Chapter 7: Determination

“Good day, Dorothy-dono.”

As Noah approached her with a cheerful smile, Dorothy unconsciously took a step back as if to avoid him.

“Good afternoon, Lord Noah.”

She worried that her expression might be stiff, but she could not trouble the older brother of a mere friend any further.
When she discreetly asked a maid who was not assigned to the Empress, she learned that there really had been a very small rumor about Dorothy and Noah.
It seemed the one spreading it was the young lady Noah had rejected that day.
Those who knew she had been clinging to Noah said it was probably a story fabricated out of jealousy and dismissed it as such.
However, since the rumor started because people had seen Dorothy talking with Noah, she wanted to avoid even that.
The problem was that Noah himself was smiling and speaking to her like this.
She could hardly tell him to stop.
She thought she had subtly created some distance, but for some reason it felt like Noah was slowly closing the gap instead.

“My sister said she has not seen you lately and feels lonely.”
“Oh my, did Frederica say that.”
“It is true that I have been so busy learning my duties that I have not written even a single letter to my friends.”
“Then you should come to our house on your next day off.”
“My sister would be delighted.”

It was true that Frederica had been lonely from not seeing Dorothy.
However, before that, Noah had been scolded by Frederica over the rumors involving Dorothy.
She had accused him of setting his sights on Dorothy even though she had not encouraged her to work at the palace for that purpose.
She had told him to back off.
Naturally, Noah had no intention of backing down, so he persuaded his sister by listing the advantages of having her friend become his sister-in-law.
Knowing about Dorothy’s situation with Count Miller, Frederica concluded that her brother was still the better option by comparison.
She promised she would not actively support him, but she would not interfere either.
From here on, it was up to Noah.

“I would like to see Frederica, but visiting a marquis house would be a bit…”

Right now in particular, it would be dangerous.
At the very least, she wanted the rumors about Noah to die down a little more.

“There is no problem.”
“I can send a carriage if you like.”
“That would be a bit too much…”

Dorothy’s expression stiffened slightly.
If he did that, strange rumors would definitely spread.

“Lord Noah, I will write Frederica a letter.”
“I believe I will settle down a bit more soon, and when that happens, I would like to see her.”
“That is unfortunate, but it cannot be helped.”
“By the way, you mentioned divorcing Count Miller before, how are things now.”
“If you are having trouble with him, I can help.”
“It is all right.”
“I will be speaking with Sir Silas soon, and I would like to decide what to do going forward then.”

Even though she said deciding what to do going forward, the divorce itself was already decided.
What remained was merely discussing when it would happen.
Once that was done, Dorothy’s life would settle for a time.
After that, she would continue working at the palace, and then…
And then what.
She could not yet see what she wanted to do or what she wanted to become.
She might never know.
But at the very least, if things stayed as they were, Dorothy would only be unhappy.
No matter what anyone else said, she herself felt unhappy.

“I had heard about your marriage from my sister and from rumors, so I thought you would divorce smoothly, but it feels like things have become strange.”
“Strange?”
“The necklace.”
“…It was handed to me in a place with far too many eyes.”
“However, if he thinks that something like a necklace would move my heart, I can only be disappointed.”
“I believe your heart is already decided.”
“Such a gift is far too late.”
“What I am concerned about is not your heart, but Count Miller.”
“Sir Silas?”
“Yes.”

Dorothy was surprised to learn that Noah was concerned about Silas.

“I remembered my sister being angry that Count Miller had never given his wife a single gift.”
“Would it not seem strange that such a man would suddenly give you a necklace in public.”

When put into words by someone else, it did indeed sound strange.
A count who had never once given his wife a gift was already something people could gossip about.
Such a count giving a necklace to his wife who had gone out to work, and doing so in public.

“…When you say it like that, it really is strange.”
“Isn’t it.”
“Your attitude has not changed.”
“The one who has changed is Count Miller.”
“That is true.”
“Personally, I believe it was because people around him said various things.”
“Sir Silas tends to believe what those around him say.”
“Perhaps one of his friends told him that women working at the palace all wear necklaces, and asked whether his wife did not.”

It was not a change of heart, but the usual self-preservation.

“I think he simply disliked being criticized or made to look foolish because of me.”
“I hope that is all it is.”
“But if Count Miller refuses to sign the divorce papers, I want you to consult me.”
“I will surely be able to help.”

Noah had already set various things in motion.
Still, considering what lay ahead, it would be best if the divorce could be resolved calmly through discussion between husband and wife.

“Thank you, Lord Noah.”
“Even though I am merely Frederica’s friend, you have shown me much consideration.”
“If the worst should happen, I will rely on you then.”

She felt that even if she refused here, he would somehow talk his way around her, so Dorothy chose to thank him honestly.
She had no intention of relying on him, but having a last resort just in case was honestly reassuring.
This marriage had not led to happiness as a couple, but divorce would lead to happiness for both Dorothy and Silas.
Silas could return to a life centered on his family and be happy.
Dorothy could separate herself from a family that forever treated her as an outsider and live for herself.
This was the first step.
She did not know whether it would truly lead to her happiness, but Dorothy had already steeled her resolve.