldn’t let Marquis Herman find out about his weakness for her. If

they did, she’d become a target. He’d wanted to protect her, no matter what.

And not out of pity for someone cornered—but because she mattered to him.

“I have nothing more to say to you.”

Emilia didn’t want this conversation. She’d been so close to forgetting him, and now he was here, stirring up her heart all over again.

Before he could say more, she started walking quickly, trying to put distance between them. That’s when he finally

blurted out the words he’d been holding back.

“I want to apologize to you.”

She froze. Of all the reasons she’d imagined for him coming here, that had never been one of them.

Edwin.

Once, he’d been like a shining light to her. His presence had made her happy, given her strength.

But now?

Even if he apologized… even if things between them improved… would she really be happy?

No. She couldn’t believe him—not after things had fallen apart the way they had. She couldn’t help thinking there was

some hidden motive.

“Emilia.”

Dangerous.

She’d thought by now she could face him without her old feelings getting in the way. She’d thought she’d scraped

them out of her heart. That she could at least look him in the eye without flinching.

But seeing him again, she realized—she hadn’t erased everything. And what she thought was gone was starting to come back.

If she turned around now… what expression would he wear? And what expression would she?

No. I can’t.

This was dangerous.

Even if he really had come to apologize, she knew his personality—he’d never be able to just leave his former wife

alone.

She couldn’t predict what he’d say next. Maybe it really would just be an apology. But her heart was pounding with

unease.

This moment—something not written in the “original story”—was too strange.

“I’m Amy.”

“Amy?”

“Yes. Emilia no longer exists, Your Grace.”

“Emilia. Don’t call me—”

“Then goodbye.”

“Emilia!”

His voice followed her as she walked away, but she forced herself to ignore it and ran the rest of the way home.

The farther she got, the fainter his voice became.

She reached her house and collapsed onto the step, biting her lip.

“What does he want from me now?”

Her clothes were worn-out rags. She hadn’t kept a single dress—there’d be no use for them here.

Her hands, hardened and rough from work, were nothing like the soft, manicured ones she’d once had.

No makeup. No jewelry. She’d sold it all.

There was nothing left of “Emilia Casper” now. Not even the shell.

All that remained was Amy, a villager of Cardinal.

“What difference does an apology make now?”

Tears welled up. The feelings she’d buried for a year, left to rot inside her, boiled over.

Even without him here, she blamed Edwin.

What would change with an apology, after all this time? The only woman at his side now was Diana.

Even if we hadn’t divorced, a year’s gone by—I’m no longer his wife.

By imperial law, after a year of being missing, Emilia was officially declared dead.

Unless she revealed herself and returned, Edwin was now considered unmarried.

“Live well. I’m going to live as Amy from now on.”

Whether he’d come to kill her or not, she wasn’t going back to the capital.

From now on, she didn’t care about the “original story,” the family, or any of the people tied to it. She wanted a life that was entirely her own.

Even if Edwin ignored her wishes and dragged her back by force.

“It’s been a while.”

Stepping off the train, Leo felt a strange satisfaction at being back in the capital.

No matter how much a place felt like home, living in the middle of nowhere for a year was boring.

Stretching the stiffness out of his body, he scanned his surroundings.

“But… things must be urgent if they couldn’t even wait. For someone so important to come meet me in person…”

As the passengers dispersed, his lips curled in amusement at the sight of a familiar group.

The emperor’s men here to meet him. He hadn’t expected such an enthusiastic welcome the moment he stepped off.

He held out his hand toward them with a smirk.

But no one took it.

“Well now… that’s a little hurtful.”

Not that he actually cared, but he chuckled and feigned disappointment.

“His Majesty requests your presence.”

“Yeah, yeah. I came to check on something anyway, so tell him not to worry so much.”

He promised he wouldn’t run—but the emperor’s men didn’t seem to trust him. They snapped a pair of cuffs onto his wrists.

Cuffs. Not exactly pleasant. But he could break free anytime, so he let it slide and let them escort him toward the palace.

What’s got His Majesty so desperate for me this time?

His expression soured as the palace drew closer.