Chapter 7
“Wow… this face… it’s unreal.”
Olentia was both fascinated and stunned as she looked at her husband’s face.
“Because my wife has shown me her sincerity.”
His crimson eyes were fully focused on her, without a trace of impurity. It was beyond just being beautiful—her heart felt so full it was about to burst.
How wonderful it would be if this person were truly her husband. Lost in that thought, Olentia fainted.
After waking from that fleeting dream, everything became clearer.
The detestable Count Socor. And the cunning Countess Kikozelia.
She realized she had to completely let go of any lingering feelings for them.
Returning to her room, Olentia looked at Bovi with blazing eyes.
“Pack immediately! I’m leaving this wretched house.”
Bovi shook his head as he looked out at the darkened sky.
“It’s too late now, Miss. It would be better to move in the morning.”
“Oh… that’s true.”
“What will you do? Surely you didn’t actually get a special marriage permit?”
“Isn’t that ridiculous even to you?”
Olentia wandered aimlessly in the room, then collapsed onto the bed. She felt completely drained, both physically and emotionally.
Though she knew Socor would do anything for his own gain, she felt guilty for not having severed ties sooner.
Olentia pushed the sadness inward. Now was not the time to wallow.
She would never marry Marquis Luxus as the Count couple intended. If she had to marry, it would be on her terms—with the person she truly wanted.
Determined, Olentia lay down and covered herself with the soft blankets. She needed to sleep quickly and leave the beloved Count Armanieka mansion at dawn.
The Armanieka family of the Apricot Tree Clan.
The grand, beautiful Count’s mansion that had protected its people.
She had to leave it to find a new path.
Olentia closed her tearful eyes and tried to sleep.
Bovi watched her with concern, then turned off the lights and left the room.
In the vast room, Olentia was left alone.
At early dawn, several carriages were prepared in front of the mansion for Olentia. One was a luxury carriage, and the rest were for luggage.
Clearly, Socor had anticipated her departure and prepared them in advance.
Olentia gritted her teeth.
“He’s definitely trying to mock me.”
Socor’s preparation was likely his last bit of shallow courtesy.
With the help of the servants, Olentia loaded the luggage packed by the maids from the annex into the carriages. Since she intended to travel with only the bare minimum, it wasn’t much.
Once the luggage was ready, Bovi said,
“Everything’s nearly ready, Miss.”
“Good. Let’s go. I want to leave this place quickly.”
Olentia hated Socor for putting her in this position. Though it was technically Kikozelia’s plan, it was ultimately his doing.
Moreover, the Armanieka mansion held countless memories with her parents. Leaving it like this was far from pleasant.
But to move forward, a temporary farewell was necessary.
Olentia grabbed Bovi’s hand as he approached the luggage carriage and moved toward the luxury carriage.
“Let’s just ride together. It’ll be lonely otherwise.”
Though it was unusual for a servant to ride in a noble’s carriage, Olentia didn’t feel it mattered.
Bovi nodded reluctantly.
“Understood, Miss. I’ll always stay by your side.”
Those words were incredibly comforting.
Just as Olentia was about to board the carriage bravely, she heard the voices of the butler and the remaining old servants. When Socor became Count, he had dismissed most long-time servants and replaced them with new ones, so few old staff remained.
“Miss Olentia!”
“Miss, are you really leaving?”
Their voices were filled with deep sorrow, and Olentia felt it in her chest. She turned to them and said,
“I’m leaving. Take care.”
“Miss, you’ll come back, right? You must come back.”
“You all understand why I’m leaving, don’t you?”
“Yes. But I’ll stay at the mansion.”
“That’s right. We’ll remain and wait for your return.”
It seemed as if they would stay behind solely for her sake. Olentia nodded, feeling the depth of their loyalty.
It was truly time to leave the Count’s mansion she loved.
“I’ll see it again. I’ll make sure of it.”
Climbing into the carriage and drawing the curtains, Olentia glanced back at the red-brick mansion. The mansion’s garden still bloomed with the Tree of Good and Evil, brought from the sacred land of Cassandra by her father.
As a child, she had found the fruits delicious and often ate them with Socor. Now, they were unpleasantly bitter.
“Socor must be watching from somewhere.”
She didn’t know why memories of eating the fruits and his childhood kindness came flooding back now.
‘Olentia, even if you fall from the horse, I’ll catch you. Don’t worry.’
‘But you’d get hurt badly!’
‘It’s fine if I get hurt, but you can’t. Uncle would scold me.’
‘Ha! Isn’t it just because you care too much about me? Be honest. Hehe!’
Was she twelve then? Young Olentia had understood her cousin Socor’s feelings completely. Though he teased her, his gaze was always gentle.
Now a young adult, Socor held the petite Olentia tightly, saying,
“You caught me. Don’t act so proud, little one.”
“Tch!”
Young Olentia stuck out her tongue and refocused on her riding lesson. Though many tutors could teach her, she preferred learning from Socor.
“…Not that long ago, but it feels distant.”
Olentia muttered bitterly, drawing the curtains fully. She regretted how things had changed between her and Socor.
Even after deciding to stand on her own, such thoughts didn’t vanish.
She had already arranged a place to live in Noctifer, with all the furniture and items ready. She only needed to move with her small luggage.
Her heart thumped quietly at the thought of living alone.
“She’s really gone.”
Watching from the third-floor bedroom, Socor bit his lips nervously. He didn’t know why he did it, knowing full well Olentia would leave.
Seeing her leave felt like putting a child on the water’s edge. Maybe he had taken her presence in the annex for granted.
‘Am I really softening?’
That wasn’t good.
Socor had to pursue the couple’s interests more decisively than anyone. The former Count was a famous archaeologist, and the former Countess a renowned philanthropist, respected because their relationship was scandal-free.
Nobles often had small or large love scandals, but the two had showcased their love without rumor.
Socor wanted to maintain a good reputation with Kikozelia in the Bonus Empire.
But it was proving so difficult.
Seeing Socor’s serious face, Kikozelia carefully brushed her long hair aside.
“Rest a little more. Poor sleep clouds judgment.”
Her gentle voice, though meant to worry for him, somehow irritated him. Everything Kikozelia had done was with his approval.
Trying to ignore the uncomfortable feelings, Socor stood at the door and said,
“I’m fully awake. I should get started on work.”
Kikozelia, tidying the bed for him, smiled awkwardly.
“Yes. May God’s blessing be with you today.”
Her blessings were solely for the Count couple. Socor, fully aware of that, nodded and left the stuffy bedroom. When unsettled, it was better to focus on work.
“Don’t wander too long, Olentia.”
She would have to marry Marquis Luxus anyway. Wandering now would only waste energy. He had let her leave for a while, but she was still in his hands.
Sighing, he headed to his study, his steps unusually heavy.
The capital of the Bonus Empire, Geranium.
Geranium housed the central nobles in areas like Green Park and Gold Street, and major hubs such as Silver Town, Owen Square, and Bonus Cathedral.
Most residents were nobles or bourgeois, living leisurely and comfortably.
Until recently, Olentia, heiress of the Armanieka family, had belonged to this circle.
“The more I see it, the better it seems.”
Olentia muttered as she gazed at her home in the morning.
A few days prior, she had secured a residence in Noctifer, on the western outskirts of Geranium. Known as the “House of Venus” because its roof gleamed golden in the sunset, it was ideal for social activities while also offering multiple layers of security, with ancient walls surrounding it—an alternative to employing many mercenaries as the Armanieka mansion did.
