ESWPT 07

Chapter 07

A surge of pure white rage rose like a giant wave, engulfing Edward completely and refusing to let him go.

Five years ago.

He could still recall that night vividly.

The full moon hung in the sky, casting a bright, silvery light.

He had ridden his warhorse without pause, racing through the night.

It had been nearly a week since he had left for home.

“…I wonder if Cecilia is asleep.”

At the thought of his young wife, a soft smile played across his lips, reflected in the halo of moonlight.

To someone who didn’t know the situation, he might appear devoted, but Edward and Cecilia were far from that.

They had entered a loveless marriage, merely pretending to be husband and wife.

That was all.

Still, Edward valued his connection with Cecilia.

She was far too diligent in her role as the Duchess to be treated as a mere tool.

Thanks to her handling all matters of society, Edward could focus solely on managing his estate.

Today marked exactly one year since their official wedding. It was a small opportunity for him to give something back to Cecilia.

“I’m glad I can return in time for our anniversary.”

It wasn’t midnight yet, so he could at least say he was punctual.

“…I wonder if she’ll like it.”

He thought of the gift he had prepared for today.

In truth, even after a year together, Edward didn’t know Cecilia very well.

It was only natural—they couldn’t call themselves real husband and wife.

Of course, her tastes were simple.

Like most noblewomen, she liked beautiful, flashy things, and her blue eyes sparkled like sunlit rivers at the sight of precious gems.

But Edward didn’t want to give her a substitute—a jewel whose value could easily be replaced.

He wanted to give something Cecilia would truly treasure, something she would cherish and protect.

And he had prepared such a gift.

“Your Grace, you’ve returned.”

At the Duke’s residence, the old butler greeted him.

“Yes. Is the lady asleep?”

Edward headed straight for the stairs leading to the bedroom.

“Yes. She’s been asleep since early evening.”

“I see.”

Edward let out a small sigh.

Apparently, she had gone to bed early, expecting he wouldn’t return.

Normally, Cecilia would stay awake for him, even all night, whenever he came home.

Feeling guilty, he carefully opened the bedroom door so as not to wake her.

Cecilia lay completely unaware, wrapped in her blanket.

‘Wouldn’t she be uncomfortable?’

Worried she might be suffocating, Edward slowly lifted the blanket from her head.

“…?”

The soft, smiling face he expected to see froze instantly.

What he had thought was Cecilia was nothing but a straw doll made to resemble her.

‘It’s a kidnapping.’

His blood ran cold.

Edward had to steady himself not to collapse to his knees.

‘I was foolish.’

He had been so focused on opposing the Imperial Court that he hadn’t realized how many were after Cecilia.

Though she always had trusted guards when she went out, that alone wasn’t enough.

He never imagined she would be taken from inside their own home.

‘Whoever did this… I’ll tear their limbs apart.’

The scent of blood already filled the air.

Edward staggered, turning, unable to gather his composure.

He had to find Cecilia before it was too late.

As he grabbed the door handle, a sheet of paper on the nearby desk caught his eye.

Even at a glance, the page was densely filled with writing in Cecilia’s handwriting.

“….”

Edward paused, staring at the paper.

[Consent to Divorce Declaration]

He could read the letters, but their meaning didn’t register.

He picked up the paper, read it, put it down, and read it again.

Slowly.

The words began to sink in, one by one.

[Consent to Divorce Declaration]

Cecilia had thoughtfully filled in all the sections he needed to complete.

She even placed the blame for the divorce entirely on herself.

Once submitted to the court, Cecilia Ceres would once again become Cecilia Graham.

“….”

A metallic taste filled his mouth. Edward swallowed it, holding the divorce papers in his hands.

His strong hands gripped the corners of the documents.

Shred.

Shred.

The papers tore with a loud sound—the details of their engagement, wedding, and life together—all shredded.

Even her signature: Cecilia Ceres.

Edward’s boots crushed the torn fragments.

He pressed them down until the letters could no longer be seen, finally satisfied.

No—he wasn’t satisfied.

Cecilia… his wife… was probably running away alone.

Believing their relationship was over.

Edward pulled out the small box he had intended as a gift.

It was worth as much as a small mansion in the capital, but now, with the recipient gone, it meant nothing.

He opened the window, letting the box dangle from his fingers, ready to drop.

“….”

After staring out for a long moment, he turned quietly back.

The gift still hung from his fingertips.

And now, five years later.

Edward was reliving the rage, despair, and sense of betrayal from that day.

“I didn’t betray you.”

Look at her, saying it so brazenly.

Her hair color had changed, and so had she.

Back then, she might have shown a trace of apology—but now, Cecilia was bold.

It almost seemed as if Edward were the one at fault.

“If I hadn’t left that day, you would have died.”

Cecilia was unashamed.

No matter what Edward thought, she had never betrayed him.

The problem was that while Edward demanded she explain, he didn’t seem inclined to listen at all.

“Die? Me?”

Edward snorted.

Cecilia took a deep breath.

If he wouldn’t believe her, there was nothing she could do.

Still, she had to speak.

She had to tell him why she left.

The truth, which she had never had the chance to reveal until now.

“It was the days you were away. The Emperor’s agent came, Edward.”

“Listen carefully, Duchess.”

The Emperor’s agent, who had suddenly appeared at the Duke’s residence and forced Cecilia to kneel under the pretext of an imperial decree, seemed very pleased with himself.

“The Emperor said this: You hate divorce so much? Fine. Then I will let you hold the funeral of your dead husband….”

Cecilia parted her lips.

Her pale face was completely devoid of any life.

“My husband has done nothing wrong. No matter what the Emperor says…”

“Do you truly believe that, Duchess?”

“….”

Yes.

Cecilia knew too.

No matter how much she and Edward struggled, they were no match for the Emperor.

She had been foolish to think that being the wife of a high-ranking noble would protect her from the Emperor’s reach.

The Emperor had continued to extend his grasp toward her.

Edward had only managed to intervene repeatedly, preventing him from succeeding.

And now, the Emperor’s patience had run out.

Of course, even for the Emperor, removing Edward would create backlash.

But what use would that be?

Edward Ceres would already be dead.

At that point, even if she wanted to take revenge, it would be meaningless.

Besides, Cecilia had no intention of avenging Edward.

They had been a contract couple, surviving only to preserve their own lives.

So Cecilia made her decision.

To save Edward’s life—and her own.

“…Understood.”

Cecilia spoke with a calm expression.

“I will follow His Majesty’s will.”