When I Asked My Husband for a Divorce, He Said He’d Be Bringing Home a Young Woman, So I Left - 13
On my way to my family home, I stopped by the merchant guilds and various associations within the territory to inform them I’d be traveling for a while.
The next time I returned to Ecklund territory, it would likely be to be admitted to the branch hospital on the outskirts rather than the capital—so this was probably the last time I’d see them.
Everyone must have heard about what happened to Ixel on the front lines. With furrowed brows and worried expressions, they saw me off with hesitant murmurs of “Huh…? Oh…”
In my heart, I bowed my head in apology for the trouble I had caused them with the lord and lady’s scandal.
I decided to send letters to those who had helped me after some time had passed. By then, Ixel would have remarried, and there’d be no need to hide the circumstances. I wanted to properly thank them in the end.
Some had called me “young lady” and snapped, “I won’t listen to some brat’s nonsense!” There were times when our opinions clashed fiercely, but before I knew it, they had become reliable comrades—allies working together for Eklund’s sake.
Well, I won’t deny that money played a big role, but we built enough trust to laugh it off with a “Yeah, yeah,” and for that, I’m truly grateful to them all.
The carriage moved slowly through Ecklund territory.
Winter’s withered branches still stretched across the landscape, but upon closer inspection, new buds were forming. Soon, the green would shine dazzlingly bright, and flowers of white, yellow, pink, purple, red—every color—would bloom in abundance, their fragrance carried on the wind. When the sun grew stronger, water shortages often became a problem, but with the help of water spirits, we quenched our thirst and nurtured the crops. During harvest season, the sky stretched endlessly high, and the shifting shadows of clouds were as beautiful as a painting. On cold, dark mornings, I walked in silence, listening to the crunch of frost underfoot.
As the scenery passed by, memories of my years in Ecklund—more than half my life—flooded my mind.
I burned the sight into my eyes, knowing I’d never see it again, and then left Ecklund behind.
The couple driving the rented carriage were polite yet friendly, keeping me from growing bored on the journey.
The middle-aged pair traveled together while running their carriage-for-hire business. It was unclear if they even recognized me as Charlotte, and they probably hadn’t heard the rumors about Ixel either. Their easy conversation and lack of pity were a comfort.
After stopping at inns along the way and enduring three days of carriage travel, I passed through the gates of the house where I was born.
When I paid the fare generously upon parting, the wife hugged me in thanks, which startled me a little—but it wasn’t unpleasant. If anything, it warmed my heart and eased my tension.
My busy father and brother might not be home, but the steward would know their schedules. I could either wait or go to meet them.
Just seeing them for a little would be enough.
I didn’t plan to tell them about my limited time—just that I was getting divorced, going on a trip, and wouldn’t be returning to this house again.
As expected, the two were away, but my sister-in-law greeted me in their stead.
I’d heard she was pregnant with her fourth child, and her belly was noticeably protruding.
Beside her was my youngest nephew, now three years old. Since it had been so long since we’d met, he didn’t recognize me, hiding half behind his mother’s skirt. My brother and his wife had been blessed with three sons—the older two attended an academy from their townhouse in the royal capital and only returned to the territory during long breaks.
Though slightly flustered by my sudden, unannounced visit, my sister-in-law welcomed me warmly. “Oh my, come in!”