Leon returned to that house. Perhaps he spoke with her about something.
I didn’t want to hear it.
“I’ll return to the capital tomorrow.”
There was so much to do.
Stop by the guild to collect my reward, obtain the divorce papers. Decide where to live, then move once preparations were complete. If possible, I wanted everything finished before Leon returned.
It was busy enough to make my head spin, but perhaps that was for the best.
“I understand. Moving alone will be difficult, won’t it? I’ll send someone you can trust.”
As always, he thought ahead. Reliable to the end.
I briefly considered asking Amelie for help, but she was pregnant now. Doing it alone made me feel faint for a moment, but it would be fine.
“That would help a lot. Thank you.”
I tried to smile properly, but it took more effort than I expected. Thinking about what lay ahead was daunting, but I forced myself to focus.
“Shall I buy something for you? I’d like to eat out with you, but if we’re seen together, it could cause misunderstandings.”
“All right. Please do. I think I can eat whatever you choose.”
Asti smiled and vanished with a soft sound of teleportation.
The mirror remained on the table.
If I activated it, I would probably see him with that woman again. But I no longer felt any desire to look. He could do as he pleased.
If I had known nothing, I would have returned to the capital and waited for Leon as usual.
But as time passed and that child grew, when it came time for education, what would he have chosen?
Me, or that child?
…Probably that child. He had looked at her with such tenderness.
If so, then it was better for her to grow up with both parents while she still didn’t understand. I didn’t want her to realize that she was born from betrayal.
And I didn’t want my own child to know their father was someone who betrayed others.
In the end, I was using the children as my excuse to leave.
But more than anything, I wanted to protect their hearts. I didn’t want to see them cry.
It might be idealistic, but I believed it was the best answer.
“May I come in, Sheila?”
“Go ahead.”
This time, Asti had set his teleport destination outside the door. He knocked properly.
I opened the door and invited him in, but he stopped at the threshold.
“Please eat this. Until the divorce is settled, I think it’s better if we don’t stay in the same room. I’ll return to my room.”
He was right. Even if Leon had done the same, inviting a man into my room too freely wasn’t appropriate. Still, Asti was more like a witness who had helped gather evidence. Even so, he was being considerate.
“All right. Thank you, Asti. I’m glad you helped me.”
“I’ll do anything for you. So please rely on me.”
I nodded in response to his smile.
Without Asti, I don’t think I could have managed any of this. Having someone by my side meant more than I realized.
“Please eat and rest well tonight. For the baby’s sake.”
After watching him return to his room, I closed the door.
Silence settled in.
Perhaps he had given me time to settle my feelings.
I spread out what he had bought on the table and picked at what appealed to me.
“What do you feel like eating, Sheila?”
“Something easy to snack on.”
I bit into fried potatoes sprinkled with salt.
“Then you don’t need the main dish I made?”
“Isn’t what you make usually just grilled meat?”
I ate smoked fish laid over vegetables. The slightly sour dressing was refreshing and easy to eat.
“Ugh… I’m bad with bitter things…”
“If your fever’s gone, you don’t have to drink it. Here, do your best.”
As I ate, a drop fell onto the table.
“I really love the meals you make, Sheila. Eating them makes me think, ‘Ah, I’m home.’
“Expeditions are tough, but I always come back to eat your food.”
Five years of marriage. Especially recently, the painful memories should have outweighed the good ones. And yet, what surfaced were only the happy days.
I had decided on divorce, yet my resolve wavered. I questioned myself and held firm.
Don’t soften. Don’t hope. I told myself, letting unnecessary emotions flow away with my tears.
I will no longer cook for Leon.
I will no longer pray for his safe return.
I will no longer give him charms.
I chewed slowly, as if making a vow.
I washed away my lingering feelings with tears, crushed my misplaced kindness, and swallowed it down.
I finished with a refreshing fruit juice and clapped my cheeks lightly.
I reviewed tomorrow’s tasks once more.
Upon arriving in the capital, go to the guild. Receive my reward and the divorce papers.
At home, fill out the divorce documents immediately.
I should tell Amelie too. If I stayed silent, she’d scold me later.
Then pack my belongings. I could leave without a word, but Leon would still need to sign the papers. Judging by how he looked with the commander, he might resist.
I would make sure the documents were completed and submitted.
It might be better to leave the capital entirely. Returning to my parents’ home was out of the question—Leon would likely follow. Somehow, I didn’t want him to know about the child.
I would contact my family once things had settled.
“All right.”
With my plans ready, I cleaned up and prepared for the next day. Then I slowly soaked in the bath.
I remembered someone from the eastern lands saying that soaking in a tub relaxed both mind and body.
I leaned back in the warm water, looked up at the ceiling, and closed my eyes.
I would let all memories wash away.
From tomorrow on, I would cleanse myself, start fresh, and move forward with a clear heart.
That night, I went to bed early.
When I closed my eyes, memories of happier times flickered like a lantern reel.
But every so often, Asti’s smile appeared, gently guiding me into sleep.
I thought I might not sleep at all—but thanks to that, I welcomed the morning without dreams.
