Episode 1
“You can’t just go meet him, madam.”
The head maid, Beati, stood in front of Emilia, blocking her way with sharp eyes.
Her words were cold enough to make Emilia hesitate for a moment, but today, Emilia couldn’t back down.
“I have something I must say. Please, let me through.”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible.”
A bitter taste filled her mouth, but she refused to turn back just because of Beati’s glare.
Once again, Emilia asked her to step aside, saying it was important.
Beati seemed a little surprised at Emilia’s unusual persistence, but still didn’t move. She crossed her arms and kept
glaring.
Emilia bit her lip.
Today, she had to see the man behind that door no matter what.
She wanted to talk to him.
But first, she had to get past Beati, who was acting like she ruled over her.
“Even if you see him, I already know what you’ll say.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Isn’t it obvious? You’re going to beg the Duke to save your family.”
At Beati’s words, Emilia glanced around. Everyone was looking at her with the same cold expression.
Not that they had ever looked at her kindly before. Even though she was the Duchess, she had no power or respect in
this house.
Beati even handled the duties a Duchess should do herself.
To them, Emilia was nothing more than a useless freeloader.
“What’s with all this noise?”
After who knows how long, the door—one she thought wouldn’t open—suddenly opened.
Cold eyes swept down the hallway before finally landing on Emilia.
He was dressed in a black uniform with gold decorations—formal attire worn only for special occasions, not daily life.
Edwin Casper. The master of the house. Her only husband.
Just meeting his eyes made Emilia feel like all warmth drained from her body. There was no kindness in his gaze.
The servants, who had no problem looking down on her moments ago, now lowered their heads in respect to him.
Taking a deep breath, Emilia ignored them and stepped forward.
She could feel Beati’s annoyed glare, but that didn’t matter now.
“Please, give me a moment of your time.”
She poured all her desperation into her request. Even 30 seconds would be enough—just a little time to talk.
“Emilia.”
Her body flinched at the sound of her name.
His voice, as always, was dry and without a hint of affection.
Maybe she was still holding onto the memory of that one time he was gentle, hoping they could become closer over
time.
That’s why today, she wanted to tell him what was in her heart.
She stepped closer, trying to bridge the wide gap between them.
His gaze only grew colder, but she didn’t back down.
“Please, just once…”
If he would listen to her just once, maybe their relationship could be saved.
“I want to”
“I’m busy. Let’s talk later.”
“Edwin.”
“I already lost sleep last night because of your family’s problems.”
She wanted to say this wasn’t about her family that it was about them as husband and wife—but he didn’t even give her a chance.
Her carefully built resolve crumbled.
Then, with a sigh, Edwin stepped closer.
Afraid to meet his eyes, she lowered her head, but he grabbed her chin and made her look at him.
“You’re not here to beg me to save the Hermann family, are you?”
“I have to go. We’ll talk about us another time. Go back to your room.”
Without waiting for her answer, Edwin walked away.
Emilia could only watch his back grow smaller.
‘If I push him any further… it won’t just end in words.’
She knew the distance between them would never close.
The servants’ eyes on her were sharp, but Beati’s glare was the harshest.
“I suppose my warning wasn’t enough for you.”
Emilia ignored her and kept staring at Edwin’s disappearing figure.
Beati snorted.
“To think you’d actually try to ask the Duke to save your family… pathetic.”
Some servants chuckled.
“You were never a real mistress of this house anyway. That’s why this happened.”
Emilia’s face didn’t change. She was used to this treatment.
It had been this way for so long that insults barely hurt anymore.
Still, she couldn’t help feeling bitter.
‘Not once have they treated me like the Duchess since I came here.’
She was the Duchess Edwin’s wife but nobody in this household respected their marriage.
“Ha. You’ll be thrown out soon enough. Enjoy what little time you have left. You won’t even be able to return to your family once you’re gone.”
With that, Beati turned and left. The other servants followed without needing to be told.
Once the “tiger” was gone, the “foxes” spoke freely, whispering and laughing at her.
Emilia sighed and walked away.
‘I just wanted to talk to him one last time…’
She let out a dry laugh.
She had never been able to have a real conversation with him—he was always too busy. She thought just once would
be okay.
But now, knowing the original story’s ending was near, she could finally let go.
Her time was almost up.
She had truly loved him, which was why she stayed all this time, foolishly hoping for a chance.
If she acted properly and didn’t cause trouble, maybe he’d look at her once.
But today was her last chance.
“My family’s downfall must be a blessing for you.”
Now he could end their marriage with no reason to keep her, no bothersome wife he didn’t even want to look at.
Emilia wiped away the tears filling her eyes.
Before her family fell, she had tried so hard to win his heart—but nothing changed.
And why would it? Even knowing the original story, she had no power to change it.
Back in her room, she looked at the desk.
The divorce papers with both their names were still there.
“Even transmigrating was pointless, huh…”
She had wanted to change the story just a little.
But facing her cold husband now, she had to give up.
“I’ll do as you wish.”
With that, Emilia kept her eyes fixed on the divorce papers, finally ready to let go of her foolish hope.
