ELND Chapter 9

“…Huh?”

Mina’s eyes widened as she absentmindedly glanced over my shoulder.

Following her gaze, I turned my head—and immediately locked eyes with the piercing blue ones that had been watching me.

“…Cedric?”

At his sudden appearance, Mina panicked and quickly bowed her head, stepping aside and putting distance between them.

Even as she looked at Cedric with reverence, her expression made it clear she wouldn’t dare speak to him.

‘Well, it’s partly because he’s practically the leader of the half-demons… but still, Cedric’s aura is truly overwhelming.’

I slowly nodded and looked up at Cedric again.

He was dressed in a wine-colored velvet coat, holding a document envelope in one hand.

Behind him, a carriage slowly rolled past.

‘He must be returning from somewhere. But why did he stop here just to… Ah, maybe he didn’t want to pass me by without a greeting?’

But if that were the case, Cedric hadn’t said a word. He simply stood there, looking down at me.

With the lazy afternoon sunlight behind him, Cedric looked even more striking.

As I gazed up at him, a thought crossed my mind.

‘Now that I think about it, this is the first time I’ve seen Cedric in the middle of the day.’

His sharp features and elegantly cast shadows made his already aristocratic appearance seem even more captivating.

We stared at each other for quite a while.

The silence dragged on too long, growing awkward. So I spoke first.

“You must’ve had something scheduled this morning.”

Cedric’s brow arched high, as though he’d just returned to reality from a deep reverie.

“There was a meeting at the Imperial Palace.”

“I see.”

“…I thought you always investigated my schedule in advance. Was I wrong?”

His words reminded me of the daily task list I used to find on my bedside table each morning.

‘So that’s what all those documents were. I always wondered why there were so many sheets when I had no real duties as a duchess… Turns out only the first page was mine—the rest were all Cedric’s schedules.’

Truly remarkable, Rebecca.

Once again astonished by her obsession, I let out a deep sigh.

“I’ll tell the maid in charge to stop doing that. I forgot to tell her since I haven’t been reading them lately.”

“You haven’t been reading them?”

Though it was just a flimsy excuse, Cedric looked utterly baffled.

Oops—no matter how detached things are, I’m still technically the duchess. That might’ve been a bit too much.

I quickly waved my hands.

“I mean, I skim them. Honestly, between us… I don’t really have much of a schedule these days.”

“…”

“And if I’m not even checking my own schedule, there’s no reason I’d be memorizing yours anymore, right?”

Cedric slowly nodded, deep in thought.

“…I suppose. It’s not like you have any affection left for me.”

I thought I misheard him. No—there was no way he’d say something like that. Cedric was always cold and businesslike toward me.

It must’ve been a misunderstanding.

“Exactly. There’s none at all.”

At my firm reply, Cedric’s blue eyes settled on my face once more.

Then, after a pause, he exhaled slowly as if clearing his thoughts and looked over my shoulder.

“You just came from the House of Shadows?”

“Yes. I’ll be living there for the next six months, so I thought I’d take a look in advance.”

Though Mina had tactfully stepped back to avoid interrupting the duke and duchess, I still didn’t mention the word divorce—just in case.

Even so, Cedric looked oddly confused, as if he hadn’t understood what I meant.

‘Did he really not catch on?’

I stepped closer and whispered, covering my mouth with a hand.

“We’re signing the divorce papers tomorrow, remember?”

Cedric’s eyes didn’t move. He simply stared at the word “divorce” forming on my lips.

“…So you’ve truly made up your mind.”

“Of course. Didn’t I tell you not to worry? I promised I’d leave for the House of Shadows right away so you wouldn’t have to see me again.”

“…”

“By tomorrow, everything will be settled—just the way you always wanted.”

And just the way I wanted.

This was the moment one of my death flags would be cleared. I smiled lightly with relief.

Cedric, watching me, blinked with a strange expression.

Then, looking down at the envelope in his hand, he muttered under his breath.

“…Just the way I wanted, huh.”

Surely, he wasn’t still doubting my sincerity.

To reassure him, I opened my mouth again.

“As promised, let’s meet at the glass garden at 3 p.m. tomorrow. Don’t forget to bring the divorce papers.”

My calm words sent a small ripple through Cedric’s otherwise placid eyes.

The next day.

For some reason, the maids helping me get ready were far more energetic than usual.

It reminded me of hairstylists primping up a customer invited to her ex-boyfriend’s wedding.

A small worry crossed my mind—had they found out about the divorce?

‘No way. Cedric is too meticulous for that. He’d never let the divorce fall apart just because someone spilled the beans.’

I thought about telling them to tone it down, but then decided against it.

Today was a special day.

Not only was I removing a death flag, but I’d also be receiving a massive settlement. It was practically a celebration.

‘Exactly. I should be dressed up more lavishly for a day like this.’

Just as I was pondering whether to toast with champagne after returning, the long styling session finally ended with a pair of pink diamond earrings that matched my red hair.

As I admired my reflection in the mirror, Mina entered the dressing room.

“Your Grace, the reception room is fully prepared.”

She always worked hard, but today she seemed particularly flushed.

“Thank you. You’ve done well.”

At my casual praise, the surrounding maids widened their eyes.

They looked as if they couldn’t believe the infamous mad dog Rebecca had just complimented a lowly maid.

Blushing, Mina glanced at the others with a triumphant look that said, Told you so!

Watching her, I chuckled quietly and approached to whisper.

“I’m going out for a walk.”

“Right now… a walk?”

Mina tilted her head, puzzled.

But when her eyes met my firm gaze, she nodded.

“Then I’ll get everything ready for you to step out.”

“No need. I’ll go alone today.”

I was planning to pretend I was out for a walk and head to the glass garden.

Since the divorce had to remain secret for now, not even Mina could accompany me.

I checked the tall grandfather clock in the corner of the room. It was already thirty minutes before our appointed time.

‘Better to arrive a bit early.’

As I walked toward the central staircase, Mina followed behind with a worried look.

“Your Grace, you’ll really be back soon, right?”

Her concern was a little excessive, but I brushed it off casually.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be back as soon as everything’s settled.”

I gently patted her shoulder a few times and descended the stairs with light steps.

The glass garden, our meeting place, was behind the Twin Mansions.

Due to the cold northern climate, plants and floral gifts that couldn’t withstand the weather were grown there.

How long had I been walking along the brick path between the House of Light and the House of Shadows?

Eventually, the path gave way to a trail, and I reached the forest garden at the far end of the estate.

Soon, I spotted a large statue in the center of the forest garden.

‘The famous Twin Statues.’

They were a tribute to the twin brothers—founders not just of the Twins family but of the half-demon race itself.

Each of the statues pointed in the direction of one of the two mansions: light and shadow.

‘It’s strange seeing something I only ever read about in novels in real life.’

I stopped and stared up at the statue in fascination.

“Cursing the ancestors again?”

A low, attractive voice came from behind me.

I turned—and met Cedric’s eyes.

‘I didn’t even hear him approach… When did he get here?’

Just as I was wondering that, Cedric’s footsteps slowed to a stop beside me.

“Why would I curse a statue?”

I shot him a playful glare, and the corner of his lips curled upward.

“Right. You didn’t just curse it—you poured wine on it too.”

“Wine?”

“That night three years ago, when you came into my bedroom drunk. I rejected you, and you stormed out angry.”

“….”

“You pretend not to remember again. Or maybe you thought sneaking around at night would keep me from noticing.”

I pursed my lips and closed my eyes.

‘Rebecca, you really did that? God… even if I were a half-demon, I’d want to kill you…’

Cursing and pouring alcohol on the statue of an ancestral figure—unbelievable.

My face burned even though it wasn’t me who did it.

“I had to pretend not to notice while the knights ran around frantically trying to catch the culprit.”

I sighed, feeling a headache coming on.

“That’ll never happen again. Especially not me showing up at your bedroom drunk.”

As I forced the words out, a low chuckle escaped Cedric’s lips.

“That’s for the best. After the divorce, I won’t have any reason to cover for your faults any—”

“Shh! You promised to keep that secret!”

I quickly covered his mouth with my palm.

I glared at him in warning… and then realized how close we were standing.

The soft sensation brushing my palm—his lips.

“Ah…”

A breeze whispered through the trees, birds chirped in the distance.

Surrounded by the fresh scent of the forest, we stood on the quiet path, eyes locked.

Neither of us looked away.

And when I started to feel the warmth of Cedric’s breath between my fingers…

‘Ah… Cedric must find this unpleasant. I really zoned out.’

I was sure he’d push my hand away with a scathing remark by now.

‘But why…’

Just as a faint curiosity bloomed in my chest—

“Rebecca.”

His lips moved softly, brushing against my palm.

His magnetic gaze remained fixed on mine.

Then, with a voice uncharacteristically gentle and formal for Cedric, he asked:

“…Will you finally let me go?”