Chapter 05
A space several times larger than her own body. In that vastness, Chloe sat alone.
It was hard to believe this was the same carriage she had often ridden in during her childhood—it felt unfamiliar and strange. Yet the scenery beyond the window was incredibly familiar, despite how long it had been since she last saw it.
The faint sound of a horse’s neigh stimulated her hearing. Sand kicked up by the wheels filled the glass outside. It was proof that the carriage had slowed down.
“We’ve arrived, my lady.”
Just as Chloe expected, the carriage soon came to a stop.
Fresh air greeted her as she stepped onto her homeland. The warm, refreshing breeze of the capital tickled her heart.
“Chloe!”
A familiar voice rang out from afar. Snapped out of her daze, Chloe quickly looked around.
Her family had come out to the gates to welcome her.
“Father!”
At the end of her gaze stood Valont—her one and only father and the ruler of the kingdom. Behind him were her siblings who remained in the royal household.
Excited, she forgot even the etiquette ingrained in her and began running toward them.
With every step she took closer, the things that had been tormenting her seemed to disappear one by one.
That evening, a royal banquet was held to welcome Chloe back after so long.
They treated her with such hospitality that even foreign envoys had never been received this grandly.
Chloe began eating with a happy heart. A meal that had once been nothing more than a means of survival or maintaining appearances felt meaningful today.
The Valont family was unusually lively. Even with the longer-than-usual meal, laughter and conversation never ceased.
“Visit often, Chloe. Your siblings miss you so much.”
“Is it really just the siblings, Mother? I miss Chloe dearly as well.”
There was a slight sharpness hidden in the words directed at her—but it was a thorn made of affection, so it didn’t hurt at all.
“I will.”
“You always say that. You promised to come soon when I wrote to you, and now it’s already been a year.”
“Really. I’ll come often, sister. I promise.”
Since becoming a duchess, Chloe had never visited as a princess of the royal family.
She only came for brief matters or social gatherings. Even then, she was always accompanied by Calis, leaving no time to spend with her family.
She always felt uneasy seeing her family’s regretful expressions when they sent her off, but she hadn’t realized they missed her this much.
“This fish is delicious. Chloe, have my portion.”
“Oh! Then I’ll give my dessert to my sister later!”
While Chloe stared blankly at her family, the king’s hand moved before her. A neatly cut grilled fish was placed on her plate.
Salted and perfectly moist grilled salmon—her favorite dish.
The asparagus and cherry tomatoes on the side. The butter-laden mashed potatoes. The refreshing grapefruit juice in a pretty glass. Even the dessert to come—brownies with vanilla ice cream.
Everything was her favorite.
“…Yes. I’ll enjoy it all.”
Warmth she had never seen nor felt in the ducal household.
This long-awaited peace felt incredibly precious—so much so that she never wanted to lose it again.
After the meal, Chloe was guided to a guest room.
“I decorated it as quickly as I could… It’s not quite like your old room, is it?”
But the beautifully arranged room looked just like the one she used to have.
When Chloe married the duke, she had asked for her old room to be torn down—wanting to completely cut off any path of return.
It had been a simple, foolish decision. Because of that one moment, she could no longer feel nostalgia for her past.
“What do you mean? It looks just like my room. I love it.”
Chloe forced a bright smile. It seemed to work, as her mother’s worried expression softened.
That day, Violet personally helped Chloe dress and undress. Seeing her fully grown daughter, Violet looked somewhat bittersweet.
“Sleep well, my daughter.”
After placing a kiss on her forehead, she slowly turned to leave—as if she didn’t want to go.
When she reached the door with difficulty, Violet suddenly turned back, hurried over, and embraced Chloe tightly.
“Mother?”
“If anything happens, make sure to tell us.”
“……”
“We’re family. We’ll support you completely. We know you’ve been having a hard time. So don’t try to carry everything alone—share it with us.”
The arms holding Chloe trembled. Even her usually strong voice quivered.
“…Yes.”
The comfort she had longed for so deeply.
Now that she finally received it, she couldn’t fully take it in. Instead, Chloe simply nodded blankly.
Only after Violet left did Chloe move her tired body and lie down on the bed.
Staring at the white ceiling, she began to reflect on the day.
How long had it been since she’d had such a peaceful day? Such a happy one?
I should have come sooner.
She should have come running without hesitation. But after weighing everything, too much time had passed.
There was no particular reason.
For the first half-year, she had been busy settling into her new home. For the next half-year, it was because of Calis—who treated her family as enemies.
If she went to see her family, she felt she would have no face left to show her husband.
And so, she had lived confined within the Arhen ducal household.
Foolishly.
A faint aroma drifted through the air. It was the oil Violet had placed for Chloe’s insomnia.
A small teddy bear by her bedside was a gift from her younger sibling.
The scent of her family lingered everywhere.
Yes… this was what family felt like.
And this was the kind of home Chloe had truly wanted.
Sunlight pierced through the curtains. Chloe stirred awake, unconsciously frowning.
How long had it been since she woke up feeling so light? Starting the day no longer felt like despair, but hope.
With the affectionate care of her maids, Chloe was beautifully dressed. Their small talk and playful jokes felt charming.
In the ducal household, even getting dressed had been suffocating—silent and tense.
Even breakfast was perfect.
Thanks to her loving family, the wounds festering inside her slowly began to heal.
After breakfast, the king invited her to a private tea time.
It was a rare moment between father and daughter.
Valont lifted his teacup first. Chloe followed.
The tea, said to be imported from a foreign land, had a unique fragrance.
“I bought this from a merchant the other day, thinking you might like it. If you do, I’ll send some with you when you leave.”
“Thank you.”
What moved her slightly was that her father—who usually hated foreign things—had personally bought and prepared this tea for her.
And that the teacup was adorned with her birthstone.
“So. You said you had something to discuss.”
After exchanging casual pleasantries, Valont changed the subject.
“…Yes. It’s a bit complicated.”
“Can you tell me what it is?”
Though his face was stern, his voice was gentle.
As if comforted, Chloe revealed the truth about the Arhen ducal household.
“After returning from war, he brought someone with him… I mean… a woman.”
Helena. The kingdom’s Cinderella. The woman Calis loved.
She told him everything—the woman, and the shameless behavior they displayed in the household.
As he listened, Valont’s face gradually filled with anger.
“That wretched bastard!”
It was the first thing he said after hearing everything.
“To dare insult the royal family—and my daughter—in this way! I cannot tolerate it!”
Seeing her father furious on her behalf made Chloe feel lighter.
At least her family stood by her.
“What would you like me to do, Chloe? I will help you with anything. Just tell me.”
With a deep sigh, Valont gently cupped her cheek and asked.
…What I want.
A divorce.
If Calis refused to let her go, then she would be the one to let go.
She no longer wanted to be used by him. She no longer wanted to be seen as foolish and easy.
To escape them—and grow stronger faster than anyone else.
That would be her best revenge.
Of course, the kingdom was hostile toward divorce. Marriage was a sacred vow before the gods, and breaking it was considered betrayal.
But if they support me…
If the king and queen permitted it, she could proceed with a divorce trial despite the temple’s opposition.
Chloe swallowed.
The liquid felt strangely sour as it passed her throat.
“…I want a divorce.”
After countless worries—
She finally spoke.
